Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest and fastest city, its old name is Saigon and locals still often call it that. Unlike Hanoi, new building, business and night life are to the fore here. Those planning a southern route usually start right here, because the Mekong delta and the Cu Chi tunnels are close. Below I have written the two or three days.
District 1 and the centre in Ho Chi Minh City
Almost all tourists stay in District 1, because all the main points are within walking distance. The central post office building remains from the French period and inside it is still a working post office. The Notre-Dame cathedral beside it is under restoration, but its exterior is enough for photographers.
Ben Thanh market is the city’s best-known market, prices are raised for tourists, so haggling is considered normal. Bui Vien street, meanwhile, turns into an entirely different city in the evening and the noise goes on past midnight. Anyone who wants to sleep quietly should choose a hotel a few blocks away from that street.
The war museum and the Independence Palace
The War Remnants Museum is the city’s heaviest but most important place. Inside, the photographs and consequences of the Vietnam war are shown, and some halls are not suitable for children. Set aside an hour or two and bear in mind that after coming out you will need a quiet walk for a while.
The Independence Palace is the building whose gate a tank broke through in 1975, and inside everything has been kept as it was at the time. The command post and radio room in the basement are the most interesting part. The two can be gathered into one day.
The Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong delta
The Cu Chi tunnels are two hours from the city and part of the underground network has been widened for visitors. Even so, the inside is narrow and hot, and anyone uncomfortable in an enclosed space should not go in. A half-day morning tour is the most comfortable option.
The Mekong delta, meanwhile, is an entirely different Vietnam: floating markets, coconut workshops and small boats in the canals. A one-day tour stays superficial, while staying one night really shows you the delta. In the distant districts the connection is weak, so buying an eSIM before the trip is useful for maps and contacting the tour.
Transport and budget in Ho Chi Minh City
Tan Son Nhat airport is only half an hour from the centre, which is a rare advantage for a city this size. Grab works everywhere and the motorbike option is far faster in traffic. The first metro line has started running, but it does not cover all the tourist routes.
| Three-star hotel | 25–50 dollars a night |
| Four-star, District 1 | 60–110 dollars |
| Banh mi and com tam | 2–3 dollars a portion |
| Visa, e-visa | 25 dollars, up to 90 days |
Within the country Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet fly cheaply and Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is only two hours, so comparing domestic flights, trains and buses on one screen makes building a route easier. There is no direct flight; you go via Doha, Dubai and Istanbul, so check ticket prices in the Ho Chi Minh City direction in advance. Official tourism information is on Vietnam’s national tourism site.
Season in Ho Chi Minh City
The south has two seasons. December–April is the dry period and the best time for the city, with the weather at 28–33 degrees. May–November is rainy, but the rain usually lasts an hour in the afternoon and then stops, so it does not spoil the trip. April is the hottest month and January the most comfortable. During the Tet holiday, which follows the lunar calendar, the city closes down and ticket prices rise sharply.
A last word
Ho Chi Minh City shows Vietnam’s energy best, and its history makes it more valuable still. Stay in District 1 but a little away from Bui Vien, give time to the museum, give the Mekong one night, and check the Tet week in advance. If you want to travel Vietnam as a whole route, you can look at the ready-made tour options. For a route and a visa, fill in the application form.
Note: holiday dates and visa rules may change, so check again before travelling.
