Dong Khoi Street, Saigon/HoChiMinh City
If Nguyen Hue is Ho Chi Minh City’s showpiece, Dong Khoi Street is its grand old boulevard - where history, culture, and commerce have been mingling for centuries. Once known as Rue Catinat under the French, the street was later renamed Tu Do (or Freedom) Street during the South Vietnam era, before finally becoming Dong Khoi, or „Total Revolution,” after reunification in 1975.
Strolling here feels like flipping through the city’s history book. Elegant colonial façades stand beside shiny designer boutiques and coffee chains. Iconic landmarks like the Saigon Opera House, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office are just steps away.
Did you know? Graham Greene’s novel The Quiet American was set here, and some scenes from the 2002 film adaptation were actually shot along this very street.
Hotels such as the Caravelle, Majestic, and Continental have hosted everyone from war correspondents to celebrities, while today they serve travelers looking for a touch of old-world charm. Peek into smaller side shops and you’ll find silk scarves, embroidered textiles, and quirky souvenirs that are more memorable than anything from a mall.
Tip: Dong Khoi is best explored on foot in the early evening, when the heat eases, the lights come on, and the street hums with life. Bring your camera-you’ll want to capture both the architecture and the atmosphere.
Strolling here feels like flipping through the city’s history book. Elegant colonial façades stand beside shiny designer boutiques and coffee chains. Iconic landmarks like the Saigon Opera House, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office are just steps away.
Did you know? Graham Greene’s novel The Quiet American was set here, and some scenes from the 2002 film adaptation were actually shot along this very street.
Hotels such as the Caravelle, Majestic, and Continental have hosted everyone from war correspondents to celebrities, while today they serve travelers looking for a touch of old-world charm. Peek into smaller side shops and you’ll find silk scarves, embroidered textiles, and quirky souvenirs that are more memorable than anything from a mall.
Tip: Dong Khoi is best explored on foot in the early evening, when the heat eases, the lights come on, and the street hums with life. Bring your camera-you’ll want to capture both the architecture and the atmosphere.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Saigon/HoChiMinh City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Dong Khoi Street on Map
Sight Name: Dong Khoi Street
Sight Location: Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam (See walking tours in Saigon/HoChiMinh City)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam (See walking tours in Saigon/HoChiMinh City)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam
Create Your Own Walk in Saigon/HoChiMinh City
Creating your own self-guided walk in Saigon/HoChiMinh City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Saigon Shopping Tour
Among other accolades, Ho Chi Minh City is known as a great shopping destination. Attesting to its reputation are a plethora of street markets scattered throughout the city, selling all sorts of fresh local produce, including coffee beans, and other delights, not to mention street food and souvenirs – all at extremely competitive prices. There are also designated markets specialized in niche... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Historical Religious Sites
For centuries, Vietnamese people have practiced Confucianism and Buddhism brought over from neighboring China. Added to these Eastern teachings, in the 16th century, was Christianity – introduced to Vietnam by Western missionaries. The result of this variety of faiths has become a mixture of gorgeous Confucian and Buddhist temples and Catholic churches in Ho Chi Minh City. Some of these... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.9 Km or 3.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.9 Km or 3.7 Miles
Saigon/HoChiMinh City Introduction Walking Tour
While many people still fondly say “Saigon,” the city officially became Ho Chi Minh City or HCMC in 1976, to honor the revolutionary leader who led North Vietnam. But call it what you will – Saigon still lives in the names, food stalls, and in locals’ hearts, especially in District 1, the area most of us think of when we say “Saigon.”
Long before colonial buildings and skyscrapers,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Long before colonial buildings and skyscrapers,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Chinatown Walking Tour
The relationship between Vietnam and China traces back over 2,000 years. Over this time, Vietnamese culture, customs, administrative system, and even the language have been heavily influenced by the great northern neighbor. So much so, in fact, that although Vietnam had its own spoken language, until the late 1800s its official written language was Chinese.
Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles




