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Southeast Asia tops the list if you want to stretch your pennies as much as possible while traveling.
And a budget destination in the region, in particular, is now gaining popularity.
Ho Chi Minh City A bustling, bustling city of culture.
It’s densely populated and can feel chaotic at times but there’s something to see and do at every turn, guaranteeing you’ll never get bored here.
More than 3 million foreign tourists Visits to Ho Chi Minh City so far this year are up 30.3% from last year.
Ho Chi Minh was formerly known as Saigon, but many people still use its original name.
The city embraces its rich Vietnamese culture, and this is one of the main reasons it stands out from the crowd.
But there are other great reasons to visit:
An unforgettable meal in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a food paradise. It’s famous for its street food and incredible dinner markets, but you’ll also find an amazing food scene here.
For street food and cheap eats you’ll enjoy rubbing shoulders with the locals, you should check out Ho Chi Minh City’s food markets.
Ben Thanh Market operates as both a day and night market, with the night market open from 6pm to 10pm.
This market is huge and has 4 main entrances (as well as 12 sub-entrances) so getting around can be confusing, but getting lost is half the fun!
Try to enter through the southern entrance, which serves as the main market entrance to the market, as this is where you will find the 3-faced clock tower, the symbol of the area.
Ho Di Gai Food Street is another great food market if you want to enjoy an abundance of local Vietnamese cuisine.
If you want to eat well (and have some cash to flash) you’ll find everything from high-end French, Italian, Chinese and Indian cuisine to traditional Vietnamese restaurants.
Anon Saigon The only Michelin star restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City. You can do this with no. 89 Ton Dat can be found on Dam Street and is open from 5pm to 11pm and serves upscale contemporary cuisine inspired by traditional Vietnamese menus. If you’re going to play, this is the place to do it!
A budget hot spot
Not in the mood to play?
Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to visit if you are traveling on a budget.
That’s because there are so many things to see and do without spending a cent.
One of the best of these is a visit to Ho Chi Minh City’s largest flower market, the Ho Chi Minh Flower Market.
The flower market here is open 24/7, but it gets really busy early in the morning. Entry is free and the market is a riot of beautiful flowers and colours.
Speaking of color, don’t miss Cao Dai Temple, a beautiful and colorful temple dedicated to Godism. It is a Vietnamese religion that incorporates elements of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity.
Khao Dai Temple is a riot of pinks, blues and oranges. Clouds are painted across the ceiling. It is truly a work of art and a must-see.
Finally, entry to many fascinating museums in Ho Chi Minh City is free.
These include the Southern Women’s Museum and the Ton Duc Thong Museum.
Exposure to attractive culture
Ho Chi Minh City is a melting pot of diverse cultures, with people from all over Southeast Asia (and beyond) calling the city home.
This means you can find a whole host of different cultures here, but the Vietnamese history and culture in the city is worth exploring.
Visit the Saignon Central Post Office, a canary yellow building built in classic French colonial style.
The best place to visit this fascinating cultural attraction is the Notre Dame Cathedral.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Mines are a must-see.
Cu Chi District has a 250 kilometer tunnel network Gu Chi Mines) was used by the Viet Cong throughout the Vietnam War to hide from South Vietnamese and American forces.
You can actually enter and use these fascinating tunnels at 2 different points, but be warned: you will get dirty if you take this trip!
Admission costs 15,000 VND (60 cents in USD), so this is also a budget activity option.
Another interesting war-related attraction is the War Remnants Museum, where remnants of the war can be found (as the name suggests).
Out-of-commission planes, tanks, bombs, and helicopters fill the courtyard, but long after you return home, the thought-provoking (and graphic) photos inside the museum will stay with you. Admission fee is 40,000 VND ($1.59) here too.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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