How to spend 48 hours in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)? If you have two days in the city, you can visiting must-do tourist attractions, most of which are located in District 1. In addition, you can spend your time traveling to far districts, immerse yourself in old residential areas, back alleys, local markets to see a very different Saigon from the city center with expensive restaurants, skyscrapers, beautiful French buildings,… Sampling street food and experience the nightlife in one of the most stunning and multicultural cities in Vietnam is worth doing during your stay. What do you expect? Let me share with you the ultimate itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City, some good choices are provided and you can make the decision depending on your preferences. Two days is not too much so I would like to recommend you to do your best to maximize your time.
- An Amazing 7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for First Timers
- The Perfect One Day in Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
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
How to spend 48 hours in Ho Chi Minh City?
Day 1 – Top points of interest, China Town (or Hidden gems), Night Cyclo Ride to Water Puppet Theater & Cruise for Dinner
Morning
Having breakfast
Some travelers prefer having breakfast at their hotels so they usually book rooms with free breakfast set menu or buffet. Eating breakfast at hotels is convenient and time-saving. In case you do not book the breakfast option, I would like to advice you to eat a healthy and comfortable rice noodle soup or a Vietnamese bread – the most popular and famous Vietnamese street food for locals and visitors coming to Saigon.
- Bánh Mì Bùi Thị Xuân, 122E Bui Thi Xuan, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Prices: from 35,000 VND.
- Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa, 26 Le Thi Rieng, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Prices: from 60,000 VND.
- Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa, 54 Nguyen Van Trang, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Prices: from 35,000 VND.
- Phở Hòa (Hoa Pho Noodle Soup Restaurant), 260C Pasteur, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Prices: from 90,000 VND.
- Bún Bò Huế Nam Giao (Nam Giao Hue Beef Noodle Soup), 242 De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Prices: from 50,000 VND.
- McDonald’s, 2-2A Tran Hung Dao, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Option 1: Sightseeing, learning more about the history at must-see tourist attractions
After having breakfast, you will visit must-see tourist attractions:
- Cathedral Notre Dame (1877):
- See the magnificent architecture of the most beautiful cathedral in the city.
- Walk around the garden, see the statue of Virgin Maria which was said to tear in 2005.
- Saigon Central Post Office (1891):
- See how they work and people send postcards, money, packages,…
- Take nice photos inside and outside the building in yellow color.
- Walk in the post office and feel like being in a railway station in Europe in the 20th century.
- Buy souvenirs such as post cards, 3D pop up cards, handmade bags, magnets, keychains, bamboo dining wares, vases, statues, paintings, lacquer paintings, conical hats, cups, tea sets,…
- Reunification Palace (1871):
- Walk around to see living room, meeting room, bedrooms, kitchen, dining rooms with luxurious furniture.
- Admire the special design which reflects symbolic concepts derived from Eastern philosophy.
- Listen to the story about two tanks crashed the gate of the palace and marked the end of Vietnam War on 30th April, 1975.
- Relax in the large garden with green grass and many old trees.
- War Remnants Museum:
- Learn more about the wars against the American troops and the army of the Republic of Vietnam through 15,000 artifacts displayed indoor and outdoor.
- See many military vehicles equipment such as airplanes, tanks, cannons, bullets,…
- Read many Vietnamese and international articles, magazines, newspapers about the wars in Vietnam.
- Watch videos and look at the photos from the wars, see artifacts relating to agent orange and crimes in the country.
- Buy souvenirs relating to the wars in Vietnam.
- Entrance fee: 40,000 VND.
- Ben Thanh Market ((1914):
- Learn how local people sell and buy products and understand the market culture in Saigon.
- Buy souvenirs such as lacquer, rice, sand paintings, plates, magnets, fans, conical hats, sedge, bamboo, wooden, water hyacinth handicrafts, dried food, clothes, fashion accessories such as bags, T-shirts, Ao Dai, Ao Ba Ba, fabrics, tea, coffee, postcards.
- Enjoy Vietnamese traditional dishes and street food.
- Saigon Square 1 Shopping Mall: As mentioned above, you have visited places where you can buy interesting souvenirs, clothes, fashion accessories, and many other things. If you would like to buy more, Saigon Square 1 Shopping Mall which is 2 minutes walk from Ben Thanh Market is a good place to buy watches, jewelry, bags, scarfs, tops and bottoms, fabrics, hats, caps, dresses, skirts,… at affordable prices.
Note: At souvenir stores in Saigon Central Post Office and War Remnants Museum, the prices are clearly indicated. At Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square 1, you should negotiate deals and lower prices to save money. Read more about 6 Must things to know about Bargaining in Vietnam
Option 2: Visiting lesser-known places in the city center
Another morning itinerary which takes travelers to other tourist attractions in District 1 for people who wouldn’t like to visit touristy places in the city center:
- War Remnants Museum: This is the best place to learn more about Vietnam’s history and fierce wars in the country.
- Jade Emperor Pagoda (1906): You should not miss a chance to visit one of the most special and beautiful pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, Lord of Silk Thread and Lady of Moon – deities of love and marriage, 12 midwives who are responsible for creating and taking care of children are worshipped the pagoda. The unique architecture and wood carving signs and doors, colorful altars,… are worth seeing.
- Tan Dinh Church (Pink Church): The church has a bright pink color and is one of the best place to take great photos.
- Tan Dinh Market (1926): Similar to Ben Thanh Market, Tan Dinh Market is one of the most beautiful and oldest markets in Saigon. However, there are less tourists at the market and you can see how local people buy and sell various things. The market is famous for tailored and ready-to-wear Ao Dai, fabrics, including Ao Dai fabrics.
Having lunch
You can eat in Ben Thanh Market or Tan Dinh Market which have many food vendors serving amazing dishes. Read more about Top 5 Dishes at Ben Thanh Market. Other options are as follows:
- Cô Ba Vũng Tàu, 40B Tran Cao Van, Ward 6, District 3; Menu: Sizzling cake, Mini pancake (Bánh khọt), Broken rice, Grilled pork rice noodle salad, Fried roll, Spring roll, Beef noodle soup, and many other Vietnamese dishes; CLICK HERE for full menu; Prices: 15,000 – 150,000 VND.
- Quán Ngon 138, 138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Menu: Vietnamese traditional dishes; Prices: 15,000 – 150,000 VND.
- Bún riêu Gánh, 163 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Menu: Crab rice noodle soup; Prices: 50,000 VND.
At the end of the morning, you can return to your hotel to take a rest after eating. Instead of traveling the city on your own, you can book a Ho Chi Minh City Half Day Tour to explore the city on a non-stress trip with an trusted driver and a knowledgeable tour guide. You can customize the itinerary to meet your expectation if you book a private Saigon sightseeing tour (Ho Chi Minh City tour).
How to spend 48 hours in Ho Chi Minh City? Ben Thanh Market
Afternoon
Option 1: Visiting Saigon China Town in District 5,6,10, 11 and get lost in the multicultural area
In the afternoon, you will get to Saigon China Town which is located in District 5,6,10,11. The first stop should be Binh Tay Market which is one of the oldest, biggest wholesale and retail market in Saigon. After that, you can walk freely in the area and explore the biggest China Town in Vietnam, learn more about the real local life and the multicultural area.
- Binh Tay Market (1928): The market is not only famous for the unique design and a rich history but also a wide variety of wholesale and retail products sold at affordable prices. You can see abundant plastic items, dried food, artificial flowers, wedding decorations and supplies, groceries, school bags, shoes, sandals, slippers, vases, stickers, spices, kitchen wares, dining wares… There are many things for you to buy and bring home.
- Cha Tam Church (1900): This small church is one of the most popular places for local people, especially China-Vietnamese people to practice Catholicism. You can recognize many characters of Chinese culture at this church.
- Trang Tu vegetable market: This non-sleeping market sells fresh vegetables and fruits, it is always crowded and busy.
- Hai Thuong Lan Ong decoration item market is one of the most colorful streets in Saigon China Town. The shops on the street sell seasonal decoration items: Christmas trees, artificial apricot flowers, Tet red lanterns and couplets,…
- Herbal medicine street is filled with the smell of dried plants and herbs which are used as medicines.
- Thien Hau Temple (1760): Although there are more than 10 pagodas and temples in Saigon China Town, you should not miss Thien Hau Pagoda which his known as one of the most sacred places in the city. Smokes of burning round and stick incenses fill the the sky well, visitors admire altars and Mazu (Sea Lady) in colorful and glitter outfits, and eramic decorative objects on the roofs.
Traveling the city is not difficult to professional travelers, solo travelers, and young travelers. You can get around the city by motorbike taxi, taxi, or walking. A Ho Chi Minh City Full Day Tour is a good choice to improve your experience, listen to mysterious and less-known stories, and enjoy a non-stress day trip.
You do not need to stop at a place to have dinner because you will be served a delicious dinner on a cruise in the evening. However, you can eat some snacks or have a light meal in the afternoon to insure the good health.
Option 2: Hidden gems relating to less-known facts of history and the real local life in back alleys
Is there any other option in the afternoon? In case you would like to experience something different or follow an off-the-beaten-path route, here is an exciting itinerary:
- Do Phu Cafe – Secret weapon bunker, 270 Vo Van Tan, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City: This is an old house with a secret weapon bunker during the war. It was known as the “red address”, used to hide Vietcong soldiers and weapons, played an important part in the Tet Offensive of 1968. You will have a chance to sip some Vietnamese coffee because the house has become a cozy cafe.
- Thich Quang Duc Memorial: On 11 June 1963, Thich Quang Duc – a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk died by self-immolation at a busy Saigon road intersection. He protested against the persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government led by Ngo Dinh Diem President – a staunch Roman Catholic. In the recent, travelers can come to the intersection where they have built a Thich Quang Duc Memorial to commemorate the monk.
- Nguyen Thien Thuat Apartment Buildings (1968): In contrast to new and modern apartment buildings in District 1, 2, 7, Binh Thanh, there are many old apartment buildings in District 5,6,10,11. They were built more than 50 years ago and have been home to many original Saigoneses. Let try visiting Nguyen Thien Thuat Apartment Buildings for fun and great experience.
- Ho Thi Ky Flower Market (1987): This market is unique because it is the biggest wholesale and retail flower market in the city. Thousands of colorful and smelling flowers are displayed at floral shops lined on Ho Thi Ky Street and its narrow alleys. Nearby street food vendors and local market are worth visiting.
- Ten Thousands Buddha Pagoda (1959): Nestled in a small alley in District 5, the pagoda looks simple and small from outside but most visitors are surprised at the main hall with a large number of Buddha statues, most of which are in golden color. Each petal of the biggest seat lotus contain one small Buddha statue, the walls are decorated with small statues of Buddha.
- Saigon Cao Dai Temple (1999): This is your only chance to learn more about Cao Dai religion which was created by a Vietnamese because the temple features characters of Caodaism and provides new knowledge.
You can book the Saigon unseen tour by motorbike to do the things listed above with the help of a passionate and helpful local tour guide. Why should it be a tour by motorbike? A private car or a taxi can not takes you to places in narrow alleys in Ho Chi Minh City, motorbike is perhaps the most effective means of transportation.
How to spend 48 hours in Ho Chi Minh City? Ho Thi Ky Flower Market
Evening
Watching water puppet show, enjoying a cyclo ride, having dinner on a cruise
Water puppet show is one of the best way to learn more about Vietnamese culture, tradition, and folk music. The shows start at 17:00 and 18:30, the second choice is recommended because you will have enough time to relax after exploring Saigon China Town. You can start at your hotel at 18:00. The show lasts 45 minutes, you will leave the Golden Dragon Theater for the Wharf to board a cruise where you enjoy a set menu or buffet, enjoy the traditional Vietnamese, royal, or ethnic music and dance show, cruise along Saigon River, and enjoy the fascinating view of the city at night. At 21:45, you will leave the wharf for Bui Vien Street. CLICK HERE to BOOK Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise & Cyclo Tour
A O Show is an alternative to Water Puppet Show. CLICK HERE to book A O Show Ticket in Ho Chi Minh City
Visiting Bui Vien Street
Bui Vien Walking Street is one of the craziest street in Saigon thanks to dozens of small and big bars, pubs, lounges serving beers and other alcoholic beverages, live music, sexy dance, DJ performance, billboards, snacks, beer food pairings,… You can also enjoy the night at coffee shops, restaurants serving noodle soups, fried rolls, kebab rice noodles, seafood, snail, sushi, BBQ, get a tattoo, get a massage,…
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 – Cu Chi Tunnels, Shopping, Night Street Food Adventure
Morning and afternoon
Cu Chi Tunnels
It is time for you to visit the heroic region – Cu Chi District, especially the underground city – multilayer tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnels were the fears of the enemies in the war of Viet Cong soldiers led by the Communist Party in the Northern region against the U.S. troops and army of the Republic of Vietnam. There are many interesting outdoor and indoor activities there. Do you dare crawling some sections of the tunnels or enter the tunnels through a small secret entrance covered with leaves? Dinning rooms, kitchens, sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, sewing rooms, weapon factory,… inside the tunnels have been recreated so visitors can get to know more about the history of Vietnam, wars, heroic villagers and soldiers.
Cu Chi Tunnels is located in an suburban district which is about 70 km from the city center. There are peaceful villages, nice houses, forests, rubber plantations, rice fields, farms, fruit gardens, rice paper factories,… It is a great idea to visit a farm where you can harvest vegetables and herbs, mushrooms, and join a cooking class with an English-speaking Vietnamese chef.
There are many choices for you and here are the most popular options:
- Cu Chi Tunnels Tour and cooking class full day (private or group)
- Private Cu Chi Tunnels Tour Half Day by Car
- Cu Chi Tunnels Tour Small Group (Morning)
Click HERE for more exciting Cu Chi Tunnels Tour options in Ho Chi Minh City.
How to spend 48 hours in Ho Chi Minh City? Cu Chi Tunnels
If the tour does not include lunch, you can eat broken rice and other Vietnamese dishes such as fried roll, sweet and sour soup, braised fish/pork, stir-fried beef with tonkin creeper at Cơm Tấm Mộc, 85 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
In case you decide to visit only Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning, you will return to your hotel at 13:00 – 14:00. You can spend your time relaxing at your hotel or visiting some interesting places:
You can also go shopping at An Dong Market.
Evening
Enjoying Saigon street food
Have you ever heard that Ho Chi Minh City is a food lover paradise? Eating while traveling is one of the best things to do in Vietnam which has a rich cuisine and a wide variety of recipes. In Saigon, you can see hundreds of restaurants and street food vendors serving various Vietnamese and international dishes at night. You can reach the following places to enjoy succulent Vietnamese dishes.
- Ben Thanh Night Market
- 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
If you find it difficult to reach eating places by yourself and consider which food are worth-trying, you can join a Saigon night food tour or Street Food Tour with local students. You should not miss The ultimate guide to Ho Chi Minh City food tour before booking a food tour in the city.
Chilling out at a rooftop bar
A night food tour last 3.5 – 5 hours, you will return to your hotel at about 22:00. Young travelers can go to Chill Sky Bar to enjoy some trendy music and sip some local beers or drink other alcoholic beverages. It is my recommendation that travelers should not stay up late and drink too much in Saigon.
Would you like to book tours in Ho Chi Minh City separately or a 2-day Ho Chi Minh City package tour? Please contact Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84938314386 (Whatsapp/iMessage/Viber/SMS) for detailed information and the best price for your group.
