One of the most interesting aspects of living in Ho Chi Minh City is the fact that there's never a shortage of activities to do on weekdays or weekends. There's so much to do here, in fact, that it can be challenging to say no out of fear of missing out. No matter the time of day, some unique event or exciting gathering will be taking place throughout town. Here are a few spots in the city where expats can find things to do that might cater to their interests.
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City alone
º£½ÇÂÒÂ×s who are keen to enjoy some alone time will be surprised by the number of unique activities. Aside from dining alone or heading to the cinema, people can enjoy spending quality time at in District 2 to detoxify the body with a massage and a hot tub soak in an ultra-tranquil setting. There are plenty of gyms, yoga, and pilates studios in Ho Chi Minh City to get the blood flowing, or you can sit down at the thousand cafes with a good book to people-watch. You can have a perfect day for one by exploring one of twenty-two districts or a local art gallery and connecting with your mind to re-center amidst the city's hustle and bustle.
You might also want to swing through The Hive or The Hive Villa for any events throughout the week. Both of the District 2 locations mainly function as co-working spaces, which is perfect for expats who are digital nomads or freelancers. Each Tuesday, The Hive hosts 'Try Out Tuesdays,' each week, in which people interested in becoming members of the space can test it out. Throughout the rest of the week, The Hive and The Hive Villa often organize events such as yoga retreats, crafting afternoons and paint and wine evenings. The Hive Villa has a pool, which is used for parties and other social events, too. Check out and Facebook groups to learn more about upcoming events!
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City with friends
Just the same as back home, brunch and happy hours are just as popular in Ho Chi Minh City. Popular brunch spots include , , , and . The weekends are a perfect opportunity to partake in a craft workshop or take a dip at a public pool or splurge for a day pass at one of the rooftop hotels. Two of the more popular ones in town are Van Thanh Swimming Pool in the Binh Thanh District or for a lush high tea experience. For an alternative experience, check out or  two venues that focus on connecting groups through board, arcade, and video games.
Located in the eclectic and funky Phạm Viết Chánh neighborhood, The is popular for weekly quiz nights, watching international sports and catering a Christmas or Thanksgiving meal that takes the edge off being far from home on the holidays. The surrounding area is full of cool restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and it's easy to slowly explore and try out several venues all in one evening. The Rabbit Hole has two locations and was originally opened on Phu Quoc Island. Everyone is welcome, and there's a pool table out front to keep the party going into the wee hours of a weekend.
Set in a Vietnamese villa, this two-story artist collective hosts everything from Drag KaraokeÌý³Ù´ÇÌýsip & paint and everything in between. Bardo Cocktails & Arts is a great location with two very different aesthetics between the floors and is suitable for the whole family. Take a first date or bring out-of-town guests for a special and unique Saigon-created cocktail, or reserve tickets to see local or international musical artists. Highlights include visiting international DJs or a stand-up comedy stage. You can find the weekly schedule on their , but it's a safe bet to also walk up any night of the week.
While these aren't the only businesses hosting events throughout the weekdays and weekends in Ho Chi Minh City, these locations are a few of the most popular in town. Those relocating to town should check Facebook's local events or Meetups to see what else is happening.
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City with your family
The city is surprisingly family-friendly and caters to younger ones in a variety of ways. You can spend an afternoon hopping around inside District 2's or at in District 4. Those wanting to bask in the sunshine with a bit of laughter can make the trek out to Dam Sen Water Park. Those who prefer to stay inside will love SnowTown, an indoor snow park perfect for those who are feeling homesick in the winter months. º£½ÇÂÒÂ×s based in District 7 or those who don't mind making the trek should definitely swing through the top floor of Crescent Mall, which has a colorful indoor play gym area - fun for all ages!
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City with your partner
One of the benefits of being an expat in Ho Chi Minh City is the exposure to the variety of cuisines throughout the city. One unique date night idea is to book a table at , a 'dining in the dark' experience. The employees at Noir are vision-impaired, which is even more of a reason to support the establishment. Another unique date night is to find a tasting menu available at several high-end dining experiences. We recommend booking a tasting menu at to tickle the taste buds and dine on seasonal plates inspired by the chef's love for Northern Europe. Everything from the interior to themes of aurora borealis will satisfy the craving for a high-end food fusion experience.
What started as an Instagram account has amassed over a hundred thousand followers and evolved into an event planning and marketing headquarters. On the Where In Vietnam website, you can find guides to the city highlighting things to do every single week, as both Instagram pages will do a weekend recap and shout out to social events happening in the city. Look for more details on their or pages.
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