From fireworks and historic sites to riverside parks and cultural encounters, Ho Chi Minh City offers plenty to see and do during Vietnam’s September 2 National Day holiday.
During this year’s September 2 National Day holiday, visitors to Ho Chi Minh City can enjoy a wide range of entertainment, leisure and distinctive cultural experiences. Here are five places worth exploring during the holiday.
Explore history museums and unwind in city parks
Visitors spending the September 2 holiday in Ho Chi Minh City can explore historical landmarks such as the War Remnants Museum, Ton Duc Thang Museum and Independence Palace, as well as exhibitions tracing the city’s history.
Those traveling with young children or elderly family members may want to visit museums in the morning or early afternoon, then take a break before heading out for evening activities.
Saigon Riverfront Park. Photo: Nguyen Hue
While exploring the city center, visitors looking for a less packed itinerary with time to relax can stop at parks such as Tao Dan Park, Bach Dang Wharf or Saigon Riverfront Park in Thu Thiem.
These spacious, breezy areas are ideal for walking, taking photos, enjoying views of the city and passing the time before special evening performances begin.
Bach Dang Wharf and Saigon Riverfront Park have the advantage of being close to the city center, making them easy to combine with Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the Municipal Theatre or sightseeing bus routes.
However, riverside areas tend to draw large crowds on fireworks nights. Those seeking a more relaxed experience may prefer visiting early in the morning or during the afternoon before peak hours.
Families with young children should bring drinking water and lightweight raincoats and choose rest areas with convenient exits. For groups of young travelers, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Bach Dang Wharf and the riverfront park can be combined into a several-hour walking and photo-taking itinerary without the need to travel far.
Cultural and culinary encounters at the Cu Chi Tunnels
Many young visitors come to the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the country’s history. Photo: Travel Blogger Yen Vi Vu
The Cu Chi Tunnels are among Ho Chi Minh City’s popular attractions during the September 2 holiday.
The site offers a variety of recreational experiences, including water activities at a landscape lake designed to recreate the East Sea, paintball combat games and national defense sports shooting.
Visitors can also have breakfast, lunch or dinner at Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh restaurants, camp overnight, enjoy outdoor BBQ parties or stay at fully equipped, modern homestays.
During this year’s National Day holiday, the Cu Chi Tunnels historical site will also host a cultural and culinary exchange with K’Ho ethnic people from Langbiang in Lam Dong Province.
Visitors will not only be able to watch performances but also join traditional circle dances, learn about ethnic musical instruments, discover aspects of K’Ho cultural life and sample the community’s distinctive cuisine.
The activities run from 8am to 4:30pm from August 29 through September 2.
Watch the fireworks
Visitors can enjoy spectacular fireworks displays while traveling in Ho Chi Minh City during the September 2 holiday. Photo: Nguyen Hue
Ho Chi Minh City will stage fireworks displays at seven locations during this year’s September 2 holiday, with three sites combining high- and low-altitude fireworks and four featuring low-altitude displays. Fireworks will be launched simultaneously at all seven locations from 9pm to 9:15pm on September 2.
Visitors to the city during the holiday can watch high-altitude fireworks at three locations: the Saigon River Tunnel entrance in An Khanh Ward, the Binh Duong New City Center in Binh Duong Ward and Tam Thang Tower Square in Vung Tau Ward.
The four low-altitude fireworks sites are Ba Ria Square Park in Ba Ria Ward, Dam Sen Cultural Park in Binh Thoi Ward, the SAIGON MARINA IFC tower in Sai Gon Ward and the Kim Long villa area near Rach Dia Bridge in Nha Be Commune.
Ho Chi Minh City will also stage an arts program commemorating the 81st anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day, alongside city-level exhibitions and other activities.
See the city from a double-decker bus
Visitors can take in panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City aboard a double-decker bus. Photo: T.K
Visitors who want to take in the city’s lively streets without doing too much walking can try the DL06 double-decker bus route, which connects the Sai Gon Bus Station with Binh Trung and passes through several central thoroughfares and new urban areas.
The route covers around 27km, takes approximately 110 minutes and operates daily from 8am to 7pm.
From July 4 until before October 1, 2026, the DL06 route operates five trips a day. The journey passes through Pham Ngu Lao, Tran Hung Dao, Ham Nghi and Ton Duc Thang streets, crosses Ba Son Bridge and travels through Thu Thiem before returning downtown via Nguyen Huu Canh, Le Duan, Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue streets.
Besides DL06, the city offers open-top sightseeing bus services passing landmarks including Independence Palace, the Central Post Office, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Bach Dang Wharf and other attractions.
Visitors can choose an itinerary that suits their needs, but should check departure times before buying tickets, as holiday road closures may result in schedule changes.
Soak up the festive atmosphere on Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Nguyen Hue Walking Street is another major draw for visitors to Ho Chi Minh City, as the area regularly hosts a variety of activities and events.
Nearby attractions include President Ho Chi Minh Statue Park, Dong Khoi Street, Chi Lang Park, the Municipal Theatre and Bach Dang Wharf. Visitors can therefore explore several attractions on foot, avoiding heavy traffic and the inconvenience of repeatedly parking and retrieving their vehicles.
On the evening of September 2, the area is also an ideal place to soak up the festive atmosphere before walking toward the riverfront to watch the fireworks.
Vietnamnet.vn
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