One Day In Ho Chi Minh City: A Full Itinerary And Practical Guide
My Perfect 24 Hour Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
One day in Ho Chi Minh City sounded like nowhere near enough time when I arrived, and by the time I left I understood why so many travellers treat this city as a box to tick rather than somewhere worth its own day.
I built this itinerary after twelve days working my way through southern Vietnam, and I honestly expected Ho Chi Minh to feel like an afterthought compared to Hoi An or the Mekong. But it didn’t.
The morning energy in the parks before seven, the smell of pho drifting out of doorways before you’ve even ordered coffee that changed my mind fast.
This isn’t a rushed tourist schedule. It’s the route I’d actually take again, timed properly so you’re not sprinting between sights or missing lunch because you didn’t plan around opening hours.
If you’ve only got one day, or you’re passing through on a longer Southeast Asia trip, here’s how I’d spend it.
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Breakfast Time
06.30 AM To 07.15 AM
I made the mistake before when in Vietnam of not eating breakfast, and it backfired big time.
No energy or mood. That was a bad idea.
After that, every day in Vietnam, I would eat pho for breakfast. Nourishing and tasty, I was set until the late afternoon. Ho Chi Minh had good food, but it did not compare to Hanoi.
You can expect to pay around 35,000 and 65,000 VND ($1.31/€1.16/£0.98 to $2.44/€2.15/£1.82) for a bowl of pho at the street stalls.
The stalls, where locals eat, have the lowest cost, and the taste is great. It is very affordable compared to Europe or North America.
Still, after a nice, delightful breakfast, you can try a famous Vietnamese egg coffee.
Strong and sweet to keep your morning flowing smoothly. You will pay around 40,000 to 70,000 VND ($1.50/€1.32/£1.12 to $2.63/€2.31/£1.96).
The perfect start.
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Morning – War Remnants Museum
07.30 AM To 10.00 AM
Everyone tells you what to see in Ho Chi Minh, but fewer people tell you what it meant.
The museum is simply shocking yet so important to visit when in Vietnam.
When I asked people to be interviewed for my video about the War Remnants Museum, many rejected, which I understood but would have loved to hear what they had to say.
But since the video was published, the comments are often angry and defensive depending on who comments.
The museum has three levels covering a ground-floor exhibition, the Agent Orange Aftermath Exhibition, the Aggression War Crimes Exhibition, the 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 very 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. I recommend seeing the outdoor exhibition first and making your way up each level inside. This is exactly what I did, and it worked very well.
You won’t walk out the same person that went in.
- Cost: 40,000 VND ($1.50/€1.32/£1.12) per person
- Opening Hours: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM
- Suggested Duration: 2-3 hours
- Address: Phường 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam
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Afternoon – Independence Palace
10.15 AM To 12.15 PM
You don’t need to be a history person to enjoy Independence Palace.
You just need a bit of context. 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. Seeing a helicopter on the roof really made me feel like the war had only just ended.
In 1975, it was here that President Dương Văn Minh accepted defeat, just before the surrender was broadcast to the country.
You won’t likely find a more politically and historically significant place to visit in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Cost: General admission (exhibit and palace), 65,000 VND ($2.44/€2.15/£1.82) per person, Palace admission only, 40,000 VND ($1.50/€1.32/£1.12)
- Opening Hours: 07.00 AM – 06.00 PM
- Suggested Duration: 2-3 hours
- Address: Ben Thanh, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
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Lunch – Explore Vietnamese Cuisine
12.30 PM To 01.30 PM
I found the food in Ho Chi Minh to be simple, cheap, and better than half the “top-rated” food at home.
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, which was usually tasty and filling.
I recommend eating at Phin Saigon Vietnamese Food & Coffee – Grilled Meat Restaurant.
Some great dishes to consider are:
- Cơm tấm: broken rice with grilled pork chop, fried egg, and pickled vegetables
- Bánh mì: baguette filled with pork, pâté, pickled carrot and daikon, coriander, and chilli
- Bún thịt nướng: grilled pork over rice vermicelli with herbs and a fish sauce dressing
- Hủ tiếu Nam Vang: noodle soup with pork, shrimp, and sometimes offal, Cambodian-influenced
- Bánh xèo: crispy turmeric pancake filled with pork and shrimp, wrapped in lettuce and herbs
- Bún bò Huế: spicier beef noodle soup with lemongrass, richer than pho
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Afternoon – Notre Dame Cathedral And Saigon Central Post Office
01.45 PM To 03.00 PM
I thought I understood the scale of Notre Dame Cathedral from photos, but I didn’t.
Only a few hundred metres from Independence Palace is Notre Dame Cathedral.
In 1863, French colonists began construction on what would eventually become Notre Dame, built to serve the growing religious needs of the community. Unfortunately, when I visited, there was extensive maintenance being done, and therefore, we could not enter.
However, from the outside, it quickly catches the eye.
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.
Within a stone’s throw 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?
When I went inside, the seats were packed full of people writing postcards home. The room was buzzing with chatter, and I found it hard to find a place to sit down and write as many of the pens were out of ink.
The thing I loved the most was the large painting of Ho Chi Minh hanging above the clock.
I found lots of travellers standing outside the post office and posing for pictures, and this was one of my favourite places to take a photo in Ho Chi Minh.
- Cost: Both free
- Opening Hours: 07.30 AM – 06.00 PM
- Suggested Duration: 1-2 hours
- Address: 01 Công trường Công xã Paris, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
Explore My 10 Day Vietnam Itinerary For More Travel Tips
Dinner – Try Street Food
06.00 PM To 07.30 PM
I’d fly back just for the food.
While exploring Ho Chi Minh City, I found myself spoiled for choice.
However, I am not going to suggest a 5-star restaurant to you but rather something much more affordable and fun.
The best meals I experienced in Vietnam were consumed while on the side of a busy street. Sitting on small plastic chairs and tables, I had some of the most tasty soups and noodle dishes I can remember. The same goes for Hanoi, Tam Coc, and Da Nang and other parts of Vietnam that I visited.
A typical bowl of street food, a soup or noodle dish, in Ho Chi Minh City runs about 30,000 to 60,000 VND ($1.13/€0.99/£0.84 to $2.25/€1.98/£1.68). In Hanoi, it can be even cheaper.
A couple of things worth trying, and I wish I did when I was there, include Bò lá lốt, grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf, smoky and charred, popular as an evening grill and dish Ốc, Vietnamese snails and shellfish, cooked a dozen different ways with garlic, chilli, and lemongrass; this is a proper Saigon night-time institution; whole streets specialise in it after dark
I loved watching the food being cooked in front of my eyes with fresh ingredients and smells filling the streets. Taking all of this into consideration, your best bet is to eat the street food.
It is often the most authentic and tastiest you will find anywhere in Southeast Asia.
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Nighttime – Bitexco Financial Tower
08.00 PM To 09.30 PM
I thought Bitexco Financial Tower might be a quick photo stop, but it ended up being the highlight.
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 the second-tallest building in the city after Landmark 81.
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 I visited in May, I had the wonderful fortune of having the summit almost entirely to myself.
This gave me a memorable 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.
- Cost: 240,000 VND ($9.12/€7.92/£6.72) per person
- Opening Hours: 09.30 AM – 09.30 PM
- Recommended Time: 1-2 Hours
- Location: 2 Đ. Hải Triều, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
A Few Travel Tips For Ho Chi Minh
Embrace The Chaos
It took me a few hours to embrace this.
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 me 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 to 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 top quality. You need to pay in cash, so don’t expect to hand over your card and pay.
Other things to try include bánh tráng trộn, shredded rice paper tossed with dried beef or squid, green mango, quail eggs, peanuts, and a sweet-sour tamarind dressing and xôi, sticky rice, often topped with shredded chicken, Vietnamese sausage, or fried shallots, common as a cheap, filling street snack.
A meal could cost between 10,000 and 35,000 VND ($0.38/€0.33/£0.28 to $1.31/€1.16/£0.98).
Use The Grab App
If you have Uber, then your best option in Saigon is Grab.
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
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. 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.
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Where To Stay In Ho Chi Minh City
Not the flashiest place I’ve stayed, but it did everything right.
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. I paid 442,500 VND ($16.95/€14.83/£12.62) per night which was reasonable.
It was located well, and I 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.
But I learned that even if you are far from some sites, a Grab motorbike will take you there and fast.
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
I did not rent a scooter in Ho Chi Minh but I wish I did.
I did see many tourists renting scooters. Other alternatives include Grab, a Taxi app, taking the bus or cycling. Traffic can be crazy in Vietnam.
I once waited twenty-five minutes to cross the road to Vinhomes Central Park Observatory, and it felt so dangerous. I did my best to cross the road when I could, as I was just not used to it. I found a group of locals to shadow which worked but it was not easy so I must say be very careful.
But I also heard of many tourists having accidents.
Unless you have travel insurance I do not recommend driving a scooter.
Mui Ne, the easiest beach day trip from Ho Chi Minh City.
Final Thoughts On One Day In Ho Chi Minh City
If you only have time for one landmark in Ho Chi Minh City make it the War Remnants Museum.
But don’t stress, even in just a day, you can still see lots more than one place and have a great time.
The Independence Palace and the Notre Dame Cathedral are well worth it. The city’s street food, especially the pho, is memorable. 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.
Before you travel, check my South East Asia packing list for essential items specific to Vietnam’s climate. Walking the streets of Ho Chi Minh City might remind you of Hanoi, but the south of Vietnam is worth exploring in its own right.
Any questions, just ask.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Is One Day Enough For Ho Chi Minh?
The main highlights are doable in one day in Ho Chi Minh City, but it can feel a little rushed. Three days is far better. You should prioritise the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace if timing is tight. You can expect to pay around 1,330,000 VND ($50.00/€43.75/£37.20) a day for accommodation, meals, and transport on a mid range budget.
What Shouldn’t You Miss In Ho Chi Minh?
You shouldn’t miss the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace when in Ho Chi Minh City. Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Post Office are right beside one another, so you can combine both. Don’t miss Bitexco Tower at sunset or nighttime, to see the city from a different perspective.
Where To Avoid In Ho Chi Minh City?
You should be cautious walking through parts of the city where crossing the street is genuinely difficult, like near Vinhomes Central Park Observatory, which took me 25 minutes to get across.
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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!