Grab a bite at the Café Apartment – As the name suggests, this uninspiring concrete building was once an apartment complex. Now it’s been transformed, the weathered façade hiding a warren of tiny cafes and offbeat indie shops.

Revisit history – Nowhere is the city’s wartime history more tangible than in the Chu Chi tunnels. During the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong army used this massive underground network to communicate and move forces throughout the area. Now, visitors can learn more about the local conflict through educational exhibits, and even squeeze through restored tunnels themselves.

Have a late night on Pham Ngu Lao Street – The “Backpacker’s Street” draws visitors all day long with cheap eats and attractions, but at night, the party begins. Locals and travelers alike pack the area for sizzling snacks and cold beer. (Try hometown favorite banh xeo, a savory crepe filled with shrimp and pork.)

Experience a Buddhist theme park – Waterpark, roller coaster, depiction of Buddhist afterlife - Suoi Tien may be the most unique theme park you ever visit. Towering temples and fantastic sculptures cover the sprawling grounds, where familiar carnival rides are tucked behind larger-than-life scenes from traditional stories.