Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City) does not just attract tourists with its special landmarks around the city; there are also various other outdoor activities that you should try once in the city. This guide talks about some best outdoor activities in Saigon that you should try to experience and adventure.
Sightsee on Motorbikes
Many people love this experience when they wonder how locals can navigate the scooters very well through crowded streets. Going sightseeing on scooters or motorbikes is an exciting outdoor activity in Ho Chi Minh City if it is the first time you have traveled to this lively city. Do not need to worry too much about the traffic when you ride, because it’s best experienced with the help of local guides and drivers zipping through the city. And take our word for it, once you are part of the traffic, it isn’t as intimidating as it seems.
Sightseeing around the city on scooters is adventurous and exciting
Enjoy Local Street Foods
Nothing is more appetizing and appealing than to discover Saigon on bikes and enjoy street foods, especially with a local guide. You will get to see things from the locals’ perspectives instead of seeing things behind windows in a tour bus. This is one of the best outdoor activities in Ho Chi Minh City you could do.
Read more about the Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh
Local street food always attracts tourists to explore and discover
Cool off at The Waterparks
Dam Sen Water Park
Address: 3 Hoa Binh Street, Ward 3, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Time: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Suoi Tien Water Park
Address: 120 Xa Lo Hanoi, Tan Phu Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Time: 8 AM – 5:30 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Dam Sen and Suoi Tien are popular water parks in Ho Chi Minh City. There are more than 300 water games for everyone to cool down from the heat of the tropical weather. Meeting the entertainment needs of all ages, a lot of families often visit here to play water games and enjoy their free time together. Not only are there water games, but regular performances and shows are also held for the visitors to participate. There are many pricing options, for about VND 150,000, you can be sure to have a fun-filled day outdoors.
The waterslide is one of the best outdoor activities in Ho Chi Minh in the summertime
Check out also Swimming Pools in Ho Chi Minh
Wander the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden
Thao Cam Vien
Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Time: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Monday – Sunday)
Situated in the city center, Saigon Zoo is an interesting attraction for many Saigonese, especially families with kids. This is one of the favorite outdoor activities in Ho Chi Minh City where kids love to visit the animals and enjoy the weekends with their parents. Besides, this place is one of the few destinations in the city where you can feel the peaceful vibes and enjoy the green surroundings. There are even changing events organized weekly.
Saigon Zoo is a good place for local families to visit outdoor
Shop at Local Markets
Ben Thanh Night Market
Address: Phan Chu Trinh Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
You should come here to stroll through the market at night and enjoy some street food at the vendors located in an area right behind the market. Ben Thanh Night Market often starts in the evenings and closes around 12 midnight. The products of this market sold mainly are clothes, souvenirs, and accessories. You should ask about the price of products and bargain if you are interested because the prices of most products are not fixed. Check here for other night markets in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ben Thanh Market is busy both day and night
Saigon Square
Address:
#1: 81 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
#3: 179E-181-183-185 Hai Ba Trung Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Time: 9 AM – 9 PM (Monday – Sunday)
Saigon Square is a special local market that has air conditioning. If you are around the corner and wish to stay away from the outdoors, hop into Saigon Square.
Hello Weekend Market
Address:
Hoa Lu Stadium – 2 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, or
23/9 Park – Le Lai Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Time: 9 AM – 9 PM (Saturdays – Sundays, twice a month)
Although this market just opens twice a month, it attracts a lot of the young locals to go window-shopping and wander around. Most of the vendors in the market often sell clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, and decorative accessories. You can also enjoy the food in the food court of the market at affordable prices. To check for their opening schedule, be sure to refer to their social media pages before stopping by.
More Ho Chi Minh’s Most Authentic Local Markets
Walk around the French quarters
Most of the main streets and structures downtown related to the French colonial period have changed a lot over time, but there are some special places that still bear the French architecture such as the city hall, Saigon Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Walking around the French Quarter is a great outdoor activity in Ho Chi Minh City if you want to get some nice photography.
Many French architectures in the city are still preserved carefully
Stroll through The Book Streets
Address: Nguyen Van Binh Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Time: 8 AM – 10 PM
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street was established in 2016 and has attracted a fair number of both locals and tourists to search for and buy their favorite books since then. There are around 15 bookstores on the street selling foreign language books, souvenirs, postcards, memorial pictures of the city, etc. The book street does not allow any vehicle to travel through so the street is just for walking, but there is a motorbike parking lot adjacent to the McDonald’s nearby. You will love the space where you can enjoy a little fresh air under the trees, read books, and drink some coffee in the cafes on the street. Besides, it is not that hard to find because it is right next to the Saigon Central Post Office.
For those book lovers, this outdoor book street is the place to be
Gym Rock Climbing
Many people often spend their weekends or day-offs to enjoy and relax with sports such as football and swimming, or more unconventional sports activities such as going to Ho Chi Minh’s climbing gyms. The dynamic settings of the gyms make a special outdoor activity in Ho Chi Minh City in which you can healthily spend your energy and get fit. If you are interested in this type of sport, you can come to the places below to climb.
Push Rock Climbing
Address: 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong Street, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Time: 10 AM – 10 PM (From Tuesday to Sunday)
This is also the address of Saigon Outcast. Besides climbing, craft beers, live music, skateboarding, and graffiti events are organized on a weekly basis so that you will have other enjoyment and interests to relax in this place.
Push Rock Climbing
An alternative for indoor gym climbing is Vertical Academy
Address: 789D So 1 Street, Binh An Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Time: 5 PM – 10 PM (From Tuesday to Friday) and 10 AM to 8 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Fish in Man-made Ponds
Fishing is a relaxing outdoor activity in Ho Chi Minh City, especially in suburban areas of the city. Moreover, most of the fishing destinations near the city are ecotourism places where visitors can enjoy fishing in a peaceful environment and enjoy good meals from the restaurants as well. Therefore, some local families often choose this outdoor activity for their kids to relax on the weekends. These are some addresses for your reference, these places are usually open from 11 AM to 8 PM.
Fishing Pond Ngoc Linh
558/15/9 Binh Quoi Street, Ward 28, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Fishing Pond Dong Dieu
79 Ta Quang Buu Street, Ward 4, District 8, Ho Chi Minh City
Fishing Pond Phu Ong
493A Vuon Lai Street, An Phu Dong Ward, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City
Fishing is a relaxing outdoor activity in Ho Chi Minh City
Learn more about Fishing in Vietnam
Some heads-ups for having fun outdoors in Ho Chi Minh City:
– Wear sunscreen. The best one would be a spray sunscreen with SPF 50+. You would not want to risk some painful sunburns on your trip.
– Carry a water bottle. Stay hydrated for more exploration.
– Find a good pair of walking shoes. No need for fancy brands, an affordable and sustainable type will do.
Summary of Best Outdoor Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Besides famous tourist attractions, there is a wealth of outdoor activities in Ho Chi Minh City that you should take part in to get more fascinating experiences in the city like sightseeing on motorbikes, enjoying street foods, shopping at local markets, and many more.
If you need more information about places to visit and things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, you can search and read more of our Vietnam Travel Information with local insights and many other topics like culture, foods, and history.