Nguyen Hue Walking Street and the Opera House

Why go

• The central section became a pedestrian square around 2015 and is now Saigon's main open-air living room: families, skaters, buskers and dancers by the fountain in the evening.
• A large bronze statue of Ho Chi Minh stands at the top end in front of the colonial City Hall; the other end opens towards the river.
• Early mornings are for locals: tai chi, badminton and runners from about 6:30 to 8:00 am.
• Around Lunar New Year the street turns into the Tết flower street, one of the city's biggest seasonal displays.

How to get there

• Metro Line 1: Opera House station, a few minutes' walk.
• From Ben Thanh Market, walk east along Le Loi for about 10 minutes.
• Walk to the river end for Bach Dang pier, where the river bus leaves.

Local tips

• Come after sunset when it is cooler and the buildings are lit.
• Keep your phone away from the kerb side: snatching from passing motorbikes happens in busy areas.
• Many cafés sit in the old apartment blocks along the street; look for the stairwells with café signs.

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