The ultimate guide to Itineraries in Ho Chi Minh City: In Ho Chi Minh City, there is certainly no shortage of places to visit because this is one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in Vietnam. It has everything travelers need to learn about the new and old, the recent and the past. In Saigon, you will not find tourist attractions like stunning caves in Quang Binh, wonderful limestone mountains in Halong, nice beaches in Nha Trang. You will have chances to explore residential areas, local markets, pagodas, temples, mosques, French architectural works, Cu Chi Tunnels – the most famous underground city and base of Vietcong in the war, Saigon China Town,… How many days to spend in Ho Chi Minh City? Let me share with you useful information about the city as well as helpful travel tips.
Table of Contents
Which tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City?
Coming to Ho Chi Minh City, you will learn so much about the history, culture, architecture, and local cuisine. This is the reason why many tourists should not miss the biggest and most vibrant city on their trip to Vietnam. I would like to list the most special places and experiences in this city as follows:
Bui Vien Walking Street: This is the first walking street in Ho Chi Minh City and has a great location in the famous backpacker area of Saigon. Thanks to a large number of bars and pubs, live music, sexy dancers, restaurants, street food stalls, coffee shops, hotels, and guest houses, especially the crowd of foreigners and Vietnamese people at night, this place is worth visiting. This pedestrian has more than 5,400 people on weekdays and 7,100 people on weekends. If you would like to chill, make new friends, enjoy some music, and have fun in a hustle and bustle area, Bui Vien Walking Street is a great choice.
War Remnants Museum: It has been said that the War Remnants Museum is the most famous and must-visit historical museum in Vietnam. You may have heard about the Vietnam War and would like to explore the heroic past of Vietnam. You can spend from a few hours to a few days to see 20,000 informative artifacts, documents, photos, films,… in the museum.
Ben Thanh Market: You must visit this iconic sight of the city because of its long history, beautiful architecture, and market culture. You can visit one of the biggest and oldest markets in Vietnam, and see how they buy and sell many items. I would like to recommend you to buy dried foods (dried squids, dried fishes, dried fruits), coffee beans or roasted coffee, tea, handicrafts, fabrics, clothes,…
Independence Palace: Designed by the famous Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu, this palace has very beautiful architecture and a green garden. In addition, it has been known as the “Vietnamese Berlin Fall” and the evidence of the fall of the Republic of Vietnam in the South. On 30 April 1975, 2 Northern Vietnamese Army (Vietcong) tanks crashed down the Independence Palace’s walls. Let’s come there with a talented local guide and listen to many interesting stories.
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House: These 3 buildings are perhaps the most beautiful French architectural works in the city.
Water puppet show at Golden Dragon Theater: You can only watch the unique and special water puppet show in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The shows usually take place in the evening so they usually book tours combining cyclo rides to the theater, and dinners on a cruise (or motorbike food trip).
Pagodas, mosques and temples: Ho Chi Minh City has lots of sacred places and great choices for you to learn more about religions, gods and goddesses, and ways of worshipping. Jade Emperor Pagoda, Thien Hau Temple, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda, Saigon Central Mosque,…
Saigon China Town (Cho Lon): The influx of Chinese into Vietnam began in the early 16th century and they founded some China Towns in the country. Coming to the biggest China Town in Vietnam, you can see many big and small markets, shops, restaurants, and Chinese signboards everywhere. Most of the must-visit tourist attractions are located in District 1 while Cho Lon spreads over Districts 5, 6, 10, and 11.
Cu Chi Tunnels: You must experience being in the underground city which has a length of approximately 250 km and was the base of Vietcong in recent wars. This tourist attraction is about 70 km from the city center and you can join a cooking class on the way.
The ultimate guide to Itineraries in Ho Chi Minh City
Popular tours (day trips) in Ho Chi Minh City
- Ho Chi Minh City tour (Saigon sightseeing tour) half day/full day: You can choose to visit only District 1 and/or other districts
- Ho Chi Minh food tour: Night tour is the most popular
- Ho Chi Minh sightseeing and food tour: This is a perfect mix of seeing tourist attractions, hidden places and sampling street food
- Cyclo, water puppet show, and dinner on cruise: This is a great combo to experience Saigon and learn more about traditional Vietnamese art, enjoy the cruise on Saigon River and have a delicious meal
- Cu Chi Tunnels tour: You can choose to join a Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour, or a Full-day Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta tour, or a Full-day Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City tour
- Saigon cooking class: You can choose to do the tour in the city center or suburban districts
- Night tours: Saigon craft beer, Saigon after dark tour, Saigon nightlife tour, A O Show tour, Saigon night food tour
- Mekong Delta Tour: There are 13 beautiful, green, and peaceful provinces in Southern Vietnam. Tourists usually take day trips or multiday tours to Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City
- Mekong Delta Full-day: Ben Tre/My Tho/Cai Be/Vinh Long
- Mekong Delta 2 days 1 night: Ben Tre – Can Tho/My Tho – Can Tho/Vinh Long
The ultimate guide to Itineraries in Ho Chi Minh City
Itineraries in Ho Chi Minh City
One-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City
If your time in Ho Chi Minh City is limited, my recommendation is that you can do a Full-day Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City tour. At night, you can choose one of the most favorite tours – Cyclo, water puppet show, and dinner on cruise or Saigon nightlife tour (sightseeing and food).
Two-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City (option 1)
Day 1
Full-day Ho Chi Minh City tour: must-see tourist attractions in District 1 and Saigon China Town
or Full-day Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels tour
Saigon food tour by night
Day 2
Mekong Delta Full-day tour
Cyclo, water puppet show, and dinner on cruise
Two-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City (option 2)
Day 1
Full-day Ho Chi Minh City tour: must-see tourist attractions in District 1 and Saigon China Town
Saigon food tour by night
Day 2
Mekong Delta Full-day tour
or Mekong Delta & Cu Chi Tunnels Full-day tour
Cyclo, water puppet show, and dinner on cruise
Three-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City (option 1)
Day 1
Full-day Ho Chi Minh City tour: must-see tourist attractions in District 1 and Saigon China Town (or Cu Chi Tunnels)
Saigon food tour by night
Day 2
Mekong Delta Full-day tour
or Mekong Delta & Cu Chi Tunnels Full-day tour
Cyclo, water puppet show, and dinner on cruise
Day 3
Saigon unseen tour (morning)
Saigon shopping tour (afternoon)
Saigon craft beer tour by night
Three-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City (option 2)
Day 1
Full-day Ho Chi Minh City tour: must-see tourist attractions in District 1 and Saigon China Town
Saigon food tour by night
Day 2
Cu Chi Tunnels and cooking class full day tour
Cyclo, water puppet show, and dinner on cruise
Day 3
Mekong Delta Full-day tour
Saigon unseen and food tour (evening)
Four-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 1
Full-day Ho Chi Minh City tour: must-see tourist attractions in District 1 and Saigon China Town
Saigon food tour by night
Day 2 & 3
Mekong Delta 2 days 1 night tour (Can Tho, Cai Rang Floating Market)
Cyclo, water puppet show, and dinner on cruise
Day 4
Saigon unseen tour (morning)
Saigon shopping tour (afternoon)
Saigon craft beer tour by night
The ultimate guide to Itineraries in Ho Chi Minh City
Should I go out at night in Ho Chi Minh City?
They may tell you that Saigon is very dangerous at night and you should stay in your room at your hotel on your trip to this city. In many provinces, it is quiet and rather peaceful after dark. However, Saigon is known as a non-sleeping city, local people go out at night to work, have fun, meet, eat, and drink. A large number of restaurants, beverage stalls, and shops are open until 10:00 PM. You can see the colorful and splendid street lights everywhere. Main streets are packed with vehicles and walking streets are full of Vietnamese people and foreigners. In backpacker areas, they walk around and have fun at bars and pubs. The two well-known shows are A O Show at Saigon Opera House and the Water Puppet Show at Golden Dragon Theater.
You might like Top Ho Chi Minh City night tours
Is Cu Chi Tunnels a must-visit?
In my opinion, Cu Chi Tunnels is perhaps the most famous historical spot in Ho Chi Minh City as well as Vietnam thanks to its heartbroken stories and its role in the fierce war. You will also learn more about the unique architecture and multilayer structure of the underground city, the smokeless stoves invented by Hoang Cam – an intelligent Vietcong soldier. A large number of tourists have decided to visit the tunnels on their trip to Ho Chi Minh. Children and old people can easily visit the underground city, walk in the green forests and explore many functioning rooms, battle fields, bomb crates, and some sections of the tunnels. In case you wouldn’t like to see and learn more about the war or go to Cu Chi – a suburban district of Ho Chi Minh, you can skip this place.
Please contact Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84938314386 (Whatsapp/iMessage/Viber/SMS) for detailed information about Ho Chi Minh City tour and the best price for your group
Should I visit Mekong Delta?
At first, I would like to share with you the information about Mekong Delta. Located in South Vietnam, this region is also called Nine Dragon and known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. There are some highlights in Mekong Delta: floating markets, ancient houses, Four Islands (Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix), pagodas, churches, and temples,… However, Mekong Delta is a mix of peace, green nature, unique culture, and lifestyle. The most popular activities in the region include cruising rivers and channels on boats and sampans, going to fruit gardens, ride bicycles through villages, seeing endless rice fields, eating fresh fruits and enjoying delicious specialty dishes, visit bee farms, floating fish houses, coconut candy factories,… You should not miss a chance to relax, and escape from the crowded Saigon for this stunning region.
Should I visit Ho Chi Minh City center by myself or book a tour?
The price of group Ho Chi Minh City tour is not expensive and you can easily book a tour. However, you must follow the tour guide and other tourists on the group tour. A private tour is more expensive if there are a few people in your group. If you are a group of more than 5, it is recommended to book a private tour for comfort and privacy. In case you would like to explore the city on your own, the hop on and hop off bus is a good choice. Walking to the most popular tourist attractions in District 1 is one of the greatest choices for tourists who are young and strong enough.
Please contact Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84938314386 (Whatsapp/iMessage/Viber/SMS) for detailed information about Ho Chi Minh City tour and the best price for your group
Summary of Itineraries in Ho Chi Minh City – How many days should I spend in Saigon?
If you have only one day, you can visit must-see tourist attractions in the city and Cu Chi Tunnels. At night, you can go out to chill at a rooftop bar, or watch Water Puppet Show or A O Show. A night food tour is also a perfect choice to sample exotic local dishes and weave Saigon streets and alleys. On the city tour, you can choose the route to meet your expectations. You can tell them to take you to markets if you are a shopaholic, or to pagodas if you would like to learn more about religions and sacred places in Saigon. Many fixed tour routes are offered, they usually take tourists to Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace for a half day. A trip to Cu Chi Tunnels usually takes half a day.
If you have more days, you can spend your time in the Mekong Delta, see hidden places of the city, and experience the city by night. In my opinion, one day in Ho Chi Minh City is not enough, two or three days is a perfect choice. You are welcome to stay in Ho Chi Minh City as long as possible because the to-do list in Saigon never ends.
