Living in Ho Chi Minh City in 2018, 2019, and again in 2023 and 2024, I discovered many lesser-known places throughout the city. Since riding a motorbike to explore Saigon’s alleys and outskirts is one of my favorite hobbies, I’ve actually just stumbled upon many of these spots.
To me, a hidden gem is anything from a lesser-known restaurant or cafe to a street with interesting architecture to parks, cool museums, or a random spot in Ho Chi Minh City with a great view. It’s highly subjective, but as a long-time city resident, these are my top hidden gems in Ho Chi Minh City.
Map of Hidden Gems in Saigon
How to use this map: Ahoy! Click the arrow in the top left-hand corner to view a Ho Chi Minh City map. The yellow stars are some of my favorite hidden gems in the city.
1. Bep Vo Kitchen
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page
Mia Saigon in Thao Dien is one of the nicest luxury boutique hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s in a very quiet and private area.
I ate at Bep Vo dozens of times when I lived in Thao Dien and continued to visit when I moved elsewhere in Saigon. I usually become a repeat visitor when I find a restaurant that ticks certain subjective boxes. As far as Bep Vo Kitchen:
- Great food at good prices for the area (Thao Dien)
- Lots of healthy food choices
- Great service, friendly staff and owners
- Inside seating with air conditioning and an outdoor patio area
- They accept cash or debit/credit card
If you’re looking for healthy, clean food, this is a great spot in Thao Dien. I always got the chicken and broccoli dish and sometimes the avocado salad. The avocado salad is huge and excellent.
Related: Saigon Uncovered: Best Areas to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
2. Big Boss Bistro
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page
I was hunting for a place with good sandwiches when a friend recommended Big Boss Bistro.
Unless you were told by a friend like I was or happened to notice it on Google Maps, you likely wouldn’t accidentally stumble upon this place; it’s in District 1 but not in the most walked area per se, and it’s on the second floor of a long building, tucked among many other small shops.
That being said, the Italian sub was one of the better subs I’ve had in recent years, certainly in Vietnam. If you’re craving a delicious and hearty sandwich like I was, this is the place in Ho Chi Minh City.
Related: Best Ramen in Ho Chi Minh City: Top Spots (By an Expat)
3. Cơm Gà Singapore Quận 3
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page
La Vela Saigon in District 3 has the best rooftop pool in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a reasonably priced five-star hotel in a convenient area.
Com ga is one of the more popular dishes in Vietnam. It translates to “chicken rice,” but more accurately, it is chicken and rice. This small, family-owned restaurant in District 3 makes my list of hidden gems in Saigon for several reasons:
- It’s in District 3, not near any touristy areas
- A very nice family owns it, and the service is excellent
- The meal sets are tasty and filling, and the prices are great
- Set 2 (my daily choice) includes chicken, rice, vegetables, soup, and a hard-boiled egg for 70.000 VND
- The restaurant is available for delivery on the Grab App, and they use quality containers to package their deliveries – no leaky boxes or bags
I ate here nearly every day for about six months.
Related: Best Hotels in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
4. Hellas – Traditional Greek Cuisine
Address: Google Maps (closed) • Facebook Page • Website
This location closed in December 2023. They still have a kiosk in the Ben Thanh Street Food Market across from the Independence Palace. Their Facebook Page is up to date.
Hellas is a small Greek restaurant in District 1, right next door to The Running Bean, a great coffee shop for working remotely.
I had been subtly craving feta cheese for a few weeks when I stumbled upon this restaurant. I had no idea that it was next door to the coffee shop I’d been visiting the entire time.
For being in a prime location in District 1, the prices at Hellas are more than fair. The restaurant is small and quiet, and the feta cheese salad hit the spot. I ended up visiting several times over the following weeks.
Related: 24 Best Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City for All Budgets (With Map)
5. Whatever Cafe
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page
Whatever Cafe is a small coffee shop down an alley in Thao Dien, District 2.
I wanted a cup of coffee but also wanted to avoid some of the bigger, busier coffee shops (The Coffee House, Phuc Long, etc.) in Thao Dien. I stumbled upon this place and ended up being the only customer my entire time there. It was quiet, comfortable, and air-conditioned.
They make and bottle their own homemade cold-brew coffee. For 50,000 VND, it came with an orange slice and a glass of water. I thought the coffee was excellent, and the quiet atmosphere was just what I was looking for.
6. Bonjour Cafe The Art
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page
Bonjour Cafe The Art is on one of the main roads in Thao Dien, but you could easily pass by without realizing just how pinkly beautified it is inside. I’ve never seen anything like it in a coffee shop.
Aside from coffee and tea, they have a small food menu, including croissants and a few different bánh mì chảo (pan bread) dishes.
While it’s unfortunate that the coffee isn’t the best around, coming here just to take photos is a unique experience in itself. I definitely recommend visiting at least once.
7. Little HaNoi Egg Coffee (Yersin)
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page
Little HaNoi is right near Bui Vien Walking Street, which has an abundance of hostels. Check out Hostelworld for prices and availability. For a regular hotel in Bui Vien, check out the three-star Duc Vuong Saigon Hotel.
I didn’t discover Little HaNoi Coffee until after living in Saigon for a couple of years. I think because there are probably thousands of coffee shops in the city, it’s impossible to know of every great one.
This coffee shop is a small and growing chain (I just visited their brand new Hoi An location recently), and their egg coffee is excellent.
The interior of this location is exactly what I love in a coffee shop – homey and comfortable, with a worn, wooden vibe. Their egg coffee is also a great price at 40.000 VND.
Related: Best Budget Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
8. Lý Đức Gym
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page • Day Pass: 50.000 VND
This is Vietnamese bodybuilder Ly Duc’s gym in District 4. I love gyms that are tucked away, not crowded, and happen to have a huge variety of equipment. I used to be a member of Ly Duc’s gym in District 7, but that location closed down.
This gym has tons of machines and equipment. Multiple benches. Plenty of free weights. The variety and amount of equipment here far exceeds that of Saigon’s more popular chain gyms.
There is no AC, but there are plenty of fans. There is also no free water fountain, so bring your own water or buy a bottle here. If you want to get out of the touristy areas of D1 and D3 and get a great, sweaty workout, this is the place. This is it.
Day passes here cost 50,000 VND, and the monthly membership fee is 400,000 VND, both great prices.
Related: Best Gyms in Ho Chi Minh City (By an Expat)
9. C’Gym (Mach’s Gym)
Address: Google Maps • Facebook Page • Day Pass: 80.000 VND / Weekly Pass: 300.000 VND
The Silverland Yen Hotel is a great four-star hotel two minutes from Mach’s Gym.
C’Gym (formerly Mach’s Gym) is smaller than Ly Duc’s gym but benefits from being in a great location. Unlike Ly Duc’s gym, C’Gym is in District 1, easily accessible from most downtown hotels and District 3.
As mentioned, the gym is smaller, but it’s clean and has air conditioning and enough equipment to get a workout in while traveling. However, if you plan to stay in the city for a bit, I’d check out some of the bigger gyms in Saigon.
This gym does not have a water fountain, so you’ll need to bring your own water bottle or purchase one there. They also have a protein shake and smoothie bar.
C’Gym is perfect for travelers because it offers day passes for 80.000 VND and weekly passes for 300.000 VND. These are competitive rates city-wide.
Related: Best Places to Buy Gym Supplements in Ho Chi Minh City
10. People’s Committee Building (At Sunset)
Address: Google Maps
I took this photo and video around 4:30 – 5:00 PM. The Caravelle Saigon Hotel is an excellent nearby hotel in arguably the best location in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Ho Chi Minh City Hall, or the People’s Committee Building, sits at the head of Nguyen Hue Street in District 1. Many visitors to Saigon explore the city during the day or at night and (hopefully) snap some pictures of this yellow French colonial building.
However, the view of the building and its surroundings right around sunset is not to be missed. There’s a brief window to capture some awesome photos of the building and the Ho Chi Minh Statue in front of it.
Related: Saigon Uncovered: Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
11. Saigon River Landmark View
Address: Google Maps
Access the viewpoint from Đường Số 28.
This spot is in District 2 and has a great view of the Landmark 81 skyscraper and Vinhomes, and District 1 in the distance, across the Saigon River.
You won’t be able to walk here from District 1 or District 3. But you could probably walk here from Thao Dien in District 2, though it would take a bit.
My recommendation would be to ride your own motorbike or to take a GrabBike or GrabTaxi.
I went to this spot during the day. (I wish it weren’t so cloudy when I did. Otherwise, the view would have been spectacular.)
I drove my motorbike down Đường Số 28 all the way up to the walking path along the water and parked. Other than some locals sitting at shops nearby, I was the only person.
No one asked me for any parking fees. I read in the Google Maps reviews that there is a small parking fee, but this may be if you stay at one of the cafes or restaurants or visit in the evenings when it’s more crowded.
12. Saigon Skydeck (49th Floor)
Address: Google Maps • Get tickets at GetYourGuide
The Saigon Skydeck is open daily from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
The Saigon Skydeck is an odd choice for a hidden gem, as it’s located in one of the more recognizable skyscrapers in Saigon – the Bitexco Financial Tower. But I suspect that most Ho Chi Minh City visitors don’t know that there’s an observatory on the 49th Floor.
This building stands out in downtown District 1 and from viewpoints all over the city by its helipad jutting out from the 52nd Floor.
First of all, my hands were sweaty from just thinking about going up there, but I wanted to check it out. As the elevator was zooming up, I was definitely aware that it was a long way down, just under my feet. My ears did pop a bit on the way up.
The Skydeck provides 360-degree views of the city. You can walk around the entire circle, which is lined with windows, binoculars, and interactive touchscreen devices that provide additional information.
The 49th Floor is nice and clean. There are places to sit and relax. There is good air conditioning, free water bottles, and bathrooms. I definitely recommend doing this if you can.
Related: 20 Best Hotels in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (With Map)
13. Vinhomes Central Park
Address: Google Maps • Open every day from 6 AM to 9:30 PM
Landmark 81 is the tallest building in Vietnam and the second tallest in Southeast Asia. The five-star Vinpearl Landmark 81 Hotel is inside.
This is by far my favorite park in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s in Binh Thanh District, entirely away from downtown and the touristy areas of District 1 and District 3. This is why I’ve included it in my list of hidden gems: most tourists don’t venture out of D1 or D3.
Because the park sits on the Saigon River, it provides just a pinch of fresh air and nature in an otherwise congested and often smoggy city. If you are traveling with a dog, you can bring it to the park.
I am a frequent visitor to the park and the Landmark 81 skyscraper next door. There is a decent food court inside on the lower level.
Landmark 81 is Vietnam’s tallest building and Southeast Asia’s second-tallest building. Besides the food court, the building has apartments, an observation deck, restaurants, and one of Ho Chi Minh City’s best luxury hotels.
Vinhomes Central Park is free to visit.
14. Ba Son Port Park
Address: Google Maps
Ba Son Port Park is a small, free park on the Saigon River in District 1 with great, refreshing city views. It is located behind the upscale Vinhomes Golden River apartments. This area has generally been pretty quiet whenever I’ve visited.
From the clean and well-maintained platform, you can see downtown District 1, including the Bitexco Financial Building, across the river to District 2, and over to the Landmark 81 skyscraper.
You could technically walk here from downtown District 1, but it would take about 30 minutes, and you’ll have to cross a pretty busy highway.
It’s doable, but maybe not worth it when a taxi or GrabBike will be quicker and cost about 80.000 VND or 25.000 VND, respectively.
15. Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine
Address: Google Maps • Website • Ticket price: 180.000 VND (Adults) / 90.000 VND (Students/Seniors)
Open every day from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
Exploring this museum in District 10 is definitely one of the more unusual things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s not in or near any touristy areas.
There are 5 floors, 16 rooms, and more than 3,000 items inside. A lot of really cool-looking things, like vials, strange devices, artwork, and goopy things in jars.
After purchasing a ticket, visitors are led to a viewing room to watch a 15-minute video on the history of Vietnamese medicine. This room has fans and air conditioning. Many parts of the building, especially floors 4 and 5, are open and airy.
There are bathrooms on the second floor. There is an elevator, too.
The building is very cool – a lot of old, dark wood. There are numerous great photo opportunities inside. When I visited, a Vietnamese couple was having professional wedding photos taken. Afterward, I was offered free hot tea.
A GrabBike or GrabTaxi from the Ho Chi Minh Statue in District 1 shouldn’t cost more than 60.000 VND or 100.000 VND, respectively.
An adult ticket for the museum is 180.000 VND, and for children, students, or the elderly, it’s 90.000 VND. You can pay with cash or a card.
More: Best Museums in Ho Chi Minh City (By a Local)
Best Hidden Gems in Saigon (FAQs)
Is it safe to walk in Ho Chi Minh City at night?
In all my years living in Vietnam, with many of them in Ho Chi Minh City, I have never heard of someone being mugged, robbed, or physically attacked. The only crimes I have ever heard of are drive-by motorbike snatchings of purses and cell phones and residential burglaries.
What is the red light district in Saigon?
While it isn’t an official district, Bui Vien and its surroundings (in District 1) would be known as the “red light district,” as they’re the most popular and concentrated area for bars and nightlife in Saigon.
Where can I find authentic local experiences away from tourist crowds?
Since most of District 1 and some of District 3 can be a bit too touristy, anywhere outside these two districts (except Thao Dien in District 2 and Phu My Hung in District 7) will lean more towards authentic Vietnam. Some of my recommendations are to go north of the canal in Phu Nhuan District, anywhere in District 4, and districts 5 and 10. These are just a few, but are easily accessed if you’re starting your trip from District 1 or District 3.
What is Ho Chi Minh City most known for?
This largely depends on your perspective and maybe your age. For a large part of the world, Ho Chi Minh City is known for the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. The site of this event, Independence Palace, is one of the city’s must-visit attractions. Other popular items include the Ho Chi Minh Statue, the Landmark 81 skyscraper, the War Remnants Museum, and the People’s Committee Building.
