Planning to visit Ho Chi Minh City as part of your trip to Vietnam but unsure what to do? You're in the right place! I've visited this city twice, once nearly a decade ago and again this year, and I was completely blown away by how much it has changed for the better!
Within this itinerary, I will take you on a 3-day adventure through Vietnam's most populous city, exploring historical sites, museums, and even taking a day trip to the Mekong Delta, and more. I'll also recommend some of the best places to eat, street food to try, best coffee places, and more, so, without further ado, here's your complete 3-day itinerary for Ho Chi Minh City!
- Ho Chi Minh City 3-Day Itinerary Map
- 3 Days in Ho Chi Minh City: A Backpacking Itinerary
- Vietnam Travel Video
- Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
- When to Visit Ho Chi Minh City?
- How to Get to Ho Chi Minh City?
- How to Get Around Ho Chi Minh City?
- How Much Does it Cost for a 3-day trip to Ho Chi Minh City?
- Is Ho Chi Minh City Safe?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Vietnam?
- What to Pack for Ho Chi Minh City?
- Further Reading for Backpacking in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City 3-Day Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1: | Explore Historical Sites and Museums |
| ☀️ Day 2: | Discover Modern Landmarks of the City |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Day Trip |
3 Days in Ho Chi Minh City: A Backpacking Itinerary
Day 1: Explore Historical Sites and Museums
On our first day in Ho Chi Minh City, we are going to dedicate the entire day to exploring all the wonderful historical sights this city has to offer, as well as visiting the museums to learn more about the history of Vietnam, mostly during the Vietnam War.
To understand the Vietnamese perspective, we must first learn about the country's dark past. There is no better place to begin your trip than at the War Remnants Museum, a museum dedicated to documenting and preserving the atrocities of the Vietnam War.
The museum is housed in a large building with two floors and a courtyard in front, filled with war relics, such as American tanks and helicopters, abandoned after the US military hastily left the country at the end of the Vietnam War.
- BFF Saigon Hostel (Budget)
- Cabana Hotel SaiGon (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Innside by Melia Saigon Central (High-End)
- Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Full Day Tour (10 hours)
- Ho Chi Minh City Private Half-Day Tour by U.S Army Jeep (4 hours)
- Cu Chi Tunnels Luxury Tour - Morning or Afternoon (6 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
Inside, you'll find a room on the second floor dedicated to the Vietnamese perspective of the war, its causes, and how it unfolded from the locals' point of view. This was particularly interesting to me, as most of what I've learned about the war has been from the Western perspective, and rarely do you get to see it from the Vietnamese side. The contrast between the two sides' perspectives is striking!
There is quite a lot to unpack here, so you can expect to spend at least 2 hours walking around its exhibitions before we continue on our journey. If you need a break after this visit, I understand, as I was completely exhausted by the overwhelming information and pictures of the museum.
Next up, we will visit another important historical sight, which is also a museum, the Independence Palace, an important landmark that played a crucial role during the Vietnam War as the presidential residence and workplace during the Republic of Vietnam (southern Vietnam) era.
It was here that 2 bombs were dropped during the conflict, and a North Vietnamese Army tank famously crashed through the palace gates, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of Vietnam. Today, it is a lovely museum you can roam around freely and explore the rooms inside.
Be sure to head up to the top floor and enjoy a beautiful view of the palace courtyard from above. Up there, you'll also find a military helicopter parked on the roof, along with two giant markings indicating the exact spots where bombs were dropped on the palace during a failed coup attempt in 1962.
After visiting the palace, head to the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon. Before you go in, stop by My Bánh Mì and grab one of their bánh mì sandwiches for a quick lunch. Bánh mì is a Vietnamese sandwich that blends French and Vietnamese influences, typically consisting of a crusty baguette filled with grilled pork, pickled carrots, sliced cucumber, and a touch of spicy chili and soy sauce. It’s one of my favorite street foods in Vietnam!
After that, you can go and check out Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, another important landmark in the city known for its stunning French colonial architectural style and its unique pink-colored exterior, an unusual hue for churches and basilicas.
You can enter the premises for free, but only devotees are allowed to walk around freely, whereas tourists are often limited to the viewing area. At the moment of writing, unfortunately, the basilica is closed for renovation with the target completion date set to late 2027, so I'm afraid you won't be able to see much of it until then.
Don't sweat though as you will find Saigon Post Office, another impressive colonial piece of architecture that still retains its beauty both from the outside and inside, located right next to the basilica you can check out. It was built in the 19th Century during the French colonial era, featuring a beautiful blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and French influences.
The post office is still in use to this day, and you can go inside and admire all of its ornate decor that is still stuck in the 19th Century. You can even write a postcard, get it stamped, and send them to your loved ones at home from here. A lovely souvenir from Vietnam. 😉
After you are done at Saigon Post Office, make sure to walk around the building a bit and check out the lovely Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, full of shops, fun activities, and a cafe to enjoy. I didn't see this market the last time I was here, and I stumbled upon it accidentally while I was exploring this part of Ho Chi Minh City.
Walking along this pedestrian street, you might mistake it for a street in Singapore or elsewhere because of how lovely the whole area is. Big trees line the street, bookstores fill the area, and tables are set up for people to come and paint, all with the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica hovering in the background.
Before ending the day, be sure to go check out Ben Thanh Market, a bustling market located in this old-school brutalist-style structure that is filled to the brim with people and shops selling all kinds of stuff, from coffee beans to t-shirts and more.
It is chaotic, crowded, and full of energy that I think really captures the Vietnamese soul and spirit. They thrive and grow at a neck-breaking speed, very much like this market. It can be a little overwhelming, and some shop owners can be a bit rude if you don't buy from them, but still, it is this chaos that made me fall in love with Vietnam in the first place.
For dinner, I highly recommend eating at Kiều Bảo Barbecue Rice Noodles. Out of all the restaurants I tried, this is hands down my favorite. The place is often crowded with locals, which is always a good sign when choosing a local restaurant to try.
Their barbecue rice noodles are so incredibly good that I couldn't stop having them for dinner three days straight. Yup, it’s that good! I ordered the "To Day Do", which comes with rice noodles, pieces of grilled pork, a big piece of grilled minced pork, a spring roll, and an unlimited tray of vegetables you can add on as you like.
All that for only 30,000 VND (1.18 USD)! That's a steal! After you're done, retreat for the night and prepare for our second day, where we’ll explore the modern side of Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2: Discover the Modern Landmarks of the City
On our second day, we'll start our journey at Nguyen Hue Square, a lively pedestrian boulevard stretching 800 meters from the Saigon River to City Hall, right in the heart of the city center. You'll often see locals out and about here, and if you're lucky, there might be local events happening at the square, which is always fun to stumble upon.
You can start your exploration from the northern end of the square, where you'll find a massive and stunning French colonial building. That is Ho Chi Minh City Town Hall, one of the city's most prominent and beautiful landmarks. This is definitely one of my favorite pieces of architecture here, with its breathtaking French colonial architecture, complete with a central clock tower and ornate embellishments.
From there, you can stroll down the beautifully paved boulevard, lined with green trees, and explore the statues, restaurants, and cafes that line both sides of the square. As you walk along Nguyen Hue Square, you'll come across the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, another stunning example of architecture that showcases the significant influence the French had on the city's design. Definitely worth checking out.
After the opera house, you can continue down the boulevard and visit the Cafe Apartment - an old residential building that has been converted into a popular tourist attraction, filled with hip cafes, bars, and restaurants with balconies offering great views of the square from above.
Spend some time enjoying one of the many cafes here. I recommend checking out Meraki Cafe, located on the fifth floor of the building. You'll have access to the balcony area, perfect for taking photos and relaxing. This is also a great spot to try the famous Vietnamese coffee, as well as the surprisingly delicious egg coffee, a must-try when you're in Vietnam.
For lunch, try pho, a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup that has become a beloved dish worldwide, at Pho Sol, located not far from the square. The noodle soup is often served with different types of meat, but I found beef to be the most delicious, as its texture pairs perfectly with pho's tasty broth.
After lunch, you can take your time and explore more of Nguyen Hue Square or you can go up Bitexco Financial Tower, one of the few modern skyscrapers and the second tallest building in the entire city, and check out the view from its observation deck.
In order to get to the observation deck on Bitexco Financial Tower, you are going to have to purchase a ticket from here and you will have access to the 360° observation deck as well as an exhibition explaining the history of the tower and how it came to be.
At 68 floors, you will have a pretty amazing vantage point to see the whole of Saigon from above, and you will realize just how truly expansive the city is. No wonder why this is the most populous city in the whole country! There is also a bar up there where you can relax for the rest of the afternoon and enjoy a drink or two until sunset.
Or after you get down from the tower, you can hail a Grab taxi and visit Saigon Riverside Park, a 20-hectare park stretching along the right bank of the Saigon River. Opened in 2023, you will find spacious community spaces with cafes and restaurants, as well as a lovely walking trail along the river, perfect for an evening stroll.
The place is most lively in the evening at sunset when people come out to enjoy recreational activities at one of the many tennis and badminton courts, bike and jog along the beautiful riverside walking path, and eat away at all the delicious street food at the market here.
My favorite thing about this area is its stunning view of Ho Chi Minh City's cityscape seen from across the river. From here, you can see all the iconic skyscrapers in the city like Bitexco Tower and even the Landmark 81 building, the tallest building in Saigon.
After sunset, you can take a taxi back to the City Center and hang out around Pham Nhu Lao district, where all the awesome restaurants are. If you want a really local place to eat dinner, you can check out Anh Mâp Restaurant, Bánh Mì Bà Huynh, or Pho Hung. You can't go wrong with any of these restaurants, really.
Day 3: Take a Day Trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta
On our third day, we are going to go on a day trip and visit Cu Chi Tunnel and Mekong Delta, and I recommend you book this organized tour, which is one of the few tours that will take you to both places in one day. It's going to be a long 11-hour day, so be sure to prepare for it.
Cu Chi Tunnels are a vast 250+ kilometer network of tunnels located around 60 km away from Ho Chi Minh City that were used by the Viet Cong for military operations during the Vietnam War.
It was hand-dug and consisted of a wide network of extremely small tunnels that can barely fit a full-grown man. Now, imagine people living in these small, dark, and damp tunnels amidst the extremely humid weather of Vietnam for months on end, and you will see why the Cu Chi Tunnel is such an interesting place to visit.
It is an awesome place to learn about the history of the Vietnam War and how the Viet Cong used these tunnels to communicate, resupply, and simply hide from the US military, eventually driving them out. The tour should begin with Cu Chi Tunnel before continuing on to the Mekong Delta in the afternoon.
What's awesome about the Mekong Delta is the fact that this is where the mighty Mekong River, the 12th longest river in the world, flows into the sea, having journeyed across six countries, including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and finally, Vietnam.
Around this area, you will find a maze of waterways teeming with life, from beautiful mangrove trees to lush paddy fields. The area is also home to several villages that live off the resource-rich Mekong River, and you will get to see firsthand how they live their lives here, what industries thrive, what types of food they eat, and more.
You’ll visit these villages to learn more about local life before taking a slow wooden boat ride through the mangrove forest on one of the islands. Enjoy a leisurely ride along the delta before concluding the day trip.
You should be back in Ho Chi Minh City by 7–8 PM, depending on traffic. For dinner, enjoy another comforting bowl of pho at Phở Việt Nam. Afterward, grab a few beers at Cà phê Linh, find a seat on its balcony, and soak in your last night in the city before wrapping up the day.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
When to Visit Ho Chi Minh City?
There’s no right or wrong time to visit Ho Chi Minh City. That said, clear days are always better than rainy ones, in my opinion. If you plan to do a lot of outdoor activities, the best time to visit is from December to April, during Southern Vietnam’s dry season.
During these months, the city experiences lower humidity, with mild temperatures averaging around 28°C (82°F), and minimal rainfall, making it much more comfortable to explore without excessive sweating. This period also maximizes the number of clear days during your trip, perfect for photography and sightseeing.
How to Get to Ho Chi Minh City?
Vietnam is a popular destination, so finding an affordable way to get there from your home country to Ho Chi Minh City shouldn't be a problem. More often than not, travelers include Vietnam as part of a larger Southeast Asian trip.
If you're one of these travelers, the most affordable option is to fly into a nearby country that offers the best rates for you (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok are major hubs in the region). From there, you can either travel by land through Thailand to Ho Chi Minh City or take a low-cost flight with AirAsia or VietJet Airlines.
Getting to Vietnam from the US is fairly straightforward. You can fly with ANA Airlines via Japan or choose Middle Eastern carriers like Emirates to reach one of the three major hubs in the region (Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur). However, traveling over the Pacific Ocean will generally be faster than flying the other way around.
If you're from Europe, several European airlines (such as KLM and Air France) and Middle Eastern carriers (like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad) offer connections between Europe and Southeast Asia.
If you're flying from Asia, AirAsia is the way to go, offering several routes and schedules at very affordable prices.
For more information on which flights to take, I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find the best affordable flight that fits your itinerary.
How to Get Around Ho Chi Minh City?
Although Ho Chi Minh City will finally have a metro system launching in late 2024, most of the stations are located quite far apart. It is built for people from the northern part of the city to travel between the city center. Since most of the attractions are concentrated in the center, there's not much of a need for the metro for us tourists.
You should be able to reach many of the attractions I mentioned here on foot, or you can also use Grab or Uber to hail a moto-taxi or a taxi to get around the city for cheap. Grab is the Southeast Asia version of Uber, and it is often cheaper and works better than Uber. You can also order food through there, which is pretty convenient. You can download Grab here.
How Much Does it Cost for a 3-day trip to Ho Chi Minh City?
From this 3-day itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here (minimum) as follows:
| 🛌 Lodging: | 32 USD (8 USD/Day) |
| 🥘 Food: | 15 USD (5 USD/Day) |
| 🚗 Transport: | 3 USD (1 USD/Day) |
| 🧗 Activities: | 56.57 USD (18.8 USD/Day) |
| 💰 Total Budget: | 106.57 USD (35.52 USD/Day) |
Is Ho Chi Minh City Safe?
Ho Chi Minh City is relatively safe nowadays compared to a decade ago. However, petty theft can still happen at any moment, especially in a big and populous city like Ho Chi Minh City. It's always a good idea to stay alert when you are outside, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Do not walk around with your phone out while walking along the streets, whether it's during the day or night. I've heard several reports from people who had their phones snatched by passing motorbikes.
Aside from that, the local people in Ho Chi Minh City are extremely friendly and smiley. As long as you respect the locals, as you should when visiting any country, you shouldn’t run into any trouble here.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Vietnam?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:
Wi-Fi is available in establishments that cater to tourists nowadays, but the reliability is still questionable. So, if you want a solid connection and reliability, I recommend getting a local SIM card from Viettel or any other carriers. Data is cheap (2 USD for 3 GB) and mostly reliable, except maybe in Phong Nha and on the train from Hanoi to Sapa.
For more information on local SIM cards in Vietnam: Vietnam Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, make sure you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Ho Chi Minh City?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Backpacking in Vietnam
Are you looking for more information about traveling in Vietnam? Here are a few more articles that can help you with your trip to Vietnam:
- Looking for a complete travel guide and itinerary for Vietnam? 2-Week Itinerary for Vietnam.
- First time visiting Vietnam and wondering what the best places you should visit are? Here are the 10 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam.
- Are you planning to travel to Vietnam as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City and not sure where to begin? Here are the Explore Ho Chi Minh City: 13 Best Things to Do and Places to Visit.
- Looking for the best street food to try in Ho Chi Minh City? Check Out Saigon Street Food: 11 Incredible Places to Eat & Drink.
- Looking for things to do in the ancient port city of Hoi An? Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Hoi An.
- Hoi An is known for its beautiful lanterns that illuminate the entire town at night. If you want to see what it is like in Hoi An at night, check out: The Colorful Lanterns Of Hoi An's Ancient City
- If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination in Vietnam, do not miss a chance to go caving in Phong Nha, and there is no better place to do that than Paradise Cave. Here is a complete hiking guide to Paradise Cave and Dark Cave in Phong Nha.
- Ninh Binh is only an hour away from Hanoi, and it is a great place to escape from the bustling city and be among nature. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh.
- If you love mountains, cool breeze, and rice terraces, you are going to love Sapa. Here is the 9 Best Things to Do in Sapa.
- Not convinced by my words about Vietnam? Here are 33 photos that will inspire you to visit Vietnam now.
- You can see all my Vietnam-related articles on my Vietnam Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.