Activities in Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh Market shopping

Do you want to buy food yourself or you are joining a local host for a home dinner? There's an activity in Saigon which you shouldn't miss. Anyways, Ben Thanh (Chợ Bến Thành) is easily recognizable by its clock tower at the main entrance. At District 1's Ben Thanh market there's nothing you can't buy. It is the most famous market of Saigon and a great activity to get the best price for the veggies you have in mind.

Visit the part with non-touristic items to get a feel of how locals do their shopping. You will find a lot of bargaining, so get ready to slide in the bidding battles. Make sure that you stay on top of the game with exact quantities, prices and exchange rates that can reduce your change. If you don't prefer to bargain, there are shops on the north side with prices listed, but less fun included.

Relax with locals at 23rd September Park

Just across the Ben Thanh Market, a local park in the centre of Saigon fills up with locals before sunset. You can join in with your private guide at a game of badminton, kicking a shuttlecock or aerobics with music. Even if you don't, younger locals will come to you for practising their English. You will hear about their lives and their country with an amazing evening at the park. Don't fall in the trap of card games or visiting pubs though.

Young couples often sneak for a bit of privacy here, sitting on their motorbikes. Weeks before Tet, the lunar New Year, the park is full of colors, with a flower market offering typical flowers, including yellow chrysanthemums, mai trees and miniature kumquat trees. You should check it out. You will also find dragons and other awesome made from fruit and flowers. Great souvenir to take home, right?

Dine at a Bonsai river cruise

Experience the unique Bonsai river cruise. You can even take a dinner at the front deck of this traditional dragon boat and watch all the lights of Ho Chi Minh City. You can order even 7 courses to chew on while you enjoy the city views and lights. Usually a traditional dance performance by locals is something you might not expect.

For one of the great activities in Ho Chi Minh City you can bring your loved ones. A walk on the deck while passing other boats will get both of you mesmerized. The lights of the city and other boats with incredible city views from the river are a must see! The entire 2 hours will last forever as a memory.

Enjoy a dinner with locals in their home

How amazing would it be to enrich your holiday experience with a real home cooked dinner? Instead of having a meal at the local tourist restaurant, Withlocals offers you the opportunity to join a local family for a home based dinner experience. Taste the ingredients of amazing home cooked food, and get an experience you will never forget!

Cooking Workshops

Hosts prepare at their kitchen authentic Vietnamese special dishes. Unforgettable dinner experience in Ho Chi Minh City is guaranteed. All ingredients are fresh and picked daily by the host, or both of you together! Straight from local markets, the dishes are cooked with unique recipes passed from the host's grandmother. Better eat all food, you don't want to make the grandmother angry.