Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ho Chi Minh City

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a popular point of interest in the heart of district 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the most affluent part of the city center of Ho Chi Minh, packed with 5-star hotels, luxury shops, stylish bars, and trendy cafes and restaurants.

In this article, I will show you the location of Nguyen Hue Walking Street, how to get there, things to do on Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and where to stay in this area.

Nguyen Hue Walking street was a Grand Canal connected with the Saigon River in the 18th century. Later in the 19th century during the French colonial period, the French built Charner boulevard in this area.

The street was renamed to Nguyen Hue in 1956 and became a pedestrian street in 2015. Today, you can still see many French-colonial style buildings in this area.

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Location of Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a major street in district 1 of Saigon. It’s 700m long street, spanning from Ho Chi Minh City Hall on Le Thanh Tong street to Ton Duc Thang street and Saigon River.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street runs parallel with Dong Khoi street, which is another place street in district 1. Both streets have many old buildings dating back to the French colonial period.

The street is located within 1km radius to all famous attractions in the city such as Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Saigon Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, or Ben Thanh market.

What’s on Nguyen Hue Walking Street?

Nguyen Hue street is 700 m long and 64 m wide with three lanes, including vehicle lanes on two sides and pedestrian area in the middle. The whole street is closed for traffic on the weekend evenings, so you can safely walk around without worrying about the busy traffic.

The street is lined with restaurants, bars, shops, cafes, book stores, and luxury hotels. One end of the street is the City hall and the statue of Ho Chi Minh. At the other end of the street is the Saigon River and Bach Dang Wharf.

The street is usually quiet during daytime and attracts more people in the evening when the weather cools down and youngsters gather to hangout. I recommend visiting the street both day and night to explore the different atmosphere of the area.

It’s also a popular location for the city’s major events such as mid-autumn festival, and a vibrant flower market during the Lunar New Year.

Things to do in Nguyen Hue Walking Street

The Statue of Ho Chi Minh

One of the highlight attractions of Nguyen Hue Walking street is the bronze Statue of Ho Chi Minh. It’s located at the intersection of Le Thanh Ton and Nguyen Hue street. It’s just steps away from the City Hall, the Rex Hotel, and Union Square Mall.

The Statue of Ho Chi Minh is a symbol of the city and is a great spot to take photos. The French style city hall is located just behind the statue, creating a beautiful background. It’s even more beautiful at night when the lights are lit and the surrounding building is illuminated.

The ground near Ho Chi Minh statue has a beautiful garden with fountain, pond with lotus flowers and all kinds of other flowers. The area around the Statue is quite busy with traffic, so make sure to look around when across the road. It is free to visit at any time.

The Lotus Fountain (Bùng Binh Cây Liễu)

The booming lotus fountain is located right next to the Rex Hotel, around 130m from the Statue of Ho Chi Minh and the City Hall. It is the busy roundabout at the intersection of Nguyen Hue and Le LoiStreets.

The fountain has a giant pink crystal lotus bud in the middle. It features water jets, lighting, and sound systems that are used for nighttime water and light shows.

During the French colonial period, the location of the current Lotus fountain was the Bon Ken Roundabout because every Saturday afternoon, the French soldiers came here to play trumpet music.This is the first roundabout in Saigon.

Later, this Bon Ken Roundabout was rebuilt and became Willow Tree Roundabout because there were numerous willow trees around the roundabout. In 2025, it was rebuilt to become a water music show, and in 2019, it was rebuilt to become the lotus fountain.

Admire French-style architecture buildings

Ho Chi Minh is a modern city packed with skyscrapers but it also has many historic buildings dating back to the French Colonial period and the Vietnam-American war.

The French occupied Vietnam from 1884 to 1954 and constructed many buildings throughout the city that still exist today.

Nguyen Hue and the nearby Dong Khoi street have many French-style architecture buildings. Walking around the area, you can explore The City Hall, The Opera House, Hotel Continental Saigon, The Rex hotel, or the Cafe apartment.

Ho Chi Minh City Hall

Ho Chi Minh City Hall located at the beginning of Nguyen Hue street, opposite the Statue of Ho Chi Minh, is an iconic attraction dating back to the French colonial period.

It’s formerly Hotel de Ville (City Hotel) built in the early 20th century but now serves as the government building – The People’s Committee.

The building is beautifully lit up at night. You can admire its beautiful architecture and take photos from outside. The city hall was open to the public with 12 free guided tours on weekends in 2024 with registration in advance. It may no longer be open to the public.

Check out nice restaurants, cafes, and bars

Nguyen Hue Walking street is the posh area of Ho Chi Minh City, so you’ll find many trendy cafes, restaurants, and bars. You will be able to find everything at this street, from street food and fine dining.

As it has a prime location, the price is often higher than other parts of the city. I enjoyed trying pho, banh my, grilled meat, com tam, and McDonald’s in this area. Most restaurants look clean and hygienic, so you won’t have to worry much about food poisoning.

Enjoy the vibrant nightlife scene

Nguyen Hue Walking street is more lively at night and on the weekends. The area is transformed into a pedestrian-only area from 6pm-10pm Saturday and Sunday.

Lots of young locals and tourists hang out on the street, playing, watching street performers, eating street food, and enjoying the cooler air. You can check out some nice restaurants and rooftop bars in the area to enjoy city views at night when everything is lit up.

Visit Saigon Skydeck & Bitexco Tower

Saigon Skydeck is located on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower. It’s on Ho Tung Mau street, just a block away from the Nguyen Hue Walking street. You can see these unique architectural buildings at many corners from Nguyen Hue street and the riverside locations.

In my opinion, this is one of the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City. Even though the city has many high-rise buildings with rooftop terraces for the views, I still recommend visiting Saigon Skydeck.

At the Saigon Skydeck, you can view 360-degree views of the city including the Saigon River. The observation deck is fully enclosed inside the glass, so you can safely enjoy the view. You can use binoculars for the bigger views.

In each direction, there is a touch digital screen, where you can learn the location of important landmarks in that direction.

You can read about the history of Ho Chi Minh City at the Sky deck as well as the list of the tallest buildings in the world. There is a mini gallery of traditional Vietnamese costumes and a souvenir shop onsite where you can buy traditional Vietnamese handicrafts.

You can buy tickets online but I prefer to just buy tickets at the entrance. The Skydeck is open 9.30 AM to 9.30 PM, so you can explore it both day and night. The best time is at sunset so you can experience the views both with sunlight and after dark within a single visit.

Interesting fact: the location of the Bitexco Tower and the National Treasury, between Hai Trieu and Ngo Duc Ke streets, was the location of the first market in Saigon. It was called Saigon Marker or Cho Cu (Old Market). The old market was replaced by the Ben Thanh Market in 1914.

Checkout The Cafe Apartments 42 Nguyen Hue

The Cafe Apartments 42 Nguyen Hue is located at 42 Nguyen Hue, in the middle area of the street. It’s an old French architectural style apartment building converted into a complex that is home to many trendy cafes, restaurants, and cute boutiques.

There are dozens of shops in the cafe apartment. All shops have balconies that are nicely decorated with greenery. You can eat and drink at the balconies and look down to Nguyen hue Walking street.

You can check out one of the many shops inside the building or just simply stand on the street, admire its beauty and take some photos. If you decide to go inside, you can take the stairs for free or use the lift for a small fee of 3000 VND.

The Fahasa – Nguyen Hue Bookstore

If you like reading or just want to spend time on a rainy day, the Nguyen Hue Bookstore is well worth checking out. The shop is spacious and has a wide range of both Vietnamese and foreign languages books.

It is air-conditioned, which is also comfortable to escape from the heat during daytime. Even if you’re not a book lover, you can still find toys or typical Vietnamese souvenirs such as lacquerware and postcards.

Visit the Saigon Riverside area and Bach Dang Quay Park

Nguyen Hue walking street is located on the left bank of Saigon River. One end of the street is the Bach Dang Quay Park that has stunning views of the river and the city’s skyline.

I highly recommend checking out the riverside area, especially around early morning or sunset time when the weather cools down. You can take a stroll along the promenade, take a river cruise, or enjoy the breathtaking views of the city’s skyline.

Shopping at nearby Vincom Dong Khoi or Union Square

If you want luxury shopping with international brands, Nguyen Hue streets and Dong Khoi have plenty of options for you. I recommend shopping at Union Square and Vincom Dong Khoi.

Union Square is located right next to the City Hall and the Statue of Ho Chi Minh. It is a beautiful French colonial building with luxury brands such as Dior, Versace, Hermes, Yves Saint Lauren, or Bottega Veneta.

Vincom Dong Khoi is located just a block away from the Union Square. You can shop for both mid-range and luxury brands in this mall. Places like Zara, H&M, New Balance, are popular shopping destinations in Vincom Dong Khoi.

Walk around Dong Khoi street

Dong Khoi is another upscale street in the heart of Saigon, running parallel with Nguyen Hue street. It’s a bit longer than Nguyen Hue, around 1km long, spanning from the famous Big Church and Central Post Office to the bank of Saigon River.

Iconic attractions on Dong Khoi are the historic Saigon Opera House, Hotel Continental Saigon, and Caravelle Hotel. You can walk around the street and take in its historic and luxurious atmosphere.

Saigon Japan Town

Saigon Japan Town is a unique place to visit in Ho Chi Minh City at night. It’s located just 4 blocks away from Nguyen Hue walking street.

I recommend visiting this place if you’re enjoying the Japanese atmosphere with tiny alleyways, Japanese style pubs, and some good Japanese restaurants. It’s kind of a red light district with lots of massage shops, so be meaningful when walking around late at night.

Where to stay on Nguyen Hue Walking Street?

Rex Hotel

This 5-star historic hotel is located in a prime location of Nguyen Hue walking street, right next to the underground metro station, the Statue of Ho Chi Minh, and the City Hall. The hotel has a beautiful design with lots of greenery, spacious rooms, and a nice rooftop area.

It’s a good base to explore the city as all major attractions are located within a short walk or short taxi ride from the hotel.

The Reverie Saigon

This 5-star hotel is located in the central area of Nguyen Hue walking street. It is a beautiful high-rise hotel with lovely decor, swimming pool and delicious breakfast. If you want a luxurious experience in the heart of district 1, The Reverie is a good choice.

Royal Hotel Saigon

This mid-range 4-star hotel is centrally located in the heart of HCMC, close to everything. You can easily access the shops, restaurants, cages, bars, and all important attractions of the city. Good base for sightseeing, nightlife, and shopping.

History of Nguyen Hue Walking Street

The location Nguyen Hue Walking street today was the Kinh Lớn Canal (the Grand Canal). The canal was built in 1790 by Lord Nguyen Phuc Anh (later became the first King of the Nguyen Dynasty).

The canal was built to bring water from the Saigon River to Gia Định Citadel. The canal also connected to Ben Nghe and Tau Hu Canal where Chinese merchants lived.

Two banks of the canals became a marketplace where people exchange foods and sell fabrics. Locals also called it Cho Vai Canal or Fabric Market.

In 1861, under the French colonist period, Kinh Lon Canal was renamed to Charner Canal, named after Léonard Charner, a French Navy Admiral who oversaw the initial French victory in the region.

In 1887, the French colonial administration filled in the canal and turned it into a broad boulevard due to its heavy pollution, which emitted awful odors and diseases.

Two streets running parallel with the Charnel Canal, Boulevard Charner and Rue Rigault de Genouilly, were merged into Boulevard Charner. Locals still called it “Kinh Lap” meaning a canal was filled.

Boulevard Charner had the tramway to connect Saigon, Cho Lon and My Tho. Many French-style buildings, cafes, and department stores were built along the street.

At one end of the street lies the Hôtel de Ville, which was built between 1898 and 1909. The towel has French colonial style with a clock tower and two wings. It was also known as Doc Ly Palace, or Xa Tay Palace, and now serves as the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.

In 1956, Charner Avenue was renamed Nguyen Hue Avenue. Nguyen Hue is the name of King Quang Trung), who played a major role in overthrowing the Trinh lords and abolishing the boundary between Dang Trong and Dang Ngoai, unifying the country.

The street went under a big transformation in 2015 when it’s designed to become pedestrian‑friendly promenade with three lanes and traffic running two sides of the road. The street is totally closed to traffic during weekend evenings.

How to get to Nguyen Hue Walking Street?

My favorite way to get to Nguyen Hue Walking street is using ride sharing services such as Grab Taxi and Grab Bike. I just need to install the app and request a ride from there. The price is usually affordable and I don’t have to bargain with the driver.

Traditional taxis are also widely available in the city. If you are using these taxis, make sure to agree on the prices before getting in the car.

The area around Nguyen Hue walking street is served by the Nhà ga số 5 (Opera House Station), so you can easily use the public underground system to get to this area.

It’s on metro line 1 between Ben Thanh Market and Suoi Tien station. The metro line passes important sights in district 1 and district 2 including major stations such as Ben Thanh market, Opera House, Ba Son, Van Thanh Park, and Thao Dien station.