The 10 Best Unusual Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

For first-time travelers, Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City might be intimidating. This location is not only enormous but also tumultuous and chaotic as one of the main economic and cultural centers of Vietnam.  You can find lots of attractions to go for when visiting this vibrant city. But is it just The Independence Palace, Notre Dame, walking streets…(I mean, all the popular sites that everyone is telling you about Saigon)? There are so many ways to explore the beauty of it and if you kind of want to experience something different, these unusual things to do in Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon are for you.

1. Admire sunset during a romantic boat trip on Saigon River

Take a luxury speedboat ride in the late afternoon to experience the picturesque Saigon River and stunning sunset away from the hustle and bustle of Saigon city? It is absolutely so much fun and amazing moments but not everyone thinks of experiencing it during their trip in Saigon. Now, if you really enjoy a private space and want to take it slow on how you feel about a city, this is it! This is the right thing for you. During a few hours at night, you get the chance to take in the scenery, breathe in the fresh air, and learn about how locals who live along the river banks go about their everyday lives. The city will be lit up when the sun sets, giving you a whole new view of busy Saigon. Slowly have dinner with your loved one and enjoy the special moment that may happen once in your life, you will fall in love with this beautiful city!

2. Be indulge in Japanese culture while passing Little Tokyo

Ho Chi Minh City is filled with Japanese culture, but going to a city in Vietnam and experiencing another country’s culture might be unusual things that tourists do when traveling in Saigon.

For me, it is just fine like when I visit Chinatown in New York or Seattle. Little Tokyo in Saigon is actually the name given to this neighborhood. To describe "Little Tokyo" as a Japanese utopia is not an exaggeration. There are several Japanese-owned bars, barbeque joints, and massage parlors in this area. 

The area maintains a Japanese aesthetic throughout, especially in the customer service and interior decor of each establishment. The greatest concentration of Japanese citizens in the city may be found in Little Tokyo, which is also a popular area for Japanese eateries.

3. One, two, three: Craft beer!

This vast, urban metropolis has attracted expats from all over the world who want to sample the regional specialties, such as passion fruit, dragon fruit, and beetroot. While some of the craft beers and breweries in Saigon are pretty comparable to what you may get at home, others are completely unique. The tasting rooms are spacious, contemporary, buzzing, and packed with both tourists and locals. Many also feature busy rooftop patios and delicious bar appetizers, making them ideal for a day of beer sampling.

Ho Chi Minh City's craft beer sector is expanding so swiftly that it's simple to become disoriented by the variety. The following local Vietnamese craft beer spots are suitable for both novice and seasoned drinkers: Pasteur Street Brewery, East West Brewery, Tê Tê Taphouse, Heart of Darkness, Malt…

>> See more: Vespa Tour Saigon Craft beer discovery - Half Day 

4. 2-in-1 Dining Experience Like It Was 80 Years Ago

You can see and experience countless coffee shops or ‘cơm tấm’ eateries in Saigon, but you might have not heard of an option that has a historical piece of the old Saigon.  Located at 113A Dang Dung Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Do Phu coffee shop - Dai Han broken rice seems to be an unusual traveling spot in Saigon that makes diners travel back in time to the 1940s when they eat there.

Prior to 1975, this location served as one of the Saigon Special Forces' clandestine activities, which were overseen by Mr. Tran Van Lai. The house was then given to Mr., Mrs. Do Mien and has been used to sell broken rice and coffee since 1946, although it was really used to store and send secret correspondence to the front lines.

At that time, the restaurant's name was Do Phu broken rice. The shop sells popular rice to workers and gradually becomes a familiar morning gathering place for neighboring residents, including many Korean soldiers who went to fight in the Vietnam War in the area.

In addition to the mystery of space, the food here is also curious for visitors. Broken rice at the restaurant is a way of mixing Vietnamese broken rice with Korean kimchi to create a novelty of taste. The original broken rice dish at the restaurant has grilled pork tenderloin, thinly stripped and seasoned pork skin, Saigon meatloaf, eggs, pickled water spinach served with Southern-style sweet chili garlic fish sauce. Korean soldiers were not used to eating this kind of new thing, so they suggested the restaurant owner make more kimchi. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you see kimchi in an authentic Saigonese dish! In addition to kimchi broken rice, you can choose to have a dripping coffee served with a special fried donut for breakfast in Do Phu coffee and learn about the activities of the old Saigon commandos at the restaurant.

5. Lift up your mood in AO Show

Without making a journey to the countryside of Vietnam, you still have a great opportunity to experience the enchanting beauty and tranquil way of life of Vietnamese people there by attending the A O Show in Saigon. A O Show is unquestionably a superb performance showcasing the distinctive aspects of Vietnamese culture, and in particular, it is intended to be a blend of acrobatic talent, humor, poetry, tricks, and music.

The terms "lang" and "pho," which mean "village" and "city," respectively, are the inspiration for the name A O Show. The initial half of the play is about the village, which depicts the straightforward characteristics of the Southern area, while the remaining parts are about the city, which depict the way of life in modern-day Saigon. During the play, A O, which stands for Ah and Oh, also communicates two emotional emotions. When seeing photographs of Southerners up close, you may remark casually, "Ah, this is...," while viewing images of roadside eateries, fitness routines, love tales, or even the scene of power - the "iceberg" of Saigon awakened by professional artistic acts - you may exclaim, "Oh," with merry laughter.

The show's natural stories are told by 16 circus performers and stunt performers while being accompanied by instrumentalists' mellow musical compositions. Directors allow artists 20% creative leeway to perform in the show as a means of supporting their inspiration and encouraging their innovation. A O Show, which premiered at the beginning of 2013, is a new option for people who enjoy both opera and modern circus.

6. Try ao dai at the Ao Dai Museum

The Ao Dai Museum in HCM City features displays that showcase the elegance of the traditional long dress and its many variations. The museum was founded in 2014 by designer Le Sy Hoang, who took 12 years to do it because of his passion for traditional clothing.

In this site, the Ao Dai is made in a number of phases, including designing, cutting, sewing, and embroidery. A full day spent at the Ao Dai Museum will offer you the opportunity to observe the Ao Dai being made. You may see how the national attire has changed starting in the 17th century and continuing up to the current day in the museum's two spacious exhibition halls. The Ao Dai museum also features a section specifically dedicated to displaying Ao Dai worn by women who have made significant contributions to the nation's development as well as by well-known women in various professions. In its refuge, the Vietnamese take great delight in their magnificent clothes, so try on a few of them. I guarantee that you’ll look unique!

>> See more: Private Museum of Traditional Dress with Jeep Car - Half Day 

7. Go hiking in the suburb of HCM City

Incredible hiking adventures can be had just in the Saigon suburb's endless green spaces, can you believe it?

The tallest mountain in Southern Vietnam, Black Virgin Mountain, or Nai Ba Den, is located in the Tây Ninh Province, about two hours' drive from Ho Chi Minh City, and it is 996 meters tall. Visiting this sacred mountain, a favorite among locals, where you may explore a number of hiking paths and temples is an unusual thing to explore Saigon as it is not for everyone. To climb up to the pagoda, you can take a 4-minute cable car trip or an hour-long hike. Besides, the round-trip hike to the mountain's summit takes about 6 hours, but it's well worth it for the expansive views of Tay Ninh Province. 

But wait, if you want somewhere with mountains but also water, going hunting waterfalls inside the Dinh Mountain range is a great choice that not everyone notices. Passing by pagodas, temples, streams, and Vũng Tàu beach is close by in front of your sight.

8. Getting splashed at Dam Sen Water Park

Since being created in 1976, the Dam Sen Water Park has represented leisure and tourism in Ho Chi Minh. This activity is popular for the locals but seems to be unusual things to do in Saigon for tourists.

The Dam Sen Water Park is a well-liked destination for amusement and refreshment, especially for visitors with children. Even when it is packed, the space doesn't seem overly congested because of its size. Parents should feel comfortable bringing their children here because of the excellent safety requirements and the presence of lifeguards throughout the park. Typically, visitors will stop by the park at any time, whether they have a few hours or a whole day to spare.

The pool area is the main attraction. It is quite diversified and includes a wave pool, children's lake, solar massage lake, activity lake, and more. Many families with small children adore this area for its cold, clean water and clever amenities. The pool can produce artificial waves that range in intensity from mild to powerful and severe, allowing visitors with children to play in the waves. Because of this, many parents choose this location every weekend to unwind with their kids.

9. Dine in the dark at Noir 

Have you ever enjoyed a meal with a blindfold? How would your other senses respond if you were completely blind? You will experience a sensory voyage into a new universe while dining at Noir's "Dining in the Dark," where you will enjoy exquisite flavors and sensations in total darkness. Your senses and intellect will be stimulated by this multi-sensory eating experience.

The experience starts in our completely dark dining area where you will be escorted and served by visually impaired employees who have undergone specific training to help and comfort sighted customers in similar circumstances. Place your faith in these knowledgeable leaders as they lead you to discover a new way of perceiving your surroundings.

A symphony of tastes is present on the menus. as you lose your dominant sense of sight, and will heighten your other senses. As you eat your way through a variety of unusual recipes that haven't been described before, textures and subtle flavors will come clear. The startling fact that individuals typically use their eyes to enjoy food rather than their palates will come to light.

For a special date or group adventure in Saigon, don't pass up attempting this one-of-a-kind eating experience.

10. Ice skate in Landmark 81

Ice skating in the middle of a tropical city? It is, by no doubt, one of unusual things that tourists can experience while in Saigon. Anyone who is in love with taking part in this winter activity can find their satisfaction at the Landmark 81 building - the second-tallest structure in Southeast Asia, the highest building in Vietnam, and the seventeenth tallest structure in the whole globe. 

Built to international specifications, the ice rink at Landmark 81 is located on the B1 floor. With a surface area of more than 2000 square meters, the ice rink can hold 250 people. In addition to skating, you may participate in many other fun games that don't require skating skills so it is fun without having to know the technique.

The rink, which was built to meet competition requirements, has a high-quality ice surface and a chilly on-ice temperature that guarantee a relaxing experience when gliding and spinning.

Additionally, you won't have any problem finding a spot to refuel later because there are so many cafés and restaurants just adjacent to the ice rink. Sounds perfect!

Your trip to explore Saigon is making a difference. Share with us how you feel when taking part in these unique experiences!

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