Ho Chi Minh City’s Most Instagrammable Spots
Saigon is one of the most vibrant and bustling metropolises in the world. The streets alone are a fusion of history and modernism, concrete and colour, it’s where the old time Saigon meets the new bustling Ho Chi Minh City. The best part? It all blends together giving you photo opportunities on every corner.
Want to hear the irony? Most people who come to sink their teeth into the culture of Saigon, often end up missing it altogether. So, to help you capture the heart and soul that makes up this city this is my list of the top spots to take Instagram photos in Saigon!
1. 100 Year Old Alley
Hẻm Hào Sĩ Phường (or the 100-year-old alley) can be found among the weaving streets of Saigon’s District 5. Time seems to stand still as you walk through this rugged laneway.
It’s the perfect spot to indulge in the picturesque Vietnamese-Chinese architectural design that accompanies the bright pops of colour circling every doorframe. Not only is this a beautiful location to shoot, but it also gives you a chance to gain insight into the inner communities that live in this amazing city.
UPDATE: due to many photographers using this location, you may have to pay a small fee to take photos here now.
📍 Hẻm Hào Sĩ Phường, 206/17 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường 11, Quận 5, Hồ Chí Minh City
2. The Pink Church
The millennial pink trend will never fade on the gram. Never. And I’m okay with that because, hello generation Y speaking here and like duh, it’s pink. This gorgeous pink palace in the heart of Saigon can’t be missed. It just can’t!
Although every angle of this beauty is a good angle, some of my favourite shots were actually taken from across the road (in order to fit in all its pink glory). Cong Caphe, found across the street, also offers up a different perspective of the pink church from its balcony seating. So grab a coconut coffee and enjoy the pink church from above.
📍Tan Dinh Church, 289 Hai Bà Trưng, Phường 8, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
3. Bình Quói Tourist Village
About 30 minutes from the city center lies Binh Quoi Village. With its laidback rustic village vibes it seems a world apart from the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City. There are many Instagram worthy spots to shoot here including the popular lily pad bridge, the crumbling archways and the wooden docks along the riverside.
📍 1147 Đường Bình Quới, Phường 28, Bình Thạnh, Hồ Chí Minh City
4. The Café Apartments
One of the hippest addresses in Saigon, this apartment block is not run by your average eves dropping landlord. Over the last couple decades this apartment building has seen some changes and is one of my favourite spots to shoot inside and out.
There are a ton of café’s inside the café apartments that have ultra cute interiors, great views and yummy food. Perfect for Insta. Some of my favourites to try out are: Saigon Oi, Dosh Donuts, The Letter and The Maker.
📍 42 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City
5. Bùi Viện Walking Street
Street food, bars, dogs on motorbikes, souvenir shops, smoked squid stands, you name it and you’ll find it down Saigon’s infamous ‘backpacker street,’ Bui Vien. Bui Vien is as touristy as it gets, but can make for some great photo ops day or night!
📍Bùi Viện, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City
6. Bửu Long Pagoda
A 45 minute drive from downtown Saigon will land you amidst the remarkable Bửu Long Pagoda. This picturesque temple’s stunning architecture is hidden away in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 9. And although a bit of a trek it’s magical exterior is the perfect backdrop to your next Instagram post.
📍 81 Nguyễn Xiển, Long Bình, Quận 9, Hồ Chí Minh City
7. Pasteur Street Street Art
On the corner of Nguyễn Du and Pasteur Street you’ll find your classic Saigonease marvels painted along a yellow tattered wall. These gorgeous displays of art deserve a square on your grid, I mean who doesn’t love a bit of street art plastered on a yellow background!
📍97 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City
8. District 5’s Pagodas
When in Saigon it’s next to impossible not to go to some of the amazing pagodas found around the city. Pagodas offer up an experience unlike any other and although being respectful is always the top priority, their beauty produces some unique photos that will be incredibly difficult to replicate once you’re back in the concrete jungle.
📍 Checkout my blogpost District 5: The Beautiful Pagodas & Churches of Saigon’s Chinatown for locations
9. Cô Giang Street
It’s no secret I’m a fanatical foodie, so one of the biggest draws to Vietnam was its food culture of course. It would be a crime to leave this street food haven without a photo sat on a little plastic stool enjoying some of Saigon’s finest, street food.
I especially love this street for photos because of the hustle and bustle of vendors and the local life that surrounds it. I mean isn’t THIS why you came to Vietnam in the first place?
📍(Start here and walk down food heaven) Quán Cơm 86, 151 Cô Giang, Phường Cô Giang, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City
10. Saigon Cafes
If you’re looking to capture the Saigon at its core or just add some hipster vibes to your feed while you’re here, you’ll have to head to one of the thousands of cafes in Ho Chi Minh City.
📍 Checkout my blogpost and pick your feed’s favourite 30 Cute Cafes in Saigon You Need To Checkout
This city is gorgeousness on every corner! These are just some of my favourite spots to capture the essence of the city. But, as long as you get out there and shoot you’ll see that opportunities live up and down the alleyways and in every sip of your cà phê đá.
If you have any questions or just want to see some more travel content find me on Instagram at @agirl.enroute! I’m always happy to chat!
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After living in Vietnam for over 4 years, a piece of my heart will always be left in Ho Chi Minh City! Vietnam should be a top destination for all travelers! White sand beaches, limestone mountains, terraced rice fields and incredible street food make Vietnam a bucket-list destination! From foodies to beach hoppers, arts & culture buffs to adventure seekers, Vietnam has something for everyone! Checkout more of my Vietnam blogposts below!
🇻🇳 Ultimate 2 Week Vietnam Itineraniry: Everything You Need To Know for 14 Days in Vietnam 🇻🇳
Check out my Ho Chi Minh City travel guides…
📌 10 Instagram Worthy Spots in Saigon You Need To Visit!
📌 Amazing Night With Street Food Man: A Truly Authentic Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
📌 Odys Boutique Hotel: Soak In Your Love For Ho Chi Minh City With A Chic Staycation
📌 District 5: The Beautiful Pagodas & Churches of Saigon’s Chinatown
📌 The Hammock Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City: A Staycation So Fun We Wanted To Stay
📌 Lotus Ponds & Gigantic Lily Pads In Ho Chi Minh City
Best restaurants, cafes & bistros in Ho Chi Minh City…
📌 4 Old School Apartment Blocks in Saigon That Are Now The Coolest Places To Grab A Coffee!
📌 11 Street Foods To Try That Will Rock Your World In Ho Chi Minh City
📌 30 Cute Cafes in Saigon You Need To Checkout
📌 Bandido: Tacos, Tequila & The Best Mexican Food in Saigon!
📌 Best Brunch in Saigon: 10 Underrated Spots in Ho Chi Minh City You Need To Try
📌 Looking For A Cool New Bar in Saigon? You Need To Check Out Kohei’s Hidden Cocktail Bar!
📌 The 10 Best Places For Salad In Saigon
📌 Tingle Your Tastebuds At Tomatito Tapas Bar: The Best Spanish Food in Ho Chi Minh City
📌 Tomatito Has A Fantastic New Brunch Menu: A Must Try For Brunch Lovers in Ho Chi Minh City!
Amazing things to do in Mui Ne & the Mekong Delta…
📌 4:00AM Wake Up Call To The Cai Rang Floating Market
📌 A Wonderful Weekend Getaway To The Victoria Can Tho Resort In The Heart Of The Mekong
📌 Escape This Weekend To Anantara Mui Ne’s Beautiful Beachfront Resort
What to do in Central Vietnam…
📌 1 Day in Hue Itinerary: How To Have The Most Epic 24 Hours In This Ancient City
📌 5 Cute Coffee Shops in Hoi An Brewing Up Some Epic Coffee
📌 Anantara Hoi An Resort: Luxury In An Ancient City
📌 Anantara Quy Nhon Villas: A Luxury Beachfront Escape in Vietnam
📌 LAK Tented Camp: This Glamping Resort Will Make You Never Want To Leave Vietnam!
📌 Journey Through Central Vietnam: Da Nang, Hoi An, Quy Nhon & Hue is Your Trip of a Lifetime
📌 The Vietage: A Luxury Rail Escape Through Central Vietnam
Heading to Northern Vietnam…
📌 Why You Need An Epic Road Trip Around The Ha Giang Loop!
📌 A Complete Guide to Vietnam’s Cat Ba Island
📌 How to Choose A Halong Bay Cruise
📌 Traveling Ninh Binh: The Most Beautiful Place in Vietnam?
