One Day in Ho Chi Minh City: A Comprehensive Guide
Your Perfect One Day In Ho Chi Minh City Guide
After spending 12 incredible days exploring southern Vietnam, I’ve crafted the perfect one-day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary that shows you all the must-see spots.
To be fair, the city deserves more time, but I’ll show you how to make every hour count in this fun and colourful city. Having explored all the major attractions, I’ve packed the best of HCMC into 24 exciting hours.
This isn’t a rushed tourist schedule.
It’s a thoughtfully planned route through the city’s highlights, with practical advice on timing and getting around to make the most of your day. Maybe you’re on a quick layover or just passing through on your Southeast Asia adventure, but this guide will ensure you experience the city’s essential sights.
If that sounds good, keep on reading.
If you have more time to spend in the city, I have a guide for a for Ho Chi Minh City 3-day itinerary too.
Plan your trip to Vietnam with my 14 Day Itinerary guide!
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you make a booking through them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my Privacy Policy.
Breakfast Time
Make sure you start your day exploring Ho Chi Minh City the right way, full of energy.
Every day in Vietnam, I would eat Pho for breakfast. Nourishing and tasty, I was set until the late afternoon.
After a nice, delightful breakfast, you can try a famous Vietnamese egg Coffee. Strong and sweet to keep your morning flowing smoothly.
The perfect start!
Discover My 5 Day Vietnam Itinerary To Help Plan A Trip
Morning – War Remnants Museum
Ho Chi Minh City is a city that rises with the sun.
You can expect to see people playing badminton at 05.00 AM in the public parks. If the locals are maximising their time, then so should you!
I recommend making an early start in the War Remnants Museum.
I made a vlog about my experience, which you can watch later in the article.
The museum has three levels covering a ground-floor exhibition, the Agent Orange Aftermath Exhibition, the Aggression War Crimes Exhibition and Vietnam War and Peace Exhibition and the Historic Truths Exhibition.
It isn’t for the faint-hearted. Some of the images are graphic and tell of the horror that happened in Vietnam.
With that considered, it is incredibly important to visit.
Especially as a tourist.
Outside the museum’s walls, you can explore the American tanks and aircraft which devastated much of Vietnam.
You can see what the prisons were like and the harsh conditions in which the inmates were kept.
You won’t walk out the same person that went in.
Location: 28 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC
Cost: 40,000 VND Per Person
Recommended Time: 2-3 Hours
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM
Afternoon – Independence Palace
After spending two to three hours looking at Vietnam’s tragic history, you can walk to the Independence Palace.
Just a short distance away, less than a kilometre, you can explore the highlights of the former presidential palace, including its underground bunker and rooftop area.
The palace was restored after two rogue Vietnamese officers dropped bombs on the palace in 1962.
The part I enjoyed the most was walking around the president’s office, cabinet rooms and other areas of importance.
In 1975, it was here that President Thiệu delivered the message that the Americans would be leaving the war.
You won’t likely find a politically historically significant place to visit in Ho Chi Minh City.
Location: Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Cost: General admission tickets (includes the Exhibit and Palace)
- Adults: 65.000 VND Per Person
- Children: 15.000 VND Per Person
Palace admission tickets
- Adults, Students: 40.000 VND Per Person
- Children: 10.000 VND Per Person
Recommended Time: 2-3 Hours
Opening Hours: 08.00 AM – 04.30 PM
Discover My 7 Day Vietnam Itinerary
Lunch – Explore Vietnamese Cuisine
Naturally, after consuming so much history in the morning and afternoon, you will need some calories to keep going.
One of my favourite Vietnamese lunches was Pho. A watery noodle soup with beef chillies and other vegetables. Tasty and filling. Damn, I am hungry now!
Of course, you can try a sweet Vietnamese coffee. This is made with condensed milk and coffee. Thats it. Enjoy the creamy, thicker taste.
Fortunately, you can rest assured that there are more calories in this than in an Americano.
Evening – Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office
Wow, the day in Ho Chi Minh City is getting on.
Not to worry, there are plenty more things to do close by.
Only a few hundred metres from Independence Palace is Notre Dame Cathedral. In 1863, the French Colonialists created several religious services for the people who needed them. One outcome of this is Notre Dame.
Unfortunately, when I visited, there was extensive maintenance being done, and therefore, we could not enter.
However, from the outside, it is truly phenomenal.
Artistic and impressive.
It’s easy to see that all of the materials were brought from France, as it is typical of the architecture in the region at that time.
Pro Tip – Within a stone’s throw distance of Notre Dame Cathedral is the Saigon Central Post Office.
You will see the crowds outside and inside this iconic site. Why not write and send mail to friends or family as we did?
Location: 01 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
Cost: Free
Recommended Time: 1-2 Hours
Opening Hours:
8 AM to 11 AM and 2 PM to 4 PM daily.
Weekday Mass: 5.30 AM and 5.30 PM.
Every Sunday: 5.30 AM; 6.45 AM; 8 AM; 9.30 AM; 4.00 PM; 5.30 PM; 6.30 PM.
Every Sunday, 9.30 AM Mass is in English.
Explore My 10 Day Vietnam Itinerary For More Travel Tips
Dinner – Try Street Food
No doubt you will know that Vietnamese cuisine is popular all over the globe.
While exploring Ho Chi Minh City, visitors will find themselves spoiled for choice.
However, I am not going to suggest to you a 5-star restaurant but rather something much more affordable and fun.
The best meals I experienced in Vietnam were consumed while on the side of a bustling street. Sitting on small plastic chairs and tables, we had some of the most tasty soups and noodle dishes I can remember.
Watch the food cook in front of your eyes with fresh ingredients and aromas filling the streets. Sometimes it will stop you, and you will have to sit and eat.
Don’t suppress this. Roll with it, and you won’t regret your decision.
Taking all of this into consideration, your best bet is to eat the street food. It is usually the most authentic and tastiest you will find.
Nighttime – Bitexco Financial Tower
Don’t expect Ho Chi Minh City to sleep once your belly is full and the sun has set. The opposite happens. The city comes alive.
This is the perfect chance to make your way to Bitexco Tower.
You can arrange tours to the top of Bitexco Tower, or do as I did and go yourself. At its peak, the height is 262 metres, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city.
As the city is dark, you can walk around the 360-degree viewing area, taking in all the lights scattered across the Ho Chi Minh City skyline.
You can use the binoculars up there to get a zoomed-in view of any site that you can see.
You will find a fashion museum at the top level too, highlighting some Vietnamese traditional clothing, which adds something nice at the top.
When we visited in May, we had the incredible fortune of having the summit almost entirely to ourselves. This gave us a truly magical experience.
However, be aware that during peak seasons, this spot can get quite crowded and less enjoyable.
Planning your visit during off-peak times will help you avoid these crowds and have a more peaceful experience.
Location: 2 Đ. Hải Triều, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Cost: 220,000 VND
Recommended Time: 1 hour
Opening Hours: 30 AM – 09.30 PM
Other Options For Spending One Day In Ho Chi Minh City
While my itinerary is only a suggestion, it does not include all the other best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.
Some other amazing things to explore include:
Vietnam Jeep Tour
Saigon River Dinner Cruise
Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
Mekong Delta Tour
All of these are worth visiting. Do your research and choose which looks the most appealing.
If you have more than one day in Ho Chi Minh City, then you can likely fit most of these in. If you can only stay for one day, my itinerary should make sense.
A Few Travel Tips For Ho Chi Minh
Embrace The Chaos
Worldwide, Ho Chi Minh City is renowned for its continual activity and vibrancy.
Embrace it all when you arrive and try not to let it negatively affect you. If you only have one day in Saigon, then make the most of its bustle.
Road Crossing Is A Skill
It took us so long to learn how to cross the road in Vietnam.
There are what look like endless numbers of cars and motorbikes traversing the street 24/7, and it is honestly scary trying to navigate to the other side of the road. My tip is not stop moving.
If you do, it will affect drivers’ judgment and make it more difficult.
Watch how the locals do it, or even better, stand beside them so they act as a protective line between you and the traffic.
It’s satisfying to see how this works.
Ensure You Hydrate Consistently
I can attest that Ho Chi Minh City can get extremely hot and humid. If you are out in the sun all day, make sure you carry water at all times.
Wear sun cream, a hat, and sunglasses.
Thank me later.
Try The Street Food
Street food and Southeast Asia are synonymous.
In Vietnam, the street food is spectacular. My favourite and go-to was Pho, a noodle soup with beef and red chilis.
Other things to try include Rice Paper Salad, Banh Mi and the Vietnamese sandwich.
Too tasty!
Use The Grab App
If you have Uber, then your best option in Saigon is Grab.
As always, the early bird catches the worm. Don’t expect to show up in the early afternoon and have a big pick of the best produce.
It doesn’t cost a lot, and you can travel seamlessly around the city. Though the traffic can be awful sometimes, it’s not always seamless.
Visit The Markets Early
Visit early to avoid the crowds and the disappointment of having few options.
Learn A Few Vietnamese Phrases
A little bit of Vietnamese goes a long way.
And I rarely heard English in the streets. Even just learning to say “hello” (xin chào), “thank you” (cám ơn), and “how much?” (bao nhiêu tiền?) can help you out when communicating with locals.
Things You Shouldn’t Miss in 1 Day In Ho Chi Minh City
If I were travelling back again to Ho Chi Minh City for one day, there are a few sites I would not miss.
The War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Saigon Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral would be the highest on my priority list.
Historic with amazing architecture, you’ll surely be impressed with these attractions.
Where To Stay In Ho Chi Minh City
The best place to stay in Ho Chi Minh City is a location close to all the major attractions.
I stayed in the Na Nue Hotel in District 1.
It was perfectly located, and we walked to most of the major sites in good time. Here you will find many options for places to stay, and the streets will be filled with backpackers.
Before you book your accommodation, think about which sites you won’t miss and then choose somewhere close.
Some other highly rated options in District One include:
Tracy Ben Thanh Tower *****
Happy Life Grand Hotel & Sky Bar ****
Nicecy Hotel – Bui Thi Xuan Street ***
Getting Around Ho Chi Minh City
If you are brave enough to rent a scooter, then it’s your best option.
We did see many tourists renting scooters. But we also heard of many tourists having accidents. Other alternatives include Grab, a Taxi app, taking the bus or cycling. Traffic can be crazy in Vietnam.
We once waited twenty-five minutes to cross the road, and it felt so dangerous.
I did my best not cross the road when I could, as I was just not used to it.
Is One Day In Ho Chi Minh City Worth It?
To wrap it up, spending just one day in Ho Chi Minh City is like trying to read a book at a glance; you’ll miss some key parts.
But don’t stress, even in just a day, you can still have an incredible time.
The War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and the Notre Dame Cathedral are absolute must-sees. The city’s street food, especially the pho, is out of this world. When the sun goes down, head up to the Bitexco Financial Tower for a view you won’t forget.
One thing I wish I’d known before arriving is how active the city stays late into the night. The streets buzz with energy until the early hours, making evening exploration far more rewarding than I expected. Pack a reusable water bottle as the heat and humidity demand constant hydration, and bring a lightweight jacket for sudden showers, even during the dry season.
After Ho Chi Minh, I travelled to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta. I booked a daytime sleeper bus through 12Go Asia, which made the journey comfortable and straightforward. The booking process took minutes and offered multiple departure times.
Before you travel, check my South East Asia packing list for essential items specific to Vietnam’s climate. I also recommend joining the Vietnam Travel for English Speakers Facebook group where travellers share real-time tips, transport recommendations and hidden gems that guidebooks miss.
Embrace the city’s chaotic charm, stay hydrated, and remember to enjoy the experience. Walking the streets of Ho Chi Minh City might remind you of Hanoi, but the south of Vietnam is truly a wonderful place to explore in its own right.
Would you personally like to visit any of the places I mentioned?
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Is One Day Enough For Ho Chi Minh?
One day gives you a taste of Ho Chi Minh City but barely scratches the surface. You can hit the main highlights like Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Bitexco Tower in 24 hours, but you’ll be rushing. I recommend three days minimum to properly explore without exhaustion. The city rewards slower exploration, allowing time for street food discoveries, riverside walks and absorbing the chaotic energy. With only one day, prioritise the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace for essential history, then choose between cultural sites or food experiences based on your interests. Budget around $50.00 daily for accommodation, meals and transport to experience the city comfortably.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Walkable?
Ho Chi Minh City is walkable but requires constant vigilance due to chaotic traffic. I walked daily between District 1 attractions and managed fine with caution, though the experience proved exhausting. The strategy for crossing streets involves maintaining a steady pace and walking close to locals who understand traffic patterns. Don’t hesitate to ask locals for help crossing particularly busy junctions. The heat and humidity make extended walking challenging, especially in April when temperatures reach the high 20s. Use Grab for longer distances as rides cost under $1.00 within the city. Walking works well for exploring compact areas like around Nguyen Hue Walking Street, but plan rest stops.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive For Tourists?
Ho Chi Minh City suits budget travellers perfectly. I spent around $50.00 per day covering accommodation at Na Nue Hotel, all meals and transport. Street food costs from $3.00 per meal, whilst sit-down restaurants start at $5.00, though prices vary. Pho breakfast costs roughly $4.00 at my hotel. Grab rides within the city cost under $1.00, making transport incredibly affordable. Major attractions like the War Remnants Museum (40,000 VND) and the Independence Palace (65,000 VND) charge minimal entry fees. Whilst not quite as cheap as parts of Laos and Thailand, Vietnam remains significantly more affordable than North America or Europe, allowing extended stays without financial stress.
- Bai Dinh Pagoda Travel Guide: Tickets, Tips, and Honest Review
- Hang Múa Cave And Viewpoint: Is It Worth 500 Steps?
- Bich Dong Pagoda – All You Need To Know
- Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Vietnam’s Best-Kept Secret
- Where To Stay In Ninh Binh: All You Need To Know
Sensational list of things to do, James. Fab post bro.
I loved egg coffee. Had a few cups here and there. On a daily basis, I added condensed milk to my Vietnamese coffee to do things Vietnam style. Sweet, rich and filling.
The post office is a sight to behold. Feels like time travel. We visited HCMC last year during summer time. District 2 for a month.
Keep up the great blogging work.
Ryan
Thanks, Ryan. I appreciate the comment!