My Honest 3 Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary For Couples
My Balanced 3 Day Ho Chi Minh Itinerary
Three days in Ho Chi Minh City are enough, and honestly, that surprised me.
I went in expecting to need a week. Maybe more. A lot of blogs will tell you five days is the real minimum, and I understand why they say it. But the city packs itself into a tight schedule without feeling rushed, a bit like a good phở; somehow, everything fits in one bowl, and it still works. I found that out by accident, not by planning it.
I actually wrote a postcard sitting inside the Saigon Post Office itself, addressed to friends back in Ireland. It said something cheerful about the heat, the traffic, and how alive the city felt. That postcard took several months to arrive. By the time it landed on the doormat back home, I’d already left Vietnam and moved on somewhere else entirely. A delayed little time capsule.
I didn’t expect to fall for this city the way I did.
Bitexco Tower and Independence Palace both made me genuinely happy, and that’s what convinced me I’d made the right call visiting. Three days here, done properly, get you the big landmarks, the food, and still leave an evening or two spare to just sit somewhere with a beer and watch the scooters go by.
Now, the questions everyone asks. Should you do a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels? Yes, but only if you’ve got a full day to spare, because it eats into your three days fast.
Should you skip Ho Chi Minh City altogether and go straight to Hanoi, since it’s the capital after all? I’m still torn on that one, and I’ll get into why later, but my short answer is no. Ho Chi Minh City has its own personality, and it doesn’t need Hanoi’s title to earn your time.
Below, I’ve mapped out exactly how to spend each of your three days, where to stay, what it’ll actually cost you, and how to get here without overcomplicating things.
Whether you’re travelling as a couple after a good mix of history and food, or you’re solo and want a city that’s easy to navigate alone, this covers you either way.
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Ho Chi Minh City Map For 3 Day Trip
Best Time To Visit?
The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh is between December and April.
| Month | Average Temperature | Weather |
|---|---|---|
| December | 23 to 32°C (73 to 90°F) | Dry season begins, sunny, warm and low humidity |
| January | 22 to 32°C (72 to 90°F) | Dry, sunny and one of the most comfortable months |
| February | 23 to 33°C (73 to 91°F) | Dry, warm and sunny with very little rain |
| March | 25 to 35°C (77 to 95°F) | Hottest time of year, very hot and humid |
| April | 26 to 35°C (79 to 95°F) | Extremely hot with the first afternoon thunderstorms |
During December, January, and February, you will experience far less humidity, less rain and overall it is more pleasant compared to other times of the year.
We visited Ho Chi Minh City at the end of April and early May, and it was hot.
I wouldn’t say it ruined the trip, but it made simple things like walking the streets and being outdoors less comfortable.
On the plus side, we had very little rain, and it was even less crowded than I had expected. April tends to be the hottest month of the year, with an average daily maximum of 35°C/95°F and an average low of 26°C/79°F.
Find Out How To Get From Ho Chi Minh City To Da Nang On A Road Trip
How To Get To Ho Chi Minh City?
You can get to Ho Chi Minh City in numerous ways.
Airport
International travellers can reach Ho Chi Minh City via Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN).
I found the airport to be comfortable and easy to navigate through, but it was very busy when I visited. Be prepared to wait a long time in immigration before exiting the airport.
We flew from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh with AirAsia, and it was a smooth journey lasting around 1 hour and thirty minutes.
Taxi
You can book a taxi from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to your hotel.
Book a private taxi with air con to make the journey smooth rather than waiting at the airport and being hassled by taxi drivers.
The cost 515,000 VND ($19.58/€17.00/£14.42). It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to get from the airport to the city centre by taxi.
If you choose to get your tickets at the airport, you can expect to pay about 180,000 VND ($6.84/€5.94/£5.04) for the taxi journey. Make sure the price is either pre-agreed before you leave, or agreed that the Taxi driver will use the meter.
You don’t want to be out of pocket the moment you get to the city centre.
Bus
Look for either of these buses from the airport to the city centre.
- Bus number 49 is the quicker bus. If you’re looking to catch this bus, head over to Column 12 in the international terminal or Column 18 in the Domestic Terminal. It runs 40 to 60 times daily and every 15 minutes between 05.30 AM and 12.30 AM. It costs 40,000 VND ($1.52/€1.32/£1.12) per person.
- Bus number 109 is the cheaper bus. To catch this bus, go to Column 12 in the international terminal or Column 18 in the Domestic Terminal. It costs 20,000 VND ($0.76/€0.66/£0.56) per person and runs from 05.30 AM to 12.00 AM.
A cash payment is required to ride this bus.
Pre-booking and card payments are not available. Tickets can be purchased either on the bus or at the airport booth.
If you are travelling domestically by bus in Vietnam, use Futa Bus.
We used a Futa sleeper bus when travelling from Saigon to Can Tho in the daytime, and from all the bus companies we have used in 3 months travelling Southeast Asia, this company was the best.
Comfortable seats and bottled water were included.
Grab
Grab was my biggest lifesaver in Vietnam.
I took mostly bikes all over the city in the north and centre, but I didn’t bother with it in Ho Chi Minh on my first trip to Vietnam.
I have since learned it is your best friend when it comes to getting to the city.
Just like ordering food to your room, you can get a car or motorbike to pick you up and drop you off on the other side of the city. It’s faster, cheaper and more fun than a traditional taxi. Heads up on safety, however, as many times in Hanoi, the helmet I was given was not working properly.
You can expect to pay roughly 45,500 VND ($1.73/€1.50/£1.27) for a trip in the city. Using Grab in Hanoi, I often went to the other side of the city and did not pay more than 36,400 VND ($1.38/€1.20/£1.02). It’s very affordable.
Make sure the helmet is working safely to protect you from any accidents. Cancel the ride and book another.
After three and a half months of travelling in Vietnam, I recommend using Grab when you can, rather than taxis or buses.
Read My 2 week Vietnam Itinerary
Where To Stay In Ho Chi Minh
We stayed at Na Nue Hotel right beside September 23rd Park. This is District 1.
District 1 is popular because it is very walkable and has many of the best attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. This location is nice because you are a 7-minute walk from Ho Chi Minh Statue, an 11-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral and a 10-minute walk from Independence Palace.
We paid 424,242 VND ($16.12/€14.00/£11.88) per night, which included a very good breakfast. The staff were very helpful with organising tours and assisting with laundry.
This is a really good mid-range option for couples or even solo travellers.
I have listed some really good options for each budget below from Districts 1 and 3.
Budget Options
Mid-Range Options
Luxury Options
Day 1
Visit The War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum is an important and intense museum detailing the American War in Vietnam.
It is a detailed and descriptive overview of the major events from the war, which lasted from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975.
The museum opened the same year the war ended and has been generally the most popular tourist site in the city.
There are 3 levels to the museum:
- Ground Floor Exhibition and Handicrafts
- Agent Orange Aftermath Exhibition and Aggression War Crimes Exhibition
- Vietnam War and Peace Exhibition and Historic Truths Exhibition
The Tiger cages used by the Vietnamese to hold POWs shocked me. The media section covers how global news covered the war, including journalists who were injured or died doing their job. It is depressing. And the Agent Orange section is simply disgraceful.
When I visited, I was taken aback by the helicopter and planes on display in front of the complex. You can see F-5A fighters and UH-1 Huey helicopters, which were captured by the Vietnamese. What surprised me most was how emotional other visitors and I reacted.
I made a detailed video about my visit, which shows you everything you need to know about visiting.
- Location: 28 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC
- Cost: 40,000 VND ($1.52/€1.32/£1.12) per person
- Recommended Time: 2-3 Hours
- Opening Hours: 07.30 AM – 05.30 PM
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Explore Notre Dame Cathedral
Once the War Remnants Museum visit is complete, you walk about 1 kilometre to Notre Dame Cathedral.
This magnificent structure was constructed between 1863 and 1880, and while we visited, there were large repair works underway, which drastically reduced the aesthetics of the cathedral and our experience.
Sadly, we could not enter, but it is expected to be complete in 2027.
You can appreciate the size and grandeur of the Cathedral from the colourful green area below the entrance, which is maintained with colour. If you do get inside on your visit, you can expect to see a vaulted ceiling and dynamic stained glass windows.
Similar to a cathedral commonly found across Europe, such as Notre-Dame de Paris.
Make sure you visit some of these Saigon attractions.
- 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:
- 08.00 AM – 11.00 AM and 02.00 PM – 04.00 PM daily.
- Weekday Mass: 05.30 AM and 05.30 PM.
- Every Sunday: 05.30 AM; 06.45 AM; 08.00 AM; 09.30 AM; 04.00 PM; 05.30 PM; 06.30 PM.
- Every Sunday, 09.30 AM Mass is in English.
Visit The Central Post Office
One of my favourite places in Ho Chi Minh is the Central Post Office.
The reason for this was the large painting of Ho Chi Minh at the back of the room, the electric atmosphere and the hundreds of people sitting around writing letters home.
All of this, and to be surrounded by beautiful French architecture and the bright yellow paint found throughout the city, made me love this place.
We entered the Post Office on a few occasions while visiting, as it’s so central in the city, and we sent cards to many friends and family back home in Europe.
While it took one month to get home, we still enjoyed the fun of it.
The cost is not expensive at 34,000 VND ($1.29/€1.12/£0.95) to send to Europe or North America. Our friends and family appreciated the gesture.
There is a nice square in front of the post office where you can get that famous picture with the post office in the background. I wish I had visited Book Street because I love bookstores, and many people suggest doing so.
The French-style design was constructed between 1886 and 1891, and it stands only metres opposite Notre Dame Cathedral.
- Location: 02 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
- Cost: Free
- Recommended Time: 1 Hour
- Opening Hours: 07.30 AM – 06.00 PM
- Sunday 08.00 AM – 05.00 PM
Read My 7 Day Vietnam Itinerary
Visit The Ho Chi Minh Statue
The city was named after Ho Chi Minh, so it is significant for that reason.
Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese revolutionary and politician.
He played a key role in the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945 and served as its president from 1945 to 1969. He is widely revered in Vietnam as a national hero who fought for the independence of his country.
Beside the statue, you can stroll through the pedestrian area starting beside the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and making your way down to the Saigon River (about 750 Metres).
This area is beautiful and well-maintained.
The sky is covered with skyscrapers, and at night is a sight to behold with red, blue and yellow strobes setting fire to the sky.
When we visited, it was reunification week. The pedestrian area, it was filled with stages which hosted live music and cultural events, which was a wonderful experience.
We learned first-hand about Vietnam’s music and historical dress.
- Location: 110 Đ. Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
- Cost: Free
- Recommended Time: 2 Hours
- Opening Hours: 24 Hours
Discover The Best 10 Day Vietnam Itinerary
Day 2
Take A Tour Of The Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a network of underground tunnels located in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The tunnels were used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War as hiding spots, communication and supply routes, and living quarters.
It is remarkable the size and scale at which these tunnels were built.
You can enter one of the tunnels and live the experience of the Viet Cong with the “enemy” walking on your head beneath the camouflaged small hatch, which camouflages your location with the leaves.
Visitors can also walk through one of the tunnels for about 10 Metres. For me, this was not possible because I do not like small spaces. Other people loved this part. Do what is right for you.
When I visited, several tour groups were doing the same as us. It never felt overwhelming, but I would have preferred it to be a little quieter. I was able to shoot an AK47, which was a unique experience.
Our guide had good English, so we could ask questions.
At the beginning, we watched a video about the war in Cu Chi and learned about how wide the tunnels expanded over time.
The tunnels were 121 KM long and were the Viet Cong’s base of operations for the Tết Offensive in 1968.
It is common for tours to collect you from your hotel, bring you to the tunnels, give you lunch and drop you back to your hotel for a fixed rate.
Ensure you book at least 2 days in advance and longer in the high season.
You should bring shoes with good grip because if it’s wet, the mud can become slippery. Fewer people visit the Ben Duoc part, so if you want fewer people, consider that.
On our tour, we made a stop on the way to the tunnels at the Lamphat Company Handicapped Handicrafts, where visitors can buy products, and proceeds go to victims of the war, which was a nice touch. You can send items home or bring in your luggage.
Watch my Cu Chi Tunnels video below.
- Location: Phú Hiệp, Củ Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Cost: 500,000 VND ($19.00/€16.50/£14.00) per person
- Recommended Time: 6 Hours
- Opening Hours: 07.00 AM – 03.00 PM
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Ride The Saigon Water Bus
Taking a trip on the Saigon Water Bus is an enjoyable way to escape the busy streets and discover the impressive skyline that the city has.
When I took the water bus, the views of the city changing as we glided past on the water were exciting and calming.
We saw Bitexco Tower and Landmark 81.
I advise you to book a couple of days in advance to avoid disappointment because when we arrived, tickets were sold out, and we had to come back three days later to experience the water bus. In the end, we ended up having to change some plans around, so I don’t want this happening to you.
There is a small shop onboard, so you can buy drinks or snacks to enjoy the city view with.
We did the whole Bach Dang to Linh Đông route.
From Saigon Water Bus Station and headed north until we got to Phà Bình Quới, where we changed boats and had to wait ten minutes or so before the water bus brought us back to our original starting point.
Depending on how much time you want to spend on the water, you can fit this in easily. You can buy it at the counter or online.
It gave us a nice memory of the city and highlighted how big it is.
- Location: 10B Tôn Đức Thắng, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
- Cost: 15,000 VND ($0.57/€0.50/£0.42)
- Recommended Time: 2 Hours
- Opening Hours: 07.00 AM – 07.30 PM
Day 3
Discover Independence Palace
Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, is a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City and an important symbol of the city’s history.
The Palace was opened to the public in 1990 and declared a national site in 1976 and a special national site in 2009, and witnessed some of the country’s most dramatic events of the past.
The palace was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
It was here that the North Vietnamese Army tanks crashed through the gates on April 30, 1975, signalling the end of the war and the reunification of Vietnam.
We walked through the palace and saw the many conference rooms, banquet halls, and private quarters used by the former president and his staff.
There are also displays of military equipment, such as planes and tanks, located outside and historical artefacts from the Vietnam War era on the inside.
You can also enter the bunker under the palace where the president and his family sought refuge during the 1975 bombing. I noticed the kitchen and the presidential bunker.
Walking through this palace will force you to think like a world leader during wartime, when every second counts. The Independence Palace was one of the most interesting sites I visited.
You can watch my video about the Independence Palace below.
- Location: Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Cost: General admission tickets (include the Exhibit and Palace) Adults: 65,000 VND ($2.47/€2.15/£1.82) per person, Children: 15,000 VND (€0.50/$0.57/£0.42) per person. Palace admission tickets: Adults, Students: 40,000 VND (€1.32/$1.52/£1.12) per person, Children: 10,000 VND (€0.33/$0.38/£0.28) per person
- Recommended Time: 2-3 Hours
- Opening Hours: 08.00 AM – 04.30 PM
Explore Mui Ne, A Beachside Town Close To Ho Chi Minh
Visit Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is a popular place for travellers to visit in Ho Chi Minh City.
I have never visited this market, but I wanted to mention it for its popularity. This marketplace is located in the heart of the city and is known for its wide variety of goods, including clothing, jewellery, pottery, and food.
You can wander through the market’s many stalls, haggling with vendors to get the best deals on souvenirs and other items.
The market is particularly popular for its selection of street food, which has lots of traditional Vietnamese dishes like pho and banh mi. If you want to avoid big crowds of people, go in the morning.
If atmosphere and crowds are your thing, go later in the afternoon or at night.
- Location: Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Cost: Free
- Recommended Time: 1-2 Hours
- Opening Hours: 06.00 AM – 10.00 PM
Go To Bitexco Tower
Bitexco Financial Tower is one of Ho Chi Minh’s most iconic landmarks.
This 68-story skyscraper stands 262 metres tall and is home to a variety of businesses, including offices, cafes, and restaurants.
When I took the elevator, it seemed to go on forever.
One of the highlights of the Bitexco Financial Tower is the Saigon Skydeck, an observation deck on the 49th floor that offers stunning views of the city. When I got to the museum level, we could use the binoculars to get close-up views of the surroundings.
You can enjoy the panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh’s skyline, including the Saigon River.
Something that I was not expecting was the museum. There is a mini museum showcasing Vietnamese dress and a photography exhibition on the inauguration of Bitexco Tower in 2010.
I was nervous about the height, but even still, I enjoyed the stunning views and the wonderful array of different coloured lights that are visible across the dotted night skyline. Totally worth the price. You can even get your picture taken with a cultural icon in a traditional Vietnamese hat.
- Location: 2 Đ. Hải Triều, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
- Cost: 240,000 VND ($9.12/€7.92/£6.72) per person
- Recommended Time: 1-2 Hours
- Opening Hours: 09.30 AM – 09.30 PM
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Final Thoughts: Was 3 Days In Ho Chi Minh City Enough?
Ho Chi Minh City is a great city to explore for three days.
The culture is admirable. The people are polite. The history is tragic and pivotal for Vietnam. The north of Vietnam has many differences, but I loved exploring all regions of the country.
The War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels and Independence Palace were the most powerful for me.
You can get your Vietnam eVisa before you travel.
If you have less time in Ho Chi Minh City, then find out how best to spend only a day here.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQS
Is 3 Days Enough In Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes, 3 days in Saigon is enough for the major attractions such as Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels. If you want a more in-depth stay, I recommend 3-5 days to hit all the sites the city has to offer. This 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary is a good place to start planning your trip. You should consider other places in Vietnam too, like Hoi An, Da Nang and Sapa for an incredible time.
Which Is Better, Hanoi Or Ho Chi Minh City?
It depends on what type of trip you want. For history and culture, go to Hanoi. For nightlife energy and a beautiful skyline, see Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi gets far cooler in the winter, whereas Ho Chi Minh City is warm pretty much year-round. Think Hanoi for more peace and its counterpart for easy access to the Mekong Delta.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive To Visit?
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most affordable cities in Southeast Asia for travellers coming from North America, Europe, and Australasia. A mid-range traveller like yourself can expect to spend between $30.00/€26.05/£22.10 and $135.00/€117.24/£99.47 per day. Local Vietnamese food typically costs $1.50/€1.30/£1.10 to $8.00/€6.95/£5.89 per meal, and using Grab can reduce transport costs even further.
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I’m loving your recent posts as I’m planning my visit to that area of the world for next year. Ho Chi Minh looks like it is definitely worth at least 3 days of visiting. I would want to see the tunnels, in spite of my slight claustrophobia (I’m working on it since I want to go caving in Vietnam). Good tips about booking some things ahead — it is always disappointing to miss some great activity simply because I didn’t realize I would need advance tickets.
Lyn | http://www.ramblynjazz.com
I would agree with you that 3 days is enough to see the major attractions of Ho Chi Min City. I actually stayed a little longer as I did a full day tour separately to the city visit.
HCMC certainly impressed me – I was pleasantly surprised at having pavements to walk on in the city rather than often walking in the road (as in Cambodia).
This guide is great as you also put in prices and opening hours – a real benefit for those wanting full info. The hotel you stayed in also looks good and judging by the prices (I had a quick look) is also very economical.
Okay, first things first: the cover photo is superb! Moving on 🙂 So first of all, I have to say that I prefer the name Saigon, it sounds perfect!
I was very surprised by the architecture, the Central Post Office building is phenomenal.
That pedestrian area with the stages and the music and dance shows is spectacular! I’m sure it’ll be a blast, with all the passers-by taking part in the festivities.
Great post which brought back happy memories of our trip to Saigon/HCMC. You’re so right about the bustling energy of this city! We saw many of the sights you mentioned but didn’t get to visit the Cu Chi tunnels. We did a Mekong delta river cruise and can definitely recommend it. As ever, you have provided loads of practical info and advice about visiting the attractions.
I have not been to Vietnam although I have thought about it a few times back in the days when I was still based in the region. Saigon is such a budget friendly city and that’s probably its biggest draw. Another thing is that it’s culturally packed and has such an interesting history which make up for a great blog story. We could all use your itinerary James for a start and thanks for putting it all together for us. The featured photo is ‘tres bien’ 😉 #flyingbaguette
Jan – https://flyingbaguette.com/
Wow – this is a lot to experience in three days! I would love to explore Ben Thanh Market. I find markets such a magical way to experience the culture, food, and personality of a place. You get to see locals interacting with others in a way that is just different than other places in my opinion. Great itinerary!
From the cover image I knew this would be an epic post! I’m sold. I like your mixture of free and affordable activities and in particular that the first day didn’t include another temple but a beautiful post office building. I may spy some art nouveau decoration on the façade. Stunning! I also appreciate your local insights in getting around and sharing information on the best bus operators. Hope someone reads this and finds your fleece. You never know how the things we love may return to us one day. Keep exploring, happy travels!
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
Love that first photo! What building is that? And I love that the local post office was a highlight. HCMC is a lovely city, and it looks like you saw a lot of it. I heard about the Cu Chi Tunnels but I couldn’t deal with the claustrophobia. Well done!
Hey Melanie 😁 its the a government office – People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City!
I preferred Hanoi over Saigon but this was still a really cool city to explore. The war remnants museum was really an experience, and was at times difficult to take in. The Cu Chi Tunnels also. The propaganda video they make you watch at the beginning about America being bad was a bit interesting. I didn’t fire the gun but did get in the tunnel which was so tight. One thing I did in HCMC that I loved and would recommend is a local food tour. A local guide took us around for so much food we couldn’t eat it all, but had the best time
Yes, the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is spring, when the weather is quite cool. Three days is truly an ideal amount of time to visit the city’s most famous landmarks. I was especially impressed with the Cu Chi Tunnels; they are extraordinary. I must say you have an impressive ability to take pictures—the first photo is very beautiful.
Thank you for commenting 🙂
Thanks, I’m back in HCM in a couple of weeks, 4th time. I need to update old content and figure out if there’s anything we missed. Hopefully we can get inside the cathedral, I never have.
Yes, its a great city and I wish I was able to have gotten in. m=Maybe next time. Have a great trip 🙂