The 5 Best Luxury Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam's vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), still often called Saigon, is an electric destination, a thriving metropolis bursting with energy. Among the luxury hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, below 5 are the top hotels.

Park Hyatt Saigon
2 Lam Son Square, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),  Vietnam 

Situated at Lam Son Square in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) centre, the 5 star Park Hyatt Saigon is walking distance from the elegant Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market, and other Saigon main tourist attractions. The hotel is also very near the business district in Ho Chi Minh City and will also appeal to business travelers. The hotel has an Italian Restaurant, a Vietnamese Restaurant and also houses 2 Lam Son martini bar, one of the Saigon's top nightlife destinations. Hyatt’s 244 rooms & suites redefine urban luxury, blending sophisticated design and décor with the latest modern comforts as the leading Ho Chi Minh hotel. Honoured by Business Traveller Asia Pacific as the Best Business Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon is a prestigious destination for corporate conventions and weddings.

Hotel Sofitel Plaza Saigon
17 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Sofitel Saigon Plaza is located on peaceful tree-lined Le Duan Boulevard just a moment from the citys commercial centre with its fabulous shopping dining and landmark attractions like Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace. Newly renovated rooms and suites offer guests contemporary 5-star hotel style with a blend of modern French design and Vietnamese influences. Each room features spacious elegance while the Imperial Suite is the largest in Saigon. Situated in the business district and offering a full range of expert services the hotel is ideal for business as well as leisure travellers to Ho Chi Minh. Its fabulous conference facilities make it a preferred host for magnifique weddings and events.

Hotel Sofitel Plaza Saigon

Hotel Nikko Saigon
235 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hotel Nikko Saigon is a five star luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and offers business and leisure travelers relaxation in attractive hotel accommodations, cuisine that will please even the most demanding gourmet, and staff that gives top priority to ensure that guests enjoy a relaxing stay. Hotel Nikko Saigon has 334 rooms, suites and 53 apartments in 23-storey building. With an average room size of 40sqm, the main guestrooms are among the most spacious rooms in Ho Chi Minh City. Earth tone color theme with minimalist design is characteristics of Japanese, relaxing and brand new rooms promise all guests a comfortable and pleasant stay.

Caravelle Hotel
19-23 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Caravelle Hotel is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s leading international 5-star hotel – in the Heart of Saigon and in the centre of the business, shopping and entertainment district, 8 km from Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Caravelle Hotel has 335 superbly appointed rooms, suites, exclusive Signature Floors, Signature Lounge, non-smoking floors, specially equipped room for the disabled. Amenities include satellite television channel, facsimile, mini-bar, tea and coffee-makers, coffee and espresso machine and in-room safe. Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet in-room & throughout the hotel.

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon is on Saigon's riverside.

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
8-15 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1  Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam 

Located in the heart of Saigon's business district, the Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon offers first-class amenities and hospitality. Choose a deluxe room or suite with large desk and ample lighting, luxurious bedding, in-room coffee and tea service, high-speed Internet, safe and well-stocked mini-bar. After a day of meetings or sightseeing, relax at our poolside terrace or enjoy a leisurely dinner at Kabin, known as one of the finest Chinese restaurants in the city. Free wifi offered at Atrium Lounge. Take a dip in our rooftop pool and visit our Health Club for an invigorating workout. When planning a conference or social event, our upscale business hotel in Saigon features event planning and culinary delights to make every event unforgettable. Whether your travels to Ho Chi Minh City are for business or leisure, you'll find ultimate luxury at the Renaissance.

New Year deals to Vietnam’s Tet Festival

Vietnamese New Year, more commonly known by its shortened name Tết, is by far the most important celebration in the Vietnamese year. Tet is a national holiday that marks the arrival of spring, traditionally seen as a time of renewal and preparation for the year ahead. Although there are many general customs and traditions that everyone follows, an interesting aspect of the holiday is that it is celebrated differently in various regions throughout the country. Some regions celebrate longer, some observe customs that others do not, while others prefer certain types of food not eaten elsewhere.

But no matter where in Vietnam one ends up, Tet is a time of high spirits and active communities. Temples and houses are decorated with trees, flowers, and calligraphy, many to welcome those that have sometimes traveled great distances to see their families.

Generally speaking, Tet celebrations start ramping up a few weeks before the holiday, as people run around shopping, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of errands so they can enjoy the holiday stress-free. The night before the first day – February 9th this year – streets and courtyards around the country will be full of furnaces and fires of all sizes where celebrants will burn paper money and other objects as a symbolic offering to their ancestors. February 10 will see many people visiting relatives on their father’s side, and February 11 is time to visit relatives on their mother’s side. The final day, February 12, is reserved for visits to teachers, who are held in high regard in Asian cultures.

There are plenty of other customs and traditions that one can see during Tet – offerings of fruit and plants are made on family altars, gifts of all kinds are given to friends and neighbors, special snacks and meals are prepared, and money is given to children. There are also plenty of things one should not do, such as clean house (as it represents sweeping away good luck), eat duck or shrimp, say or do negative things, or refuse any gifts offered. Be careful!

Visiting Vietnam during Tet is an amazing experience in a distinctive country. The hotel deals below allow travelers to participate in the celebrations in some of Vietnam’s most notable, colorful, noisy and enjoyable Tet destinations. And remember: Chúc mừng năm mới! (Happy New Year!)

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Majestic Hotel Saigon 5*
Enjoy 59% off your stay. Expires December 31, 2013.

Saigon Tan Son Nhat Hotel 5*
Enjoy 52% off your stay. Expires February 28, 2013.

Royal Lotus Hotel Saigon 4*
Enjoy 50% off your stay. Expires March 17, 2013.

Da Nang

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa 5*
Enjoy 33% off your stay. Expires February 28, 2013.

Star Hotel Danang 3*
Enjoy 50% off your stay. Expires February 28, 2013.

Hoi An

Hoi An Marina Resort & Spa 4*
Enjoy 45% off your stay. Expires March 31, 2013.

Hoi An Garden Villas 3*
Enjoy 20% off your stay. Expires April 30, 2013.

Hanoi

Ngoc Diep Asia Hotel 1.5*
Enjoy 15% off your stay. Expires February 15, 2013.

Senses Hotel 3*
Enjoy 50% off your hotel. Expires April 30, 2013.

Hotel in Saigon - Majestic Hotel Saigon

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City? Since I visit this city a lot, many ask me this question. I think I can recommend more than one place depending on your budget but if you can extend it a little bit you should definitely try Majestic Hotel Saigon on the Riverside. I have stayed  in this 5-star hotel in one of my business trips to Ho Chi Minh City, The hotel is one of the most popular 5 star hotel in Saigon and is housed in a large and beautiful French colonial era building constructed in 1925. It is in the city center on the riverside so many attractions of Saigon are within walking distance. The 7 km taxi ride from airport to the hotel costed around 160,000 Vietnam Dong which is less than 8 USD.

Before we have rushed to our meeting, we had a chance to have breakfast on the hotel's roof which has a very nice view of Saigon river. In the evening, the rooftop bar, M. Bar (Majestic Bar) on the 8th floor  is worth a visit and has I think the best view of Saigon River. But since the hotel is in the center, it is better to head to the Saigon night life instead of closing yourself into hotel facilities.

Majestic Hotel Saigon well deserves the "Magestic" in its name. The building is gorgeous both from outside and inside. And since it is built well before the tiny hotel room ages, it offers very nice and comfortable rooms which worth the money. The building went through many usages and owners and the hotel was the 1st Vietnamese managed Hotel to be promoted to 5 star on February 29th 2007. I have paid, sorry my company has paid, 160 USD per night for a five star night in this hotel's colonial superior rooms which worth the money.

Majestic Hotel Saigon is one of the most popular 5 star  hotel in Saigon.

The hotel has a very nice One half of the building offers a stunning view of the Saigon River, while the other half overlooks the swimming pool. There are eight food, drink, and entertainment establishments, offering everything from European and Asian cuisine to cocktails at a piano bar. Throughout its rich history, the hotel has been host to famous authors, heads of state, the Japanese Imperial Army, and espionage agents.

The hotels main feature which makes it ideal to stay is its location. Just walk out in the night and Saigon's beautiful nights are within the reach of your walk. And the staff is very helpful and always smiling people which makes the service quite well in the hotel. You can and should go out and discover the city and its fantastic Vietnamese Cuisine but Cyclo Restaurant on the ground floor offers traditional Vietnamese Cuisine with amazing Prices and serenade restaurant on 7th floor serving European Cuisine has the view.

Places to see in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

I am in Ho Chi Minh City now and as a person having been here many times, it is time to write my little things to do, places to see series about Saigon. Many attractions are concentrated in District 1, officially named Saigon, so a walking tour would make you see many. But a better alternative is cyclo tour. But if you will have one, negotiate the price in advance and clearly without any ambiguity and be careful with your camera and wallet since they can be easily grasped by motorbike riding thieves.

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica


Saigon city center offers many attractions to visit. I would take Notre-Dame Basilica and Central Post Office as my start point. You may have probably seen the photos of this large cathedral in down town Ho Chi Minh City. Built in 1880 by French, it is a great tourist attraction and a beautiful cathedral from Indochina times. A Saigon photo album is not complete with a photo taken in front of it. Surrounding area is a great place to hang around day and night. It is also walking distance to several other attractions.

All the original construction material of this church was brought from France and the outside bricks came from Marseilles. Vietnam houses the second largest catholic christian population in South East Asia after Philippines and this church is still actively used as the main church of Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon Notre Damme Basilica with Virgin Mary Statue

Just next to the cathedral, you will see the beautiful Gothic architectural masterpiece, Saigon Central Post Office. Many pass through this tourist attraction without knowing that it is designed and constructed by great French Gustave Eiffel, architect of Eiffel Tower, in Indochina past of Saigon. It is quite Saigon holiday tradition to send a Vietnam / Saigon post card from Saigon Post Office to loved ones around the world. One of those post cards I have sent to my sister is still on her fridge in Istanbul.

Saigon Central Post Office is designed and constructed by Gustave Eiffel

Saigon Zoo And Botanic Gardens
Many Saigon guides will direct you to Reunification Palace or War Remnants Museum from the Notre-Dame Basilica but I will suggest you to take Le Duan Street behind the cathedral all the way up to The Zoo. Saigon Zoo and Botanic Gardens eight oldest Zoo on the planet and a very famous place both for locals and foreigners.

First time I was there, I hand fed the elephants (do not try it yourself it is probably dangerous) and hand fed some deer which was very fun. Other than 260 species of animals and thousands of trees and plants (some of them are a century old), The Zoo also houses Saigon National Museum which keeps a lot of valuable exhibits and documents in two areas: one displays artifacts from the beginning of Vietnam to 1930, and the other displays things about culture and history of Vietnam. This is a great place to pay a visit if you are interested in the long and rich history of Vietnam.

Reunification Palace

This palace is simply known as "President Palace" in Ho Chi Minh City and it was named as Independence Palace until a North Vietnamese Army tank bulldozed through its main gate and ended the Vietnam War. Unified Vietnam renamed it to "Reunification Palace".

On the side of the current palace there was the old "Norodom Palace" built by French colonials in 1873 to be used as the official residence of the governor-general of French Indochina. After French left Vietnam in 1954, the Norodom Palace was handed over to the first president of South Vietnam. Norodom Palace was bombed by two rogue pilots of the South Vietnamese air force in an attempt to assasin the President and badly destroyed! Instead of going to a restoration, this old colonial landmark has been torn down and the structure was built in 1962.

Reunification Palace

The interesting thing about this palace is that it is like a time machine to early 70s. Things are kept so well that you really feel like it was abandoned a few days ago and you are in 1970s. There are several exhibits and photographs about the Vietnam history as well as Vietnam War era. You can read a detailed article about this tourist attraction in Reunification Palace.

The War Remnants Museum


Vietnam is still most known for Vietnam War (they call it American War here) and through some Hollywood movie masterpieces. This museum is mostly about that war and telling the story of the war from the other side. A section displays the results of air raids to Vietnamese Villages with of course full intention of "minimum civilian casuality(!)". You will say "f.ck you" when you hear "minimum civilian casuality" after seeing this part. And if you have somehow realized that South Vietnam is less "green" compared to South Thailand, the cause of this phenomenon is also displayed here: Agent Orange! Unfortunately, vegetation destruction is the least harmful thing this gas did in Vietnam.

Another section is about the life of Viet Kong during the "American War". If you have grown up in the western block of the divided world, you have seen them only a few seconds per movie without any story in the Vietnam War movies. So I was watching "Lost" when I first visited this section and I have named it as "The Others". It details the life of Viet Kong through out the war. I suggest you to read the visitors book. An old American man was writing while I was there and after he left I read what he and several people wrote. He was an American soldier in Vietnam when he was 20 and it was his first time in Saigon since 1974!

When I first came here, there was a section showing the Americans against the war in 60s and other western movements against the war. It was not there or I missed it in my second time. Outside the building there are many war relics, helicopters, bombs, planes, etc.

Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is one of the oldest buildings in Saigon and is popular place among tourists seeking Vietnamese handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs, and  local cuisine. Although it worth to see this place it is best to avoid any shopping here if you have time to pay a visit a little outside central Saigon (District 1) . It is a tiring experience to bargain here and always smiling shop owners here shamelessly deploys tricks to depart you and your money as fast as possible. Prices are always 50% - 100% over for you if you are a tourist so you need to hard bargain. But as I said for shopping, if you have choice (most tours unfortunately brings you to this tourist milking place) avoid to shop here and head to Binh Tay Market in Chinatown.

Ben Thanh Market

Binh Tay Market
This market in the Chinatown, is almost a twin of overrated Ben Thanh Market and largely overlooked by tourists. Everything you can buy in Saigon and Ben Thanh Market are sold here (actually they are largely sourced from here). It is very wise to skip the tourist trap Ben Thanh Market and come to Binh Tay if you want to make significant shopping in Saigon. If you know how to bargain and select quality products, Ho Chi Minh City offers great savings on shopping. Everything I wear in Singapore except some work clothes are from here or District 5 other bazaars with 25% of the price I can buy in Singapore.

Binh Tay Market in Ho Chi Minh City Chinatown