Top 10 Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

I want to open with a correction, because the older version of this page had a few problems and I would rather say so than quietly paper over them. It listed the War Remnants Museum twice, it sent you to Dong Xuan Market (which is in Hanoi, about 1,700 kilometres north), and it mentioned a Saigon River cruise without telling you anything useful about it. I have rewritten the whole guide from scratch around what I would actually tell a friend who landed at Tan Son Nhat on a Friday evening with three days and a vague plan. It is long, because Ho Chi Minh City rewards a bit of preparation, and it is opinionated, because a list of ten equal-sounding attractions is not much help when you only have a few days.

A word on how I handle facts here. Opening hours, ticket prices and even which tours run on which days change all the time in Vietnam, and I would hate to give you a number that was right last year and wrong when you arrive. Where I quote a price from our own catalogue I say so, and those are the fares as shown at the time of writing. Everything else, such as museum entry fees and street food prices, I describe as rough ranges and ask you to confirm closer to your date. That habit will save you more grief than any single tip I can offer.

First, how to think about Ho Chi Minh City

Locals still say Saigon, and you will hear both names constantly. Officially the city has been Ho Chi Minh City since 1976, but the old name lives on in the river, the beer, the post office and half the shop signs. Technically the city is a huge sprawl of districts, but as a visitor you will spend nearly all your time in a small cluster in the middle, and that is the part that matters.

District 1 is the heart. This is where the colonial buildings, the big museums, Ben Thanh Market, the walking street on Nguyen Hue, the rooftop bars and most of the hotels sit. District 3, just north, is quieter and greener, with the old villas, the better coffee shops and the War Remnants Museum on its edge. District 5, known as Cholon, is the old Chinese quarter, where the pagodas and the wholesale markets live, and where the city feels least like a tourist destination. District 2 and Thu Thiem, across the river, is the newer expat and tower district with Landmark 81. Then there is everything beyond: the Cu Chi tunnels, the Mekong Delta, Can Gio and the beaches. You can see most of the first three in two days on foot and by short rides, and that is a perfectly respectable first visit.

The second thing to understand is the traffic. There are millions of motorbikes, and crossing the road is a skill you pick up in about ten minutes of nervous watching. The rule is simple and sounds mad: walk slowly and steadily at a constant pace, do not stop, do not run, and let the bikes flow around you. They are very good at it. Once you have done it successfully a few times, the city stops feeling intimidating and starts feeling thrilling.

The ten things I would actually do

Here is my honest shortlist, in the order I would plan a first trip around it. Some are famous, some are not, and I have tried to say who each one is really for.

1. The War Remnants Museum

If you only visit one museum in Vietnam, make it this one, but go with realistic expectations. It is a heavy place. The exhibits cover the American war from the Vietnamese perspective, with photographs, captured aircraft and tanks in the courtyard, and a section on the long-term effects of chemical defoliants that many visitors find very hard to look at. Allow around two hours and do not schedule anything cheerful straight afterwards. Some people find the framing one-sided, and it is worth reading the captions with that in mind, but the photography is powerful and the museum is genuinely important to how the country remembers the period.

A good way to see it without fussing over logistics is to combine it with the nearby Independence Palace on foot with a guide. We offer the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace walking tour, which fits the two together in a single morning and saves you working out the order yourself.

Dress modestly, since there are no hard rules but a shoulder-and-knee cover is easier than being stared at. Go early, because the courtyard gets hot by late morning, and bring a small bottle of water.

2. Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)

This is the building where the war effectively ended in April 1975, when a tank crashed through the gates. Inside, it feels like a time capsule from the early seventies: wood panelling, a conference room with a huge table, a rooftop helipad, and a basement bunker with old radio equipment and maps. It is more interesting than it sounds, mostly because nothing has been modernised. Plan on about an hour. If you are short of time, it combines naturally with the museum above, so you do not need a separate trip.

3. Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office

These two stand opposite each other and take half an hour together, so they are an easy stop between bigger things. The cathedral is built from red brick that was shipped over from France, and it has been under scaffolding for restoration work for a long stretch, so check what you can actually see before making a special trip. The post office next door is the real treat. Gustave Eiffel's firm is often credited with the design, though historians argue about that, and the vaulted hall has old maps, wooden phone booths and a portrait of Ho Chi Minh at the far end. You can still buy a postcard and post it from here, and it is a nicely low-effort souvenir.

4. Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh is the market everyone goes to, and I will be straight with you: it is touristy and the prices are higher than anywhere else in the city. Go anyway, for the atmosphere, the souvenirs and a first lesson in bargaining. Start by offering roughly half of the first price, smile, and be ready to walk away. Dried mango, coffee beans, lacquerware and cheap linen shirts are the usual buys. Keep your phone in a front pocket, because pickpocketing around the entrances is a known issue.

Come back after dark, when the stalls outside the market turn into a food street. The night version is more fun than the daytime one, and it is a decent place to eat without much thinking. The prices are tourist prices, but the food is perfectly fine for a casual first-night meal.

5. The Cu Chi Tunnels

This is the one big excursion that I would put on almost everyone's list. The tunnels are about an hour and a half to two hours outside the city and show the underground network that Viet Cong fighters used during the war. You can crawl through a short section of widened tunnel, see the traps and hidden entrances, and sit through a short film. It is surprisingly claustrophobic, and the guides will tell you plainly that the original tunnels were narrower still. Wear shoes you do not mind getting dusty, and skip the crawling section if you are uneasy in tight spaces, since there are exits at regular intervals.

There are several ways to do it. The Cu Chi Tunnels day tour is the straightforward half-day option for people who want to see the site and be back in time for lunch. If you want to pair it with something else, the full-day Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi Tunnels tour covers the main city landmarks too, and the Cu Chi, Cao Dai Temple and Black Virgin Mountain day tour adds a visit to the colourful Cao Dai temple, where you can watch the midday ceremony. For a more adventurous version there is even a speedboat trip to Cu Chi along the Saigon River, which is pricier but gets you out onto the water.

6. A day in the Mekong Delta

If Cu Chi is about history, the Mekong Delta is about everyday life on the water. A good day trip takes you by road to a small town on the river, where you transfer to a boat, wander through canals lined with coconut palms, taste fruit and honey, hear a little folk music and take a ride in a rowing boat under the leaves. It is touristy and well worn, and there are moments when you will feel you are on a conveyor belt, but it is also very pretty, and the quiet stretches on the small canals are lovely.

The simplest option is the Mekong Delta day tour, with a similar alternative in the other Mekong Delta day tour if dates are tight. If you want a longer and more relaxed version that goes to Cai Be and Tan Phong Island, look at the Cai Be and Tan Phong Island full day, or the Cu Chi and Mekong Delta combined day if you want to see both in one go. Be warned that the combined day is long, with a lot of time on the road.

7. Walk and eat your way through Cholon

Cholon is where the Chinese-Vietnamese community has traded for more than two centuries. It is busy, a little chaotic and far less polished than District 1, which is exactly why it is worth the trip. The Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, is full of hanging spiral incense coils that smoulder for days, and the smell and the light are unforgettable. Binh Tay Market, the main wholesale market, is where the city's traders buy their dried goods and spices. Do not go expecting souvenirs. Go to watch.

The Jade Emperor Pagoda, which the old page mentioned, is not actually in Cholon. It is in District 1, north of the centre, and it is a small, smoky, atmospheric temple filled with carved wooden figures of deities and guardians. It is a wonderful half hour, and I would pair it with the museum since they are not far apart. For a relaxed way to see Cholon, the Saigon and Cholon exploration tour by buggy takes the walking out of it and adds a guide's commentary.

8. Landmark 81 and the Saigon Skydeck

For the view, you have two good choices. The Saigon Skydeck sits on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower in the centre, and gives a 360 degree view of the river, the old town and the sprawl beyond. It is best near sunset, when the haze softens and the lights come on. You can buy the Saigon Skydeck admission ticket in advance and skip the thought of queuing at the counter.

The other option is Landmark 81, in the Binh Thanh district. It is one of the tallest buildings in Southeast Asia, and its observation deck is much higher up. The Landmark 81 Saigon SkyView ticket with virtual reality bundles the view with a VR experience, which works well if you are travelling with kids who might get restless at a plain lookout. I would choose one rather than both, unless you really love skylines. If forced, I would pick the Skydeck for the central location and Landmark 81 for the sheer height.

9. A Saigon River dinner cruise or an evening show

This is where the original page was right, though it did not say much. An evening on the river is a pleasant way to see the lit-up city from the water without any walking, and you eat as you go. Quality varies, so I would stick to well-reviewed boats and treat the food as a decent set meal rather than the best dinner of your trip. We list a number of options. The dinner cruise on the Saigon River is the simplest choice, and if you would like a bit more of a show, the Saigon evening tour with a water puppet show and dinner cruise combines the two.

Water puppetry is one of the few uniquely Vietnamese art forms, and it is worth seeing at least once. Wooden puppets are moved by performers standing waist-deep behind a screen, accompanied by live folk instruments, and it is short, charming and easy to follow even if you do not understand a word. The Golden Water Puppet Show ticket is the stand-alone version. If you would like a more upmarket evening with traditional music and a meal, there is also the Chao Show with Vietnamese folk music and fine dining.

10. Eat, drink coffee, and do not rush

The last item on my list is not a place, it is a habit. Plan to eat at least one meal a day somewhere that looks slightly intimidating. Pho for breakfast, a banh mi from a street cart for a snack, bun cha or broken rice for lunch, and a long coffee in the afternoon. Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, called ca phe sua da, is one of the great pleasures of the country, and a coffee-shop afternoon is as legitimate a plan as any museum. If you like to learn as you eat, the cyclo ride, market visit and cooking class is a gentle way to do it, and the walking in Saigon by night tour shows you the street food scene with a guide who knows which stalls are worth the queue.

The ten at a glance

If you like to see everything in one place, here is the shortlist with a rough guide to time and cost. The entry fees are approximate and the tour prices are the starting fares from our catalogue at the time of writing, so treat the whole table as a planning aid rather than a price list.

How many days do you really need

The honest answer is three, with a fourth if you want the Mekong and Cu Chi on separate days. Two days is fine if you are happy to see only the city centre. One day is a taster, and I would not recommend it unless you are on a long layover. Here are three sample plans that I have seen work, and you can swap pieces in and out.

If you want the city covered by someone else, there are guided options for each length. The half-day Ho Chi Minh City premier tour is a compact introduction to the central sights, and the full-day Ho Chi Minh City premier tour goes deeper and is better if you want a guide to do the planning. I like these best for a first visit when you have no idea where to start.

When to go

Ho Chi Minh City is hot all year, with an average high around 33 degrees. What changes is the rain. The dry season runs roughly from December to April, with the most comfortable stretch from December to February, when the humidity eases a little and evenings are pleasant. March and April are the hottest months, with temperatures that make midday sightseeing a chore. The wet season, from about May to November, brings a short heavy downpour most afternoons rather than an all-day drizzle. You can plan around it by doing outdoor sights in the morning and keeping museums and cafes for the afternoon.

Tet, the Lunar New Year, usually falls in late January or February and is the single most important thing to plan around. The city empties out as people go home to their families, many shops and restaurants close for several days, and transport and hotels get tight in the days before and after. It is also a gorgeous, festive time to visit, with flower streets and decorations, so it is not a reason to avoid the city, only a reason to book early and expect closures.

Getting there and getting around

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is only about 20 to 30 minutes from District 1 in normal traffic, which is a luxury most big cities cannot offer. Flights from Singapore take a little under two hours, and there are plenty of them. If you are still working out the dates, we offer a flight reservation service for visa applications, which gives you a dated reservation to show with your paperwork rather than a purchased ticket. It is a reservation, not an issued ticket, so only buy your actual flights once your plans are firm.

From the airport, your choices are a metered taxi, a ride-hailing car, or a pre-booked transfer. Grab is the app everyone uses, and it works for both cars and motorbikes, with prices shown upfront. If you land late or with children and luggage, I would pre-book. We list a private airport transfer between Tan Son Nhat and the city, which means someone is waiting with your name on a sign and the price is fixed. If the airport queues are what worry you, there is also a fast track service at Tan Son Nhat that speeds you through immigration.

Once you are in town, here is how I would travel. Walk in District 1, which is compact and pleasant enough on foot in the evenings and mornings. Use Grab for anything over a kilometre, especially in the heat. Use the new metro line only if your route happens to match it, since it covers a limited corridor. And ignore the idea of renting a motorbike unless you already ride confidently, since the traffic is not a good place to learn. If you simply want a hop-on, hop-off overview, the Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing double-decker bus is a cheap way to get your bearings on the first day.

For onward travel to the coast, we offer the Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne sleeper bus and a Mui Ne day tour from Ho Chi Minh City, and there are cabin and sleeper buses to Nha Trang if you want to head up the coast. For a flexible day with your own driver, the private car charter in Ho Chi Minh is better than it sounds, especially for families.

What things cost in Vietnam

Vietnam is still one of the best-value places in Southeast Asia, and Ho Chi Minh City is the more expensive end of that. The numbers below are rough and in Singapore dollars, because that is easier for most of our readers to think in. They will shift with the exchange rate, so use them to calibrate rather than to budget to the cent.

The country's own official-looking guide suggests a budget band of about 500,000 to 2,000,000 dong per person per day, which is roughly S$27 to S$110 at recent rates, and I would say that matches reality: the low end if you eat locally and walk, the high end if you want hotels with a pool and a few paid experiences. Cash is still useful at markets and small stalls, though cards work in hotels and bigger restaurants. ATMs are everywhere, but check your bank's overseas fees before you leave.

Visas and paperwork

This is the question I get asked most, so here is the version I would want to read. Singapore passport holders can currently enter Vietnam without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days, as long as the passport is valid for at least six months and has a couple of blank pages. Other nationalities usually need an e-visa, which is applied for online through the official government portal, takes a few working days, costs around US$25 at the time of writing, and covers up to 90 days. Because rules change, please confirm for your own passport before you book anything non-refundable. Our visa requirements checker lets you pick your passport and destination and shows what we have on record, with a note of when it was last checked against official sources.

If you need help, we offer visa assistance through the site, and I would give yourself at least a week of margin. Do not leave an e-visa to the last minute, since a typo in a passport number or a mismatched date of birth is the most common reason for delays. Print a copy, and keep a digital one on your phone as well.

Staying connected

Mobile data is the unsung hero of travelling here. Grab, Google Maps, translation and payment apps all depend on it, and hunting for wifi in a cafe is a waste of your trip. An eSIM is the easiest fix, because you can install it before you leave and activate it on landing. We list a number of choices. The Vietnam eSIM sent by QR code through email is a straightforward option, and there is also a cheaper Vietnam eSIM with free roaming data. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked before you buy, and install the profile while you still have wifi.

If you prefer a physical card, there are SIM cards that you can pick up at the airport, listed in our catalogue, and these suit people whose phones do not support eSIM. Either way, I recommend sorting it out before the first night.

Safety, scams and etiquette

Ho Chi Minh City is a safe city in the sense that violent crime against visitors is rare, but petty theft is common and worth taking seriously. The classic one is the motorbike snatch: someone rides past and grabs a phone or bag from your hand. Walk on the inside of the pavement, carry your bag across your body on the side away from the road, and do not hold your phone loosely near the kerb when you are checking a map. Pickpocketing in crowded markets is the other risk.

A few other things to watch. Agree the fare before getting into any taxi that is not on a meter, or simply use a ride-hailing app. Be wary of cyclo drivers who quote one price and then ask for another, and always settle the total and the currency in advance. In bars, check the menu prices before ordering, particularly on the street where touts invite you in. And keep a copy of your passport details separate from the original.

In temples and pagodas, cover your shoulders and knees, take off your shoes where others have, and speak softly. Do not point your feet at altars or touch monks. At museums, the war exhibits can be upsetting, so give yourself a quiet moment afterwards. Vietnamese people are generally warm and curious about visitors, and a few words of Vietnamese, such as xin chao for hello and cam on for thank you, are always appreciated. Tipping is not required but is welcome, and a few thousand dong rounds up a fare nicely.

What to pack

Pack light, breathable clothing in cotton or linen, a hat, sunscreen and a small umbrella or rain jacket, since a shower can arrive without warning. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, because the pavements are uneven and some of the best sights are only reached on foot. A power bank is a good idea, since a day of maps and photos drains a battery faster than you expect, and insect repellent helps on the Mekong and Cu Chi days. A reusable water bottle saves money, though drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap. One light layer is worth having for the heavy air conditioning in buses, cafes and cinemas, which can feel arctic after the street.

Mistakes I see people make

Having watched a lot of first-time trips, a few errors come up again and again. The first is trying to do everything in two days, with a Cu Chi morning, a Mekong afternoon and the whole of District 1 by dinner. It does not work, and you end up exhausted and resentful of the traffic. Pick one big excursion per day at most.

The second is going to the museum at midday in the heat. The courtyard has little shade, and the heat ruins the experience. Go first thing in the morning. The third is booking a tour with no idea what is included. Always check whether lunch, entry fees and a guide are in the price, and whether the pickup is from your hotel or a central meeting point. The fourth is changing money at the airport, where the rates are poor. Use a bank ATM or a reputable gold shop in town instead.

The fifth is ignoring the weather. If you come in the wet season, the downpour is predictable and short, and planning your day around it makes all the difference. The sixth is skipping the quiet stuff. The best moments of my own visits have been a coffee on a balcony in District 3, an unplanned wander down an alley in Cholon, and a late dinner on a plastic stool. Leave room for them.

A sample three-day plan that works

Day one is the old city. Start at the War Remnants Museum when it opens, walk or ride to Independence Palace, then stroll to the cathedral and post office, and spend the afternoon at a cafe near Nguyen Hue. In the late afternoon go up the Skydeck for sunset, then eat at Ben Thanh's night stalls. You will be tired but you will know the centre.

Day two is the Cu Chi tunnels in the morning, back by early afternoon, then a rest at the hotel and the puppet show or a cruise in the evening. Day three is a Mekong day, leaving early and returning around five, with a simple dinner and an early night. If you have a fourth day, use it for Cholon, the Jade Emperor Pagoda and a long lunch. And if rain comes, which it might, switch the outdoor items for museums, cafes and a cooking class. Nothing here needs to be rigid.

If you are planning an extra beach day, Vung Tau is closer than most people realise and is an easy full-day trip, and Sun World Ba Den Mountain is a good choice for a cable-car day out for families. Both are optional, but they are worth knowing about if you have a spare day and want something different from the city.

Frequently asked questions

How many days should I spend in Ho Chi Minh City?

Three days is a comfortable first visit. Two covers the centre and one excursion, while four lets you do the Mekong and Cu Chi on separate days without rushing.

Is Ho Chi Minh City safe for tourists?

Yes, broadly. Violent crime against visitors is rare. The main risks are petty theft such as phone snatching from passing motorbikes and pickpocketing in busy markets, which you can avoid with a few simple habits.

Do I need a visa?

It depends on your passport. Singapore passport holders can currently enter without a visa for up to 30 days, and many other nationalities can use an e-visa. Rules change, so confirm with the official source and our visa requirements checker before you travel.

What is the best time to visit?

December to February is the most comfortable, with the least rain and lower humidity. It is also the busiest, and Tet in January or February closes many businesses for several days. The wet season is hot and showery, but quieter and cheaper.

Is it better to take a tour or go independently?

For Cu Chi and the Mekong, a tour is usually simpler and often cheaper than arranging transport yourself. For the city centre, independent exploring on foot with Grab for longer hops works very well.

How do I get from the airport to the city centre?

The airport is close, around 20 to 30 minutes from District 1. Use a metered taxi, Grab or a pre-booked private transfer. If you arrive late at night, a pre-booked transfer removes the stress of negotiating.

Can I use my credit card?

Cards are accepted in hotels, malls and larger restaurants, but cash is still essential at markets, street stalls and for small taxi fares. Withdraw dong from a bank ATM once you arrive.

Is Ho Chi Minh City good for families?

Yes, with a bit of planning. Kids tend to enjoy the water puppet show, the Mekong boat ride, the Skydeck and the cable car at Ba Den Mountain. Avoid the midday heat, bring snacks, and keep younger children away from the motorbike-heavy pavements.