One Day in Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary: At first, I have to say that what a pity you have only one day in Saigon. However, we will together make it one of the most memorable days by choosing the best things to do in the city. Must-see tourist attractions in District 1, Saigon China Town in District 5 and 6, local markets, food streets and food markets, walking streets, Cu Chi Tunnels are the best things to do in the city. Cultural water puppet show, romantic dinner on cruise, authentic cuisines are the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City and any travelers should not miss them.
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
One Day in Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Sample one day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City for everyone
The following Ho Chi Minh City one day itinerary is suitable for all types of travelers. Especially, it is a great itinerary for first time visitors, families with children, old adults,…
In the morning
8:00: You will have breakfast at your hotel or at a restaurant around the hotel. If you would like to eat something special, a Banh mi (Vietnamese bread) in Saigon style or a bowl of Pho noodle soup is the best food to start your day fresh and full of energy. You can buy a take away Banh mi and eat it at a coffee shop.
- Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa, 26 Le Thi Rieng, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Price: 60,000 VND.
- Cheese Coffee, 41 Le Thi Rieng, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Price: from 20,000 VND.
- Phở Hòa, 260C Pasteur, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Price: from 90,000 VND.
9:00: You will visit Cathedral Notre-Dame and Saigon Central Post Office.
10:00: You will visit War Remnants Museum where you can spend from 1 to 2 hours. There are many artifacts relating to the wars in Vietnam in the 20th century.
10:30: You will visit Reunification Palace where you can spend from a half of hour to 1 hour. You can walk through the green garden, explore the floors with living room, meeting room, bed rooms, kitchen,… to learn more about the home to the succeeding South Vietnamese president, Nguyen Van Thieu. Especially, the unique architecture of the building is very impressive.
11:30: You will go to Ben Thanh Market to buy clothes, souvenirs, admire the architecture, learn more about the market culture, and enjoy your lunch. You should not forget to negotiate for the best deals with vendors at kiosks in the market. The expecting price is about 50% – 65% of the asking price. There is a large number of Vietnamese dishes at the market, you can walk around a choose your favorite food. Noodle soups are comfortable and healthy while broken rice is a filling and delicious specialty food. Some desserts are available at the market for your choice. You can spend 1 – 2 hours at the market before continuing the journey around the city or going back to your hotel for relaxing.
If you have enough time, you can visit Jade Emperor Pagoda which is known as the pink pagoda and one of the best places to ask for prosperity, happiness, children,… in Saigon.
You can get to tourist attractions by taxi, motorbike taxi, and walking or explore the city on a Chi Minh City Half Day Tour.
One Day in Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Masks used by the U.S. soldiers during toxic chemical spraying operations in South Vietnam at War Remnants Museum
In the afternoon
13:00: You will go to Saigon China Town in District 5 and 6 where you will spend your time exploring Binh Tay Market and the nearby area. Streets are full of shops selling everything from artificial flowers to chemicals, from groceries to wedding decorations and supplies. You can walk to Cha Tam Church, decoration item market and herbal medicines on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, and many Chinese pagodas and temples. Thien Hau Temple is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Saigon Cho Lon thanks to the mysterious stories about the Sea Lady and its beautiful architecture. The temple is about 1.5 km from Binh Tay Market so you can walk or take a taxi to reach there. You can have dinner at Bánh Xèo Ngọc Sơn Restaurant, 103 Ngo Quyen, Ward 11, District 5. Most visiting places in China Town are close in the evening so you should finish your visit to the area before 18:00. Cha Tam Church and Thien Hau Temple
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.
In the evening
18:00: You can take a taxi, motorbike taxi, or a cyclo ride to Golden Dragon Theater for the Water Puppet Show. The shows start at 17:00 and 18:30, the second choice is better because you will have time to take a bath and take a rest in your room hotel after visiting Cho Lon. The price of the show is 300,000 VND and it lasts 45 minutes.
Click HERE to book Water Puppet Show Ticket at Saigon Golden Dragon Theater
19:15: You will leave the theater for Nha Rong Wharf to board on a cruise on which you will travel along Saigon River, enjoy a set menu of a buffet, watch amazing Vietnamese traditional music and dance show, sometimes ethnic music and dance shows, mini magic show, live music show,… After eating, you can go to the highest floor of the cruise to catch the river breeze and enjoy the beauty of the splendid Saigon by night.
Learn more about Saigon dinner on cruise – the ultimate guide & everything you must know
One Day in Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Water Puppet Show
One day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City for couples on a honeymoon
In the morning
7:00: Two of you will enjoy the breakfast at your hotel. You should book a 3-5 star hotel which serves free buffet breakfast so you do not need to waste your time going out for breakfast.
8:00: You will explore the city center, visit must-see tourist attractions
- Cathedral Notre-Dame
- Saigon Central Post Office
- Reunification Palace (Independence Palace)
- War Remnants Museum
- Ben Thanh Market
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
Ben Thanh Market is a great place to buy souvenirs, decoration items and household items for your new house in your country. Paintings, tea sets, bags, handicrafts made from water hyacinth, coconut, bamboo, wedge are recommended things to buy. In addition, you can buy nice couple T-shirts, Ao Dai fabrics, Ao Dai sets, conical hats,…
Built at the beginning of the 20th century by a Chinese named Luu Minh, Jade Emperor Pagoda is a beautifully designed and decorated pagoda. It is famous for being a sacred place to pray for wealth, peace, blessing, abundance, and especially children.
11:30, you will enjoy your meal 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. Two dishes are enough for two of you.
After eating, you can walk to the romantic Turtle Lake for sightseeing and taking a rest.
In the afternoon
13:00: You will visit Saigon China Town
- Thien Hau Temple
- Quan Am Pagoda
- Binh Tay Market
- Cha Tam Church
- Decoration item market
- Luong Nhu Hoc lantern street
- Herbal medicine street
17:30: You should be at your hotel and it will be time for taking a bath and dressing well.
One Day in Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Decoration item market
In the evening
It is a great time for you and your spouse to enjoy a romantic dinner. EON51 Restaurant & Lounge is one of the most luxurious and highest restaurants in Saigon, a perfect place to enjoy the nice view of Saigon and eat fabulous food cooked by professional and talented chefs. Prices are expensive but it worth having dinner there. In case you would like to eat at a romantic riverside restaurant, you can consider The Deck Saigon. Another choice is a fascinating and adorable Saigon dinner on cruise
- EON51 Restaurant & Lounge, Level 81, Bitexco Financial Tower, 2 Hai Trieu, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- The Deck Saigon, 38 Nguyen U Di, District 2
After having dinner, you can immerse yourself in music at a rooftop bar. Chill Skybar at AB Tower, 76A Le Lai, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1 is a great choice. In case you would like to find something crazy and unique, you can go to Bui Vien Street, sip some beer while looking over the street which is full of people until midnight.
One day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City for solo young travelers
In the morning
7:00: You will have breakfast with a Vietnamese sandwich at Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa, 54 Nguyen Van Trang, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1.
From 7:30 – 11:30: You will visit Cathedral Notre-Dame, Saigon Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market.
11:30: You will enjoy Crab rice noodle soup at Bún Riêu Gánh, 163 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1.
Mariamman Hindu Temple near Ben Thanh Market is an interesting and colorful place to visit.
In the afternoon
12:45: You will start the trip to Cu Chi Tunnels which is a must-see historical site and about 70 km from the city center. If you are a wealthy traveler, you can rent a private car with driver to reach the tourist attraction and explore everything yourself. If you travel on a budget, a Small group Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour (afternoon) at affordable price is a good choice. You will try crawling through some safe sections of the tunnels and try shooting a gun.
19:00: You will arrive at your hotel and spend your time taking a bath.
One Day in Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Cu Chi Tunnels
In the evening
19:30: You will join a private Saigon night food tour by motorbike on which a talented local tour guide will take you to District 4,10,11 to enjoy exotic street food and refreshing drinks, learn more about the unique food market culture, entertain yourself like locals.
22:00 – 22:30: You will say goodbye to the tour guide at Bui Vien Street where you can rock hard at bars and pubs.
One day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City for history enthusiasts
In the morning
8:00: You will have breakfast with Bún Chả 145, 145 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1.
8:30: You will visit War Remnants Museum and spend 1.5 – 2 hours there.
10:00: You will explore Reunification Palace.
11:15: You will visit Museum of Vietnamese History in Ho Chi Minh City
In the afternoon
12:45: You will go to Cu Chi Tunnels.
19:00: You will arrive at your hotel and spend your time taking a bath.
In the evening
19:30: You will spend your time eating Broken rice and drinking Vietnamese coffee at Do Phu Cafe – Saigon old weapon bunker at 270 Vo Van Tan, Ward 5, District 3. A portion of broken rice include steamed broken rice, grilled pork, egg meatloaf, shredded pork skin, omelet, soup. After finishing your meal, you can enter the secret weapon to learn more about the war and history of Vietnam.
One day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City for families
In the morning
8:00: You will enjoy the breakfast at your hotel. You should book a 3-5 star hotel which serves free buffet breakfast so you do not need to waste your time going out for breakfast and your children will have a healthy breakfast.
9:00: You will explore the city center, visit must-see tourist attractions
- Cathedral Notre-Dame
- Saigon Central Post Office
- Reunification Palace (Independence Palace)
- War Remnants Museum
- Ben Thanh Market
All of the listed tourist attractions are child-friendly and great choices for an educational trip.
12:00: You and your family can easily find a place to have lunch in or around Ben Thanh Market. You can also walk for 2 minutes to Saigon Centre Shopping Mall where there are many Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, American, European, Chinese restaurants, bakeries, and cafes.
You can explore the city center on your own, get to the visiting places by walking or taxi. Or you can book a Sightseeing tour by car or motorbike.
In the afternoon
12:45: You will join a Private Cu Chi Tunnels Tour or be transferred from Ho Chi Minh City center to Cu Chi Tunnels on a private car. Because it is a private tour, you can return to the center at 17:45. You and the children will take a bath and dress well.
In the evening
18:15: You will join the Water Puppet Show & Dinner on Cruise & Cyclo Tour. Your children will love the water puppets and the performance of talented artists. The cyclo ride is a unique experience in Vietnam and the dinner on cruise is fantastic. You and other family members will have a memorable night thanks to the romantic atmosphere, traditional or ethnic music show, nice view of Saigon at night.
21:30: You will return to your hotel and spend your night in Saigon.
One Day in Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Exciting cyclo ride
One day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City for pilgrims and religious travelers
8:00: You will have breakfast at your hotel.
8:30: You will visit Cathedral Notre-Dame which is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Vietnam.
9:00: You will visit Mariamman Hindu Temple dedicated to Mariamman, the goddess of rain and fertility.
10:00: It is time to go to Jade Emperor Pagoda which is a “pretty” sacred place, a great place to admire the unique architecture, see pink walls, wooden carvings, and how they worship Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor), Matchmaker Deity, Goddess of Fertility, 12 midwives who are responsible for love,
11:00: You will visit Vinh Nghiem Pagoda – one of the biggest and most beautiful pagodas in Saigon, and have lunch at the vegetarian restaurant in the campus of the pagoda.
12:30: You will return to the hotel to relax.
13:30: You will go to Saigon China Town and visit
- Cha Tam Church – a small church in Saigon China Town, with a rich history and the mix with Chinese culture.
- Thien Hau Temple dedicated to Mazu who saves people on the sea.
- Ten Thousands Buddha Pagoda – a small pagoda hidden in an alley with hundreds of Buddha statues in different sizes.
- Saigon Cao Dai Temple – a special place where the Vietnamese Caodaism is practiced.
16:30: You will reach Vietnam National Pagoda and spend your time walking in the spacious garden, admire the high tower, and explore the spacious main hall.
17:15: It is time to have a vegetarian dinner at Vajra Restaurant, 711 Le Hong Phong, Ward 12, District 10.
18:00: You will return to your hotel.
One day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City for foodies
8:00: You will go to Tan Dinh Market which is known as one of the most famous food markets in Ho Chi Minh City.
9:00: You will visit
- Cathedral Notre-Dame
- Saigon Central Post Office
- Reunification Palace (Independence Palace)
- War Remnants Museum
- Ben Thanh Market
12:00: You can easily choose an eatery to eat in Ben Thanh Market or in the nearby area.
13:00: You will spend a few hours in Saigon China Town to visit
It is great to try some street food in the China Town.
16:00: Ho Thi Ky Flower Market and Cambodian Market are hidden and brilliant gems of the city. You should not miss getting lost in alleys lined with flower shops and eat amazing street food there.
Read more about What to eat at Ho Thi Ky Night Food Market? and Ho Thi Ky Flower Market – Everything travelers need to know
18:00: You will get to Vinh Khanh Snail Street to try some snail and seafood dishes. It is a perfect way to immerse in the local life and have fun like Saigoneses.
Read more about Vinh Khanh Snail Food Street
19:3o: You will go to Bui Vien Street where you can eat at Vietnamese traditional dishes and BBQ. Some cold beers at a bar can make your night enjoyable.
It is more expensive to go to food markets and food streets on your own in comparison to joining a Ho Chi Minh City food tour. There are various choices but the most popular is Saigon night food tour by motorbike on which you are taken to hidden places and served must-try and less-known local dishes by a professional tour guide.
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.
One Day in Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Enjoying Crab noodle soup on a Night Saigon food tour
