Pham Ngu Lao Street Tours
1 Review
Ho Chi Minh City’s answer to Bangkok’s Khao San Road, Pham Ngu Lao Street boasts dozens of affordable guesthouses, cheap pubs, and backpacker-focused restaurants. In fact, Saigonese know it simply as the backpacker district. Despite the noise, traffic, and chaos, Phạm Ngũ Lão is a mecca for travelers looking to experience Saigon’s unfiltered energy.
The Basics
In the heart of District 1, within walking distance of Ben Thanh Market and the War Remnants Museum, Pham Ngu Lao is a favorite destination for travelers on a budget. Even if you’re not staying here, you might find yourself visiting for the cheap-beer stalls, high-energy backpacker nightclubs, or affordable international fare.
Most Ho Chi Minh City tours eschew the charms of Pham Ngu Lao Street. Thanks to the quantity of accommodation here, however, it’s a stop on HCMC hop-on hop-off bus tours.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Visiting—or staying in—Pham Ngu Lao Street is a great way for younger, solo backpackers to meet other backpackers.
- Drive-by bag snatchings can be an issue on Pham Ngu Lao—don’t use your phone close to the sidewalk edge, and walk holding your bag on the side away from the road.
- The best way to help Saigon’s street kids, who are often trafficked, is to donate to a charity that looks after them, such as Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
How to Get There
Pham Ngu Lao Street is in the center of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, close to the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, and other attractions. The 109 shuttle bus stops at Pham Ngu Lao Street on its way from the airport, about 6 miles (9 kilometers) away. It’s about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the train station, a journey best made by taxi or motorbike taxi.
When to Get There
Lively street life coupled with pavement cafés and bars give Pham Ngu Lao its energy, so you’re best off visiting during dry season, roughly November through April. That’s particularly true if you’re staying in the street’s budget guesthouses, as Pham Ngu Lao Street accommodation tends to have extremely limited communal space.
The Original Pham Ngu Lao
Pham Ngu Lao may be a byword for backpacker misbehavior and curbside drinking nowadays, but it takes its name from a Vietnamese hero. The original Phạm Ngũ Lão (1255–1320) was a Vietnamese general who beat back the forces of the Mongol and Chinese emperor Kublai Khan. He’s worshipped as a god in some parts of Vietnam, and most cities have a street (or two) named after him.
Address: Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
5 Tours and Activities to Experience Pham Ngu Lao Street
Sort by:Featured
1H Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing Tour: Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus + Saigon Skydeck Pass
See the sights of Ho Chi Minh City your way on a hop-on hop-off bus tour that allows you to create your own personalized sightseeing itinerary. Ideal for first-time visitors and travelers with limited time, this flexible tour option means you can disembark the bus whenever an attraction captures your attention. Your ticket also includes an evening bus tour of Ho Chi Minh City, which reveals a different side to attractions when they’re illuminated by night.
…More
From
$15.60
From
$15.60
Private Saigon Motorbike City tour
Real local town along Saigon River
Venerable Thich Quang Duc Monument & Saigon oldest building
Saigon Best Flower Market
Central of China town – Temple
Typical expat area, known as Japanese & Korean town.
…More
From
$40.00
From
$40.00
2 Days Private Non-Touristic Local Homestay in Tra On: Mekong Delta
While a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta is possible, a longer trip is necessary to truly take in everything that the interconnected rivers and islands have to offer. This 2-day luxury tour gives travelers the chance to stay at a riverside cottage while spending their days venturing into nature and enjoying local attractions.
…More
From
$194.88
From
$194.88
Private Night Tour in Saigon with a Local
Spend an evening out in Ho Chi Minh City on this 2.5-hour tour with a private guide who shows you some of the city's main sights and local hotspots. Join the residents of Saigon as they come out for the night, admiring the city in a different light. You'll visit a cafe, night market, and more. A coffee drink and street food tasting are included.
…More
From
$33.35
Price varies by group size
From
$33.35
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Cycling to CuChi tunnels - single track ride along Saigon river.
The single trail cycling along Saigon river brings you back to the old time of LaiThieu and BinhDuong, wandering on dirt track to old terra-cotta villages of LaiThieu and ThuDauMot area. Passing ancient temples, hand made pottery local houses, Chinese pagoda and rural countryside scenery of BinhDuong province. Then we have local ferry crossing Saigon river to visit CuChi tunnels.
…More
From
$107.70
Price varies by group size
From
$107.70
Price varies by group size
Things to do near Ho Chi Minh City
- Things to do in Southern Vietnam
- Things to do in Vung Tau
- Things to do in Phnom Penh
- Things to do in Phu Quoc
- Things to do in Nha Trang
- Things to do in Sihanoukville
- Things to do in Angkor Wat
- Things to do in Siem Reap
- Things to do in Battambang
- Things to do in Ko Chang
- Things to do in Hoi An
- Things to do in My Son
- Things to do in Hue
- Things to do in South Coast
- Things to do in Central Vietnam