Three on-site travel experiences to try in Ho Chi Minh City on April 30

Experiencing hotel stays, food tours of Michelin restaurants or shopping at places outside the center are suggestions for a Saigon staycation.

"Staycation" - local travel emerged during the pandemic and has not yet waned. For those who cannot leave the city during the April 30 holiday, staycation is a suggestion.

According to Mr. Minh Hoang, in charge of communications at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, the ideal staycation in Saigon is two days and one night. He also suggested some places to stay and activities for tourists to consider if they choose to stay and explore the city during this holiday.

City Break

Ho Chi Minh City has a variety of accommodation options, from homestays, hotels to resorts and serviced apartments. Local tourists who want to avoid the crowds from other cities flocking to the city center should choose accommodation outside District 1. There are some options in District 4, Thu Duc and District 3 for your reference.

Jardin Secret Saigon Hotel, located on Ben Van Don Street, District 4, has French villa architecture. Located on a street that does not have many hotels, but many cafes, visitors can rest assured to avoid the noisy crowds. Balcony rooms have a view of Tau Hu - Ben Nghe canal, where you can watch the sunset in the afternoon. Room rates range from 800,000 VND to 1 million VND per night. This location also offers city tours for visitors.

Mia Saigon Located in Thu Duc City, this is also a suggestion if visitors do not mind spending a few million VND for a night's stay. This is a luxury hotel located on the banks of the Saigon River, with room rates ranging from 4.7 million VND per night. This location is nearly 10 km from the city center, with full facilities such as restaurants, bars, gyms, swimming pools, spas, and sunset cruise services on the river. This accommodation is suitable for couples and families.

Guests traveling in groups can rent a serviced apartment with full kitchen facilities in the room. Ariosa, located on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 3 is a suggestion. The apartment complex has 4 room types with prices starting from 850,000 VND for the lowest type and 1.2 million VND for the highest type. The apartment has a minimalist style, mainly wood design, rooms are arranged with lots of green trees, windows to welcome sunlight.

Michelin food tour

Ho Chi Minh City has 38 Michelin Selected dining locations and 16 Michelin Bib Gourmand locations (reasonably priced), giving visitors a long list of delicious culinary addresses to experience during the holidays.

Ky Dong chicken noodle shop in Ward 9, District 3, on the Bib Gourmand list, is a 40-year-old eatery in an alley. Visitors can come here for breakfast. The chicken noodle shop here has a fragrant herbal broth, and the chicken is soft, chewy and firm. Each bowl costs 55,000-65,000 VND. This place is also famous for its chicken salad, priced at 100,000 VND per portion.

Couples looking for a date can visit Sol Kitchen & Bar restaurant. on Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1, is on the Michelin Selected list. This restaurant is located in a French building over 100 years old, next to Ben Thanh Market, specializing in serving Latin American flavors, combining local ingredients, priced from 70,000 VND per dish. This place is suitable for visiting in the evening.

Ba Co Loc Coc Snail Restaurant is also a suggestion for an evening food tour, listed in the Michelin Selected list. The restaurant is famous for its fresh seafood and many snail dishes prepared in a creative style. The snails cooked in coconut water, curry, and steamed pepper are considered by Michelin to have outstanding flavors. Each dish is served with a different dipping sauce.

Fun and shopping

In Saigon, when it is difficult to choose a place to play, visitors can visit a complex that integrates amenities from dining, entertainment, to shopping. In District 1, there is The New PlayGround, an underground complex with 2 locations on Le Lai and Ly Tu Trong streets. Out of the center, visitors can go to Thao Dien and visit the BLOQ complex on Tran Ngoc Dien street, designed in a container style, creating an outdoor dining and shopping area. There is also Saigon Concept with 12 stores built in the premises of a villa with many trees.

The space outside the Saigon Concept complex. Photo: kimi_2022 — The space outside the Saigon Concept complex. Photo: *kimi_2022*

Sightseeing along the Saigon River is a typical tourist activity of the city. A new river product to try is the Saigon River Sightseeing tour, watching the sunset on a double-decker river bus. The tour starts from Nha Rong Wharf, passing major constructions such as the Landmark building, Ba Son Bridge (Thu Thiem 2 Bridge) and famous places along the Saigon River. The boat stops at Thu Thiem ferry station, Thu Duc City, for tourists to sightsee and then drop off at Bach Dang Wharf. Ticket prices range from 179,000 VND to 339,000 VND depending on the seat class, including snacks during the 50-minute journey.

Double-decker bus on the Saigon River. Photo: Han Ly — Double-decker bus on the Saigon River. Photo: *Han Ly*

At night, visitors can listen to music and sip cocktails at bars like Biker Shield Bistro, Yoko or Acoustic Bar. At the end of the day, book a ticket to see the city on a double-decker bus for 150,000 VND.

Bich Phuong

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