Top Things To See And Do In District 3 Ho Chi Minh City

District 3 is right in the heart of the city, home to many expats and Vietnamese professionals who find District 1 overcrowded, along with families who’ve lived in their narrow homes for generations. Although there are several bleak government buildings, most of the area has an interesting vibe, and the side streets are jam-packed with shops and restaurants. Check out District 3 to see a different side of the city.

1. Go to a local restaurant on the Canal

Restaurant

The Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal, which separates District 3 and Phu Nhuan, is a thriving area that has gone through some remarkable transformations in the last 20 years. It was once a place to avoid because of sewage, but now it’s a small oasis in the middle of a cement jungle. There are hundreds of restaurants along the canal, both foreign and local. For local flavors, try Khe. The food is good, the beer is cheap and it’s definitely not a touristy place. It’s technically in District 1, but the borders don’t really make sense in this area anyway.

Quán Lẩu Nướng Xuân Khê, 109 Hoàng Sa, District 1, +84 90 257 21 17

Truong Sa and the Canal | © Magicknight94/WikiCommons

2. Visit the War Remnants Museum

Museum

This is a humbling experience, one that probably won’t help you feel much better about humanity and our proclivity for violence. Even though it’s been over four decades since the conflict ended, the pain in the images is still just as visceral as the day they were taken. There are guns, cameras, uniforms and even large hardware like an American Huey helicopter and a fighter jet on display. This museum is an absolute must if you’re a history buff.

3. See the famous 'Pink Church'

Cathedral, Church

Hai Ba Trung alone is a fascinating street, with fruit markets and fancy restaurants and boutique shops stretching all the way to the Saigon River downtown. But in District 3, right before the street crosses the canal and changes its name, there is a wonderfully odd sight: the Tan Dinh Church. Most people simply call it the ‘Pink Church’. Built in the late 19th century, during the French colonial years, the ‘Pink Church’ is the second largest in the city, after the Notre Dame Cathedral in District 1. It’s still in use, operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City. And after you have a look at the church, you really should take a walk down some of the surrounding streets. Much of Saigon is hidden, so you’ll need to stray into the alleys if you want to see how people really live here.

Tan Dinh Parish Church, 289 Hai Bà Trưng, District 3, +84 28 3829 0093

Pink Church in Saigon | © Fayhoo/WikiCommons

5. See how women have helped shape Vietnam

Museum

Vietnam has traditionally been a matriarchal society, and it still is in many ways. Look at any family gathering, and you’ll notice it’s the grandmas who run the show. Women have played integral roles in all facets of this country’s rich history, from the Trưng sisters and their fight against Chinese rule two millennia ago to the women of today who are leading the companies forging the economic future of Vietnam. This museum has displays on ethnic dress, jewellery and a strong focus on the diverse roles women played during the wars.

Southern Vietnam Women Museum, 202 Võ Thị Sáu, District 3, +84 28 3932 5519

Mural at the Women’s Museum | © Dekcuf/Flickr

6. Check out some live music at Yoko Cafe

Bar, Cafe, Contemporary

Live music is getting harder to find these days. It seems that the tide of playlists and DJs in bikinis will never recede. Thankfully, there are still places like Yoko Cafe where great musicians get their chance to strut their stuff onstage. Check them out on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Join in with the hip crowd of music enthusiasts. Yoko Cafe is popular with both locals and expats alike, but not too many tourists stray this far from District 1.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.