Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary: How to Spend Three Perfect Days in Saigon
This curated Ho Chi Minh City itinerary helps to break down what to see, do and eat in the city in three short days.
Saigon is a city of contrasts.
Gleaming skyscrapers, fast-paced commerce and flashy establishments juxtapose with narrow laneways, bustling wet markets, and world-class street food vendors.
When compared with similar cities in Southeast Asia, such as Bangkok or Singapore, the contrasts can be a little stark - it’s not quite at the level of those two world-famous cities in terms of attractions and vibe, but it’s getting there, and that’s why we are massive advocates for it.
As a city, it really has everything - excellent food, amazing bars & nightlife, great attractions, and close proximity to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s southern island, and other parts of Southeast Asia (Cambodia, specifically).
Beneath that constant hum of modernity, glimpses of daily life can always be found, and that makes it wonderfully enjoyable to explore, even if it’s only for a few short days.
This Ho Chi Minh City itinerary helps to break down what to see, do and eat in the city in three short days (although we do recommend five days in the city if you can stretch your time!).
Personally curated based on our own experiences, the itinerary includes a number of excellent guided tours and takes in major Saigon attractions, as well as some hidden corners that we feel are unmissable.
Including personal travel tips, this Ho Chi Minh City 3-day itinerary is perfect for those wanting to see the best of the city, but in a limited timeframe.
LOVE OUR PHOTOS? Edit like us with our Tropical Dreams Preset Packs, and Tropical Bliss mobile video filters, inspired by the tropical beauty and colour of this beautiful country
HO CHI MINH CITY ITINERARY OVERVIEW
HOW MANY DAYS? | We recommend a minimum of 3-days
TOP THINGS TO SEE | Explore District 1, War Remnants Museum, Bitexco Tower, Cu Chu Tunnels, Saigon’s Markets
BEST TOURS | Cu Chi Tunnels, City walking tour, Saigon food tour
WHERE TO STAY | Yu Stay Apartments, The Reverie Saigon, Chez Mimosa
BEST TIME TO VISIT | January - March
HOW TO GET AROUND | Grab (car or scooter)
THE PERFECT THREE-DAY SAIGON HO CHI MINH CITY ITINERARY
DAY ONE | EXPLORE DISTRICT 1, HO CHI MINH CITY
A bustling metropolis of close to 10 million people, Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon) is large. Very large.
The size of the city can be overwhelming for any first time visitor, however, it’s important to note that a vast majority of the main attractions exist within District 1, the commercial and tourist centre of town.
That’s why we recommend spending your first day exploring here.
There are a few ways to do this - either independently, walking from attraction to attraction (thankfully the walking distances aren’t huge), or by joining a half-day walking tour of the major landmarks.
We chose the latter, and found it the perfect way to get a broad understanding of the city, quickly.
Most guided tours will visit the visually beautiful Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Church (currently under renovations), the harrowing War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, and Saigon Opera House, with a few stops on the way, including a street-side coffee.
The highlight (or lowlight) for history buffs will be the War Remnants Museum, which offers an unflinching and meticulous insight into the harsh realities of the entire Vietnam War.
Additionally, we absolutely loved the historic Saigon Central Post Office.
Located opposite the equally beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, its striking egg-yolk yellow facade makes it one of the city’s icons, while the stunning interior is reminiscent of an old train station. Don’t forget to send a postcard home from underneath the constant gaze of Uncle Ho.
For lunch, head to Propaganda, one of Saigon’s coolest restaurants. Perfect for first-time visitors to the country, Propaganda serves all the Vietnamese favourites, but without the nerves that surround street food experiences. Their signature spring rolls are a winner, as is the Com Ga.
After lunch, stop by the pretty, pedestrianised Book Street, filled with, you guessed it, books (both English and Vietnamese), before slowly making your way through the leafy District 1 streets towards the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee building, Saigon’s most grand French colonial relic. Nearby is the Saigon Opera House, another stunning example of the few remaining colonial structures in the city.
Keep walking down the bustling Nguyễn Huệ promenade towards the Café Apartments.
While hard to describe, it’s essentially a former residential block that has morphed into a sanctuary for the city's hipster youth in search of good food, coffee and sweets. There’s an eclectic array of cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and art nooks - stop by Arabica for an afternoon coffee and break in the A/C.
To end the day, we suggest visiting one of the many incredible craft breweries in town - either Pasteur Street Brewing Co. or Belgo. Both offer an insight into Saigon’s burgeoning craft beer scene and after all the walking, you’ll deserve a brew or two. They also do great food, too.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | City highlights walking tour, this wonderful Saigon markets & food tour
STAY | Yu Stay Apartments, The Reverie Saigon, or Chez Mimosa
DAY TWO | VISIT CU CHI TUNNELS, & EXPLORE SAIGON
After a day settling in, jump aboard an early half-day tour to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels.
About a 1.5-hour drive (in good traffic!) from Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi tunnels were used by the guerilla-style VietCong to go, quite literally, underground to hide from their enemy and plan offensive attacks (learn more about the tunnel’s history here). They’re an essential stop on any Vietnam itinerary, and the half-day tour is informative, if not a little rushed.
It’s worth noting that Cu Chi Tunnels are quite commercialised and busy, so if you’re after a quieter experience, we’d recommend the nearby Ben Duoc tunnels.
Expect to arrive back in Saigon around 2 pm.
The afternoon is free to explore more of the Saigon, and there are several options depending on your travel style.
If you’re keen to see a few more major attractions in the city, start by heading up to the Saigon Skydeck. Is it a tourist trap? Yes. Is it expensive? Yes. Should you do it? YES.
Offering 360-degree views over HCMC, you really could spend an age up there discovering every nook and cranny of Saigon, pointing out its various landmarks, its mix of colonial and modern architecture, and the pace of new construction visible from each new window. Bonus, it’s air-conditioned, which provides a very welcome relief from the steaming afternoon air. You can purchase your tickets in advance on Klook here or Get Your Guide.
Then, walk to the nearby ferry wharf to see another side of the city, by jumping aboard a Saigon River boat cruise.
This sunset cruise departs Tan Cang pier at 5 pm and takes in HCMC’s famous bridges, and its vibrant urban centres as they light up for the evening, and also includes a cocktail or mocktail as the perfect sundowner for your HCMC explorations. Book it here.
For dinner, head to the renowned 1-Michelin Star restaurant, Anan Saigon (map). Celebrated for its innovative approach to traditional cuisine, it’s one of the more affordable Michelin Star restaurants, so when in Rome… Must-tries include the elevated Pho Cuon and the signature "Pho" Burger.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | Cu Chi Tunnels, District 3 & 5 walking tour, Saigon Skydeck, Saigon River sunset cruise
STAY | Yu Stay Apartments, The Reverie Saigon, or Chez Mimosa
DAY THREE
Start your final morning in Saigon as the locals do, sitting on a small blue chair and devouring Bún thịt nướng (our favourite is located here), grilled marinated pork served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and salad, washed down with an iced-jasmine tea. It’s the best way to start the day - trust us.
Then, eat again (and again) on a Saigon street food tour. Ho Chi Minh City boasts an exceptional culinary scene, which beats strongest on its streets. But finding the best food can be hard, so we trust locals to do the searching for us.
Our street food tour opened our eyes (and taste buds) to a world of Vietnamese cuisine we knew nothing about, and we visited nondescript Michelin-recommend holes in the wall, and street sellers, and devoured some of the best Banh Mi ever while delving deeper into the local markets and discovering local delicacies.
The tour then allowed us to enjoy the rest of our time in Vietnam much more, as we knew what and where to find the best food. Honestly, this was one of the best things we did in all of Vietnam.
Your street food tour will supply you with the energy needed to explore a few more of Saigon’s main attractions in the afternoon, starting at the red-hued Jade Emperor Pagoda on the outskirts of District One.
Built in 1909 by the Chinese community who reside in Saigon, the pagoda is dedicated to the Taoist Jade Emperor and is definitely one of the most peaceful places to visit in the city. Explore inside, and admire the intricate carvings depicting scenes from both Buddhist and Taoist legends.
Alternatively, get amongst one of Saigon’s most popular markets, Ben Thanh Market. With its art deco facade and iconic clock tower, it’s one of the most recognisable icons of the city, and you can find just about anything here, from street food to handicrafts, textiles, and home decor - it’s a great place to find souvenirs and nicknacks.
For your final afternoon in Ho Chi Minh City, we recommend getting off the beaten track and taking this 3-hour tour of Saigon’s lesser-visited districts.
The tour visits a range of hidden laneways, temples and markets, including Bàn Cờ, located deep in the laneways of District 3. The wet market is filled with the usual sights and sounds - fresh meat and seafood, vegetables, textiles, and gossiping Aunties - it’s narrow, sweaty, and colourful, and is the most authentic place we visited in the city.
There are also a number of very good street food vendors within the markets- we ate amazingly well here, trying sủi cao tôm thịt (dumpling soup) and a dessert of Chè Changhi (coconut milk-based pudding) which we still dream about.
It’s the perfect way to end your time exploring Ho Chi Minh City, before your onward adventures, or trip back home.
THE DETAILS
STAY | Yu Stay Apartments, The Reverie Saigon, or Chez Mimosa
READ | A guide to the Mekong Delta
ADDITIONAL TRIPS FROM HO CHI MINH CITY
TOUR TO THE MEKONG DELTA
Awake early, and head south to the rice bowl of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta.
As Saigon falls away, watch the jungle take back the land, its barrage of tangled trees interrupted only by emerald rice paddies, humble fruit orchards, and the piercing arms of the Mekong River. The region is an agricultural treasure trove, producing much of Vietnam’s rice, fruit, and vegetable crops, and a visit here is essential to understand its unique culture.
There are many 1 and 2-night Mekong Delta tours available from Ho Chi Minh City, and while we feel like the region needs more than one night and two days to do it justice, time is of the essence. It’s worth noting that most tours are stock standard, and follow the same route.
The first morning is punctuated by a stop at the majestic Vinh Trang Pagoda, before visiting the market town of My Tho, where the Delta explorations begin.
Jumping in a Sampan boat, the tour slices through the tributaries of the Mekong River, slipping away from the urban sprawl into the embrace of coconut-lined canals.
You then visit a local village, where you’re able to engage with locals over honey tea, locals fruits and karaoke tunes, before enjoying a traditional lunch among rice fields.
The day ends in the regions largest city, Can Tho, where you’re free to explore the city (read our Can Tho guide for recommendations) - we suggest hitting up the local street food markets to sample some local produce.
//
Day breaks over the frenetic, bustling, and chattering Cai Rang Floating Market, a whirlpool of commercial activity that is the highlight of the trip.
The boat tour offers close encounters within the markets, including with noodle makers and colourful stalls, before it’s time for breakfast.
A dozen or more boats are latched together around a food vendor. Hot bowls of hủ tiếu are passed around, while there’s also a coffee sampan, bringing hot or iced cups of Vietnamese coffee to the people. It’s awesome.
After leaving Can Tho, the tour stops at an ancient house, where you can join a hands-on pancake cooking session, before cycling through scenic paths that navigate the rice paddies.
Returning to Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon, the whirlwind tour if the Delta concludes.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | This popular 1 night, 2-day tour of the Mekong Delta
READ | A guide to the Mekong Delta
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO HO CHI MINH CITY
IS THREE DAYS ENOUGH IN HO CHI MINH CITY?
As we mentioned above, we really enjoy Saigon. In fact, we’ve even discussed spending a six-month sabbatical here to savour it all.
As a city, it really has everything - excellent food, amazing bars & nightlife, great attractions, and close proximity to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s southern island, and other parts of Southeast Asia (Cambodia, specifically).
So, how long you spend in Saigon really depends on your needs, wants and desires.
For most travellers to Vietnam, 3 days is enough to see the main sights and experience a little of the city’s vibe. But we feel like this undersells the city a little, especially if you’re like us, and like to travel slowly and delve a little deeper.
Therefore, we recommend you spend at least 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City. This will give you enough time to see everything we’ve suggested in this guide but at a slower and more measured pace.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT HO CHI MINH
Ho Chi Minh has two very distinct seasons: the wet monsoon season from April/May through to November/December, and the dry season that brings some relief when it arrives between December to April.
Regardless of when you visit though, expect heat and humidity - Saigon is the epitome of a steaming tropical Southeast Asian city. We visited Vietnam during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, and while it was an interesting cultural experience, we’d recommend avoiding it as a traveller (especially as a first-time traveller) as it will cause shutdowns, disruptions, and price surges to your travel itinerary.
Expect crowds in all the major sightseeing spots too, as locals gather for photoshoots and to generally enjoy the best of their cities - which can make for an even more overwhelming experience.
WHERE TO STAY IN HO CHI MINH CITY
LUXURY
THE REVERIE | Opulent to the point of obnoxious, but the Reverie Saigon can’t be beaten on luxury and old-world hospitality
HOTEL DES ARTS SAIGON | An MGallery collection design-forward boutique hotel, blending modern luxury and traditional furnishings, just a stone’s throw from Notre Dame cathedral
MID-RANGE
PROSTYLE HOTEL HO CHI MINH CITY | Vibrant, eclectic and with an epic buffet breakfast to boot, you’ll find ProStyle in the heart of District One - perfect for exploring!
FUSION SUITES | Scandi vibes in the heart of Saigon, you’ll find a kitchenette in each suite, along with a hearty buffet breakfast and al fresco terrace dining at the onsite Fresh Restaurant
BUDGET
CHEZ MIMOSA | Great value for money, with cheap and cheerful rooms and a rooftop terrace for evening drinks
YU STAY APARTMENTS | Where we stayed during our two visits to Ho Chi Minh City. Newly built apartments in District One with of everything we needed for a comfortable stay (especially with a toddler)
HOW TO GET AROUND HO CHI MINH CITY
We used Grab almost every single day in Vietnam, and recommend it for every traveller there.
Both cars and scooters (and food, incidentally) can be booked via the app (you will need a local sim), and we found the interface great, the prices extremely affordable, the drivers friendly, and the whole experience generally very easy and safe.
Because Grab is so easy to use, we actually recommend avoiding traditional taxis here, as they are known for price-gouging unsuspecting tourists.
Unfortunately, the Ho Chi Minh City metro remains unfinished, however, there is talk of Line 1 opening in July 2024. This remains to be seen (works have taken over 10 years!), but if it does, please let us know how it goes in the comments below.
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN VIETNAM
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
Here are our recommendations, based on 8+ years of full-time travel:
FOR TRAVELLERS | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out-of-pocket fees.
*The Common Wanderer readers get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
FOR DIGITAL NOMADS | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF VIETNAM
VIETNAM | The perfect two-week Vietnam itinerary for first-timers
HO CHI MINH CITY | The best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, 15+ Essential Saigon Travel Tips, How to visit Tan Dinh Church (Saigon’s Pink Church), Where to eat and drink in Ho Chi Minh City, How to get from Saigon Airport to the city centre
HOI AN | The best things to do in Hoi An, 15+ Essential Hoi An Travel Tips, How to visit My Son Sanctuary, How to get from Danang Airport to Hoi An, A guide to the Hoi An Old Town Ticket, The best day trips from Hoi An
HANOI | The best things to do in Hanoi, A curated guide to Hanoi Old Quarter, How to visit the Temple of Literature
MEKONG DELTA | The best things to do in the Mekong Delta
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Read our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and your friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
DISCOVER THE COLOUR OF VIETNAM WITH OUR GUIDES
If you choose to purchase using these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please know that by using these affiliate links, you're directly supporting The Common Wanderer to stay wandering, the running costs of the site, and our ability to provide you with free content to help you on your travels.
That, and you're officially a legend.
