Start your trip in Ho Chi Minh by visiting a landmark of the city, the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral. It is a beautiful French colonial cathedral that was built in the 1800s. You can explore the church and admire the neo-Romanesque architecture, stained glass windows and religious artifacts. After the visit, stroll around the park area in front of the cathedral and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
On day 2, travel to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible network of tunnels that were used during the Vietnam War. You can take a tour and learn about the history of the tunnels, see the booby traps and crawl through the narrow passageways. It is an unforgettable experience that will give you a sense of the ingenuity and resilience of the wartime Viet Cong soldiers.
End your trip by visiting the War Remnants Museum, one of the most popular attractions in Ho Chi Minh. The museum showcases the Vietnam War from a Vietnamese perspective and displays artifacts, photographs and documents related to the conflict. It also has outdoor displays of helicopters, tanks and other war machines. Be prepared for a sobering experience as some of the exhibits are graphic and disturbing, but it is an important way to learn about the impact of the war on Vietnam.
If you have more time, you can explore other attractions in Ho Chi Minh such as the Reunification Palace, the Ben Thanh Market or the Bitexco Financial Tower. If you have less time, you can skip the Cu Chi Tunnels and spend more time in the city center, visiting landmarks such as the Independence Palace or the Opera House.