Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — Activities
Ho Chi Minh City Culture
For a city the size of Ho Chi Minh City, there are surprisingly few major outlets for cultural performances. There is no central ticket agency so you'll need to buy tickets in person at the relevant venue.
You can find details of some shows in The Guide, published monthly by the Vietnam Economic Times (www.vneconomy.vn).
Music
Opera House
The Opera House is a beautiful colonial building dating from 1899 and is home to the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and Opera. It has undergone a serious upgrading and now features a state-of-the-art light and sound system It has regular performances and occasional shows by international classical artists and also features dance, music and acrobatic performances.
7 Lam Son Square, District 1
Tel: (08) 3829 9976.
Website: www.hbso.org.vn
Vietnam House
Vietnamese music is somewhat discordant to the Western ear but excellent performances are held nightly in some of the city’s restaurants. Vietnam House is one of the most well known venues, which has even hosted world leaders. The restaurant is housed in a classic colonial building on the main shopping street in the city and guests enjoy typical Vietnamese cuisine while they are entertained by traditional folk music.
93/95 Dong Khoi
Tel: (08) 3829 1623.
Website: www.bongsencorporation.com
Theater
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
Vietnam is famous for its water puppets and Ho Chi Minh City has its own water puppet theater with daily performances at 1830 and 2000. Water puppetry originated in the Red River Delta in the north of Vietnam and was performed by rice farmers. Traditional stories and scenes are performed by the puppets accompanied by music and a Vietnamese narrator. A must-see for all visitors to the city.
55bis Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1
Tel: (08) 3827 2653.
Website: www.goldendragonwaterpuppet.com
Dance
Cunh Ding Restaurant
There is a particularly good show during dinner at the Cung Dinh Restaurant in the Rex Hotel, with traditional folk dancing accompanied by traditional instruments, such as the Trung used by the country’s ethnic minorities. The menu features imperial dishes from Hanoi and Hue as well as Ho Chi Minh City and the restaurant is decorated in the style of a royal court. Reservations are advised.
141 Nguyen Hue, District 1
Tel: (08) 3829 2185.
Website: www.rexhotelvietnam.com
Binh Quoi Tourist Village
Located outside the city on the Saigon River, the Binh Quoi Tourist Village has dance shows on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the highlight of which is a re-enactment of a minority wedding. The evening starts with an evening cruise along the Saigon River to the resort where guests are entertained with traditional music and dance while enjoying a typical Vietnamese meal.
1147 Binh Quoi, Binh Thanh District
Tel: (08) 3556 6020.
Website: www.binhquoiresort.com.vn
Ho Chi Minh City Tours
Walking tours
It’s very easy to do independent, self-guided walking tours around Ho Chi Minh City. However, if you prefer a guide, Exotissimo and Vidotour are two of many travel agencies offering walking tours. One possible route is around Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum and another through the shopping areas of Dong Khoi and Le Loi to Ben Thanh Market. The walking is not particularly strenuous but the heat and humidity can make it difficult.
Exotissimo
Tel: (08) 3827 2911.
Website: www.exotissimo.com
Vidotour
Tel: (08) 3933 0457.
Website: www.vidotourtravel.com
Bus tours
Saigontourist offers half-day city bus tours, taking in the Reunification Palace, Cholon and the Jade Emperor Pagoda; half-day, Cu Chi tunnel tours; and full day Mekong Delta tours with free hotel pick-up from District 1.
Saigontourist
Tel: (08) 3824 4554.
Website: www.saigontourist.net
