Ultimate Ho Chi Minh Itinerary For 1-4 Days

HCM ESSENTIALS

E-sim data plan

Copy of Lonely Planet Vietnam

Getting there: flight (Skyscanner) / train / bus 12GoAsia

Pre-book your airport to city transfer

Accommodation: Booking.com // Hostelworld

Tours: GetYourGuide

Food tours: EatWith

Travel insurance: True Traveller (European travellers) / Hey Mundo (other nationalities) / Safety Wing (digital nomads)

Essential reading: 101 Southeast Asia travel tips

Ho Chi Minh is an essential stop on any Vietnam itinerary. It has a population of 12 million making it the biggest city in Vietnam.

It’s full of history and was known as Saigon until the end of the Vietnamese/American War when it was renamed after the revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh. For that reason, the name is used interchangeably.

Whether you like war history, cafe culture, food, shopping or art, there’s plenty to do in Saigon.

Related read: 3 month Southeast Asia backpacking route

Things to do during a Ho Chi Minh itinerary

I’ll run through my favourites then touch on getting there, where to stay and what to eat. Finally, I’ll share my Ho Chi Minh itinerary for up to 4 days to help you piece it all together. Enjoy!

This 100-year-old temple is decked out with detail and washed in a distinctive shade of pink. Rather than a tourist trap, it’s the perfect place to experience local life.

Hundreds of locals visit every day to pray and make offerings to the gods. Lanterns hang from the ceiling, birds flit from the roof and spirals of incense fill the interior with a light, aromatic smoke.

It’s a multi-faith temple taking influence from Taoism and Buddhism. Vietnam was ruled by China for over 1,000 years hence why elements of Taoism remain in the culture today (like the Chinese script that can be seen at most temples).

Most people would tell you to visit Ben Thanh Market which I’ll mention later. Personally, I preferred this small, local market. There were no vendors hassling you to buy overpriced souvenirs and instead, everyone was pleasantly surprised to see me wandering through.

It’s not the kind of market where you’ll shop for trinkets. Ban Co sells meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and spices. For me, the highlight was soaking up the sights and smells.

Better yet, head inside for coffee. The iconic Cafe Apartment building always has a crowd snapping at it for good reason; it’s one of the quirkiest places to add to your Ho Chi Minh city itinerary.

The best place to escape the city and experience Vietnam’s natural beauty is the Mekong Delta. The winding river snakes around much of the south of Vietnam, creating islands and different ecosystems as it goes.

Read next: Mekong Delta day trip from Saigon

From Saigon, you can take a day trip, a multi-day trip where you stay overnight in the region, or even a one-way journey ending in Cambodia (I did this during a three-day tour way back in 2015).

Book your Mekong Delta day tour from Saigon. If you’re short of time, take a tour to the Delta and Củ Chi Tunnels during the same day.

Also known as the Independence Palace, this is the site of the end of the Vietnam War. A North Vietnamese tank burst through the gate in 1975 and held the palace, lived in by the President of the South, hostage whilst the American diplomats escaped by helicopter.

The palace is preserved exactly as it was that day making it a must for your Ho Chi Minh itinerary.

Have you noticed how tall and thin the buildings in many Vietnamese cities are? It’s because property tax is paid based on the width meaning people decided to go upwards rather than out.

It’s not unusual for homes and hotels to have five or six floors – great news if you like a cityscape view. I got my view from Flipside Hostel where there was also a hot tub on the roof. Not bad for a £5 backpackers hostel!

You’ll notice a collection of colonial-style buildings in Ho Chi Minh which would look more at home in Paris than the heart of Asia. No prizes for guessing they were built during French rule.

While I feel uncomfortable celebrating colonialism, one of the most impressive is the City Hall which dates back over 100 years.

10. Catch a show at the Opera House

11. Take a trip to the Củ Chi Tunnels

Another one of Vietnam’s war-related sights is Củ Chi Tunnels, a network of tight underground tunnels used by Viet Cong soldiers.

During a tour, you’ll have the chance to go inside some of the enlarged ones. Even those are harrowingly cramped. The idea of people living in them for years is unimaginable. The system is extremely intricate, featuring ventilation systems camouflaged as tree stumps and undergrowth.

The Củ Chi Tunnels are a 2-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh. If you want to include them in your Ho Chi Minh itinerary, join a group tour that includes return transport.

Have you ever seen a bright pink church before? I stumbled across this beauty while foraging for food at Bánh Xèo 46A Đinh Công Tráng (the best place for a banh xeo pancake) then came back the next day when it was light.

It’s another leftover from the colonial era, built in 1880 but not painted pink until 1949. Apparently, it’s pink inside too, though sadly it was closed for a wedding when I went to visit.

Thien Hau Temple is a more local version of Jade Emperor Pagoda and a hidden gem for your Saigon itinerary. Part of the fun is arriving to the Chinatown location and spying dancing dragons and lanterns being sold from every other shop.

You’ll find all the things you would in Jade Emperor: incense, statues of the gods and intricate, colourful carvings.

Visiting a post office may not be on your itinerary but it should be! The sunny yellow Saigon Central Post Office is a decadent spot to rival the impressive architecture of the City Hall and Opera House.

It’s right beside the Notre Dame Cathedral meaning you can tie both into a quick visit… And send your postcards at the same time!

Whether you go drinking or not, Walking Street at night is a sight to behold. Every single bar, club and restaurant is booming, blaring music and totally packed.

It goes on until the early hours with people and music flooding the streets, and food vendors coming out to join the party. Be sure to watch your bag around this area after dark.

Yet another French influence in Saigon, the Notre Dame Cathedral is bigger and grander than the pink church but sadly much less pink. A few years ago the Virgin Mary statue at the front apparently cried a real tear and it drew so much attention that police had to shut down the area.

It’s definitely a spot to tick off during your Ho Chi Minh itinerary and you can include a visit to the Central Post Office next door.

18. Eat lunch at Ben Thanh Market

I mentioned earlier that Ban Co was a more local alternative to touristic Ban Thanh Market. While I stand by this, there is some very tasty food at Ben Thanh.

It’s a large indoor market where you can buy clothes, trinkets and all the souvenirs under the sun, plus it’s a great place to sample pho, fresh spring rolls, com tam and loads of other typical Vietnamese dishes.

Around the corner you’ll also find Ben Thanh Street Food Market which a more hipster, Western-style market where you can try local dishes as well as Indian and Western street food.

19. The Ho Chi Minh Museum of Fine Arts

During my last visit, I spent a cultural afternoon at the Museum of Fine Arts. It’s not just the art that’s impressive but the grand columns, tiled floors and period features of the sunny yellow building itself.

You’ll find lots of war-themed art at this Saigon gallery but also fun and colourful contemporary pieces. I’d recommend it even if you’re not a huge art fan.

The Burning Monk Statue remembers Thich Quang Duc who set himself on fire in the 1960s to protest oppression. He’d apparently reached a level of mental control where he didn’t feel or react to the flames as he passed away. I’ve seen the famous photo and can attest that he looked completely calm.

The statue stands exactly where it happened as a poignant reminder of Vietnam’s history.

Where to stay during 1-4 days in Saigon

• Hostel: For an affordable base with fantastic reviews, City Backpackers Hostel is an ideal choice with private bunk curtains and lockers. It also has a shared kitchen, a restaurant catering to special diets on request, and great staff if you need to organise a tour. Check availability from US$9.

• Budget hotel: Right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, you can’t find a better base to explore than The Alley Saigon Hotel. It’s on a quiet street with friendly staff but close to all the action. Check availability from US$16.

• Mid-range: HOME Hotel is a modern hotel with a cosy onsite bar, coffee shop and chic restaurant. Minimalist, air-conditioned rooms feature a desk, TV and minibar. Check availability from US$38.

• Splash-out: Experience world-class facilities at the luxurious La Siesta Premium Sai Gon. With two onsite restaurants and a lively Sky Bar, outdoor infinity pool (the city views are incredible), gym and garden, you’ll be spoiled both in and out of your relaxing suite. Check availability from US$85.

Browse all Ho Chi Minh City accommodation on Booking.com and Hostelworld.

How to get around Ho Chi Minh

Taxi scooter: While many of Saigon’s sights are walkable distances from each other, I’d recommend getting taxis between those that aren’t. Download the Grab app and opt for scooters rather than cars to save money.

One day I rode seven times for under 150,000 VND ($7). Bargain!

Bus tour: If it’s your vibe, there’s also an open-top bus tour that services all the top sights in HCM.

Guided tour: to travel around the highlights with a local guide, opt for a sightseeing tour by scooter. If you’d rather get off-the-beaten-track, there’s a hidden gems scooter tour you can try.