Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City: Complete 2 to 4 Day Guide
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) offers 2 to 4 days of museums, French colonial landmarks, war-history sites, day trips to Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta, street food markets and modern shopping districts. Most attractions cluster in District 1; the city is hot and humid year-round, with a rainy season from May to November. Information below is valid as of October 2026.
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's economic hub and largest city, with over 9 million people. It was called Saigon until 1976 and many locals still use that name. The city sprawls across 24 districts; visitors spend most of their time in District 1, where French colonial buildings stand beside modern skyscrapers. Unlike Hanoi's Old Quarter or Da Nang's beachfront, Saigon's appeal lies in its energy, history museums, and day-trip access to rural Vietnam.
Most travellers from the United States, Australia, India and Canada need an e-visa for Vietnam; the official portal is evisa.gov.vn. If you prefer someone to handle the application, visa-vietnam.app can do it. visa-vietnam.app is run by the same publisher as this site.
District 1: The Main Sightseeing Area
District 1 holds the majority of Ho Chi Minh City's landmarks within a walkable (though hot and traffic-heavy) 3-square-kilometre zone. Nguyen Hue Walking Street runs from the Saigon River to the Opera House, a pedestrian boulevard lined with cafés and lit up at night. At its southern end stands the Saigon Opera House (Municipal Theatre), a French colonial building completed in 1900; it hosts occasional performances but most visitors photograph the exterior.
Ben Thanh Market, at the intersection of Le Loi and Tran Hung Dao, is the city's most famous covered market, open daily from 06:00 to 18:00. It sells clothing, souvenirs, spices and prepared food; prices start high and bargaining is expected. A night market operates outside from 18:00 to 23:00, focused on street food and cheap goods. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Ben Thanh Market receives approximately 10,000 visitors daily.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, on Cong Xa Paris Square, was built between 1863 and 1880 with bricks imported from Marseille. As of October 2026, the cathedral remains closed for structural restoration that began in 2017; the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City has not announced a reopening date. The adjacent Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel and completed in 1891, is open to the public daily from 07:00 to 19:00; visitors can send postcards or admire the interior's arched ceiling and historic maps.
War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace
The War Remnants Museum, at 28 Vo Van Tan Street in District 3 (a ten-minute walk from District 1's centre), documents the Vietnam War from a Vietnamese perspective. Opened in 1975, it displays military equipment outdoors (helicopters, tanks, a US F-5A fighter jet) and indoor exhibits on Agent Orange effects, war photography by international journalists, and prisoner-of-war conditions. The museum is open daily from 07:30 to 18:00; entry costs 40,000 VND (approximately USD 1.60 or INR 135, using the October 2026 exchange rate of 1 USD = 25,000 VND and 1 USD = 84 INR, per Vietcombank and the Reserve Bank of India). Exhibits include graphic images of war injuries and birth defects; some sections may be confronting. The museum receives over 500,000 visitors annually, according to its official reports.
Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, was the residence and office of South Vietnam's president until North Vietnamese tanks crashed through its gates on 30 April 1975, ending the war. The building is preserved as it was in 1975, with 1960s-era furniture, a war command room in the basement, and a rooftop helipad. It is open daily from 07:30 to 11:00 and 13:00 to 16:00; entry costs 40,000 VND. A guided audio tour in English, Hindi and other languages is available for an additional 30,000 VND. The palace's official site provides current opening hours.
Cu Chi Tunnels Day Trip
The Cu Chi Tunnels, 70 kilometres northwest of central Ho Chi Minh City, are an underground network built by the Viet Cong during the 1960s. Two sections are open to tourists: Ben Dinh (closer, more commercialised) and Ben Duoc (farther, quieter). Visitors crawl through widened sections of tunnels, see trapdoors and booby traps, and watch a documentary film. Some sites offer a shooting range where tourists can fire AK-47s or M16 rifles for a fee.
Organised half-day tours from Ho Chi Minh City cost 250,000 to 400,000 VND (USD 10 to 16 or INR 840 to 1,350) per person, including transport and a guide; entry to the tunnels is an additional 110,000 VND. Tours typically depart at 08:00 and return by 14:00. Independent travellers can take bus 13 from Ben Thanh Market to Cu Chi town (approximately 2 hours), then a motorbike taxi to the tunnels, but organised tours are more common. The tunnels are hot, narrow and dusty; claustrophobic visitors may prefer to skip the crawl and explore the above-ground exhibits.
Mekong Delta Day Trip
The Mekong Delta, southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, is Vietnam's rice-growing heartland and a network of rivers, canals and floating markets. Day trips visit fruit orchards, coconut-candy workshops, and villages accessible only by boat. My Tho, 70 kilometres from the city, is the most common destination for one-day tours; longer trips reach Can Tho, the Delta's largest city, known for its Cai Rang floating market (most active from 06:00 to 08:00).
Day tours to My Tho cost 400,000 to 700,000 VND (USD 16 to 28 or INR 1,350 to 2,350) per person, including transport, boat rides, lunch and a guide. Tours depart around 08:00 and return by 18:00. The Delta is flat, green and humid; mosquitoes are common, especially during the rainy season. Independent travel is possible by bus from Mien Tay Bus Station, but navigating the Delta's waterways without a guide is impractical for short visits.
Markets and Street Food
Beyond Ben Thanh, Binh Tay Market in District 6 (Cholon, the Chinese district) is larger and less touristy, selling wholesale goods, traditional medicine and everyday groceries. It opens daily from 06:00 to 18:00. Cholon also has several Chinese pagodues, including Thien Hau Temple on Nguyen Trai Street, built in the early 19th century and dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu.
Ho Chi Minh City's street food scene operates from early morning to late evening. Pho (noodle soup) costs 30,000 to 50,000 VND (USD 1.20 to 2 or INR 100 to 170) at a pavement stall; banh mi (baguette sandwich) costs 20,000 to 40,000 VND. Bui Vien Street in District 1 is the backpacker hub, lined with bars, hostels and cheap restaurants; it is loud and crowded at night. For sit-down meals, expect 100,000 to 300,000 VND per person at a mid-range restaurant.
Compared to Da Nang, where seafood and central Vietnamese dishes dominate, Saigon's food is sweeter and more influenced by southern and Chinese flavours. Da Nang is quieter and beach-focused; Saigon is faster-paced and urban. For a detailed comparison of both cities, see Da Nang vs Ho Chi Minh City.
Which District to Stay In
District 1 is the most convenient base for first-time visitors: walking distance to museums, markets and restaurants, with the highest concentration of hotels and hostels. Budget hostels cost 150,000 to 300,000 VND per night for a dorm bed; mid-range hotels cost 600,000 to 1,500,000 VND for a private room. District 3, immediately north of District 1, is quieter and slightly cheaper, still within a 15-minute walk or short Grab ride to main sights.
District 2 (Thu Thiem, across the Saigon River) and District 7 (Phu My Hung) are modern expat neighbourhoods with international schools, shopping malls and serviced apartments; they are farther from tourist sites and better suited to long-term residents. District 5 (Cholon) offers a more local atmosphere and Chinese culture but fewer English-speaking services.
Getting from Tan Son Nhat Airport to the City
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is 8 kilometres north of District 1. The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 for domestic flights, Terminal 2 for international arrivals. A free shuttle bus connects them.
The cheapest option is public bus 109, which runs from the domestic terminal to Ben Thanh Market and costs 20,000 VND (cash only, exact change preferred). Buses operate from 05:30 to 01:00, departing every 15 to 20 minutes; the journey takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Bus 152 also connects the airport to District 1 for the same fare.
Grab (Southeast Asia's equivalent of Uber) is the most common choice for convenience. A GrabCar from the airport to District 1 costs 100,000 to 150,000 VND (USD 4 to 6 or INR 340 to 500); GrabBike (motorbike taxi) costs 50,000 to 80,000 VND. Airport taxis use meters and cost approximately 150,000 to 200,000 VND to District 1; insist the driver uses the meter or agree on a price before departure. Mai Linh and Vinasun are reputable taxi companies; their cars are marked with the company name and phone number.
As of October 2026, Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien) is operational, but it does not connect to the airport. Metro Line 2, which will link the airport to the city centre, is under construction with no confirmed completion date.
Getting Around Ho Chi Minh City
Grab is the easiest way to navigate the city; fares within District 1 typically cost 30,000 to 60,000 VND by car, 15,000 to 30,000 VND by motorbike. Traffic is dense and chaotic; crossing streets on foot requires patience and a steady pace (drivers will navigate around you). Renting a motorbike costs 100,000 to 150,000 VND per day, but Saigon's traffic is aggressive and not recommended for inexperienced riders.
Public buses cover the city and cost 5,000 to 7,000 VND per ride; route maps are available in Vietnamese on the official Saigon Bus app. Cyclos (three-wheeled bicycle taxis) are slow, touristy and used mainly for short sightseeing rides around District 1; agree on a price before starting (typically 100,000 to 200,000 VND for 30 minutes).
Other Sights and Activities
The Jade Emperor Pagoda, at 73 Mai Thi Luu Street in District 1, is a Taoist temple built in 1909, known for its intricate wood carvings and incense smoke. Entry is free; it is open daily from 06:00 to 18:00. Saigon Skydeck, on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower, offers 360-degree views of the city; entry costs 200,000 VND and is open daily from 09:30 to 21:30.
The Fine Arts Museum, at 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, displays Vietnamese art from ancient to contemporary periods in a colonial-era building. Entry costs 30,000 VND; it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00. For performing arts, the Saigon Opera House hosts occasional ballet, opera and traditional Vietnamese music concerts; check its schedule at hbso.org.vn.
Day trips to Vung Tau, a beach town 125 kilometres southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, are possible by bus (2.5 hours) or hydrofoil (1.5 hours); the beaches are less appealing than those in Da Nang or Nha Trang but offer a break from the city. Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, 50 kilometres south, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with boat tours through mangrove forests and a monkey island; half-day tours cost 500,000 to 800,000 VND per person.
Practical Tips for Ho Chi Minh City Travel
Ho Chi Minh City is hot year-round, with average daytime temperatures of 28 to 35°C. The rainy season runs from May to November, with heavy afternoon downpours; the dry season (December to April) is more comfortable for walking tours. For a month-by-month breakdown of Vietnam's climate, see Best Time to Visit Vietnam.
ATMs are widespread in District 1; most accept international cards and dispense Vietnamese dong in denominations up to 500,000 VND. Vietcombank, BIDV and Techcombank ATMs typically charge 30,000 to 55,000 VND per withdrawal. Credit cards are accepted at hotels, upscale restaurants and shopping malls, but street vendors and local eateries take cash only. For detailed guidance on currency and payments, see Money in Vietnam.
English is spoken at hotels, tour operators and tourist restaurants in District 1, but less so in markets and local eateries. Hindi is rarely spoken; Google Translate or a translation app is useful. Tap water is not safe to drink; bottled water costs 5,000 to 10,000 VND per litre at convenience stores.
Petty theft (bag snatching, pickpocketing) occurs in crowded areas and on motorbikes; keep valuables in front pockets or a crossbody bag, and avoid displaying phones or cameras near the street. For a broader assessment of safety in Vietnam, see Is Vietnam Safe?.
Conclusion
Ho Chi Minh City offers a concentrated dose of Vietnam's recent history, urban energy and access to the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi tunnels, best experienced over 2 to 4 days. District 1 holds the main sights within walking or short-ride distance; day trips add rural contrast. The city is hot, loud and fast-paced; if you prefer a quieter coastal base, consider Da Nang or Hoi An. For a broader Vietnam itinerary that includes Saigon, Hanoi and the centre, see Vietnam Itinerary. Your next step: book accommodation in District 1 and plan your day-trip timing to avoid weekend crowds at Cu Chi and the Delta.
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Jérémie Chiari
Author, based in Da Nang
A French entrepreneur living in Da Nang, Jérémie writes these guides from first-hand experience and official sources, cited and dated.
About the author