Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the vibrant heart of Saigon, has become an indispensable icon in the journey to explore this dynamic city. For nearly a decade, this street has continuously innovated, attracting millions of visitors each year, from locals to international tourists. Visiting Nguyen Hue Walking Street, you will not only immerse yourself in a bustling, modern space but also have the opportunity to experience countless exciting activities, attractive street food, and discover the unique cultural features of Saigon. Let’s plan your trip to Nguyen Hue Walking Street with “Du lịch khắp thế gian” for a complete and memorable experience!
Discover Nguyen Hue Walking Street: A Must-Visit Destination
Located right in the center of District 1, Nguyen Hue Walking Street stretches from the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee headquarters to Bach Dang Park, embracing historical and modern architectural works. With a length of over 670m and a width of 64m, Nguyen Hue Walking Street is not only the largest public space in the city but also a top gathering, cultural exchange, and entertainment spot.
Since its official opening, Nguyen Hue Walking Street has quickly become a “magnet” for tourists. According to statistics from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, an average of thousands of people flock here every day, especially on weekends and holidays, this number increases many times over. For example, the Nguyen Hue Flower Street during Tet Quy Mao 2023 recorded a record of 1.2 million visitors, an impressive figure that proves the irresistible attraction of this destination.
Compared to the image of Nguyen Hue in previous years, it now wears a completely new look. From a bustling avenue with heavy traffic, Nguyen Hue has transformed into a spacious, airy pedestrian space, equipped with artistic fountain systems, greenery, and modern benches. This change not only creates an ideal public space for residents and tourists but also contributes to urban enhancement, affirming Saigon’s position as a dynamic, modern, and livable city. Nguyen Hue Walking Street is not merely a tourist destination but also a symbol of Saigon’s development and innovation, a place where modern life and traditional cultural values intersect.
View from Ho Chi Minh statue towards Bach Dang Wharf
Getting to Nguyen Hue Walking Street
With its prime location right in the city center, getting to Nguyen Hue Walking Street is extremely convenient and easy. You can choose from various means of transport depending on your preferences and needs:
Private vehicles and ride-hailing services: If you travel by motorbike or private car, you can easily find directions to Nguyen Hue Walking Street through online map applications. However, it should be noted that the central area is often quite crowded during peak hours, especially the roads leading to District 1. Using ride-hailing applications like Grab, Gojek, Be is also a popular and convenient option, especially if you are unfamiliar with the roads or want to avoid finding parking.
Public transport: The public bus system in Ho Chi Minh City is increasingly developed and widespread, being an economical and environmentally friendly transportation option. Bus routes with stops near Nguyen Hue Walking Street include:
- Route 03: Saigon Bus Station – Thanh Loc
- Route 04: Saigon Bus Station – An Suong
- Route 19: Saigon Bus Station – Nong Lam University
- Route 93: Saigon Bus Station – National University
- Route 124: Mien Tay Bus Station – Cu Chi Bus Station
- Route 152: Tan Son Nhat Airport – Trung Son Residential Area
You can look up detailed routes and operating hours of bus routes on the BusMap application or the website of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center to choose the most suitable route. Note that bus stops may be a short distance from the walking street, you need to walk a little further to reach the attraction.
TNGO public bicycle: Another novel and interesting means of transport is the TNGO public bicycle. Along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, there are bicycle rental and return stations, making it easy for you to explore the surrounding area slowly and leisurely. The rental price is quite reasonable, around VND 5,000/30 minutes and VND 10,000/60 minutes. To use the service, you need to download the TNGO application and follow the instructions.
Motorbike rental: If you want to be more proactive in moving and exploring Saigon, renting a motorbike is an ideal choice. Motorbike rental services are common at hotels, homestays, or tourist motorbike rental shops. Motorbike rental prices range from VND 100,000 – 200,000/day depending on the type of vehicle.
Where to park when visiting Nguyen Hue Walking Street?
As it is a walking street, you cannot directly drive into this area. However, around Nguyen Hue Walking Street, there are many parking lots with affordable prices, averaging around VND 10,000/vehicle. Below is a list of some parking locations you can refer to:
- Kumho Asiana Plaza Building: 39 Le Duan, District 1
- Vincom Center Dong Khoi Building: 72 Le Thanh Ton, District 1
- Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel: 17 Le Duan, District 1
- Parking lot behind the City Theater: 7-9 Lam Son Street, District 1
- Sidewalk of Ton Duc Thang – Nguyen Huu Canh Street, District 1
- Sidewalk of Ham Nghi – Hai Trieu Street, District 1
- City Post Office: 2 Cong Xa Paris, District 1
- Youth Cultural House: 4 Pham Ngoc Thach, District 1
- Cao Thang College: 65 Huynh Thuc Khang, District 1
- Saigon Centre Building: 65 Le Loi, District 1
Renting a bicycle to explore the walking street
Wonderful Experiences at Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Nguyen Hue Walking Street is not just a place for strolling but also an experiential “paradise” with countless exciting activities from morning to night.
Strolling and Checking-in at Nguyen Hue Walking Street
The first attraction of Nguyen Hue Walking Street is its spacious, airy, and modernly designed space. Along the street, you can easily find beautiful “virtual living” corners with the backdrop of shimmering fountains, ancient architectural buildings, and luxurious shopping centers.
During the day, you can enjoy the fresh air, watch people strolling, and take impressive street-style photos. However, because there is little shade, you should prepare a hat or umbrella to avoid the sun. The best time to check-in at Nguyen Hue Walking Street is in the early morning or late afternoon when the sunlight is mild and the air is cooler. Especially in the evening, Nguyen Hue Walking Street becomes more brilliant and shimmering than ever with colorful lights and vibrant street activities.
Checking in on the walking street offers many beautiful photo opportunities
Explore Apartment Building 42 Nguyen Hue
One of the unique architectural highlights of Nguyen Hue Walking Street is apartment building number 42. This building was built in the 1960s, bearing a strong classical French architectural style. In contrast to its somewhat old exterior, inside apartment building 42 is a completely different world with cafes, restaurants, fashion stores, and photo studios with vintage and bohemian styles.
Apartment building 42 Nguyen Hue is not only a familiar check-in location for Saigon youth but also an ideal place for you to learn about the history and culture of the city. Walking through the corridors of the apartment building, you will feel the intersection of past and present, between ancient beauty and modern life.
Apartment building 42 Nguyen Hue, a popular spot for photos
Enjoy Coffee with Beautiful Views
The Nguyen Hue Walking Street area concentrates many cafes with “million-dollar” views. In particular, cafes located in apartment building 42 Nguyen Hue often have balconies or rooftops overlooking the walking street, offering a unique and interesting sightseeing experience.
Some famous cafes with beautiful views on Nguyen Hue Walking Street:
- Buihaus Cafe: 7th Floor, 42 Nguyen Hue
- Boo Coffee: 9th Floor, 42 Nguyen Hue
- Sai Gon Oi: 5th Floor, 42 Nguyen Hue
- She Terrace Cafe & Bar: 1st Floor, 42 Nguyen Hue
- Partea – English Tea Room: 4th Floor, 42 Nguyen Hue
- The Workshop Coffee: Ground Floor, 27 Ngo Duc Ke (near walking street)
- Thinker & Dreamer Coffee: 42 Nguyen Hue
Each cafe has its own style and personality, from cozy vintage spaces to modern, minimalist styles. You can choose a cafe that suits your preferences to sip delicious coffee, watch the bustling streets, and enjoy relaxing moments in the heart of Saigon.
Boo Coffee with a balcony overlooking Nguyen Hue street
Nguyen Hue Street Music at Night
At night, Nguyen Hue Walking Street becomes more vibrant and bustling than ever with unique street music performances. Young groups and street artists often gather here to bring diverse art performances, from gentle acoustic, lyrical pop ballads to hip-hop and exciting dance.
Street music not only creates a joyful, youthful atmosphere for the walking street but is also a place for cultural exchange and community connection. You can stop to enjoy your favorite melodies, immerse yourself in the music space, and feel the vibrant nightlife of Saigon.
Street performances are common on Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Nightly music performances are enjoyed by the crowd
Street Food Paradise
Nguyen Hue Walking Street is also known as a “street food paradise” with countless attractive snacks. Along both sides of the street, you can easily find carts and street vendors selling all kinds of delicious dishes, from grilled rice paper, mixed rice paper, fried corn, grilled pork sausages, skewers to desserts such as ice cream, bingsu, milk tea…
Some of the most popular snacks on Nguyen Hue Walking Street:
- Grilled rice paper (Banh Trang Nuong): A “national” snack with many versions and toppings.
- Mixed rice paper (Banh Trang Tron): A familiar dish of Saigon youth, harmoniously sour, spicy, salty, and sweet.
- Fried corn (Bap Xao): A hot, fragrant dish, suitable for enjoying in the evening.
- Skewers (Xien Que): A variety of fried and grilled skewers, served with chili sauce and mayonnaise.
- Tube ice cream, rolled ice cream: Cool and refreshing desserts, perfect for hot summer days.
- Milk tea: All kinds of milk tea, from traditional to modern, with many attractive toppings.
Not only diverse in dishes, Nguyen Hue street food is also attractive because of its affordable prices, suitable for the budget of many customer groups. This is a great opportunity for you to experience Saigon’s street food culture in the most authentic and complete way.
Banh Trang Nuong (grilled rice paper) street food on the walking street
Admire Saigon Panorama from Saigon Skydeck
To have a panoramic and impressive view of Saigon, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the Saigon Skydeck observatory, located on the 49th floor of Bitexco Financial Tower, just a few steps from Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
From a height of 178m, Saigon Skydeck offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city, helping you admire the shimmering beauty of Saigon from above. Especially in the evening, when the city lights up, the scenery becomes even more magical and romantic. Saigon Skydeck is open from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM daily, the entrance fee is about VND 240,000/adult and VND 160,000/child and senior citizen.
Saigon Skydeck offers panoramic city views from above
Saigon City Tour by 2-Story Bus
Right on Nguyen Hue Walking Street, you can easily experience the Hop On – Hop Off 2-story bus service to explore famous tourist destinations in Saigon. The 2-story bus departs from Nguyen Hue Street, passes through central districts, and stops at more than 30 attractive attractions such as Notre Dame Cathedral, City Post Office, Independence Palace, Ben Thanh Market…
This is an ideal means of transport for you to enjoy the city views comfortably and conveniently. The bus is equipped with a multilingual commentary system, free wifi, and enthusiastic guides, helping you have a complete and memorable Saigon city tour. 2-story bus ticket prices vary depending on the usage time, you can buy tickets directly at the ticket counter on Nguyen Hue Street.
Hop-on Hop-off bus tour for exploring attractions near the walking street
Important Notes When Visiting Nguyen Hue Walking Street
To make your trip to Nguyen Hue Walking Street smooth and complete, you need to note a few things:
- Plan your visit: If you plan to explore other tourist destinations in Saigon, you should make a specific itinerary to save time and move conveniently.
- Ask for parking prices and closing times: Before parking, you should clearly ask about the price and closing time of the parking lot to avoid unnecessary inconveniences.
- Protect personal belongings: Nguyen Hue Walking Street is often very crowded, you need to pay attention to protecting personal belongings, especially phones and wallets to avoid pickpocketing or robbery.
- Prepare a fully charged phone: To freely check-in and record beautiful moments on the walking street, make sure your phone is always fully charged.
- Weather and clothing: Saigon weather is often hot, especially in the summer. You should wear comfortable, sweat-absorbent clothes, bring a hat, sunscreen, and drink enough water to avoid heatstroke.
- Maintain public hygiene: Let’s join hands to maintain the hygiene and beauty of the walking street by not littering indiscriminately and using public trash cans.
The People's Committee building and Ho Chi Minh statue at the start of Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a must-visit destination when traveling to Saigon. With diverse entertainment, recreational, and culinary activities, the walking street promises to bring you memorable and unforgettable experiences. Get ready to immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere and discover interesting things in the heart of Saigon! Don’t forget to refer to the Saigon travel guide of “Du lịch khắp thế gian” for a complete trip.
Thuy Anh
Source: Synthesized.
Keywords: Nguyen Hue walking street