Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam's largest economic city and the centre of southern culture. District 1's French colonial buildings (Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office), Ben Thanh Market and Bui Vien nightlife are all within walking distance, and day trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta and Mui Ne lie 1–4 hours away by road.
If Da Nang is the hub for family and pool-villa holidays, Ho Chi Minh City is for travellers who want city exploring, food, shopping and nightlife. Sky bars and roastery cafés are growing fast.
The best season is the dry season from December to April. May to November is the rainy season with heavy afternoon squalls, but mornings are often clear, so you can plan around them. Temperatures are 28–35°C and humid all year, and flights and hotels are 20–30% cheaper in the rainy low season.
Visa and entry requirements for Vietnam
Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.
- Vietnam e-visa and immigration portal (Vietnam Immigration Department)
- Apply for an e-visa (fees) (Vietnam Immigration Department)
Ho Chi Minh City at a glance
- Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
- Suggested itineraries: 4 days (city) / 5 days (city + Mekong) / 6 days (city + Mekong + Mui Ne)
- Best season: December to April, dry (May to November rainy, afternoon squalls)
- Getting around: Grab (app), walking downtown, Metro (Line 1 open), taxis
District 1: French colonial architecture and downtown sights
Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập), the symbolic site of the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, is the historic core of District 1. You can visit the underground bunker and war room (admission 40,000 dong). Notre-Dame Cathedral (Nhà Thờ Đức Bà), a neo-Gothic cathedral built by the French in 1880, is under restoration but remains a popular photo spot from outside.
The Central Post Office (Bưu Điện Trung Tâm) is an 1891 building attributed to Gustave Eiffel, designer of the Eiffel Tower. You can buy traditional postcards inside and actually post them, a popular souvenir. Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành) is the city's best-known market for souvenirs, clothes, ingredients and food stalls.
The Cu Chi Tunnels: a Vietnam War site
The Cu Chi Tunnels (Củ Chi), 1 hour 30 minutes from the city by road, are a 250 km network dug by guerrillas during the Vietnam War. You can crawl through some sections (1–3 levels down, about 80–120 m), and traps, hideouts and command rooms have been restored and displayed.
A shooting range (10 live rounds for USD 15–20) is also popular. Admission is 150,000 dong. It suits a half-day trip; leave early and you can be back before lunch.
The Mekong Delta: life on the water and coconut canals
The Mekong Delta, 2 hours from the city by road (to My Tho), is a culture of life on the water at the mouth of the Mekong. Day tours by wooden boat up coconut canals, with coconut-candy workshops, bee farms and traditional music, are popular.
Day packages (transport, guide and lunch) cost USD 25–50. To see more of the Mekong, we recommend an overnight tour to Can Tho (Cần Thơ), where the dawn floating market (Cai Rang) shows real Mekong trading from boat to boat. Can Tho is 3 hours 30 minutes by road.
Nightlife: rooftop bars and Bui Vien Street
Ho Chi Minh City has Vietnam's liveliest nights. Bui Vien Street (Bùi Viện), called "Saigon's Khao San Road", is a strip of bars for foreign visitors, with live music and cheap cocktails and beer.
For upscale rooftops, try the bars near the Saigon Skydeck (Bitexco Tower, 49th floor), Level 23 Bar (Sheraton) or Chill Sky Bar (AB Tower, 26th floor), with cocktails at 200,000–400,000 dong and city views.
Eating in Ho Chi Minh City: the many flavours of the south
| Dish | About | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Com tam (Cơm Tấm) | Saigon's signature: broken rice with char-grilled pork, a fried egg and sweet sauce | 50,000–90,000 dong |
| Banh mi (Bánh Mì) | Vietnamese baguette sandwich, best for breakfast; cheapest at street stalls | 20,000–50,000 dong |
| Bun bo Hue (Bún Bò Huế) | Spicy noodle soup from Hue in central Vietnam, widely available here | 50,000–90,000 dong |
| Goi cuon (Gỏi Cuốn) | Fresh rice-paper rolls of prawns, vegetables and noodles; light and healthy | 30,000–60,000 dong (5 pieces) |
FAQ
What itinerary do you recommend?
For 5 days: day 1 arrival and District 1 (Independence Palace, Notre-Dame, the Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market), day 2 a half day at Cu Chi and Bui Vien at night, day 3 a Mekong Delta day tour, day 4 shopping and rooftop bars, day 5 departure. An overnight in the Mekong adds the Can Tho floating market.
Crossing the road scares me. What should I do?
Walk slowly at a steady pace; motorbikes steer around pedestrians. Stopping or stepping back is more dangerous. Where there are no lights, raise your hand and walk steadily and traffic will avoid you. At first, it’s easiest to follow locals.
Is Grab or a regular taxi safer?
Grab is much safer and cheaper. Regular taxis often have rigged meters, and airport taxis need bargaining. From the airport to the city, Grab costs about 120,000–200,000 dong. Vinasun taxis are relatively reliable.
Is Da Lat worth visiting from Ho Chi Minh City?
It is 6–7 hours by road (or 8 hours by night bus), Vietnam’s largest highland city at 1,500 m, with a cool climate, coffee farms, a flower festival, waterfalls and a night market. It needs at least 2 days; highly recommended if you have time.
Is a Mekong day trip or an overnight better?
A day tour to My Tho covers the essentials (coconut canals, workshops, farms). For deeper Mekong culture, add a night in Can Tho with the dawn floating market. For families with children, a day tour is about right.
Sources
- Vietnam e-visa and immigration portal · Vietnam Immigration Department · accessed 2026-10-30
- Apply for an e-visa (fees) · Vietnam Immigration Department · accessed 2026-10-30
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism · Vietnam Tourism · accessed 2026-05-04
- Ho Chi Minh City tourism · HCMC Department of Tourism · accessed 2026-05-04
Information was checked against the official sources listed above. Opening hours, fees and fares can change; please confirm with the venue or operator before you visit.