Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide, Vietnam

If you are planning things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, expect a city that moves quickly. It is Vietnam’s largest city and its commercial centre, still widely called Saigon, and it combines French colonial architecture, Buddhist temples, glass towers and a huge street food scene.

The central districts have the main landmarks, including the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, the Central Post Office and the Reunification Palace. Museums such as the War Remnants Museum give a direct account of the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese point of view, and they can be heavy going.

Eating is the main pleasure. Street stalls, markets and cafes serve pho, banh mi, broken rice and strong iced coffee at low prices. The city is also close to the Mekong Delta and the tunnels at Cu Chi, which make easy day trips.

War Remnants Museum

The museum documents the Vietnam War through photographs, equipment and personal stories. Some images are graphic. Allow two hours, and check opening hours, as it often closes for lunch. Go in the morning when it is cooler and less crowded.

Reunification Palace

The former presidential palace was the site of the end of the war in 1975, and it still has period rooms and a bunker. Allow about an hour. Check opening times, as the palace may close for official events.

Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office

These two French colonial buildings face each other across a small square. The post office has a vaulted hall and is still operating. The cathedral has been under restoration in recent years, so check what is open.

Ben Thanh Market

A busy central market with food, clothing and souvenirs. Prices are often negotiable, and some stalls are aimed at tourists. Go in the morning, and look at the food area for a quick lunch.

Cu Chi Tunnels

A network of tunnels used during the war, about 1.5 to 2 hours from the city by road. Tours include small sections you can crawl through. Choose a morning tour to avoid the heat, and wear comfortable shoes.

Mekong Delta

Boat trips, orchards and small canals are within a few hours of the city. Tours range from one day to several. Pick a small-group tour if you can, and expect a lot of travel time.

Chinatown (Cholon)

The district has temples, markets and traditional medicine shops. Allow half a day. Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple are the best-known stops.

December to April is the dry season, with sunny days and lower humidity, and it is the most comfortable time for sightseeing. March and April are the hottest months, with high temperatures. The period around the Tet lunar new year, usually in late January or February, is busy with local travel, and many shops and restaurants close for several days.

May to November is the rainy season, with heavy but often short afternoon downpours. It is hot and humid, but prices are lower, and mornings are often clear. Flooding in some streets can occur during heavy rain.

Whatever the month, expect heat. Plan outdoor activities in the morning, carry water, and use air-conditioned museums and cafes at midday.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the main gateway, with flights across Asia and some long-haul routes. It is close to the centre, and a taxi or ride-hailing app takes around 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Public buses also run to the centre.

The Reunification Express train and long-distance buses link the city with Nha Trang, Da Nang and Hanoi. Domestic flights are often quicker for longer distances. Check current schedules and book ahead for holidays.

In the city, ride-hailing apps for cars and motorbikes are cheap and convenient. Taxis are widely available, though you should use well-known companies or an app. The first metro line, from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien in the east, opened in late 2024; check current routes and hours. Crossing the street takes patience: walk steadily and let the motorbikes flow around you.

District 1 is the most convenient base for first-time visitors, with major sights, restaurants, markets and nightlife within a short ride. The Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area has hostels and cheap hotels, though it is noisy.

District 3 is quieter and more local, with cafes, small hotels and good food, and it is a good fit for those who want a calmer base but still close to the centre. Prices are often lower than in District 1.

Binh Thanh and Thao Dien have a residential feel, with riverside cafes, apartments and boutique hotels, and they suit longer stays. Expect to use a taxi or ride-hailing app to reach the centre. Book ahead around Tet and peak winter months.

Three days is a good minimum for the city, including at least one day trip. Two days covers the main central sights, while four or five days lets you add a longer Mekong Delta tour and a slower pace.

1. Day 1: Notre-Dame, the Post Office, Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum, then dinner at a street food area.
2. Day 2: Morning at the Cu Chi Tunnels, afternoon at Ben Thanh Market and a rooftop drink.
3. Day 3: Day trip to the Mekong Delta, or Cholon and a food tour.

Mekong Delta

A network of rivers and canals with fruit orchards, small markets and villages, reachable in two to three hours by road. Day tours visit towns such as My Tho and Ben Tre, while longer trips continue to Can Tho.

Cu Chi Tunnels

A war-era tunnel network about 1.5 to 2 hours away. It suits a half-day tour, and many tours combine it with another stop.

Phu Quoc

An island off the southwest coast with beaches and resorts, reached by a short flight. It works as an add-on to a southern Vietnam trip, not as a day trip.

Da Lat and Nha Trang

Da Lat is a cool highland town and Nha Trang is a beach city. Both are reached by flight or bus, and Nha Trang also by train, so they suit a longer itinerary.