An Amazing 7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for First Timers: There’s no shortage of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon). If you have 7 days in the city, it will be great because you have enough time to see not only must-see tourist attractions but also hidden gems and less-known places which are missed by other travelers. I would like to share with you the perfect one week itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City for everyone, especially first timers.
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.
Table of Contents
An Amazing 7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for First Timers
Day 1
Morning:
You can have breakfast at your hotel or eat Pho noodle soup at a 70-year Pho restaurant – Phở Cao Vân, 25 Mac Dinh Chi, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
It is a great idea to visit must-see tourist attractions which are located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City before doing other things.
- Cathedral Notre-Dame: This is one of the most splendid and oldest cathedrals in Ho Chi Minh City. The beautiful architecture and the nice garden with Virgin Maria statue who was said to cry in 2005 are the highlights of this iconic site.
- Saigon Central Post Office: Built between 1886 and 1891, the post office is perhaps the most beautiful and biggest post office in Saigon. Entering the building, visitors feel like being in a railway station in Europe in the 20th century.
- Reunification Palace: The building was home to the President of the South Vietnam and has been known as the Berlin Wall. Two tanks crashed the gate of the palace and marked the end of Vietnam War on 30th April, 1975.
- War Remnants Museum: This is one of the most well-known war museums in Asia, it houses 20,000 artifacts related to the Vietnam War, shows the crimes of the enemies in the country.
- Ben Thanh Market: This iconic market dating back to the 17th century is a must-visit site because of its rich history, unique architecture, and interesting market culture. You can buy souvenirs and dried food at affordable prices at this place.
7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for First Timers – Saigon Central Post Office
It is a great choice to eat at Ben Thanh Market and restaurants nearby the market because there are many delicious and comfortable Vietnamese dishes for you to fill your stomach, satisfy your taste, boost your energy, and learn more about Vietnamese cuisine.
Read more about Top 5 Dishes at Ben Thanh Market.
It is easy and comfortable to travel the city center on your own if you are strong enough, read some information about the tourist attractions before the trip, and are happy with learning more about the visiting places by yourself. All of the listed places are close together so you can walk from one tourist attraction to other tourist attraction in a few minutes. You can book a Ho Chi Minh City Half Day Tour to see the city on a non-stress trip with an experienced driver and a professional tour guide. In case you wouldn’t like to walk and travel with a map or Google Maps, a Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing Private Car Rental is good choice.
Afternoon:
Cho Lon covers parts of District 5, District 6, District 10, District 11 and is one of the most interesting areas in Ho Chi Minh City because it is a colorful and multicultural Saigon China Town. You should follow this route:
- Binh Tay Market: This is the biggest market in China Town, one of biggest wholesale markets in the city and Vietnam.
- Cha Tam Church: The church with many Chinese characters on gates and walls was completed in 1902 and has become a favorite place for Catholics in the area to pray.
- Hai Thuong Lan Ong Decoration item market: The street is full of shops selling lanterns, Christmas decoration items, Tet decoration items, artificial flowers and plants,…
- Herbal medicine street: Dozens of shops selling wholesale dried herbal plants, leaves, fruits used as medicines.
- Phung Hung Market: This is a hidden local market and has been a popular place for local people to buy fresh ingredients for home meals and other household items.
- Bánh mì Tăng, 822 Nguyen Trai, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City: Established over 50 years ago, Banh mi Tang shop serve succulent Vietnamese bread and Savory steamed sticky rice. The Banh mi shop is located next to Phung Hung Market and it is a great chance for you to enjoy the most famous Vietnamese street food at a local eatery.
- Thien Hau Temple: Dedicated to Mazu – the Goddess who save lives of people on the sea, Thien Hau Temple has a mysterious atmosphere and a beautiful architecture.
You can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to reach Saigon China Town from the city center, then explore the area by yourself and find many other exciting things to do there. You can also book a Ho Chi Minh City Full Day Tour to get around the city center and Saigon China Town in one day.
Evening:
Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise & Cyclo Tour is the perfect mix of puppet show, dinner, cruising Saigon River, cyclo ride and a great chance to enjoy Saigon nightlife at the best. In case you would like to go by yourself, you can book Water Puppet Show Ticket HERE. Click HERE to book the Dinner Cruise on Saigon River quickly and easily. Tickets to the show and seats on cruises along Saigon Rivers can run out soon so it is recommended to book in advance.
Before booking, you should not miss read more about:
Notes: The water puppet shows start at 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM, the cruises depart at 7:15 PM, so you must start at about 6:00 PM at your hotel in the city center.
Day 2
Morning and Afternoon:
Cu Chi Tunnels Tour and cooking class full day is a great way to see the must-see Cu Chi Tunnels underground city, escape from the hustle and bustle city center, reach the countryside, see green forests, learn more about the history and wars in Vietnam, especially visit a farm where you can join many interesting activities such as harvesting mushrooms, herbs and participate a cooking class, eat the Vietnamese food that you have cooked.
7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for First Timers – Cu Chi Tunnels
Evening:
Similar to Khaosan in Thailand, Bui Vien Walking Street is one of the most crowded pedestrian zones and places to gather at night in Saigon. The street has tens of bars, pubs, lounges and some coffee shops, restaurants, street food stalls for visitors to enjoy amazing Vietnamese dishes, street food, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, beer food pairings.
Day 3
Morning and Afternoon:
Mekong Delta comprises 13 provinces, most of which have immense and calm rivers, small canals, rice fields, fruit gardens, unique lifestyle, and peaceful villages. There are hundreds of things to do in the regions, farms, factories and workshops where travelers can learn how to make candies, traditional cakes, chocolates, dried food, rice noodles, handicrafts, and grow fishes, bees, ducks, chicken,… Cruising Mekong River, visiting islets, riding bicycle through tranquil villages,… are worth-doing and relaxing on your trip. There are some one day trip options as follows:
Small group Mekong Delta Tour full day
Private Classic Mekong Delta (My Tho – Ben Tre) 1 Day
Unseen Mekong 1 Day | Non-Touristy & No Shopping
Tourists usually returns to their hotels before 7:00 PM. Mekong Delta full day tours include lunch but exclude dinner. You can choose to eat on Nguyen Hue Street or at Phở Hòa, 260C Pasteur, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Established in 1968, Pho Hoa is perhaps the most famous Pho restaurant in Saigon. Prices are from 90,000 VND.
7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for First Timers – Mekong Delta
Evening:
After having dinner, you can spend your time walking along Nguyen Hue – one of the most luxurious street in Ho Chi Minh City. You can see Bitexco Financial Tower, Times Squares Building, Rex Hotel, City Hall, Ho Chi Minh Square,… Saigon Opera House is one of the most splendid French buildings in the city and only a few minutes from Nguyen Hue. You can go there to admire its beauty or watch A O Show which embraces Vietnam’s portrait in urbanization on stage through acrobatics and bamboo cirque.
CLICK HERE to book A O Show Ticket in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 4
Morning:
On the fourth day, you will have time to explore brilliant gems which most tourists miss.
- Do Phu Cafe – Secret weapon bunker
- Thich Quang Duc Memorial
- Nguyen Thien Thuat Apartment Buildings
- Ho Thi Ky Flower Market – Everything travelers need to know
- Ten Thousands Buddha Pagoda
- Saigon Cao Dai Temple
You can have lunch at Ho Thi Ky Market and Cambodian Market, restaurants and street food stalls in and around Nguyen Thien Thuat apartment buildings.
You can visit the places on your own or book a Saigon unseen tour or Saigon unseen and food tour to go there with a local guide. For your information, the listed visiting places are located in District 10, District 3, District 5.
Afternoon:
Finishing immersing in the real local life, you will spend the afternoon visiting well-known pagodas and temples in the city center:
If you would like to eat vegetarian food, Vinh Nghiem Restaurant in the campus of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is a good choice.
7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for First Timers – Jade Emperor Pagoda
Evening:
Depending on your preference, you can spend your time chilling out and relaxing at a rooftop bar, live music bar, live music cafe, craft beer place:
- Live music bar: Acoustic Bar, 6E Ngo Thoi Nhiem, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Live music coffee shop: Cookuu Nest, 17bis Tu Xuong, Tú Xương, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Rooftop bar: Chill SkyBar, AB Tower, 76A Le Lai, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Craft beer: Pasteur Street Brewing Co., 144 Pasteur, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 5
Morning and Afternoon:
Can Gio Mangrove Forest Monkey Island Tour or Vam Sat Ecopark Tour is a great choice to escape the crowded and noisy city, reach green mangrove forests, Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, visit the unique Monkey Island or Vam Sat Ecopark, bat swamp, crocodile farm,…
You can eat Vietnamese dishes such as Banh xeo, Banh khot, Broken rice, Rice noodle salad, Fried roll,… at Cô Ba Vũng Tàu, 40B Tran Cao Van, Ward 6, District 3. Prices are from 60,000 VND, a Vietnamese pancake (Banh xeo) or a portion of 8 Mini pancake (Banh khot) costs from 100,000.
Evening:
Bitexco Financial Tower and Landmark 81 are the tallest buildings in Saigon so it is great to see the fabulous and stunning view of the city from Saigon Skydeck (220,000 VND/ticket) or Landmark 81 SkyView observation deck (810,000 VND/ticket).
7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for First Timers – Saigon Sky Deck
Day 6
Morning:
Half-Day Cooking and Cycling Tour in Ho Chi Minh City is a good choice to learn more about the city, go to far districts, troll into a garden, harvest vegetables, learn how to cook Vietnamese dishes, and ride bicycle through nice and green villages. You will have lunch with the food you have cooked in the cooking class.
Afternoon:
It is time to visit the top museums in Saigon to open your mind and increase your knowledge. War Remnants Museum has been visited on the first day, you will spend your time visiting the following museums at your wish.
- Museum of Vietnamese History in Ho Chi Minh City, 2, Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Fine Arts Museum, 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, 41 Hoang Du Khuong, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Artinus 3D Art Museum, 02-04 Street 9, Him Lam Residental Area, Tan Hung Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum, 2, Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Southern Women’s Museum, 202 Vo Thi Sau, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ho Chi Minh City Museum, 65 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ao Dai Museum, 206/19/30 Long Thuan Street, Phuong Long Phuoc, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City.
In my opinion, the first three museums are more suitable for foreigners. The last one is the furthest and the largest, it is about 20 km from the city center and covers an area of 20.000 m2.
Evening:
A Saigon food tour is a perfect choice to weave Saigon street, enjoy the Saigon nightlife, stop at local eateries and eat many Saigon specialty dishes. There are many places to eat at night, food streets, food markets are very popular in the non-sleeping Ho Chi Minh City. You can get there on your own and choose the best places to eat.
- Ben Thanh Night Market
- What to eat at Ho Thi Ky Night Food Market?
- Tan Dinh Night Food Market
- Vinh Khanh food street
- Nguyen Thuong Hien Food Street
- Ngo Gia Tu apartment complex
- Nguyen Thien Thuat apartment complex
However, you should consider booking a night food tour for a safe, comfortable, enjoyable, non-stress, and amazing food adventures. Saigon night food tour is a good choice, you can read more about The ultimate guide to Ho Chi Minh City food tour for more information including tips on booking the best tour.
7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for First Timers – Street food night adventure
Day 7
Morning and Afternoon:
Your last day will be for going shopping,
Tan Dinh Market: dried food, clothes, tailored and ready-to-wear Ao Dai, fabric
An Dong Market: dried food, clothes
Tan Binh Market: clothes, fashion accessories, fabrics, Ao Dai, wedding dresses and bridal accessories
Ben Thanh Market: souvenirs, handicrafts, fabrics, clothes, swimsuits, dried food, coffee, tea,…
Saigon Square 1 Shopping Mall: clothes, fashion accessories
You can eat at eateries in and around the market, there are many amazing dishes for you try. Or you can at at Quán Ngon 138, 138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most popular restaurants for international tourists to enjoy various Vietnamese traditional dishes. If you would like to eat at a casual restaurant, you can go to Quán Ăn Cô Liêng (Ms Lieng Restaurant), 321 Vo Van Tan, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City to enjoy Grilled beef in wild betel and Rice noodle salad.
Evening:
You should pack your suitcase and rest in your hotel room.
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.
7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for First Timers – Going shopping at local markets
