There is a lot to see in the south of Vietnam, starting with one of the fastest growing cities in Asia; Ho Chi Minh City, and ending in the Mekong Delta. In these two places you will get to know both the urban life of the Vietnamese and the deepest part of the country.
The first city we visited in South Vietnam was the chaotic Ho Chi Minh City. From there, we headed to the Mekong Delta, where we passed first through Can Tho and then Vinh Long, two cities on the banks of the Mekong River.
We didn’t know anything about Vietnam, other than a little bit of history about the terrible Vietnam War, so we went without expectations. After a month in Thailand, a new adventure in Vietnam began. Here I tell you our first experience in this country, visiting South Vietnam for almost a week.
South Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh, what to see and what to do?
1. The traffic of Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh is the name given to ancient Saigon honoring the national hero, revolutionary and president of Vietnam. Although we were only in Ho Chi Minh for two nights and it’s not much time to draw conclusions, at first glance the city seemed to me that there was little to see and that it was very chaotic, however, very lively.
One of the biggest attractions of this city is the traffic in Ho Chi Minh City. I recommend to go to a roundabout, see the great amount of motorcycles circulating, the noise they make and, above all, how they drive avoiding each other without respecting any sign. You can even cross in the middle if you dare, and you will see that nobody tells you anything and that you are not going to be run over. It’s quite an experience.
2. A walk through the center of Ho Chi Minh City
Also, if you take a walk downtown you can see a few interesting things:
- Ben Thanh Market: full of food stalls where you can taste the most typical dishes of Ho Chi Minh City.
- The colonial buildings: Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office are the highlights.
- Some nice parks where you can walk a little quietly away from the noise of the motorcycles and watch the daily life of the Vietnamese.
3. The War Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
If you want to learn something about the history of Vietnam; a visit to the War Museum is a must. The War Museum is a museum dedicated to the Vietnam War, so that the horrors of the war are not forgotten and so that they will never be repeated.
Just passing through the main door one is already shocked when one sees that in the main enclosure there are numerous American helicopters and planes displayed as war trophies. Then, once you enter the building, through stories about the Vietnam War you are informed of what happened chronologically.
The explanation of what happened is accompanied by heartbreaking photos, press clippings, statistics on the war, videos and even the weaponry used in the war by the respective sides.
The tour of the museum leaves you increasingly perplexed. You can notice how the sadness of the visitors increases on each floor until the silence is broken by the tears of one or another visitor on the top floor.
How to Get to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City
There are several ways to reach the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City, all quite accessible. The most economical option is to take a bus from Mien Tay Station, with prices ranging between 90,000 and 165,000 VND (about €3.5 to €6), depending on whether you’re heading to My Tho, Ben Tre, Can Tho, or Chau Doc. The journey usually takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the destination.
Another very popular option is to join a day tour, which typically includes hotel pickup, transfers by bus and boat, a local guide, meals, and visits to floating villages and artisanal workshops. These tours cost between €20 and €35 per person and are ideal if you’re short on time and don’t want to worry about logistics.
South Vietnam: What to do in the Mekong Delta?
1. Visiting the floating markets of Can Tho
A bit disappointed with ancient Saigon, but very satisfied to have absorbed some culture, we headed to our next destination. This time we went south to the city of Can Tho, the most populous city in the Mekong Delta.
The best thing you can do in Can Tho is an early morning boat tour to see some of the most typical and interesting floating markets on the Mekong. The boat ride is really worth it, especially if you like photography. With a bit of luck you will not only visit the floating markets, but also take a short route along the narrow streams around the Mekong.
2. Cycling around Vinh Long
After one night we went to Vinh Long Province, also in the Mekong Delta. Just to get to Vinh Long we took a ferry that took us to what appeared to be an island in the middle of the Mekong River. There we stayed in a Homestay, a kind of guest house, but in a Vietnamese house with all the family.
We spent two days with a very nice family. We were very comfortable and ate spectacularly well, especially fish from the Mekong. Besides, they left us a couple of bicycles to ride all over the island. Although the bike rides were good, it turned out to be less fascinating than we had been told. Still, our stay in Vinh Long was worthwhile.
When to Visit Southern Vietnam & Travel Tips
The best time to visit the Mekong Delta is during the dry season, from December to April, when rainfall is low and river levels are perfect for boat trips. During the rainy season (May to November), the landscape is greener, but some activities may be affected by the weather.
If you plan to explore the region independently, we recommend spending at least one night in a Delta city such as Can Tho or Ben Tre. This way, you can visit the floating markets at dawn and experience the authentic local lifestyle at a slower pace—one of the most genuine experiences you’ll have in southern Vietnam.
Southern Vietnamese Cuisine
The typical food of southern Vietnam is a burst of unique flavors. Some must-try dishes include:
- Gỏi cuốn: Fresh spring rolls made with rice paper and filled with shrimp, pork, rice noodles, lettuce, and herbs. Served cold with peanut or hoisin dipping sauce.
- Canh Chua Cá: Sour fish soup with pineapple, tamarind, tomatoes, and bean sprouts. Refreshing and slightly tangy.
- Bánh Xèo: Crispy rice flour pancake with turmeric, stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. Served with fresh herbs and fish sauce.
- Hủ Tiếu Mỹ Tho: Rice noodle soup with pork, seafood, fried garlic, and scallions. Especially popular in the city of My Tho.
- Chè: A sweet dessert made with coconut milk, tapioca, beans, and fruit, perfect for cooling off in the heat.
The combination of fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs, and flavor contrasts makes this cuisine one of the richest and most varied in the country.
Next Destination: From South Vietnam to the beaches of Vietnam
Once we saw part of South Vietnam, we were ready to go to North Vietnam. This first week in Vietnam I’ve seen how different it is from Thailand. I still can’t say whether it’s better or worse. There are less tourists, people look at you much more and very few people speak English.
Next destination: the beaches of Vietnam. It almost seems like the real adventure starts here! Comment, evaluate and/or share if this post has been useful to you.
If you are planning to travel to Vietnam, you may also be interested in:
- Our list of Travel Tips for Vietnam
- The post about our Halong Bay tour.
- And if you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia, here are 4 possible routes to do in Southeast Asia.
Enjoy your trip in South Vietnam!
