Planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City and not sure where to start? District 1 is the historic heart of Saigon — and it’s where most of the city’s most iconic sights are packed within walking distance of each other. We’ve put together a free downloadable map of Saigon’s city centre to help you navigate the key landmarks, streets, and neighbourhoods without getting lost.
The 9 Must-Visit Landmarks on the Saigon City Center Map
This map covers the essential sights in D1 and the surrounding area, all reachable on foot or by a short ride.
The Museum of Vietnamese History is a logical first stop — its exhibits span the full arc of Vietnam’s past from prehistoric times to the modern era. Nearby, the twin landmarks facing Công Xã Paris Square are unmissable: Notre-Dame Cathedral, completed in 1880 with red bricks imported from Toulouse, and the Saigon Central Post Office, constructed between 1886 and 1891 and still operating today as one of the most beautiful colonial interiors in Southeast Asia.
A short walk away, the War Remnants Museum offers a sobering and important account of the Vietnam War’s lasting consequences — essential context for understanding the country. The Opera House on Công Trường Lam Sơn, built in 1898, anchors the eastern side of the district with its ornate French colonial facade, while the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City traces the city’s colonial and revolutionary history through a well-curated collection.
Further west, Independence Palace remains one of the most historically charged sites in Saigon — the building where the Vietnam War effectively ended in April 1975. Ben Thanh Market, with its main gate on Lê Lợi, has been a trading hub since the 17th century and remains one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. And for art, the Fine Arts Museum showcases both traditional and contemporary Vietnamese work across a stunning colonial-era building.
Where to Eat and Drink Near the Landmarks
The map also marks three restaurants worth knowing — all within easy reach of the main sights.
Au Parc is right in the middle of everything. One of Saigon’s most beloved all-day dining spots, Au Parc serves brunch, comfort food, Mediterranean-inspired mains, and great coffee from morning until late. It’s the kind of place that becomes your base for the day — fuel up before the museums, or decompress over a long lunch after. The menu runs from shakshuka and eggs royale to lamb ragu, beef tagine, grilled prawns, and Vietnamese noodle soups, alongside freshly made smoothies and specialty coffees.
Also worth noting: Propaganda celebrates bold Vietnamese flavours and art, and The Refinery offers French cuisine and fine wines inside the historic 1881 Opium Manufacture Courtyard at 74 Hai Bà Trưng.
How to Get Around the Map Area
Three metro stations serve this part of the city — Ben Thanh Metro, Saigon Opera Metro, and Ba Son Metro — making it easy to arrive and move around without a motorbike. The Water Bus stop and Speed Ferries to Vũng Tàu are also accessible along the river for onward travel.
For orientation, the map covers the key grid of streets including Lê Duẩn, Hai Bà Trưng, Lý Tự Trọng, and Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa — running from the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in the north down to Hàm Nghi and the riverfront in the south.
