Ho Chi Minh City central garden

My pros and cons of visiting Ho Chi Minh City (it’s mostly pros)

ByScott

If there’s anything to learn about this pros and cons list, it’s that I’m kicking myself for not visiting Vietnam earlier. 

Ho Chi Minh City surprised me (in both good ways and bad). Despite its flaws, it’s one of my favorite places on Earth. I cannot wait to go back – better prepared, of course. 

Scott walking down the streets of Ho Chi Minh City
“Holy sh*t I’m going to be so better prepared next time!”

First: A quick disclaimer:

I’m a white guy who grew up in the midwestern United States in the 1980s. Back then, the war was still on the minds of many, and everything I heard about the place was not good. I was taught to be skeptical of the Vietnamese. 

Thankfully, time heals all wounds. I made my first visit in August 2024, figuring that Ho Chi Minh City would be a good place to unlearn what had been beat into my head for my entire life. 

Once there, I instantly felt regret for my years of ignorant skepticism. Vietnam is amazing.

Government building
Main street with motorbikes in hotels in the distance
Back alley with Vietnam flags

What I consider to be all the pros and cons of visiting Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City

No city is perfect, and Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City is a perfect example of that: 

Pros 

  • The people of Ho Chi Minh City are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in any city anywhere on earth. 
  • It’s very modern and developed. Luxury hotels are everywhere. 
  • Costs for everything (food, taxis, hotels, etc.) are very low compared to other developed countries. 
  • I felt extremely safe. Even when walking down sketchy-looking back alleys. 
  • It’s so visually stimulating. The parts of old Saigon mixed with the glitz and glam of what has become Ho Chi Minh City will keep you entertained for days. 
  • It’s super casual. Everyone wears shorts and flip-flops everywhere. It’s a lot like Hawaii in that regard.
  • Help is always nearby. The locals are proud of their city, and most will bend over backwards to assist in any way possible. 
  • The entire city is walkable.
  • If you get too tired to walk, there are plenty of taxis and motorbike drivers willing to take you wherever you need to go – cheaply and quickly. 
  • The airport is located in the heart of the city, so transfers to and from your hotel will be very easy. 
  • The staff at hotels, restaurants, and larger shopping centers speak English. Many of the road signs are in English as well. 
  • Never once did I feel any hatred being projected my way (I didn’t know how some of the older locals would feel about American tourists). Everyone seemed warm and welcoming. 
Residential area of Ho Chi Minh City
So much texture. Not only that, the smells of delicious food are everywhere.
Modern buildings in central Ho Chi Minh City
In between all of the “texture” are skyscrapers popping up pretty much everywhere. This is very fast growing city.
Scott walking around a central ho Chi Minh City
If you can handle the poor air quality, walking around in the central part of the city is fun and easy. Just be sure to look twice ten times before crossing the street.
Main road along the river
Scott walking down a side street
Residential side street

Cons

  • Air quality is extremely poor (mostly due to the lack of emissions controls for the motorbikes). 
  • Speaking of which, smoking is still very much a thing everywhere in the city. There will be a constant stench of cigarette smoke everywhere you go. 
  • Crossing any street on foot (even when the walk light is on) is extremely dangerous. Ho Chi Minh City traffic is basically a no-rules free-for-all. 
  • It’s extremely hot and humid all throughout the year. 24 hours a day. Seven days a week.
  • It can (and will) rain at the most inconvenient of times. You will get wet.
  • If there’s even a smidgen of your look that identifies you as a tourist, you will be fighting off rickshaw drivers and street beggars nonstop. 
  • Data speeds on mobile networks is extremely poor all throughout the city. I had to connect to Wi-Fi To be able to get anything done.
  • The noise! From all the traffic, to the construction, to the concert venue located right outside my hotel room window, I didn’t experience much peace and quiet on my trip. 
Motor bikes and cars on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City
Air pollution from all the motorbikes is no joke in this city. Wear a mask.
Busy sidewalk in central Ho Chi Minh City
Pay attention when walking down the sidewalk! There’s a lot of stuff trip over. Exposed toes stand no chance against this kind of stuff.
Car and motorbike traffic on the streets of Saigon
These people may look friendly (and I have no doubt that they are), but I can 100% guarantee that they will not stop to let you cross the street. It’s basically a free-for-all out here in the streets of Saigon.

The TLDR

I’m of the opinion that Ho Chi Minh City is worth going out of your way for. It’s polluted and a little rough around on the edges, but charming (and fascinating) in so many other ways. 

Pedestrians on the street
Walking by a convenience store
School building
  • Bring a facemask to reduce your exposure to the dirty air.
  • Wear your most comfortable walking shoes.
  • Make an effort to talk to the locals.
  • Wear sunscreen.
  • Most importantly: keep an open mind. This city has been through a lot since the 1960s. 

Have questions? Drop them below and I’ll be happy to help. 

Scott

Scott is just a regular guy from the US who has been traveling around Asia for the last 15 years. He founded ScottTravelsAsia in 2024 to share his adventures, learnings, and discoveries with others.

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