There’s no better way to feel the pulse of Ho Chi Minh City than by exploring its most iconic pedestrian zones — the lively, ever-enticing Saigon Walking Street. Whether you’re soaking up the elegance of Nguyen Hue or diving into the after-dark thrill of Bui Vien Walking Street, these hotspots serve up a perfect mix of street food, city lights, and Photo-worthy moments. Beloved by locals and tourists, they stand out as unforgettable must see things in Ho Chi Minh city for anyone with a camera in one hand and a craving in the other!
Bonus: Sunset lighting makes this a must for golden-hour lovers!
Tip: Capture long-exposure light trails and movement magic with a tripod or steady hand!
Ben Thanh Market by Night (Sours: localvietnam)
Ready to dive into the wildest stretch of Saigon Walking Street? When the sun goes down, Bui Vien Walking Street lights up with more than just neon. This tour is your passport to the city’s vibrant nightlife, its steamiest street food, and the most Photo-worthy moments in town.
We’ll stroll, eat, sip, and snap — from BBQ smoke clouds to rooftop cocktails. It’s not just sightseeing; it’s an experience bursting with stories, flavors, and the unexpected. No filters needed.
We start by plunging straight into the action! Your guide will lead you through the glowing chaos of Bui Vien Walking Street, where street performers, dancers, fire-breathers, and traditional Vietnamese games welcome you to Saigon’s most iconic party zone.
Photo break: Hoist your camera for crowd shots, performance snaps, and candid portraits with street artists. These spontaneous moments are what Saigon Walking Street is all about.
Follow your nose — and your guide — to some of the tastiest, most budget friendly bites in the city. You’ll sample:
Expect surprises too — we know where the hidden carts are. This is your chance to taste real food drinks culture like a local.
The noise fades as we head upward. Rooftop bars are the crown jewels of Saigon Walking Street, offering chilled vibes and a killer view.
Pro tip: Golden hour fades into nightlife blue — perfect time for rooftop silhouettes and cocktail flat-lays.
Before wrapping up, we wander into the quirky edge of Bui Vien Walking Street, where henna artists, dreadlock braiders, and vintage trinket stalls line the alleyways. Here, the camera loves the weird and wonderful. Want a keepsake? Let our guide introduce you to a local artist.
Bui Vien Walking Street (Sours: saigonvibes)
Nestled in a tiny alley just steps from Nguyen Hue, this legendary eatery has been serving up steaming bowls of Pho for nearly 80 years. It’s a slice of old Saigon with weathered walls, classic tile floors, and locals slurping their breakfast with quiet joy. Snap that early morning steam rising from your bowl as natural sunlight filters in — pure Photo gold.
For adventurous eaters, this is one of the ultimate must see things in Ho Chi Minh city. Known for its pungent fermented fish broth, Bun Mam here is an explosion of color and flavor — shrimp, pork belly, fish, and eggplant all dancing in a bowl that’s made for both your taste buds and your lens.
This peaceful lane shaded by trees and flanked with charming bookshops is a welcome contrast to the lively rhythm of Saigon Walking Street. Sip an iced tea beneath hanging lanterns, Photograph the soft morning shadows over paperbacks, and enjoy a pocket of calm that feels a world away from the traffic.
Right inside the iconic Cafe Apartment 42 Nguyễn Huệ, this tiny smoothie stall blends fresh tropical fruit into vivid, Instagram-worthy drinks. The lighting here in mid-afternoon is ideal for capturing the natural glow of mangoes, dragon fruit, and papaya in your cup.
When night falls, head to Bui Vien Walking Street — the wild, neon-lit sibling of Saigon Walking Street — and look for this sizzling hotspot. The smoky aroma of grilled meats fills the air, and trays of skewers offer a technicolor feast for the eyes and the appetite. Don’t forget to capture the blur of nightlife in the background — it’s street food storytelling at its best.
Xien Que Nuong 81 (Sours: kenh14)
If you’re coming for food, drinks, and Photos — and let’s face it, who isn’t — timing is key. Each section of Saigon Walking Street comes alive at different times:
If you want to mix in some cultural exploration earlier in the day, nearby museums in Ho Chi Minh city and markets in Ho Chi Minh city are best visited before 11:00 AM to avoid the heat and crowds.
Here’s your go-bag checklist for conquering Saigon Walking Street like a pro:
Saigon Walking Street is an open-air celebration, but like any major city destination, it’s smart to stay alert — especially in crowded scenes near Nguyen Hue, Bui Vien, and other busy hubs.
Cafe Apartment (Sours: backofthebiketours)
Impress Travel, a proud member of Viet An Services Group, is a trusted tour operator and DMC based in Vietnam since 2007. With expert consultants fluent in multiple languages and deeply knowledgeable about Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar, we specialize in tailor-made tours for individuals, families, and small groups. From classic sightseeing to off-the-beaten-path adventures, every journey is crafted with passion, cultural respect, and attention to detail.
Whether you’re cruising through Halong Bay, exploring ancient temples, or strolling down Saigon Walking Street, Impress Travel is committed to delivering personalized, authentic experiences — with seamless service from your first inquiry to the last day of your trip. It’s no wonder our itineraries are listed among the must see things in ho chi minh city and Southeast Asia!
Hanoi Head Office
Saigon Office
Website: www.impresstravel.com
Whether you’re here for one unforgettable night or an extended adventure, Saigon Walking Street is your gateway to the city’s flavor, rhythm, and charm. From sizzling street food to glowing rooftop views, it’s a feast for the senses — and a highlight among the top must see things in Ho Chi Minh city. So pack your curiosity, charge your camera, and let every step lead you to a new story worth tasting and capturing!
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
This is a short-traveled package to explore Vietnam’s largest city (Ho Chi Minh city or Saigon) and the most prominent beauty-spots, culture, history & people in South Vietnam.
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) consistently accommodates the good deal of interesting things to explore the beauty-spots, gain an understanding of people, culture & history.
Southern Vietnam is a land favored by nature, where there is a special, beautiful and rich ecosystem all year round, associated with the simple culture of the people.
Pristine beaches, beautiful landscapes, fresh seafood are what make Vung Tau attractive to foreign voyagers. So comming to Ho Chi Minh City, come to Vung Tau coastal city...
