Ho Chi Minh City is a modern city that is filled with excitement; if you need a break from the chaos, here are 5 ways to relax in Ho Chi Minh City
Loud sirens, crowded motorbikes, sidewalks packed with pedestrians, street vendors on every street corner selling everything from greeting cards to charcoal-grilled delicacies, and the sweltering heat of the afternoon is all the features that make Ho Chi Minh City a great place to take a customized itinerary. Vietnam. With the constant stimulation, every second spent in the city, holidays in this lively setting can get quite exhausting. The perfect solution to rejuvenate your senses is just around the corner. Here are some suggestions on how to find your personal oasis in a thriving city.
Top 5 ways to relax in Ho Chi Minh city:
Escape in Green:
In a city with tens of thousands of motorbikes and cars, rush hour can become overwhelming after a while. A retreat into a lush, green space can be a great way to recharge. Fortunately, Ho Chi Minh City has beautiful parks that can make you feel immediately that you are in a completely different world. The Park Cultural Park is a great place to escape the afternoon sun, people-watch, and admire the sculptures arranged throughout the space. An old assembly hall in the center of this park pays homage to the French colonial period in Vietnam – a must-see! Another favorite is the Green Park (literally Green Park). Join the many Tai Chi enthusiasts who frequent this park or take some time to enjoy the views of the city through the trees.
Cong Vien Van Hoa Park – enclosed within the streets Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Truong Dinh, Nguyen Du, and Cach Mang Thang Tam.
Green Tree Park – located at the corner of Vo Thi Sao and Hai Ba Trung.
Escape in the sky:
The urban sprawl of Ho Chi Minh City seems to be outward rather than upward, but rather a matter of quality versus quantity. While the city doesn’t have many skyscrapers, many of them have beautiful rooftop restaurants and bars – a great way to watch the bustle from afar. The streets are crowded like in a busy work day, sitting on the terrace with a chilled drink in hand makes the city seem larger and more spacious. Visit the restaurant on the 50th floor of the Bitexco tower for breathtaking views from the city’s tallest restaurant, enjoy a cocktail at the Chill Skybar or relax in the rooftop garden of the Rex Hotel.
The Strata Saigon at the Bitexco Tower – enjoy High Tea from 14:30 to 17:00 for 350,000 VND/person.
Chill Skybar – open from 17:30 to 2:00 daily with a variety of music genres every night of the week; choose a drink or food from an eclectic menu; strict dress code; www.chillsaigon.com.
Rex Hotel Rooftop – world class food, cocktails and snacks to be enjoyed throughout the day; located at 141 Nguyen Hue Blvd, www.rexhotelvietnam.com.
Escape in literature:
For some people, the perfect relaxation activity means curling up with a hot cup of coffee and mulling over a fictional story that is compelling and opens the mind to imaginary bliss. . Well, fear not! Ho Chi Minh City has a number of unique cafes where you can not only sample Vietnam’s most prized crop, but also browse the shelves to find something you like. Try PNC Book Cafe in District 1 or Hub Cafe, another popular paradise for readers. For those who are multilingual, Hub Cafe has a large selection of Vietnamese and foreign language books!
PNC Book Cafe – 2A Le Duan, open from 8:00 to 22:00.
Hub Cafe – 18A Cong Hoa, Tan Binh District.
Escape to Nirvana:
As busy as Ho Chi Minh City can be, finding refuge in a spiritual paradise may be just the thing to re-energize one’s mind and body. Temples and pagodas are the religious and spiritual centers of Vietnamese people. These architectural marvels can be found all over the city, and some of the oldest structures also have unique religious and sometimes political histories. Each temple has a special meaning – some are frequented by prosperity seekers and some are fertility sites. Chua Ong Pagoda is popular with fortune seekers but can get quite crowded throughout the day. Giac Lam Pagoda and Ngoc Hoang Pagoda are also famous tourist sites but are hauntingly beautiful in terms of architecture and feel. For a quieter path to inner sanctity, visit Ba Thien Hau Pagoda near the Chinese area of Ho Chi Minh City.
Chua Ong Pagoda (Ong Bon Pagoda) – 264 DL Hai Thuong Lan Ong.
Giac Lam Pagoda – 118 Lac Long Quan, open from 5:00 am to 12:00 noon, no entrance fee but you can donate if you want.
Jade Emperor Pagoda – 73 Mai Thi Luu, open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; as is the case with most temples, feel free to contribute if you wish.
Thien Hau Pagoda – 710 Nguyen Trai Street.
Escape from the water:
To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, a soothing place to seek refuge is the beautiful Saigon Riverfront. The river winds around the entire city, so there are many places to approach the tree-lined waterfront and find a spot to sit and enjoy the view. For an instant sense of peace, stand at the harbor in District 1 and watch the silhouettes of fishermen along the river in a beautiful sunset afternoon. Or join a Yoga on The Deck class at The Deck Saigon for an invigorating experience in a peaceful setting.
Fishermen watch at the pier – sunset usually takes place between 5:30 and 6:15 pm.
Yoga on The Deck Saigon – entrance ticket from 250000 VND to 300000 VND; weekend classes include croissants and juices; see thedecksaigon.com/yoga-on-the-deck for more details.
Good luck in creating a relaxing urban experience during your adventures in Ho Chi Minh City!
We hope you will have time to relax in Ho Chi Minh city and enjoy these Vietnam travel tips brought to you by Vietnam Travel Guide.
