Ho Chi Minh City enjoys clear skies and warm days almost all year long, especially between December and March. If you’re travelling between May and September, rains tend to come in short bursts, but it's possible to still enjoy sunny days during these wet summer months.

An unexpected downpour may result in limited sightseeing opportunities, but Ho Chi Minh still has plenty of interesting activities to keep you busy throughout your holiday. Even if you’re visiting during the dry season, carrying an umbrella (or raincoat) is highly recommended as the rain can sneak up fast. From learning how to prepare an authentic Vietnamese dish to catching a live opera performance, check out our list of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City when it rains.

1. Join A Pottery Class

Vietnam is known for producing some of the best handicrafts in the world, so what better way of experiencing the local culture than by signing up for a pottery class, especially on a gloomy and rainy day in Ho Chi Minh City? Overland Club in District 11 offers beginner-friendly workshops between VNS 190,000 and VND 250,000, which comprise a 90-minute or 180-minute class, pottery materials, baking and glazing. If pottery isn’t your cup of tea, Ho Chi Minh City also has plenty of art galleries and crafts centres you can explore (just remember to bring along an umbrella or poncho).

Opening Hours: Tue – Fri 09:00 – 21:00, Sat – Sun 09:00 – 17:00

Address: 54B Nguyen Thi Huynh, District 11, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: +84 8 3842 3986

 2. Enjoy Panoramic Views Of The City At Bitexco Tower

Ho Chi Minh City’s Bitexco Financial Tower & Sky Deck stands 262 metres high at the centre of the city’s business district and offers visitors an unparalleled city view from its Sky Deck. Deck visitors are accompanied by an English-speaking guide and can also enjoy interactive touchscreen fact boxes delivering information on points of interest and city landmarks seen from above. Visitors can also use one of the binocular stands to get a closer look. Great views are also enjoyed from the 50th and 51st-floor restaurants and bars, particularly at night when the metropolis below glitters.

Opening Hours: Daily 09:30 - 21:30

Location: 36 Ho Tung Mau Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

3. Learn How to Cook A Vietnamese Meal

Vietnamese food was one of the first true fusion cuisines in the world, thanks to the country’s rather turbulent history, resulting in a mix of Indian, Chinese, French, Russian and American influences. While you can easily fill up on authentic banh mi, pho, and goi chuon at a restaurant, why not take advantage of rainy days by staying in and learn how to cook your own authentic Vietnamese dishes? Many five-star hotels in Ho Chi Minh City offer cooking classes, but for a more authentic (and budget-friendly) experience, established Vietnamese restaurants are the way to go.

4. Catch a Performance at Saigon Opera House

Saigon Opera House, built in 1897, is an elegant colonial building at the intersection of Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street in District 1. The beautifully restored historical structure spans three levels with an 800-seat capacity, regularly hosting opera, ballet, musical concerts, Vietnamese traditional dance and plays. Accessible within a five-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral and the classic Central Post Office, tickets can be purchased at the box office, which is open every day from 09:00 to 16:30

5. Spend the Day at a Shopping Mall

Expansive shopping malls are plentiful in Ho Chi Minh City, offering shopping opportunities as well as much-needed shelter from the city’s torrential downpours. These multi-storey retail venues are also conveniently located near five-star hotels and popular landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Benh Than Market and Saigon Central Post Office. While cosmetics, apparel, accessories and kitchenware are sold at fixed prices, you can find an array of international brands and renowned local designs within these shopping malls. There are also plenty of dining outlets and entertainment centres such as cinemas, bowling alleys and arcade games.