15 Free & Almost Free Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

My introduction to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam was the perfect storm. I had just blown a ton of money on my move to London so it was a priority to find free or nearly free things to do in Ho Chi Minh. To make matters worse, not only was I broke out of my mind, but I arrived in Ho Chi Minh cold, sleep-deprived, and at 4:30 am. Not exactly the state of mind that I wanted to arrive in!

I took a tricycle, to a boat, to a bus, to a cab, to a plane only to show up at immigration WITHOUT my cash in hand to pay immigration at 3:30 am when I was CLEARLY told that I needed cash at the border because there were ZERO ATMs at immigration.

First of all, who the hell thought this was a good idea? Second of all, just no to this entire concept.

At the end of it all, I managed to convince immigration to let me through the exit WITHOUT A VISA and all of my stuff; but I ended up feeling so guilty that I headed to the nearest ATM, withdrew money, and then headed back through immigration to pay my fee?

This was all without anyone stopping me or questioning what the hell I was doing…

That sure made me feel safe.

While Vietnam basically let me walk right through immigration, to this day, I am constantly stopped by Heathrow for my “suspicious” behavior and excessive passport stamps even though I have my university details with me.

It’s kind of crazy, but let’s not get into the ins and outs of the worldwide immigration and customs process right now…

Back to Ho Chi Minh! Even though I was broke and literally fell asleep while I was walking, I did manage to see quite a few things before I took off the next day to Cambodia. If you’re tight on time and money, here’s a cheat sheet for Ho Chi Minh!

Of course, I was only here for a little while so I didn’t get to take advantage of all the amazing things to see, do and eat in this vibrant city, but here are some of my favorite recommendations to keep costs low and still have an amazing time.

The vast majority of these recommendations are completely free, but there are a couple of places where you can buy cheap food, drinks, or marketplace souvenirs to give you as much of a well-rounded Vietnamese experience without breaking the bank.

Okay, so are you ready to find out 15 amazing free and almost free things to do in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam? Let’s dive in and find out more!

1. Go Window Shopping

Ho Chi Minh is full of cool little shops and side streets that are perfect for wandering around and finding unique bargains. It seems like every time you turn around there’s another cute store or interesting market to dive into.

Take an opportunity to just walk around and appreciate the unique nature of Ho Chi Minh. There are a ton of tiny alleys and hidden gems to explore if you ditch the formal agenda and walk around without a map.

This is one of my favorite things to do when I’m on a budget because you come across stuff you’d never normally find if you were sticking to the expensive tourist trail.

I was able to haggle for a few pairs of “elephant pants” (aka the traditional uniform of broke backpackers) for only 5 USD and I found this beauty as well. Yes, that is a snake in a jar of alcohol. What can I say, I’m a sucker for the weird and wonderful.

2. Play “Leapfrog” with Passing Scooters

Ho Chi Minh is in DESPERATE need of underground public transportation because there is simply no way they can support ANY more scooters on the streets.

I know you don’t technically “go to Ho Chi Minh” to dodge moving vehicles for fun, but it’s nearly unavoidable so why not have fun with it?

Obviously, take this with a pinch of salt – no one wants to end up in the hospital and spend a small fortune on medical fees! Dodging scooters is pretty much an innate skill for anyone traveling through Southeast Asia, and especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh.

Scooters are one of the cheapest ways to get around the city and there are even Uber-style apps for jumping on the back of a local’s motorbike or scooter.

It’s definitely cheaper than a normal cab and faster than walking, but if you’ve got luggage or a healthy level of regard for your own safety, maybe stick to walking around Ho Chi Minh…

3. Walk Around Cho Ben Thanh Market

While walking around and trying not to get hit by a scooter, I stumbled upon Cho Ben Thanh Market. It’s filled with ANYTHING you could possibly need in Vietnam, from Vietnamese coffee to your dream wedding dress.

I would strongly suggest that you grab some Vietnamese coffee and dried fruit while you’re in town as it’s some of the best in the WORLD. Coffee will run you anywhere from $2-$4 USD.

Given the high quality of this stuff, it’s 100% worth the small expense. I’m yet to try anything like it back home.

Walking around markets in general is a great way to get a feel for a new country. The Cho Ben Thanh market has a really great mix of locals and tourists so there are always deals to be done.

You could spend days in this place, it’s massive!

4. Grab a Bowl of Pho

It’s pronounced “FUH” not “f-oh.” Trust me. I grew up in a 60% Vietnamese and Chinese community as a child, so basically, I’m an authority.

Pho is a warm bowl of rice noodles that you add hoisin sauce, sriracha, and veggies to and it feels like someone is giving you a warm hug from the inside. It’s also one of the only types of noodles I can eat since rice is gluten-free.

You’ll probably end up paying less than $1 for a delicious and authentic bowl! It’s a staple of the vibrant Vietnamese food scene and a super cheap option if you’re wanting to save some cash as you travel.

It’s also pretty healthy with the amount of veggies and aromatics in the broth, which is always a huge bonus when you’re traveling.

If you don’t want Pho, try some delicious frog legs like my picture below! There a plenty of interesting local delicacies that you can try if you’re feeling adventurous, and the food in Ho Chi Minh was honestly ridiculously cheap.

5. Hangout in the Lobby of your Hostel and Meet Strangers

I got locked out of my website for DAYS after WordPress thought it was weird that I was logging in from two different countries in 24 hours, but I spent the first four hours of my day trying to get past their security details anyways.

During this time, I managed to meet 3 or 4 other traveling females and we had a ton of small talk about our adventures and where they were heading next! It was a great way to meet cool, normal girls that I naturally had a ton in common with.

This is one of the major benefits of solo travel and staying in hostels. Honestly, you can meet so many cool people who can give you advice on where to visit, eat, drink, or on the flip side, where is best to avoid. As a female solo traveler, that’s invaluable.

It’s also great if you’re going to the same place next or need to share a ride to the airport. You can split the costs and make excursions and transfers cheaper for everyone and who doesn’t love that?

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6. Check Out Free Concerts at the Saigon Opera House

Okay, so going to a concert at an opera house doesn’t exactly scream cheap or affordable but hear me out. If you’re in Ho Chi Minh on a Sunday morning, you can experience free concerts that are going on right outside the famous Saigon Opera House.

These concerts aren’t always opera-based. In the past, there have been flamenco dancing, upbeat bands, traditional dancers, circus acts, and tons more. The free concerts kick off at 8 am and it’s a great way to kick off a beautiful and affordable Sunday in the Vietnamese capital.

I’d recommend getting there early as these free concerts have become a popular part of local and tourist routines alike.

It’s got a very chilled-out and relaxing vibe, so grab a delicious Vietnamese coffee en route and get your Sunday off to an amazing start.

7. Stare in Awe at the Saigon Notre Dame Basilica

So, due to the French colonization of Vietnam for so many years, there is a lot of French-influenced architecture, culture, and food. One of the best examples of this – and one of the most popular places to visit in Ho Chi Minh – is the Saigon Notre Dame Basilica.

Built as a semi-homage to the Parisian original, the Vietnamese version has the same iconic spires that reach up to the sky. This gorgeous building and unique architecture have made the Saigon Notre Dame Basilica a really popular place for Instagrammers.

As there are no fences and plenty of beautiful tree-lined walkways all around the area, you can easily go for a wander and get a ton of amazing shots and video content for your blog, channel, Instagram, or TikTok.

It’s completely free to do this, so make sure that you add it to your affordable Ho Chi Minh bucket list.

8. Enjoy a Budget Night Out on Bui Vien Street

So, I don’t know about anyone else, but when I’m solo traveling, a lot of my money ends up being spent on going out in the evening. Especially, if I’ve met some cool people at my hostel and we want to check out the iconic nightlife in the area.

Obviously, this adds up very quickly, so you want to find areas and places where the locals or students go that don’t cost a fortune. That’s where Bui Vien Street comes in.

Quintessentially Southeast Asian in its vibe with plenty of neon lights, hawkers, and bustling energy, you can get bargain beers and street food for a fraction of the price of a restaurant or traditional bar.

One of the best parts about Bui Vien Street is that on the weekends the entire street becomes pedestrian-only. That means no more dodging scooters or taking your life in your hands every time you want to cross the street.

In addition to amazing street food vendors and cheap booze, you’ll also find a ton of street entertainers and shows, completely for free or on a tip/busker basis. It creates an incredible atmosphere that you’ll never want to leave.

9. Snag a Bargain or Just Browse at Nguyen Van Binh Book Street

Okay, so I love street markets of any kind, but there’s something about a book market that’s just straight-up magical. Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is so much more than just a book market though.

This 100-meter-long street is a paradise for bookworms.

Filled with a whole range of different bookstores, each open-sided store has its own specialty from fiction to politics to travel and beyond. You could spend hours wandering up and down this street, browsing for interesting reads.

There’s also a super cool book and coffee area where you can get yourself a delicious Vietnamese coffee and read your new book or magazine in peaceful surroundings, complete with like-minded people. It’s a super welcoming part of Ho Chi Minh and is a good mix of tourists and locals.

If you don’t want to spend a ton of money but want something new to read for the next leg of your journey, you can head to the book swap area of Nguyen Van Binh Book Street.

Swap your old reading material for something new and different or have a look for the vintage versions of your favorite stories.

10. Check out Free Walking Tours

The great thing about being in a big capital city like Ho Chi Minh is that there are always free excursions and tours going on. These are either run by your hostel or by locals who work on a tip-only basis.

Either way, they’re a super affordable way to explore the city and learn a bit more about the history and culture of Vietnam.

One of the first things I do, when I check into a new hostel, is to check their events board or calendar. So many amazing hostels offer free walking tours, excursions to local temples, yoga classes, bar crawls, and more.

It’s a great way of getting the most out of your trip and getting to know the people that you’re staying with.

Ideally, try and get onto one of these free walking tours on your first full day in Ho Chi Minh. This way, it’ll help you get oriented with the city, especially in reference to where your hostel is and what’s in the immediate area.

11. Enjoy the Tranquility of Tao Dan Park

When you’re in the hustle and bustle of a major city like Ho Chi Minh, sometimes you just want to slow down and take a moment for yourself. Probably the best place to do this is in Tao Dan Park.

It spans a massive 10 hectares of land, so you can spend your entire day just wandering around and enjoying this vibrant green space in the heart of the city.

The lush greenery of Tao Dan Park is the perfect place to sit and read a book, enjoy a picnic or bit of lunch, or just stretch your legs and get your body moving after a long flight. It’s completely free to enter and explore and it’s the ideal tonic if you’ve been traveling for hours on end.

Also in Tao Dan Park, you’ll find a beautiful flower garden, a ton of birds, a stunning temple, and even a sculpture park. This is a great free option to check out if you’re visiting Vietnam on a shoestring budget.

You can get plenty of gorgeous photos and get in touch with nature and with Vietnamese art and culture. Sounds ideal, right?

12. Welcome in the Day at the Ho Thi Ky Flower Market

Like I’ve already said, I love exploring markets when I’m traveling. They’re always bustling with energy, locals, and chaos. It’s amazing. So, when I heard about Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, which is open 24/7, I knew it would be a magical place.

Not only is this market filled with the freshest local flowers from all over Vietnam, but it’s also next to an amazing Cambodian street food market if you want some variety without having to spend a fortune.

This combination of beautiful flowers and great food makes it a popular spot among locals, businesses, and tourists alike at pretty much all times of the day.

It’s pretty common to see the Ho Thi Ky Flower Market jam-packed with people between midnight and 3 am. During these hours, you’re likely to find a mix of hungry locals, tourists seeking out drunk food, and vendors looking to get their pick of the freshest flowers early in the morning.

Realistically, there is no bad time to visit Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, and the vibrant, amazing colors make it the perfect stop if you’re looking for the best Instagram or blog content in the whole city.

13. Celebrate Amazing Vietnamese Women at the Southern Women’s Museum

We absolutely love an attraction celebrating strong women and that’s exactly what the Southern Women’s Museum does. Spread over three floors, this unique and powerful museum is completely free to enter and definitely worth checking out while you’re in Ho Chi Minh.

Featuring exhibits on the role of Vietnamese women during the various wars over the past few centuries, as well as displays showcasing traditional Vietnamese crafts and national dress, it’s a homage to what it is to be a Vietnamese woman through the ages.

Some of the stories and biographical information about the courageous things that Vietnamese women did during the war will stay with you long after you leave this museum. Honestly, it’s an amazing place and it was completely unexpected.

If you’re not completely fluent in Vietnamese, the first floor is likely going to be the best place for you as there are signs and placards in French and English, whereas the other two floors mostly have signs in Vietnamese.

14. Check out the Serene Jade Emperor Pagoda

Located in the heart of the commercial district of Ho Chi Minh, you might be surprised to find a stunning, tranquil pagoda, but you’d better believe that’s exactly where the Jade Emperor Pagoda is!

This 100-year-old pagoda is so famous that President Obama even visited it on his trip to Vietnam.

Built by a Chinese man way back in the early 20th century, the Jade Emperor Pagoda has been used to honor a lot of different people, deities, and religions over the years, but primarily is used for Buddhism and Taoism.

Inside there are tons of cool architectural features, as well as quirky decorations and statues, if you’re less interested in the spiritual side of things. Outside you’ll find a calming enclosed terrace where you can relax and meditate, away from the chaos of the city.

Remember, the Jade Emperor Pagoda is still a place of worship so make sure that you’re respectful, especially of the locals that are there for spiritual or religious purposes.

Rumor has it that this particular temple has a great track record when it comes to fertilization and love, so if that’s what you’re looking for, make sure you visit with plenty of offerings- good luck!

15. Be Transported by a Visit to the Binh Quoi Tourist Village

One of the coolest things about visiting Vietnam is the variety of landscapes and culture. Maybe you’re in the bustling cities one minute and you’re in the rice paddies and hills the next.

Maybe you continue onto the islands and beaches – it’s a versatile country to visit!

That being said, if you’re only in Vietnam for a short amount of time and you’re predominantly going to be in Ho Chi Minh, you might think that you can only experience Vietnamese city life. Well, think again!

Binh Quoi Tourist Village is actually located in Ho Chi Minh but has been designed to look like a village from the Mekong Delta. The best part? It’s completely free to visit and it packs in a ton of beauty, art, and culture while you’re there.

It’s located on the Thanh Da Peninsula about 15 minutes from the downtown area and is well worth the journey out. As it’s on the river, you can see all the bamboo bridges, locals fishing using traditional methods, and plenty of floating restaurants.

There are also plenty of cultural events and showcases at the tourist village, so check out what’s on while you’re in the area.

These floating restaurants predominantly operate on a buffet basis, so you can definitely get your money’s worth and stock up for the day if you really want to. You can also have a go at fishing the traditional way and then see your catch get cooked and prepared.

If you want to explore from the water, you can head out in a paddleboat check out the mangroves, and look for monkeys and other local animals. Despite being only 10km from downtown Ho Chi Minh, the Binh Quoi Tourist Village feels like a world away from the city.

Final Tips for Traveling Around Ho Chi Minh on a Budget

Okay, so now you’ve checked out some of my specific free or super cheap recommendations for a couple of days in Ho Chi Minh, let’s finish things off with a few more general budget-saving tips for when you’re exploring Vietnam’s enigmatic capital city!

Check out the happy hour deals around the famous bar areas like Bui Vien Street and Pham Ngu Lao. Both areas operate happy hour deals throughout the week and it’s a great way to keep your entertainment and nightlife costs down. We’re talking half-price drinks and delicious and strong two-for-one cocktails here!
Avoid traditional taxis. They’re super expensive compared to the Uber equivalents. You can jump in a rideshare for a fraction of the cost and rest easy knowing exactly how much your journey is going to cost before you get in the car.
Lean into street food culture. Vietnam has some of the best street food in the world and it is super affordable. Grab yourself a filling Banh Mi sandwich and you’ll be set up for lunch without spending a fortune. A lot of people are wary of street food when they’re abroad, but if in doubt, go where the locals go. It’ll be authentic, cheap, and safe to eat.
Trust your hostel staff. Honestly, people who work in hostels are fountains of knowledge when it comes to the best places to go and how not to get scammed. Most of them are travelers who’ve been here a while, so they know the lay of the land. If you’re ever unsure about prices, or areas, or just want some decent recommendations, ask the cool folks who work at your hostel. They’re normally more than happy to share their knowledge and wisdom with you.

Summary

So, all in all, if you’re looking for free or affordable things to do or see when you’re in Ho Chi Minh, you’re honestly spoiled for choice.

Whether you’re just on a flying visit like I was between countries, or you’re staying here for a while, you can enjoy yourself to the fullest without having to break the bank. What’s not to love about that?

Have you been to Ho Chi Minh? Where was your favorite place to check out on a budget? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll make sure to add it to my next itinerary.