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Ho Chi Minh City was my very first stop in Vietnam, and it’s still where I’d tell anyone to start. The best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, from street pho and egg coffee to Independence Palace and Bui Vien Walking Street at night, are easy to find, because the locals will point you straight to them.
I flew in from Phnom Penh, completely exhausted, and the hotel I’d booked said they never got my reservation. Mary, the manager at its sister hotel down the street, Marie-Line 2, gave me a room that night and said we’d figure out payment later. She was the sweetest person ever, and honestly, that set the tone for my whole week in Saigon.
That’s what I love about this city. There are so many little pockets to it, and the people there will happily tell you which ones to go to. A friend sent me to a grilled pork noodle spot I went back to two days in a row. My motorbike driver picked my first banh mi stand. Someone I’d just met told me to try egg coffee. I stayed right next to Bui Vien Walking Street and used Saigon to get a feel for Vietnam before heading north, and I’d start my trip the exact same way again.
Here are the 18 things I’d do, plus what they cost, where to stay and how many days you need. (And yes, Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City are the same place. I learned that the embarrassing way.)
If you only have one day: Independence Palace, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, egg coffee, and Nguyen Hue at night.
Best area to stay: Around Ben Thanh and Nguyen Hue, in the area still commonly called District 1.
Best time to go: December to April. How long: Two to three days.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you like trying food and exploring a city without needing every hour planned. I found the street food cheaper than in Thailand and Cambodia, and I heard more English here than anywhere else I’d been in Southeast Asia. People went out of their way to help, including a hotel manager who found me a room when my booking went wrong.
The traffic takes getting used to, and the heat and rain can change your plans. My first two days included downpours. It also took me a little while to recover after a 15-minute nap turned into nine hours with the AC blasting.
Hanoi was my favorite city to stay in, but Saigon gave me a fun introduction to Vietnam before I flew north.
18 Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
Start with the central landmarks, then leave room for food and coffee between them. My personal stories below are from 2022; current planning details are marked as of 2026.
1. Tour Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)
Independence Palace is the former presidential palace associated with the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. You can tour the building and see the rooms where the government worked.
Walking through it, I kept thinking about all the really important big people meetings that must have happened in those rooms.
I paid 65,000 VND when I visited in 2022. Check which ticket option you want below, and leave time to look around.
Good to know: As of 2026, admission is 80,000 VND for the palace and exhibition or 40,000 VND for the palace only. The official visitor page lists daily hours of 7 AM to 6 PM, except special closures.
2. Mail a Postcard From the Saigon Central Post Office
The Saigon Central Post Office is still a working post office, so you can buy stamps and mail a postcard while you’re there. It also has souvenirs if you want something small to bring home.
I went after Independence Palace, which was only a short walk away. It was one of the stops on my afternoon out with a local motorbike driver.
Next door is the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. Restoration has been underway since 2017, and work is expected to continue beyond 2027. Treat it as an exterior stop and respect any barriers or areas reserved for services.
Good to know: The post office opens daily from around 7 AM, but closing times vary by day. Check before making it your last stop.
3. Visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
The Fine Arts Museum is a good stop if you want to spend some time with art between the bigger historical sights. I really liked the contemporary work, although the scene around the artwork was memorable too.
There were so many people with tripods that I called it influencer central. It felt like an Instagram meet-up. I had my big camera with me, but using it would have cost 300,000 VND an hour, so I took photos on my phone instead. That was the camera fee I was quoted in 2022, not a promise of the current policy.
Good to know: As of 2026, the museum lists daily hours of 8 AM to 5 PM.
4. Spend a Few Hours at the War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum covers the war and its effects through photographs and exhibits. This is a heavy visit, with graphic material that can be difficult to take in, particularly for American visitors thinking about the country’s role in the conflict.
Allow time to read and take breaks. It belongs on the itinerary for its historical context, but the experience is very different from browsing an art museum. Parents should consider the content before bringing children, and nobody needs to force themselves through every display.
Good to know: As of 2026, admission is listed at 40,000 VND, with hours of 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and last entry at 5 PM.
Check the War Remnants Museum website.
5. See the Pink Church (Tan Dinh Church)
Tan Dinh Church is the pink church you may have seen in photos of Saigon. It’s a working parish, and the outside is the main reason many visitors stop here.
My first reaction was that it looks like a Disney castle. I arrived about ten minutes before it opened for the afternoon, so I had a little time to wait. It’s one of those places where the color alone makes you stop and look.
The local driver who took me around also brought me to a traditional market selling rice, fruit, vegetables, and eggs. It was the kind of place where people were shopping for the week.
Good to know: Entry is free, but access inside depends on parish activities and Mass. Check the posted visitor hours and don’t assume you can enter just because the grounds or gate are open.
6. Walk Nguyen Hue Walking Street at Night
Nguyen Hue is the pedestrian boulevard running from City Hall toward the Saigon River. In the evening, people come out to walk, meet friends, and spend time outside. Families and street performers give you plenty to watch without committing to a bar or tour.
This was my last stop of the day. After getting around to several sights, an evening walk fit naturally before heading back to my hotel near Bui Vien.
Good to know: Nguyen Hue works well as an evening stop after the daytime landmarks. Leave some time for the river end of the boulevard, and keep watching for traffic at road crossings.
7. Shop and Snack at Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is a central stop for clothes, souvenirs, and food. Vendors will call out to you, so go in expecting to be approached. Selling is how they make a living, and you can politely decline if you’re just looking.
I stopped for an avocado smoothie and ended up befriending the woman running the stall. She taught me some Vietnamese words while I was there. I also met another traveler at the market, and we later went to Vinh Khanh Food Street together.
Good to know: Indoor stalls generally operate around 6 AM to 6 PM, with evening stalls on surrounding streets. Check prices before ordering food or agreeing to a purchase.
8. Eat Pho at a Street Stall
Pho was my first meal in Vietnam, at a random street stall with low plastic tables. There was a huge pile of basil, which made me very happy. After arriving from Cambodia, a bowl of noodles was exactly what I needed.
A lot of the street food bowls I bought cost no more than 30,000 VND in 2022. Those are my old trip prices, so check today’s menu instead of budgeting around that exact number.
Good to know: A simple street stall can be a good place to start your morning. Look at what’s being served and ask about ingredients if you have a dietary restriction.
9. Grab a Banh Mi From a Street Cart
A banh mi is an easy meal to fit between sights, especially when you don’t want to sit down for a long lunch. Stands serve different fillings, so look at the choices before ordering.
My first one was spicy and came from a stand my motorbike driver picked. My approach was pretty simple: I trust the locals. Having someone point out where they would eat took away the pressure of finding the supposedly best banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City.
Good to know: Ask about chili before the sandwich is made if you don’t want it spicy. Keep small bills handy for street purchases.
10. Try Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork Noodles)
Bun thit nuong is grilled pork with rice noodles, and the bowl I had came with crispy spring rolls too. A food-creator friend recommended the place, and I went two days in a row.
There were about twenty Grab delivery drivers waiting for orders. That gives you an idea of how busy it was. My bowl and iced tea came to 31,000 VND in 2022, which was a dollar and some change at the time.
I loved the basket of fresh greens and rated the meal more than a ten out of ten. The amount of greens with my food was one of the things I kept noticing in Vietnam.
Good to know: Look for bun thit nuong cha gio if you want the version with crispy spring rolls. The price above is what I paid in 2022.
11. Drink Egg Coffee at Little Hanoi Egg Coffee
Little Hanoi Egg Coffee was where I tried egg coffee for the first time. The cafe I visited was tucked down an alley, and the drink itself was super thick.
The first flavor I noticed was sugar, then the coffee came through. The texture reminded me of whipped coffee from Korea, so if you like a sweet, creamy coffee, this is an easy one to put on your list.
Good to know: Little Hanoi Egg Coffee has several Saigon locations now. Check the exact address before heading out, since the branch in a video may not be the closest one to your hotel.
Try my recipe for whipped coffee. Find current branches on Little Hanoi Egg Coffee’s official site.
12. Sit on a Tiny Stool for Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Vietnamese iced coffee with milk, ca phe sua da, was part of my slower mornings in Saigon. I’d see groups of five to ten people sitting on tiny stools along the sidewalk, drinking coffee before work.
I got a coffee with milk and read my book. After a few days of travel and my very long accidental nap, sitting outside with a drink was an easy way to settle into the city.
Good to know: Ask for coffee with milk if that’s what you want, and check the price at the stall. No current price is implied by my 2022 experience.
13. Eat Your Way Down Vinh Khanh Food Street
Vinh Khanh is a food street across the river from the center, known for seafood and snails. It gives you another place to spend an evening if you’re looking for what to eat in Ho Chi Minh City beyond pho and banh mi.
I went with a traveler I met at Ben Thanh Market. I don’t have a restaurant name to send you to from that night, so this is an area to explore rather than a review of one particular kitchen.
Good to know: Vinh Khanh Food Street is in Vinh Hoi ward under the newer address system. Use the street name when checking directions.
14. Experience Bui Vien Walking Street at Least Once
Bui Vien is the place for loud music, bars, crowds, and an evening that can carry on long after dinner. I stayed right next to it, so it was part of my everyday experience of Saigon.
It was busy even on a Tuesday. I saw more expats here than anywhere else in the city, with people sitting on low stools eating while music played around them. Walking the whole street took me about ten minutes on a weekday, although that changes when it’s packed.
On weekends, promoters would pull you toward their bars, and you needed to go earlier if you wanted a seat. There were massage parlors, food, and smoothie stalls too. My avocado smoothie cost 40,000 VND, about $1.72, in 2022.
Seeing very young kids out late selling things bothered me. Motorbikes also swerved through the crowd during my visit. Even on a walking street, pay attention to what’s moving around you.
Good to know: It’s busiest Friday to Sunday, with nighttime pedestrian restrictions. Definitely experience it at least once, even if you don’t like going out, but leave whenever you’ve had enough.
15. See the City From the Back of a Motorbike
Riding on the back of a motorbike was one of my favorite ways to get around. A local driver took me to the Central Post Office, the pink church, a market, and a banh mi stand over the course of an afternoon.
One ride of around 2.5 to 3 kilometers at rush hour cost 21,000 VND in 2022, about 86 cents then. Current fares depend on your route and demand, so use the app quote.
If you want planned food stops and a guide, a motorbike street food tour is another option. The linked tour is a booking option, separate from the afternoon I spent with my driver.
Good to know: Wear and fasten a properly fitting helmet. Choose a car or a walking tour if riding in the traffic feels uncomfortable.
Book a motorbike street food tour.
16. Ride the New Metro Line 1
Metro Line 1 opened on December 22, 2024, after this trip. It connects Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien, with fourteen stations, giving travelers another way to reach the city’s east side.
Good to know: As of 2026, the published cash fare range is 7,000 to 20,000 VND per single journey, depending on distance. Check the current ticket and payment options at the station.
17. Take a Day Trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are roughly sixty kilometers from the city center. Tours explain the tunnel network’s wartime use and usually include transport, which makes this a straightforward option for a day outside Saigon.
Ben Dinh is the closer, busier site. Ben Duoc is farther out and is generally the quieter choice. Check which one your tour visits before booking, since listings using the same Cu Chi name can follow different itineraries.
Can you visit the Cu Chi Tunnels on your own? Yes, by arranging transport such as a car or local buses, but plan your return as carefully as the outbound journey. A guided trip adds context and handles the transfer.
Underground sections are hot, tight, and dark. The crawl is optional, so you can decide how much of it suits you on the day.
Good to know: Check whether admission is included in the tour price.
18. Spend a Day in the Mekong Delta
A Mekong Delta day trip gets you out of the city for time on the river and canals, with stops that can include local workshops and fruit orchards. I never made it down there on my trip.
Full-day tours from Ho Chi Minh City vary, so look at the actual route before choosing one.
The ten-day Luxury Escapes itinerary also has a free day in Saigon with an optional Mekong Delta excursion.
Good to know: Pick either this or Cu Chi for Day 3 of the itinerary below, or add another day to do both.
Book a Mekong Delta day trip. This tour stops at Vinh Trang Pagoda, Unicorn Islet, and a village in Ben Tre, with a Mekong River cruise, a sampan ride, and lunch.
Compare that with the itinerary in my Luxury Escapes Vietnam tour breakdown.
How Many Days Do You Need in Ho Chi Minh City?
Two to three days is a good amount of time for a first visit. Two days lets you see the central sights and have a couple of evenings for food. Three days gives you space for Cu Chi or the Mekong Delta without turning every city stop into a rush.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Street pho, Independence Palace | Central Post Office, Fine Arts Museum | Nguyen Hue Walking Street |
| 2 | Sidewalk coffee, War Remnants Museum | Pink church, Ben Thanh Market | Vinh Khanh Food Street, then Bui Vien |
| 3 | Cu Chi Tunnels or Mekong Delta day trip | Continue the day trip | Egg coffee, farewell dinner |
With one day, do Day 1 and end on Bui Vien. Move egg coffee earlier if your day trip returns late.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Many listings still say District 1. Since July 1, 2025, the former district has been divided into Saigon, Ben Thanh, Tan Dinh, and Cau Ong Lanh wards. Check the street address as well as the area name.
I stayed right next to Bui Vien, on the fourth floor with no elevator. Cardio day every day. There was a booking mix-up at the first hotel, but the manager, Mary, sent me to the sister property and opened a room that night so we could sort out payment later.
If you like to party, go out, and have everything close by, that area is convenient. It was loud every night and louder on weekends. I’m a heavy sleeper, so I was okay, but choose somewhere away from Bui Vien if quiet matters to you.
Around Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi, you can stay central with less of the backpacker-bar scene. The former District 3 is another area to compare for quieter streets and local cafes.
A few other places I’d look at:
Budget: The Like Hostel & Cafe, The Hideout, Mobylette Saigon Hotel.
Mid-range: The White House, Duc Vuong Saigon Hotel, Little Saigon Boutique Hotel.
Luxury: Vinpearl Landmark 81, Hotel Majestic Saigon, and JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon (formerly InterContinental Saigon).
How to Get Around Ho Chi Minh City
Walking worked well for me in the central area. A lot of my walks between places took around ten to thirty minutes, although that doesn’t describe the whole city. Heat and downpours can make even a short route feel longer, so leave room for a coffee break or a ride.
Grab is useful for checking a car or motorbike fare before you leave. I also used Gojek on my 2022 trip, but it left Vietnam in September 2024, so don’t plan around it now. My old 21,000 VND motorbike fare is a trip memory, not a current rate.
Crossing the street took some adjustment. I found it helped to move steadily and pay attention to approaching bikes. Use crossings and signals where available, wait for a safe gap, and don’t assume traffic will stop. Keep watching on sidewalks too.
Metro Line 1 is another option if your destination is near its route. From Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN), a car is the simplest choice with luggage. Check your airline’s terminal information: Terminal 3 now handles Vietnam Airlines domestic services, while other flights may use different terminals.
I got an eSIM on my first day. Setting up one such as Airalo before landing can make checking your hotel and arranging a ride easier. Check your phone’s compatibility first. Google Maps pins weren’t always accurate on my trip, so keep the full street address as well.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
I felt comfortable traveling alone in Ho Chi Minh City, and the people I met were so freaking nice. That includes the hotel manager who helped with my booking and the smoothie vendor who taught me Vietnamese words. My experience was positive, but it’s still one person’s trip.
People warned me about phone snatching from motorbikes. I kept my phone in my bag instead of walking around scrolling. If you need directions, step somewhere away from passing traffic before taking it out, and keep bags close to you.
Traffic was the other thing that needed my attention. Motorbikes could come through crowds and onto sidewalks, and Bui Vien was especially busy at night. Keep track of your belongings, know how you’re getting home, and leave a bar or conversation when you want to.
I have more thoughts on being a solo female Asian traveler and practical solo travel tips if this is one of your first trips alone.
If you compare travel insurance such as SafetyWing, read the policy for your destination and activities, including any motorbike-related exclusions.
Best Time to Visit Ho Chi Minh City
December to April is the easiest window to plan around drier weather. March through May can be very hot, so put longer walks earlier in the day and leave room to sit down indoors.
Rainy season generally runs from May to November. I arrived in late May and had downpours on my first two days, often after I’d already been out for a while. Carry something for the rain and give outdoor plans a little flexibility.
There isn’t one month everyone has to avoid. June to November can mean heavy afternoon rain, but that doesn’t make every day a washout.
Tet, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, falls in early February in 2027. Expect some businesses to close and transport to be busy around the holiday; check your specific dates before booking.
See Vietnam Tourism’s Ho Chi Minh City guide for seasonal planning.
See the Rest of Vietnam
I started in Saigon and flew north to Hanoi, but you can also put Ho Chi Minh City at the end of a north-to-south route.
The Luxury Escapes itinerary runs the other way, finishing with three nights in Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and a free day when you can add the Mekong Delta. I broke down the ten-day tour I’d book now with its route and extra costs so you can compare it with planning everything yourself.
For an independent route, start with my complete Vietnam travel guide.
Ho Chi Minh City FAQ
Yes, three days is enough for central sightseeing, food, and one day trip. Use two days in the city and choose either Cu Chi or the Mekong Delta for the third.
Independence Palace, the Central Post Office, street food, and egg coffee make a good first visit. Add Nguyen Hue in the evening and Bui Vien if you want to experience the nightlife.
Yes, both names refer to the same city. Saigon is still widely used in conversation and in the names of hotels and businesses.
The official district system changed on July 1, 2025. The former District 1 area is now covered by Saigon, Ben Thanh, Tan Dinh, and Cau Ong Lanh wards, although many listings still use District 1.
For a first visit with only a few days, the former District 1 area is convenient for the main sights. Compare the former District 3 if quieter surroundings and local cafes matter more, and check the specific street before booking.
I stayed right next to Bui Vien and felt comfortable, but the crowds, traffic, and late-night bar scene call for attention. Keep your phone and valuables secure, watch for bikes, and arrange a way home you feel comfortable with.
Go in the evening, with Friday through Sunday generally the busiest nights. I found it busy even on a Tuesday; go earlier on weekends if you want a seat.
Yes, you can arrange transport independently, including a car or local buses. Choose Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc first and plan the return journey; a tour handles transport and adds a guide.
Hanoi was my favorite city to stay in, while Saigon was a fun first stop for food and meeting people. If your first Vietnam itinerary has enough time, visit both.
It can cover several days of simple food and short local rides, depending on current prices and your choices. My street-food bowls were usually no more than 30,000 VND and one motorbike ride was under a dollar in 2022; those old prices exclude hotels and are not a current daily-budget guarantee.
There is no month every traveler needs to avoid. May to November is generally wetter, while March to May can be especially hot, so choose based on how much heat or rain you are comfortable planning around.
Keep Planning Your Vietnam Trip
- A Complete Vietnam Travel Guide: my 2-week itinerary
- Luxury Escapes Vietnam Tour: Is the 10-Day Trip Worth It?
- 17 Best Things to Do in Phnom Penh
- Complete Southeast Asia Travel Guide
- 7 Unforgettable Places to Visit in Bangkok
- Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners
What’s first on your Saigon list?
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