Ho Chi Minh City travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Best photo spots
Iconic and lesser-known locations worth shooting.
Bitexco Financial Tower Skydeck
Best time: Sunset, around 5:30-6:30pm
Tip: Press the lens directly against the glass to minimize reflections · Buy tickets online ahead of time to arrive before the sunset rush · The EON51 bar one floor above allows open-air shots without the glass barrier
Landmark 81 SkyView
Best time: Sunset into night, around 5:30-7:30pm
Tip: Bring a fast lens for interior low-light night shots · The glass floor gets scuff marks; edit out minor smudges in post · Combine with a walk through Vinhomes Central Park at ground level before or after
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Best time: Blue hour and evening, 6:00-9:00pm
Tip: Shoot from the boulevard's centerline for the most symmetrical composition · A small tripod enables light-trail long exposures of the toy cars · Visit during Tet for elaborate flower displays, but expect very heavy crowds
Tan Dinh Church (Pink Church)
Best time: Morning, 7:00-9:00am, for soft light and quieter streets
Tip: Cross to the opposite side of Hai Ba Trung street for a full-facade shot without traffic in frame · Morning light avoids the harsh midday sun bleaching the pink tone · Be respectful and avoid interior photography during active mass
Ben Thanh Market
Best time: Early morning (7:00-9:00am) for market activity and soft light on the clock tower
Tip: Shoot the clock tower from across the roundabout traffic circle for full context · Use a fast prime lens indoors given the low light in the aisles · Return after dark for a completely different night-market character
The Cafe Apartments (42 Nguyen Hue)
Best time: Afternoon into evening for the balcony view over Nguyen Hue below
Tip: Order a drink at one of the balcony cafes to access the best viewpoint · The stairwells are dim; a stabilized lens or higher ISO helps · Afternoon and early evening give the best light on the balcony view
Bui Vien Walking Street at Night
Best time: 9:00pm-midnight, Friday and Saturday for peak neon and crowd energy
Tip: A fast prime lens is essential given the low ambient light · Keep gear secured; the crowded street is a known pickpocketing spot · Weeknights offer a calmer, more relaxed version of the same shots
Jade Emperor Pagoda Courtyard
Best time: Mid-morning, 9:00-11:00am
Tip: Be unobtrusive and respectful of active worshippers when photographing the interior · The courtyard offers a calmer, brighter alternative composition to the smoky main hall · A fast lens helps handle the dim, smoke-filled interior light
Cholon Backstreets (Chinatown, District 5)
Best time: Morning, 7:00-10:00am, for market activity and workshop scenes
Tip: Morning hours offer the most market activity · Ask before photographing individual shopkeepers up close · Combine with a Thien Hau Pagoda visit for a full Cholon photo route
Turtle Lake Roundabout (Ho Con Rua)
Best time: Evening, when local youth gather and lights come on around 6:00-9:00pm
Tip: Evening brings the most local life and activity to photograph · A tripod enables motorbike light-trail shots of the roundabout traffic · Street food vendors around the perimeter add candid subject variety
By subject
Match your shooting interest to Ho Chi Minh City's strengths.
Skyline & Architecture
Best spots: Bitexco Financial Tower Skydeck, Landmark 81 SkyView, Saigon Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Tan Dinh Church
Street Life & Nightlife
Best spots: Bui Vien Walking Street, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Cholon Backstreets
Markets
Best spots: Ben Thanh Market
Religious & Cultural
Best spots: Jade Emperor Pagoda Courtyard, Thien Hau Pagoda
Rooftops & Cafes
Best spots: The Cafe Apartments, EON51 Rooftop Bar
Public Space
Best spots: Turtle Lake Roundabout
Best times to shoot
Light, weather, and seasonal considerations.
Photography tips
Make your shots stand out.
Midday sun (11:00am-3:00pm) is harsh and flat; plan skyline and street shots around golden hour instead
Air pollution and haze reduce long-distance visibility most in the dry season's hottest months (March-April); early morning offers the clearest air
A polarizing filter helps cut glare off wet streets and glass towers during and after the frequent afternoon showers of wet season
Ask permission before photographing individuals closely, especially vendors and worshippers at temples
Grab (ride-hailing app) makes it easy to chase golden hour across multiple spots in one evening given HCMC's traffic
A lightweight rain cover for camera gear is worth carrying May through November