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(made by a Brazilian named Andre for an Ucrianian named Ana in June of 2018)

Craig Thomas Gallery Established in 2009, CTG is the natural evolution of an active role in promoting the development of a vibrant domestic art scene in Vietnam through ongoing efforts to promote talented young Vietnamese artists and through the hosting of regular exhibitions at the gallery.

27i Tran Nhat Duat Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1,

Duc Minh Gallery Duc Minh was one of Vietnam’s pioneering art collectors, and after his death in 1983, his son Bui Quoc Chi continued to build on his legacy. When his bid to open an art museum was blocked, the business tycoon set up an art gallery instead in a colonial-style mansion. The building’s two floors are dedicated to contemporary art, while the basement holds works by Vietnamese masters. Most of his 1,000-strong collection remains in storage, but what’s on view here does provide an insight into Vietnamese art.

31c Le Quy Don St., District 3

Soma Art CafÊ Nestled in the bricks of one of Saigon’s beautiful, historical buildings is a tiny cozy space used as a coffee shop by day and your next favourite watering hole by night serving craft beer, cocktails and wine.

At Soma, everything is a little bit special. So join us for a drink! Kick back with a delicious, aromatic coffee made from Vietnamese beans, brought from farm to table by our Ethnic Vietnamese partners in the Central Highlands, enjoy our unique, house-crafted cocktails made with traditional liquors and herbal blends, and invest in your local craft beer scene with taps and bottles from a range of Saigon breweries.

6b Le Van Mien, Thao Dien

The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre is the first purpose-built space for contemporary art in Vietnam. As an independent organization, we are a ‘factory’ of critical ideas; a site of constant physical transformation; a network of people who strive to speak about tangible and intangible cultural memories that matter and are indelibly unique. We understand the social system that we operate, but we want to challenge its limits, acknowledging artists today as interdisciplinary thinkers who reveal unique ways of conceiving our journey into the 21st Century – their ideas we thus nurture and celebrate as constructive observations of our social world.

15 Nguyen U Dĩ, Thao Đien Ward, District 2

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Established between 1863 and 1880 by French colonists, the central Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City, thanks to its special architecture, rich spirituality and oozing history. Located in the most crowded district of Saigon – District 1, the Cathedral is also in close proximity to Saigon Post Office and Reunification Palace.

1 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1

War Remnants Museum War Remnants Museum is a unit under the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho Chi Minh City. Located in the museum system of Vietnam, the museum for world peace and a member of the World Council of Museums (ICOM), the War Remnants Museum, the Museum of thematic research, collection , storage, preservation and display of the material, photographs, artifacts on the evidence of the crime and the consequences of the war that the invasion force has caused to Vietnam.Museum store more than 20,000 documents, exhibits and films, in which more than 1,500 documents, artifacts, films have been applied to introduce in eight thematic exhibition frequently.

28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3

Ben Thành Market Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 is a great place to buy local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs. Here, you’ll find eating stalls inside the market where you can get a taste of hawker-style Vietnamese cuisine or simply cool off with a cold drink when the bargaining becomes too much. The market is big, difficult to navigate at times and certainly best avoided during the hottest part of the day but all the same its well worth a look. When night falls, restaurants around the perimeter of the market open their doors creating a vibrant street side scene filling the air with the scents of wok-fried noodles, barbecued fish and meats.

Cho, Lê Loi, District 1

Jade Emperor Pagoda Built in 1909 in honour of the supreme Taoist god (the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, Ngoc Hoang), this is one of the most spectacularly atmospheric temples in Ho Chi Minh City, stuffed with statues of phantasmal divinities and grotesque heroes.

The pungent smoke of incense (huong) fills the air, obscuring the exquisite woodcarvings. Its roof is encrusted with elaborate tile work, and the temple’s statues, depicting characters from both Buddhist and Taoist lore, are made from reinforced papier mâché.

73 Duong Mai Thi Luu, Da Kao, District 1