Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City. NHYM 2025. This post contains affiliate links.
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO SAIGON/HO CHI MINH HERE
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, has had a radical transformation since I first visited 30 years ago, when it opened itself to the modern world after years of war and communism. It used to be filled with the past vestiges of colonialism and communism, with few modern amenities: there were only a few cars and hotels around. Fast forward, and it now looks like a bustling Asian Metropolis, like Bangkok or Hong Kong. Each time I go, I am amazed by how much it has changed and modernised, and it is now almost unrecognisable from when I went in the 90s.
The hotel scene in Saigon/Ho Chi Minh still has some catching up to do and isn’t quite as developed as Bangkok’s (Bangkok has some of the best hotels in the world at the moment: read my post on Bangkok’s Top 10 here) or Hong Kong’s, and my favourite hotels in Vietnam aren’t actually in the city: The Regent Phu Quoc is truly a 6 star, the Nam Hai Four Seasons is as good as a Four Seasons gets, and the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is so picturesque and beautiful, it’s out of a Bond movie. What the city does have is plenty of great value luxury hotels for very reasonable prices with good service, good food and nice, comfortable rooms.
There are so many hotels to choose from, that it can be hard to know what/where to book as a foreigner if you’re going for the first time, so here are my Top 10 recommendations if you want advice from someone who travels regularly to Vietnam and has spent months there at a time:
1,Hotel des Arts: Best for Boutique Luxury. It’s downside is that it isn’t in D1 which is the center of the city and where most of the action is happening. It does have a great rooftop bar and pool though, and more character than your average chain hotel, so for a boutique luxury experience, it’s hard to beat.
BOOK HOTEL DES ARTS – M Gallery HERE
2. Park Hyatt: Best for location and an oasis in the city. Also good for families. The Park Hyatt is the opposite: it has the best location but it is a bit tired and it’s decor a little old. Right next to the Opera House, it has a great location, and a large pool and lush gardens, so it is has a lot of pluses, but for me, I prefer more modernised rooms so it’s not my personal choice, but will fit the needs of someone looking for a familiar brand.
BOOK THE PARK HYATT SAIGON HERE
3. The Hilton Saigon: Best for brand new & modern. It just opened in 2024 and is the epitome of modern luxury. It’s already become a favourite, so book fast before it sells out. It has all the mod cons you can ask for and for those looking for a modern, safe option, I would suggest this one. It’s a little pricier than some of the others, but for peace of mind, it’s a good choice.
4.Fusion Original Saigon Centre: Best for shopaholics and families. On top of the Saigon Centre shopping mall, it has all the shopping you could ask for, from western brands like Diptyque and Cartier, to Asian food courts and markets. It shares a large swimming pool with Sedona Suites if you want to get some laps in. There are great family suites for a fraction of the price of most hotels, without sacrificing comfort or service (we stayed in one). For those who love to be in the middle of the action, Fusion Original is great. You can watch the locals shopping, eating and hanging out on a Saturday night for a taste of Saigon/Ho Chi Minh culture.
BOOK FUSION ORIGINAL SAIGON CENTRE
Fusion Original Pool. NHYM 2025.
5.The Myst Dong Khoi: Best for a unique, charming boutique hotel. The Myst’s architecture is hard to miss but somehow works. The interiors blend Colonial and Vietnamese furniture and accessories, making it more original than your usual 5 star hotel. It’s warm and inviting and has a rooftop pool and bar. It’s located on Dong Khoi, one of the best shopping streets of Saigon.
6. Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint: Best for value for money and cool rooftop bar and pool. Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint is one of the best deals in the city on a budget but still looking for luxury. It is across from the Fusion Original Saigon Centre so also has a great location and access to shopping. I stayed there once with my mum and 2 kids and found it a great choice.
BOOK LIBERTY CENTRAL CITYPOINT
7. Caravelle Saigon: Best for an oldie but goodie. Caravelle Saigon has been around for years, and has been renovated over time and has probably one of the best locations in the city, but it can be very noisy so one to avoid if you are sensitive to street noises and parties, which happen frequently around it. It also has a spa and pool, for those who appreciate a quick dip and pamper after a hectic day in the city. Its rooftop bar, Saigon Saigon, has been popular for years, but is now under renovation to compete with the hipper, newer rooftop bars. There are plenty of oldies like the Rex, the Majestic and the Continental, which all survived the years of war, but in my opinion, the Caravelle has been the best maintained of them all.
8.La Siesta Premium: Best choice on Tripadvisor. Although I’ll admit that I have never stayed there, it’s highly rated on Tripadvisor (“Number one on Tripadvisor and 5/5 star rating) and looks great, so wanted to make sure to include it on my list. It’s very luxurious with a cool rooftop pool and bar, I would say it’s more for couples than families, which is why we’ve never stayed. The location is good, but not as good as some of the above.
9.Hotel Indigo Saigon: Best for all around modern & new choice. Another very highly rated hotel, the Hotel Indigo Saigon is a modern, luxurious choice and recently opened under the IHG Group in Feb 2025. Its location is slightly different to the others, in Ba Son, near the riverside, with old shipyard mementos all over the hotel, giving it more character than your standard corporate hotel. It’s near the Vincom Centre for shoppers as well. As with many of the others I have chosen, there is a great rooftop pool.
BOOK HOTEL INDIGO SAIGON by IHG
10. An Lam Retreats Saigon River: Best for out-of-the-city river retreat. For my last recommendation, I chose something a little different. There are only so many 5 star hotels you can review and distinguish from one another. This one is out of the city on the Saigon River, blending in with the jungle and nature of the outskirts of Saigon. It’s for those who want a little city break from the hustle and bustle of Saigon, which can get overwhelming. So, for a quiet couples retreat, I would go for a few days.
BOOK AN LAM RETREATS SAIGON RIVER
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO SAIGON/HO CHI MINH HERE
View from SENS Restaurant on top of Bitexo Tower. NHYM 2025.
WHAT TO DO IN SAIGON/HO CHI MINH CITY
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2. Water Puppet Show: Fun activity for the kids.
3. Mekong Delta And Coconut Village Tour
4. Half day Cu chi tunnels in Speedboat
6. Saigon Walking Tour: History, Culture & Local Coffee
7. Cyclo Tour around Saigon: It’s a shame there aren’t many cyclos around, the main mode of transportation years ago, but it’s a great way to experience Saigon.
8. SHOPPING! Saigon Centre, Vincom Centre, Ben Thanh Market etc… The Vietnamese love shopping and it’s so apparent in their malls and markets.
9. Cat Cafe: For animal lovers and kids. My kids loved it!
10. Rooftop Bars. There are plenty! Saigon Saigon, Sky Deck, Rooftop of Liberty Central/Hotel Arts, Banana Mama etc…
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO SAIGON/HO CHI MINH HERE
WHERE TO EAT:
Here are a few of my recommendations for restaurants to try for both local Vietnamese food as well as some fine dining options. I’ve chosen them also for their settings, because good food isn’t enough anymore: the vibes matter.
1.SH Garden: For a casual yet delicious restaurant in D1 on the 1st floor of an old colonial building.
2.Ngon: Very cool courtyard setting. It’s huge and popular so go in advance to get a table. The food is pretty standard Vietnamese fare, but I definitely liked the vibe.
3.Vo Roof: Cool rooftop Vietnamese food, voted one of the best restaurants in Asia.
4.Secret Garden: the decor is more pared back and elegant than most restaurants, it’s a cute little restaurant for a quiet night.
5.The Deck: In the expat area outside the center of the city, the Deck has a beautiful setting on the Saigon River. It’s got western food for those looking for a change from Vietnamese food.
6.Anan: This is a one Michelin starred street food restaurant, so it’s worth a try.
7.Coco Dining: Fine dining offering contemporary Vietnamese food, it’s got 2 restaurants on site and a whiskey bar. We went for date night, so has that kind of vibe.
8.Sens Dine & Wine: At the top of the Bitexo tower, it has some of the most spectacular views of Saigon. Best for a special occasion. There was a birthday party next to us, and we went for a multi-generational family dinner.
9.Propaganda: It’s a popular one for tourists, with its quirky decor, and has French and Vietnamese influences, with Banh Mi and chocolate mousse on offer.
10. Cafe Runam: The Vietnamese chain is where all the locals go, so for a real Vietnamese experience, it’s got all the popular Vietnamese dishes.
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO SAIGON/HO CHI MINH HERE
Enjoy!
xx
