Ho Chi Minh City during Christmas 2025: 7 check-in spots and tips for taking beautiful photos.

Ho Chi Minh City is transforming itself to welcome Christmas 2025 with a series of check-in spots right in the city center: Diamond Plaza, Notre Dame Cathedral, GEM Center, Saigon Centre, Takashimaya, and the area near the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House. In addition, many cafes have also decorated in various styles. Below is a suggested map along with photography tips and practical experiences from those who have visited.

Beautiful photo spots in the city center.

The 30/4 Park – Diamond Plaza – Notre Dame Cathedral route lit up early, creating a distinctly festive atmosphere. Diamond Plaza added a highlight with its "giant gift boxes" that could be entered, increasing interaction instead of just posing outside.

If you're looking for a change of pace, GEM Center is decorated in a fairytale style, with eye-catching candy-sweet pastel colors. This is a perfect backdrop for a gentle and relaxing atmosphere.

Those who prefer modern spaces can visit Saigon Centre and Takashimaya, where the landscaping is meticulously designed and keeps up with the latest trends.

Located near the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, the Caravelle Saigon Hotel kicked off the festive season with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The lobby was adorned with vibrant Christmas decorations, highlighted by Teddy bears placed in public areas for easy adoption, while also spreading the message of support for VinaCapital Foundation's Can-Clover program.

In this year's decorating "race," cafes are also keeping pace. Many diverse photo spots are ready to cater to photography enthusiasts.

Real-world experience from those who have been through it.

Regarding parking at the "hot spot" Diamond Plaza, Diep Han (20 years old, student) shared: "In the evening, this area gets very crowded, and the parking lot at Diamond Plaza is often full. I usually park at the Youth Cultural Center. Or if you're just stopping by to take quick photos, you can park at MPlaza, which is also fine; the side exit leads to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Book Street."

If you arrive and find it "more crowded than it is," a backup option is the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street. The bookstores there have attractive storefront decorations and a more spacious atmosphere – perfect for days when the city center is overcrowded.

Regarding the cafe setting, My Duyen (25 years old, office worker) said after taking photos at Nham Coffee: “Every angle looks beautiful in photos, but you need to time it perfectly. It's really stunning at night when the lights are on, but you need to know how to adjust the settings to avoid overexposed photos. If you want to get perfect shots on the first try, go during the day, before 5 PM is ideal.”

Quick tips for getting the perfect photo shoot.

• During peak season: prioritize Ho Chi Minh City Book Street as a backup option, with its spacious layout and numerous landscaped areas in front.
• The best time to take photos at a cafe is during the day, before 5 PM (based on the experience of those who have visited).
• Since Diamond Plaza is usually crowded in the evenings, consider parking at the Youth Cultural Center or MPlaza (based on shared experiences).

Suggested itinerary by cluster

• 30/4 Park – Diamond Plaza – Notre Dame Cathedral: many Christmas-themed spots, convenient for walking between locations.
• GEM Center: Sweet, candy-pastel style, perfect for photos with a light tone.
• Saigon Centre – Takashimaya: Modern miniature landscape, meticulously decorated.
• Near the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House – Caravelle Saigon: a festive atmosphere and illuminated Christmas trees.