8 Things to do in Ho Chi Minh on Christmas Day

There's a lot of the festive mood in Ho Chi Minh  on Christmas day, which came as a surprise, especially on Christmas eve. Here are some things to try and do especially if you are avoiding the holiday crowd.

1. Stroll along Pham Ngu Lao Street “Backpacker’s street”

There’s a good number of foreigners all scattered along the road in high spirits, its hard not to catch the holiday bug with their loud chattering and singing along the street pubs enjoying a mug or two of Saigon’s beer.

Vietnam sure has got some aggressive drivers

Important Note: Vietnam drivers are very aggressive. Do be careful when crossing the roads.

2. Buy a Christmas card

Forgot to send a greeting to someone at home? There are a lot of pop-up cards sold on the street and some other Christmas sweets too. And speaking of sweets…

3. Eat a Christmas log cake. (Must try!)

The traditional Vietnam Christmas log cake is a must for every Christmas dinner. You just cannot resist with its joyful décor and not so sweet filling, it is one of the best dessert you can have in Vietnam.

Traditional vietnam Christmas log cake

4. Visit the War Remnant Museum

If you’re more of absorbing history, then the War Museum is a place to go. It showcases photos and relics from the Vietnam War. There are galleries for during and post the war and the horrible effects of the agent orange.

5. Eat some pho (pronounced as fur)

This oh-so-good-and-so-nutritious noodle soup topped with oh-so-lots of vegetables is one of the things you should have before leaving Vietnam. Plus they also give you a basket more of raw leafy veggies to add to your already veggie-filled soup.

Yummy Pho!

6. Have mass at the Notre Dame Cathedral.

A red-bricked cathedral at walking distance of the war museum, it was one structure to behold. If you do intend to have mass on Christmas day, do go there early as it closes at 11am.

The majestic Notre Dame Cathedral

7. Drop by the Post Office too!

Just across the Notre Dame Cathedral is the Post office, one of the tourist spots because of the architecture design of the building. It was in renovation when we visited but the interior was left untouched.

8. Shop at Ben Thanh Market

What is Christmas without gifts! Have your holiday shopping not at the expensive malls but at the Ben Thanh market where you can have a huge array of choices from clothes to souvenir items to food.

While you’re in there, try their refreshing drinks/dessert of Chendol, Lychee or Passion Fruit.