A creative and brand new 3 Days 2 Nights Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary: I am happy to know that you have 3 days 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and enjoy it to the fullest. We have designed a perfect itinerary for travelers who would like to travel the city in a unique, different, and special way. I would like to share with you the best hidden places and must-do tourist attractions as well as the best local eateries.
Table of Contents
3 Days 2 Nights Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – the best experience
Day 1 – Saigon center and Cu Chi Tunnels
Morning – must-see tourist attractions in District 1
Having breakfast
You can book a hotel which serve free breakfast in the morning or you can go out to find something great to eat. I would like to recommend you to buy a Vietnamese sandwich at Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa shop. There are some options for your choice: Banh mi with different combo of pork roll and other Vietnamese cold cuts, pork floss, roasted pork, baozi with mixed fillings, pyramidal rice dumpling.
- Banh mi shop: Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa
- Address: 54 Nguyen Van Trang, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Prices: from 15,000 to 38,000 VND
- Website and menu: http://banhmihonghoa.com/thuc-don
- Location on Google Maps: click here
Because Banh mi is a staple food, you can eat it while walking like local people. If you would like to find somewhere to sit, Song Coffee which is about 60 m from Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa is a great choice. A glass of Vietnamese coffee costs from 30,000 VND and you will experience eating Banh mi and drinking coffee in the morning like Saigonese.
- Coffee shop: Sống Cà Phê (Song Coffee Shop)
- Address: 47 – 49 Le Thi Rieng, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Prices: from 35,000 to 70,000 VND
- Location on Google Maps: click here
- Facebook: Song Cafe
*Note: Families with kids and elderly travelers should book hotel rooms with breakfast for convenience.
Visiting the must-see sites and landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City
- Cathedral Notre Dame (1877), 1 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City: Cathedral Notre Dame and Saigon Central Post Office are the two most beautiful and impressive French buildings in Saigon. Jules Bourard – a French architect designed the cathedral and it has a Gothic architecture mixed with others. The cathedral is 93 m long, 35.5 m wide, 21 m high, and has a capacity of 1,200 people. Most of the materials were brought from abroad so it has a unique beauty and structure.
- Saigon Central Post Office (1891), 2 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City: The post office has a spacious and beautiful exterior, top-notch furnishings and decorations, It was ranked second in the list of the 11 most beautiful post offices in the world, according to U.S. magazine Architectural Digest.
- Reunification Palace (1871), 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City: With an airy and open atmosphere, the building is an outstanding example of 1960s architecture. In addition, it is a historical spot because it served as the home and office of Nguyen Van Thieu – the president of the South Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. Two North Vietnamese Army tanks crashed through the gate of the palace and marked the end of the Vietnam War. Entrance fee: 40,000 VND.
- War Remnants Museum (2010), 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City: The museum is a reminder of the heroic Vietnam War, it showcases thousands of photos, videos, weapons, and other artifacts displaying the atrocities and consequences of the Vietnam War. Entrance fee: 40,000 VND.
- Ben Thanh Market (1914), Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City: Ben Thanh Market is not only a paradise of shoppers but also a great place to experience Vietnamese culture, especially market culture and bargain culture. The market houses about 1,500 booths with more than 6,000 small businesses selling a wide range of goods, including dried food, fabrics, fashion accessories, clothing, Ao Dai, conical hats, handicrafts, paintings, tea, coffee, bird nests,… The market was designed by Brossard et Maupin Construction Company and is a distinctive blend of French and Indochinese influences. You should notice 4 main gates and 12 side gates, each gate is featured with ceramic reliefs, and the nice 3-sided clock tower.
It is recommended to eat at Ben Thanh Market to save your time and money. Prices of rice noodle soups (Hủ tiếu, Bánh canh, Phở, Bún riêu, Bún mắm, Bún bò Huế) are from 40,000 VND, a portion of mixed Hue cakes costs about 30,000 VND. A dessert costs from 20,000 VND.
Read more about Top 5 Dishes at Ben Thanh Market.
It is easy to explore the city center, you can take a taxi from your hotel to the first tourist attraction, then walk to others. If it is sunny and the distance is far, you can simply book a taxi or a motorbike taxi. Taxis and motorbike taxis are available at tourist attractions but you should be careful and avoid being scammed. Using Grab, Xanh SM, Bee to book a ride is a smart choice. You can also book a Ho Chi Minh City Half Day Tour or a Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing Private Car Rental to enjoy a trip of comfort and convenience.
A creative and brand new 3 Days 2 Nights Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Reunification Palace
Afternoon – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour Small Group (Afternoon)
You should book a Small group Cu Chi Tunnels Tour (maximum 27 pax, from $18 USD/person) to save money. On large group tour, there are up to 45 tourists so all of them can not enjoy the trip at its best. On a small group tour, you will join a tour with from 9 to 27 people. If there are more than 3 people in your group, you can book a Private Cu Chi Tunnels Tour Half Day by Car or a Private transfer to Cu Chi Tunnels round trip which are more convenient and flexible.
At about 12:45 PM, they will pick you up and you will return to the hotel in the city center at about 19:00. You should not miss a trip to Cu Chi District and see the maze network of underground tunnels which is an evidence and a reminder of the wars against the French, the U.S and the government of The South Vietnam before 1975.
Read more about Cu Chi Tunnels
A creative and brand new 3 Days 2 Nights Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Cu Chi Tunnels
Evening – Bui Vien Street
Young and old travelers should not miss visiting Bui Vien Street – the noisiest and busiest street in District 1 and Ho Chi Minh City. People gather at bars, rooftop bars, pubs, lounges, cafes, restaurants to entertain, eat, drink, talk together, make new friends, and forget all the troubles in their lives. Because the music is loud and the street is usually packed with people, you should consider going there if you are an old adult or travel with children. Young travelers and music lovers really enjoy live music and DJ music, sexy dances at bars on the street. You should watch your belongings carefully and should not drink too much when being there. A local beer costs from 20,000 VND, a portion of Vietnamese food such as noodle soups, kebab rice noodles costs from 50,000 VND. You can choose to eat at a restaurant or a street food stall on the street.
- Restaurant: Bún Chả 145
- Address: 145 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Review on TripAdvisor: Bún Chả 145
- Price: from 50,000 VND
Read more about 10 Best restaurants on Bui Vien Street and Bui Vien Walking Street – all you need to know
Cost of the first day if you travel on your own
- Vietnamese sandwich: 38,000 VND
- Vietnamese coffee: 35,000 VND
- Entrance fee to War Remnants Museum: 40,000 VND
- Entrance fee to Reunification Palace: 40,000 VND
- Vietnamese rice noodle soup (Pho or Crab noodle soup): 50,000 VND
- Bottles of water: 6,000 – 10,000 VND/bottle x 2 bottles = 20,000 VND
- Cu Chi Tunnels Tour Small Group: 450,000 VND
- Kebab rice noodle: 50,000 VND
- Saigon beer: 20,000 VND
- Transportation: about 500,000 VND
- Total: 1,243,000 VND ~ 50 USD
Would you like to book tours in Ho Chi Minh City? Please contact Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84938314386 (Whatsapp/iMessage/Viber/SMS) for detailed information and the best price for your group.
Day 2 – Mekong Delta Tour
Day time
You will have breakfast at your hotel or at a local restaurant:
- Restaurant: Phở Hòa (since 1968)
- Address: 260C Pasteur, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Signature: Pho beef noodle soup
- Price: from 90,000 VND
Mekong Delta Tour Full Day Small Group (maximum 27 pax, from $23 USD/person) starts at 7:30 and end at 17:00. You will get to Ben Tre Province and My Tho City in Tien Giang Province where you travel around by motorized boat, sampan, and bicycle. Are you excited at being on a small sampan and a local rider will take you along the rivers and canals lined with nipa palms, fruit trees, rice fields, nice villages, and through bridges? You will also visit factories where they make coconut candies and handicrafts, a bee farm, an orchard, a local restaurant serving lunch with Mekong Delta specialty dishes.
Other choices are:
- Private Classic Mekong Delta (My Tho – Ben Tre) 1 Day: If you would like to visit Mekong Delta on a private trip and there is only your group on the tour, this is a good choice.
- Unseen Mekong 1 Day | Non-Touristy & No Shopping: You will not see as many tourists as on classic Mekong Delta Tour, it is a fascinating trip to extraordinary hidden places.
A creative and brand new 3 Days 2 Nights Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Mekong Delta
Night time
Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise & Cyclo Tour ($38 – $54 USD/person) starts at 17:30 and ends at 21:45. Why shouldn’t you miss this tour? Cruising along Saigon River is a stress-free way to enjoy the beauty of the city at night and relax after a long day exploring Mekong Delta. In addition, you will be served a delicious lunch and enjoy the brilliant performance of talented Vietnamese female dancers. After that, you will enjoy the cool night river breeze on the deck of the cruise ship.
Before the dinner, you will have a chance to watch the water puppet show which tell you the stories about Vietnam’s countryside, indigenous, smart, and hard working Vietnamese people. Traditional folk music and moves of water puppetries are mixed in a brilliant way.
I can not forget to let you know that an exciting short cyclo ride is included. A trip to Vietnam is not complete without weaving Saigon by cyclo – the three-wheel bicycle taxi that appeared in Vietnam during the French colonial period but is not used popularly in the recent. Experiencing of living slowly by riding a cyclo in Saigon – the busiest city in South Vietnam is worth doing.
In general, you will spend about $50 USD to learn more about the culture, art, cuisine and relax in the evening. It’s worth it.
Cost of the second day
- Mekong Delta Tour Full Day Small Group: 575,000 VND
- Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise & Cyclo Tour: 950,000 – 1,350,000 VND
- Total: 1,925,000 VND or 77 USD
Would you like to book tours in Ho Chi Minh City? Please contact Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84938314386 (Whatsapp/iMessage/Viber/SMS) for detailed information and the best price for your group.
The third day – Hidden places
Morning
A new day will start and you will feel be more familiar with Saigon and one part of the city. Let’s have breakfast like local people. You will be picked up at the hotel and taken to Tao Dan – one of the biggest, greenest and most favorite parks in Ho Chi Minh City. We will eat the best Banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) and sip some coffee (or coconut drink) in the early morning.
- Tao Dan Park (1960), Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City: This park has a total area of approximately 9 ha and has over 1,000 green trees. It has become one of the best places in Saigon to go for a walk, do exercises, and enjoy the fresh air. There are some old coffee shops in and around the park.
You can buy a Banh mi at:
- Banh mi shop: Bánh Mì Bùi Thị Xuân
- Address: 122E Bui Thi Xuan, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Prices: 35,000 VND
After that, we will continue the journey exploring Ho Chi Minh City. As mentioned above, there will be many brilliant hidden places.
- Thich Quang Duc Memorial (2010), 298 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City: We will stop at a place to learn more about the life of the heroic monk who killed himself by burning and died in a fire. The bronze statue of Quang Duc is 4 m high, the relief behind the statue tells the story about his protest against the government of Ngo Dinh Diem who prioritized Catholicism.
- Saigon Cao Dai Temple (2001), 891 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 1, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City: Although Buddhism is the most popular religion in Vietnam, it does not originated in the country. Caodaism was established by Ngo Van Chieu – a Vietnamese district head of the French administration of Cochinchina. You will see many strange things in the temple: All-Seeing Eye symbol, big round columns with colorful dragons, impressive paintings which meanings will be explained on the tour.
- Ten Thousands Buddha Pagoda (2008), 66/14 Nghia Thuc Street, Ward 5, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City: You will go up to the 4th floor and see the beautiful and magnificent interior design of the main hall where there are countless of Buddha statues in different sizes. The smallest statues are located on small petals of a lotus seat. The biggest statue is located on the main altar. Some travelers like the big bells and the cozy atmosphere at the pagoda.
- Thien Hau Temple (1760), 710 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City: The Sea Lady (Mazu) is an important goddess in Chinese community in Saigon because Chinese people immigrated to the country a few centuries before. She has protected and save many people on the sea. The sky heaven brings lights to the halls of the temple. Ceramic figurines depicting different animals and people in different positions are used to decorate the roofs. You can burn an incense stick and spray for happiness, peace, good health and wealth.
- Cha Tam Church (1902), 25 Hoc Lac Street, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City: The blend of Chinese and Roman architectures, three-arched-entrances gate, double tiles, Chinese characters, lotus on the top of the church, and red pillars are the highlights of the church. In addition, this is the place where Ngo Dinh Diem – the former president of the Republic of Vietnam from 1955 to 1963 hid during an attempted coup in 1963.
- Binh Tay Market (1928), 57A Thap Muoi Street, Ward 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City: The market is located in the center of Saigon China Town and one of the biggest wholesale markets in the city. If Tan Binh Market is famous with clothes, fashion items, wedding dresses and bridal accessories and Pham Van Hai Market is famous for clothes, Binh Tay Market provides everything from dried food to clothes, from souvenirs to jewelry pieces,…
- Special streets and markets in Cho Lon: decoration item street, chemical market, vegetable market, motorbike accessory market,…
At lunch, you will eat at Ngoc Son Restaurant – one of the most popular Vietnamese restaurant in Saigon China Town.
- Restaurant: Bánh Xèo Ngọc Sơn
- Address: 103 Ngo Quyen, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Signature: Vietnamese sizzling cake (Bánh xèo), Fried roll, Spring roll, Rice noodle salad with grilled pork, Soup cake
- Price: 15,000 – 60,000 VND
You can choose to take a rest at your hotel after lunch or continue the journey to other districts.
Afternoon
We will continue the journey by visiting the following places:
- Saigon Ranger Museum – Do Phu Cafe, 270 Vo Van Tan, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City: This small house is usually missed by most tourists coming to Ho Chi Minh City because it is too small and less famous than large museums such as War Remnants Museum. However, you will have a chance to visit this nice house – the “red location” in the war – a secret place to hide weapons and Vietcong soldiers. Let’s find out secret entrances and try climbing down the weapon bunkers.
- Museum of Vietnamese History (1929), 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City: The museum is a great place to see a rare collection of historical treasures and artifacts, learn more about the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam.
- Tan Dinh Church(1876), 289 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City: This is a perfect mix of the Gothic and Roman architectures. On June 2020, Condé Nast Traveler — the American travel magazine listed this pink church as one of the Top 10 Pink Destinations in the World.
- Tan Dinh Market (1926), 48 Ma Lo Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City: The market is known as a historical site of Saigon because it has witnessed centuries of history. In addition, the remarkable architecture and diverse goods are the highlights of this market. You can buy many things to bring home: dried food, Ao Dai, fabrics.
- Saigon Opera House (1898), 7 Cong Truong Lam Son Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City: The building has an elegant Western and Eastern style, you can see the main characteristics of the Gothic architecture at the opera house.
- City Hall (1908), 86 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1: Designed by the French architect Fernand Gardes and decorated by the painter and sculptor Ruffier, the building is known as one of the most beautiful French buildings in the city and worth a visit.
- Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City: This is one of the most beautiful and luxurious street in Saigon because there are many famous 5-star hotels and fine dining restaurants there. The greenery Ho Chi Minh City Square and the lotus fountain are the two highlights of this walking street.
At the end of the day, you will be dropped off at your hotel. You will spend time taking a bath and relaxing.
Evening – Saigon after dark, hidden corners and specialty food of Ho Chi Minh City
You will enjoy delicious Vietnamese dishes at local restaurants and street food stall in the evening. Healthy and comfortable Vietnamese dishes should be served to fill and warm your stomach. In addition, you will not miss eating street food like local people.
- Ho Thi Ky Night Food Market, Ho Thi Ky Street, Ward 1, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ngo Gia Tu apartment complex, Ward 2, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Nguyen Thien Thuat apartment complex, Ward 1, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
A creative and brand new 3 Days 2 Nights Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Street food
Cost of the third day
If you travel the city on your own, you will spend:
- Banh mi: 35,000 VND
- Coffee: 30,000 VND
- Lunch with Vietnamese pancake and Rice noodle salad with grilled pork, one drink: 150,000 VND
- Do Phu Cafe: 30,000 VND
- Street food at night markets and around old apartment buildings: 300,000 VND
- Motorbike taxi: 600,000 VND
- Total: 1,145,000 VND
However, I would like to recommend you to book a motorbike, a walking, or a car tour around the city and explore hidden places, the price is about $100 USD or 2,500,000 VND, including transportation, tour guide, food and drinks. An all inclusive unseen and food tour is a great choice to enhance your experience and enjoy the city in a non-stress way.
Would you like to book tours in Ho Chi Minh City? Please contact Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84938314386 (Whatsapp/iMessage/Viber/SMS) for detailed information and the best price for your group.
