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Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam's largest city and the gateway to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. It also has the country's biggest choice of mosques and halal restaurants – the easiest place in Vietnam for Muslim travellers.
Last updated: October 2026. Entrance fees and opening hours can change; we check them for every tour we run.
Why Visit Ho Chi Minh City as a Muslim Traveler?
Ho Chi Minh City, still widely called Saigon, is Vietnam’s economic capital and, since 1 July 2025, a megacity of about 14 million people after merging with Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau. Districts were replaced by wards, so addresses now often say “old District 1”. For Muslim visitors it is the most convenient city in Vietnam: it has several mosques, a Cham Muslim community of about 10,000 people, many halal restaurants around the Saigon Central Mosque, and Vietnam’s first airport lounge for Muslim passengers at Tan Son Nhat.
| Airport | Tan Son Nhat International (SGN), about 6–8 km from the centre (20–40 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Main mosque | Saigon Central Mosque (Jamia Al-Muslimin), 66 Dong Du Street, old District 1 |
| Halal food | Dozens of halal restaurants – see 10 best halal restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City |
| Getting around | Taxi, ride-hailing apps and Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) |
| Best time | December to April (dry season) |
| Day trips | Cu Chi Tunnels, Cao Dai Temple, Mekong Delta |
Top Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City for Muslim Travelers
1. Independence Palace
The former presidential palace where the Vietnam War ended on 30 April 1975. Open daily; 80,000 VND for the palace and exhibition. Read our Independence Palace guide.
2. War Remnants Museum
A powerful museum about the Vietnam War. Open 7:30–17:30; 40,000 VND.
3. Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office
Two landmarks of French Saigon side by side. The cathedral is still under long-term restoration, so visitors can see it only from outside; the Saigon Central Post Office, built in 1886–1891, is free to enter.
4. Ben Thanh Market
The city’s best-known market for souvenirs, coffee and dried fruit, open about 6:00–22:00. See our Muslim shopping guide to Ho Chi Minh City.
5. Cu Chi Tunnels
About 70 km north-west of the centre: part of a tunnel network that once stretched around 250 km. Going inside is optional. Visit with our Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Muslim Tour 1 Day or Cao Dai Temple & Cu Chi Tunnels Muslim Tour 1 Day.
6. Mekong Delta
River boats, coconut canals and fruit orchards around My Tho and Ben Tre, about 70 km away – see our Mekong Delta Muslim Tour 1 Day.
Mosques in Ho Chi Minh City
- Saigon Central Mosque (Jamia Al-Muslimin) – 66 Dong Du Street, old District 1. Built in 1935 by the Tamil Muslim community; the most convenient mosque for visitors, surrounded by halal restaurants.
- Al-Rahim Mosque – 45 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, old District 1. Built in 1885 for the Malay and Indonesian community, it is the oldest mosque in Saigon.
- Cho Lon Mosque (Jamia Muslim Cholon) – 641 Nguyen Trai Street, old District 5, built in the 1930s.
- Jamiul Islamiyah Mosque – Tran Hung Dao Street (Cau Ong Lanh ward), a Cham community mosque.
- Jamiul Anwar Mosque – old District 8, at the heart of a Cham neighbourhood with a lively Ramadan food market.
Tan Son Nhat Airport also has a Muslim lounge in the international terminal (paid). Learn more in our Islam in Vietnam guide.
Halal Food in Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon has the widest choice of halal food in Vietnam: Malaysian, Indonesian, Indian, Middle Eastern and halal Vietnamese dishes, many in the streets around Dong Du and in the Cham neighbourhoods. See our checked list of the 10 best halal restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.
How to Get to Ho Chi Minh City
- By air: Tan Son Nhat International Airport has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok and the Middle East (including Dubai and Doha) and is only 6–8 km from the centre. The new Long Thanh International Airport, about 40 km east, is expected to open for commercial flights from late 2026.
- Metro: Metro Line 1, opened in December 2024, runs 19.7 km from Ben Thanh Market to Suoi Tien, with fares from 7,000 VND.
- Visa: most visitors apply online at the official Vietnam e-visa portal.
How Many Days in Ho Chi Minh City?
Three to four days: one for the city sights and mosques, one for the Cu Chi Tunnels and one for the Mekong Delta. Our Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Package 4 Days covers them all.
Best Time to Visit Ho Chi Minh City
It is warm all year (about 27–35°C). The dry season, December to April, is the most comfortable. From May to November there are short, heavy afternoon showers, but tours run normally.
Ho Chi Minh City Tours
- Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Tour 1 Day
- Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Muslim Tour 1 Day
- Cao Dai Temple & Cu Chi Tunnels Muslim Tour 1 Day
- Mekong Delta Muslim Tour 1 Day
- Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Package 4 Days
- Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Package 5 Days
- Saigon – Mui Ne – Dalat Muslim Package 5 Days
Every tour can be changed to fit your dates, pace and budget. Send your plans through our contact form or WhatsApp +84 88 626 1368, and our team in Hanoi will reply with a private itinerary with halal meals and mosque visits.
Plan Your Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Trip with Local Experts
Every Vietnam Muslim Tours itinerary is private and can be tailored to your dates, pace and budget. We book halal or Muslim-friendly restaurants in advance and choose hotels close to the places you want to see. Read our guide to halal food in Ho Chi Minh City, browse the Ho Chi Minh City tours below, or contact our team for a free, tailored quote.
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Popular Attractions for Muslim Travelers
Independence Palace
The 1975 landmark where the war ended, in District 1; ticket 80,000 VND.
View on Google Maps Read the guide
War Remnants Museum
Vietnam's best-known war museum; ticket 40,000 VND – allow 1.5–2 hours.
View on Google Maps Read the guide
Saigon Central Post Office
French colonial post office from 1891, free entry; halal lunch and Saigon Central Mosque 10 minutes away on Dong Du.
View on Google Maps Read the guide
Ben Thanh Market
Saigon's central market; halal Malaysian restaurants such as The Daun are nearby.
View on Google Maps Read the guide
Cu Chi Tunnels
About 70 km from the city; we pre-arrange a halal lunch on Cu Chi tours.
View on Google Maps Read the guide
Mekong Delta
Boats, orchards and canals at My Tho and Ben Tre – an easy day trip.
View on Google Maps Read the guide
Cao Dai Temple, Tay Ninh
Free entry and the 12:00 noon ceremony, watched from the gallery; usually combined with Cu Chi Tunnels.
View on Google Maps Read the guidePhoto credits – War Remnants Museum: Prenn / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Saigon Central Post Office: Yesvn123 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Ben Thanh Market: Bahnfrend / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Cao Dai Temple, Tay Ninh: Rami Neudorfer / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Travel Guide
Frequently asked questions
1. Are there mosques in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes, several. The most convenient for visitors is the Saigon Central Mosque at 66 Dong Du Street (old District 1), built in 1935. Al-Rahim Mosque on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, built in 1885, is the oldest.
2. Where do Muslims eat near Ben Thanh Market?
The streets around the Central Mosque on Dong Du Street and around Ben Thanh Market have several Malaysian, Indian and Middle Eastern halal restaurants, such as Halal@Saigon opposite the mosque and The Daun near the market. Ratings and opening hours are in our halal restaurants in Saigon list.
3. Is Ho Chi Minh City Muslim-friendly?
Yes – it is the most Muslim-friendly city in Vietnam. There are several mosques, including the Central Mosque (Jamia Al-Muslimin) on Dong Du Street in District 1, and the largest choice of halal restaurants in the country. See our Saigon halal restaurant guide and Muslim shopping guide.
4. Is halal food easy to find in Saigon?
Yes. Ho Chi Minh City has the largest choice of halal food in Vietnam, especially around the Saigon Central Mosque and in the Cham neighbourhoods. See our list of the 10 best halal restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.
5. Is there a prayer room at Tan Son Nhat Airport?
Tan Son Nhat has a Muslim lounge for passengers in the international terminal, the first of its kind in Vietnam (access is paid). Saigon Central Mosque is about 20–40 minutes from the airport by car.
6. Is Saigon the same as Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. The city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976, but “Saigon” is still widely used, especially for the city centre.
7. How far are the Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City?
About 70 km north-west of the centre, around 1.5–2 hours by car. Our Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Muslim Tour 1 Day combines the tunnels with the Mekong Delta in one day.
8. When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
December to April is the dry season. From May to November rain usually comes as short afternoon showers, so sightseeing is still easy.
9. How many days do I need in Ho Chi Minh City?
Three to four days: one for the city sights and mosques, one for the Cu Chi Tunnels and one for the Mekong Delta. Our Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Package 4 Days covers them all.
10. Can I visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral?
The cathedral is under long-term restoration, so tourists can only see it from outside. The Central Post Office next door is open daily and free to enter.
11. Is there a metro in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. Metro Line 1 opened in December 2024 and runs 19.7 km from Ben Thanh Market to Suoi Tien, with 14 stations. Single fares start from 7,000 VND.
