Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office
After you have had a look at the Independence Palace, take a short stroll over to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office. Both buildings are special landmarks, relics of the days when Saigon was the pearl of the orient. There are usually food carts and crowds of young Vietnamese hanging out with friends out front. It is a great opportunity to chat with locals and learn more about their lives. It is common for groups of friends to sit on the sidewalk and chat, and many of them are students who would love to practice their English with you.
Look over the city from the Bitexco Tower Skydeck
The Bitexco Tower is an unmistakable landmark, rising like a lotus flower out of the cement jungle near the Saigon River. The Skydeck is on the 49th floor, showcasing a 360 degree view of red tile roofs, smog and construction everywhere you look. After you have visited the Skydeck, head up another floor to EON51 for cocktails and more panorama views.
Have some clothes tailored
If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, make sure you leave some extra space in your luggage because the tailors here are good and cheap. Whether you want a traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai, a Western-style suit or a dress for a special occasion, the tailors around District 1 can do it all and they specialize in quick turnarounds for travelers.
Roam around Nguyen Hue Walking Street in the evening
Nguyen Hue Street stretches from the colonial era Gia Long Palace all the way to the Saigon River, with the landmark Bitexco Tower looming high above. At night, thousands of people come to chat, snap selfies and play games on one of Vietnam’s only walking streets. Opened in 2015, Nguyen Hue has since become a treasure in District 1, a singular victory for public good against the onslaught of commercialism.
Spend a night on Bui Vien Street
Bui Vien Street has undergone some major changes over the last few years, but it is still a spectacular testament to human depravity and excessive hedonism. Read our guide here to learn more about the history of Bui Vien. To put it simply, it is a drugged up red light district where backpackers get as wasted as possible. During peak tourist season, from November to March, every night is a wild scene of drunks, junkies, massage girls, gangsters and curious locals watching it all like it is live human theater which it is.