14 Free and Cheap Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City

If you travel to Vietnam, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself in Ho Chi Minh City at some point. And lucky for you, there are a lot of fun, free and cheap things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a lifestyle city, which means it’s packed with culture, great cafes, rooftop bars, nightlife, street food, art galleries, culture and shopping.

Depending on how much time you have and what you want to see, 2 days is probably enough time in Ho Chi Minh City unless you want to explore the city deeper, as well as take the popular day trips.

14 FREE AND CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN HO CHI MINH CITY

LEARN HOW TO CROSS THE STREET

Forget Halong Bay, the most impressive sight in Vietnam is watching pedestrians cross the hectic streets of Ho Chi Minh City as hundreds of motorbikes speed toward and around them in every direction. If you’re a fresh off the boat traveler and you see a pedestrian cross a busy street in Ho Chi Minh City, it legitimately looks like that person is committing suicide because traffic is coming at them from all directions and there aren’t any traffic lights or crosswalks.

Learning how to cross the street in Ho Chi Minh City is an essential skill to survive the city (along with the rest of Southeast Asia). It’s a rite of passage. The trick is to walk into the traffic at a steady pace because the drivers are very experienced, so you need to trust that they’ll drive around you. If you freak out and stop, that’s when accidents can happen. You can follow locals across the street until you feel comfortable crossing on your own.

Crossing the street in Vietnam — Crossing the Street in HCMC

THE WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM

Learn the truth about the Vietnam War, if you don’t already know. Americans love to rewrite history to be in their favor. But the truth about the war is that the US never should have been there, their side was fueled by imperialism and racism, and they unnecessarily and brutally killed millions of Vietnamese civilians and injured over 5 million more.

In addition, Laos, Vietnam’s neighbour, is the most heavily bombed nation on earth, thanks to the Americans. To this day, the effects of Agent Orange are still an ongoing issue and millions of unexploded bombs riddle the rural areas of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia and they continue to kill and maim civilians. Despite America’s “efforts”, Vietnam is still Communist. 40,000D ($1.70US).

The War Remnants Museum HCMC Vietnam — The War Remnants Museum

THE CAFE APARTMENTS

What used to be an apartment building is now a unique, hip space that’s full of fun boutiques, hipster cafes and bars, character and style. This is a very unique must-see in Ho Chi Minh City because it’s fun to explore and experience the new generation of Vietnamese. The spaces are very photogenic and it’s free to explore.

All the cafes have views of Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the famous pedestrian street, which is another popular attraction. With 9 floors, the stairs make for a great free workout, or you can pay 3,000D ($0.13US) to use the elevator.

ART GALLERIES

Go get your culture on at the many diverse art galleries, which is a great and free thing to do Ho Chi Minh City (or so cheap it’s nearly free).

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

Located in a French Colonial mansion, which is a work of art within itself, this museum displays the city’s most important art from the 7th-20th centuries. 30,000 ($1.30US).

THE FACTORY OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTRE

The Factory displays avant-garde contemporary art by local artists in a huge warehouse-style setting. And it hosts events like workshops, live art, talks and film screenings. 50,000D ($2US).

COULEURS BY REHANN

Rehann is a French photographer who took portraits of the 54 recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam, along with a story behind every colorful photo. The groups’ traditional costumes, dialects and traditions are fading due to modernization and globalization, so Rehann’s goal is to help preserve and present their culture.

There are two Couleurs galleries in Ho Chi Minh City- one in the InterContinental Hotel, which is by the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office; and the other is located near The Cafe Apartments.

I visited The Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum in Hoi An (which I highly recommend), but unfortunately, I didn’t know there are two more galleries in Ho Chi Minh City until after I left. Free entry for all locations.

Rehann Precious Heritage Museum Hoi An Vietnam — Rehann’s work in the Precious Heritage Museum in Hoi An

JOIN A FREE WALKING TOUR

Walking tours are always a great introduction to a new city. And they’re a great way to make new friends, especially as a solo traveler. Saigon Free Day Tours is a popular free walking tour company and you can also take a street food tour if you don’t yet feel comfortable choosing your own street food. Make sure you tip your guide.

BEN THANH MARKET

The most famous market in Ho Chi Minh City is known for souvenirs, cheap knockoffs, handicrafts, cheap meals, and fresh groceries. This market is a major tourist attraction so you have to get your bargain on.

14 TON THAT DAM

If you fell in love with the unique Cafe Apartments, you definitely need to visit the lesser known (and harder to find) 14 Ton That Dam. It lacks the funky façade, but what it lacks on the outside it makes up for on the inside, which is full of colorful and charming photogenic spaces, funky boutiques, cool cafes and hipster hangouts.

If you need a break from the noise and relentless heat and humidity, the chill spaces at 14 Ton That Dam are perfect, peaceful oases. This was one of my favorite places in Ho Chi Minh City.

Like The Cafe Apartments, 14 Ton That Dam is also an old apartment, so it doesn’t have an obvious entrance and signage. Walk through a covered alley, past the motorcycle parking and then walk up the staircase on the right.

Some people actually live in this space, so be aware of this while you are exploring.

CHO VUON CHUOI MARKET

If you want to get away from the touristy spots and experience a proper local market, this is the market for you. You won’t find any souvenirs here, but instead you’ll find fresh groceries, authentic Vietnamese meals and a great atmosphere.

BUI VIEN STREET

This is the busy, lively and touristy backpacker street of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s also known as the “no sleep street” because it’s like Khao San road in Bangkok with its bars, street food, restaurants, souvenir shops, massage parlours, hostels… and old western men with young Vietnamese prostitutes.