04 Free Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City without Costing Money

1. Contemplate the Famous Architecture Saigon Central Post Office

Along with the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Central Post Office located in Saigon center, is also another structure built on the French architecture, one of famous historical places in Ho Chi Minh city.

Its architecture is the perfect combination of the Western and Eastern style. Notably, the place is located right in front of the Notre-Dame Basilica, so visitors can conveniently explore both areas on t he same day.

From the outside, the Central Post Office is outstanding with a brilliant yellow wall. The details and decorations are distributed proportionally on both sides of the building, with the center is a giant clock right on top of the entrance. On both sides of the Central Post Office, there are rectangular patterns which list the names of the famous inventors in the field of the telegraph and electricity industries . You will be able to find many popular names there.

Inside the post office is the arch-formed ceiling that makes the building a lot more spacious. The long arch is supported by two rows of iron pillars on both sides. The brilliant shade of yellow features the ancient and peaceful style of decoration somehow make the Post Office even more attractive.

The best thing is that you can visit the place for free. You can freely go in and out at any time you want, take as many pictures as you wish. The impressive architecture is the element that creates the fame of the Central Post Office, and you absolutely cannot miss this place when you have a chance to come to Saigon.

2. Visit Pagodas & Temples

Besides the peaceful parks, Saigon also has numerous ancient and impressive pagodas as well as temples. Each of them represents the diverse culture, customs and religions of Vietnam. Of course, there is no entrance fee so tourists can visit them whenever they want.

3. Feel relaxed at Nguyen Hue Walking Street

The Nguyen Hue Walking Street has always been a popular destination not only for tourists but also for the locals in Ho Chi Minh City. Nguyen Hue Walking Street has always been one of the busiest and most interesting places to hang out in Ho Chi Minh City because of the airy spac

e and the huge amount of restaurants and cafes.

The Nguyen Hue Walking Street is sometimes compared to a beautiful road in Hollywood, with absolutely no electric wires and garbage. The road is paved with granite tiles and two huge fountains, decorated with a mesmerizing system of trees and flowers. In the evening, the street lights, as well as the light from signs of restaurants and cafes, shimmer to create a lovely scene. If you are a photographer, this will inspire you to create some interesting pictures.

People often walk, exercise, catch up with friends or simply have fun. Coming to Nguyen Hue street, you can feel relaxed and forget all the stress from daily life. Sit back and enjoy the emotions, the slow movements around and you will soon find yourself solace.

4. Stroll through Nguyen Van Binh Book Street

The Nguyen Van Binh book street is located next to Notre Dame Cathedral and the City Post Office in District 1. The place has long become a highlight destination for book lovers. It’s also the first complex book route of Vietnam with open space, where visitors can feel free to visit and enjoy the reading culture of Saigon people.

The street is more than 100 meters long, built with a certain number of bookstores, each has a unique style. There are different types of books such as politics, society, science technology, languages, etc. Many authors often hold conferencesh here to introduce their new books and interact with their audiences.

Coming to Nguyen Van Binh street, visitors can feel free to wander around, take a look at the colorful books and magazines, researching the reading culture of Saigon people or buying new books and stationeries.

Besides the unique bookstores, Nguyen Van Binh street also has a book coffee area which is next to the Central Post Office. Tourists can also take a look and buy some newspapers, magazines, stationery as well. There is also an area for book lovers to exchange old books too.

For those who don’t want to buy anything, you can head straight to the playground, or visit the exhibition area where different books, newspapers or pictures are displayed. The exhibition creates a space that represents the contributions to the development of reading culture in locals’ lives as well as the place where books and people connects together.

For photographers, don’t miss the chance to take impressive and vintage pictures in the dedicated-decorated walls and roads of Nguyen Van Binh street. Or you can just stroll around, take in the peaceful atmosphere and enjoy the slow and calm pace of the people and their books.