Late night markets, a sea of motorbikes, wandering street vendors and bustling sidewalks, these are just a few of Ho Chi Minh City’s trademarks. Even if you only have 15 minutes in Saigon it’s enough to get your adrenaline pumping with all the hustle and bustle. It really is a city that never sleeps, but believe it or not Saigon does have a quieter, more peaceful side.
Ho Chi Minh City is never boring, that’s a fact! But if you want to relax among lotuses in Saigon you’ll have to venture out into lesser known districts. Not too far from District 1 you’ll find a countryside oasis in the middle of this big city. Lily pads, koi fish ponds, serene gardens and not a single motorbike zipping by.
Yes, these quiet oases do exist and I am about to share 3 of the most dreamy destinations to visit in Saigon. So whether you want to get out into nature or just shoot some amazing content, keep scrolling!
Đầm Sen Tam Đa
Đầm Sen Tam Đa, located in District 9, is only a 40 minute drive from the downtown core. The entrance fee is 30 000 VND ($1.30 USD) per person, which will let you roam around freely all afternoon! Scattered throughout their property are monkey bridges, wooden boats and bamboo huts to use as props and you can even pick your own lotus for a small fee.
Đầm Sen Tam Đa is definitely a different side of Saigon, with its huge green leaves and bright pink flowers, it makes for a nice little afternoon getaway. And although Saigon’s lotus season usually runs from the end of March through April, it really is beautiful here all year long.
If you couldn’t tell already, I look for any excuse to wear my áo dài! Because the lotus is Vietnam’s national flower I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to rock it alongside a pond full of them.
I like to think of Đầm Sen Tam Đa as an oasis dropped in the backroads of Ho Chi Minh City and I’m sure you can see why!
Location: Tam Đa, Trường Thạnh, Quận 9, Hồ Chí Minh City
Ao Dai Museum
Located in district 9, the Ao Dai Museum holds a permanent exhibition with over 150 national dresses on display. Besides taking a step back in time to see ancient garments, you can spend the afternoon frolicking through their lush grounds. A lotus pond, water coconut trees, fresh herb garden and a small canal make for a perfect afternoon out of the city.
Inside a long wooden house you can better understand the beautiful workings of the Vietnamese ao dai. Showcasing a stunning collection, see the ao dai traced back through different historical periods!
Visiting the Ao Dai Museum will cost you about 100 000 VND ($4.34 USD). Luckily paying for an ao dai history lesson also allows you to spend the day within this peaceful sanctuary!
Location: 206/19, 30 Long Thuận, Long Phước, Quận 9, Hồ Chí Minh City
Bình Quới Tourist Village
What if I told you that a 30 minute motorbike ride from the downtown core of Saigon would land you in a rural, rustic village draped with coconut palms and oversized lily pads? Would you believe me? It may seem next to impossible seeing that Ho Chi Minh City is bustling 24/7, but Bình Quới Tourist Village is definitely a refreshing little oasis tucked away from the city.
Driving to Bình Quới Tourist Village along the Thanh Da Peninsula is enough to give you a little countryside refresher. The concrete jungle of Saigon quickly fades into gorgeous lotus ponds, handmade bamboo bridges, floating wooden boats and beautiful tropical foliage.
You could easily spend a sunny afternoon wandering through Bình Quới’s Tourist Village testing out some of their fun activities and relaxing amongst their green estate. Take a paddle through the leafy lake, try your hand fishing like a local or just sit back, relax and sip a Saigon Special.
But, aside from relaxing amongst the lush greenery, Bình Quới Tourist Village is a fantastic spot for photographers! There are a ton of photo worthy spots to snap away while you are here including the huge lily pad pond, the gorgeous riverside, the rustic wooden docking stations and the scattered ruins throughout the gardens.
It’s free to enter Bình Quới Tourist Village and walk around. It’s definitely worth an afternoon drive if you’re in Saigon and in need of a breath of fresh air!
Location: 1147 Bình Quới, Phường 28, Bình Thạnh, Hồ Chí Minh City
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!
For My Ultimate 2 Week Vietnam Itinerary and Everything You Need to Know for 14 Days in Vietnam Click HERE!
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