With more than 8 million residents as of 2017, Ho Chi Minh City is the most populous city in Vietnam. It’s also the financial center of the country, not to mention one of its most popular tourist hubs. It’s as if the city itself is built for non-stop action—and that’s why it would seem a little contradictory to visit Ho Chi Minh City for the purpose of relaxation.
You may be surprised, however, that Ho Chi Minh City is actually a great choice for a peaceful and relaxing break. Holidays to Vietnam’s largest city are also generally quite budget friendly, so as long as you don’t choose to do anything outrageously expensive, money is another thing that you don’t have to worry about too much. In fact, you can even book a Ho Chi Minh City combo tour with Traveloka or another reputable travel booking platform to save even more on flights and accommodations. Once you’ve done that, you can focus on checking out some of the activities and destinations that will leave you feeling rejuvenated. In this short guide, we’ll introduce you to some of them.
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Visit Ho Chi Minh City’s Parks
Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis, with sprawling developments and towering skyscrapers. Still, it has a lot of green spaces where you can take a breather. One of the biggest and most popular is the Tao Dan Park. With its stately African mahogany trees, animal topiaries, and numerous benches, Tao Dan Park is perfect for carving out a slice of personal quiet time. The park is also well-maintained, with clean pathways ready for a stroll.
Another popular park is Crescent Walk, a paved esplanade spanning the length of Crescent Lake. Both the walk and the lake are part of The Crescent neighborhood, a residential area in District 7. The way it’s designed is reminiscent of parks and developments in Singapore, with plenty of recreational areas and dining establishments that overlook the water. Crossing the Starlight Bridge will lead you to Ho Ban Nguyet Park, another green space where you can unwind or even have a romantic date. If you can, visit at night so you can see the bridge light up in different neon colors.
Know More about Farming in Nong Trang Xanh
Agriculture and farming require hard work, but there’s also something relaxing about it. Perhaps it’s because you’re surrounded by large expanses of green. There’s also a huge sense of satisfaction in harvesting the fruits of your labor. For those who want to experience farming and get hands-on experience, you can check out Nong Trang Xanh. Here you can learn about the process of growing and harvesting rice and cultivating mushrooms. You’ll also get to prepare food for goats and even get to milk cows! You’ll also learn how to care for different farm animals, as well as visit flower gardens and orchards.
Stay at Springfield Cottage
If you’re looking for a place to stay that isn’t a typical hotel, you might want to consider Springfield Cottage. This homestay is located at Phong Phu Commune in Binh Chanh District, less than 20 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City. With how close it is to the city center, you’ll be surprised at how peaceful Springfield Cottage is. There’s a river full of fish and lotus plants, gardens planted with flowers, herbs, and fruits, and a rustic boulevard that’s perfect for romantic walks. It truly feels like you’re so far from the city!
Do note the Springfield Cottage only has eight cottages. Moreover, they don’t have air-conditioners, televisions, or even WiFi. The place is really designed to disconnect you from the hustle and bustle of the city so you can relax to the fullest.
Get a Massage
Another things that’s great about Ho Chi Minh City is that it’s very affordable to treat yourself to a relaxing massage. There are also a lot of spas that can give you foot massages (perfect after a whole day of exploring), whole body massages, body scrubs, and more.
Among the most well-known spas in the city are Cat Moc Spa and Miu Miu. Cat Moc Spa is located in District 1, tucked away from the main roads at Tran Dinh Xu Street. They offer Swedish and Thai massages, Vietnamese herbal massages, and even hot stone therapy. You can also take advantage of their skincare treatments and other beauty services. Miu Miu Spa, on the other hand, has five branches in District 1. The most popular is in front of Bitexco Tower, just a short walk away from Ben Thanh Market. You can treat yourself to Vietnamese and Thai massages, or even Shiatsu, the famous Japanese massage that focuses on using the fingertips for applying pressure. Miu Miu Spa is also known for their ginger essence massage.
Ho Chi Minh City may be a busy place, but it doesn’t mean that it’s all hustle and bustle. If you want to rejuvenate your mind and body, Ho Chi Minh City can also provide you with the relaxation you need.