A Complete Guide to Ho Chi Minh City for First-Timers: A 4D3N Itinerary

Aryana Suhaimi

Last updated 10 Jul 2024

Ho Chi Minh City is the beating heart of Vietnam; it’s energetic and full of life, on top of being the economic hub of the country. There’s never a dull moment in this city, especially if you’re visiting for the very first time. There's something special at every corner, whether it be a historical site or a street food vendor. This itinerary is bursting with ideas on where to go and what to do in Ho Chi Minh, so read on for inspiration for your upcoming trip!

Day 1

1. Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels began as an underground shelter and discreet passageway during the Indochina War. It was a clever way to escape the French and keep people safe and sound. When American soldiers started to invade, the tunnels expanded rapidly despite the fact that they had to do everything by hand. If you’re interested in learning more about Vietnam’s history while exploring this real-life labyrinth, this Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour is for you.

The tunnels protected the Vietnamese troops from aerial bombings, so much so that many people spent their lives there; this caused the tunnels to further develop into villages. The Cu Chi Tunnels is a true demonstration of the full scale of human capabilities in times of violence and desperation.

2. Admire French colonial architecture

Driving around Ho Chi Minh, you might notice that the city is filled with French style buildings. That’s because Vietnam was once under France’s rule, up till the First Indochina War. Some of the popular French colonial buildings you should look out for are:

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Saigon Central Post Office
Ho Chi Minh City Hall
Saigon Opera House

If beautiful architecture and rich history are your thing, consider checking out the Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing Double-Decker Bus. This way, you’ll get to explore the city at your own pace and choose which sites you want to visit for an affordable price!

3. Find peace at Buu Long Pagoda

Buu Long Pagoda stands out from the other temples in Vietnam; its design and architecture follows the style of the temples in Thailand, with a golden dome that twinkles in the sun and dragon motifs that line the entryway. If you’re looking for peace and tranquillity without having to leave Ho Chi Minh City, a visit to this Buddhist temple would be perfect as it’s about 20 km away from the city centre. Buu Long Pagoda is decorated with water features that add to its calm atmosphere. Do remember to dress appropriately as this temple still operates as a place of worship.

Day 2

4. Suoi Tien

Start your day with a trip to Suoi Tien, one of the largest amusement parks in Ho Chi Minh City. The park is set in a natural landscape and has many types of activities and games suitable for all ages. When you visit Suoi Tien, don't forget to drop by these attractions: 18 Floors of Hell, Snow Castle, and the water park to splash around and watch cultural performances.

5. Take a break at The Cafe Apartments

You’ve probably seen pictures of The Cafe Apartments online before. The apartment in itself has turned into somewhat of a spectacle. You can see the cafes and shops that occupy the old building from the outside, with fairy lights and colourful signs acting as the background of many Instagram pictures.

We suggest checking out as many cafes as you can before settling for your favourite. The list is long, comprising tea houses, independent cafes, franchises, and fashion boutiques. You can choose to climb the stairs for free or pay to use the elevator.

Address: The Cafe Apartment, 42 Nguyen Hue Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam

6. Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine

It may be impossible to try every single local dish when you’re on holiday. With the dizzying number of options available in Ho Chi Minh alone, it can get pretty overwhelming, but this street food tour will make your trip a whole lot easier. This 4 hour tour will bring you around the city on a scooter, so you can experience two things at once: the city’s heavenly food and infamous traffic.

The tour guide will explain the history behind different places in Vietnam as you sample local-approved delicacies like banh mi, steamed clams, and Vietnamese pizza. A bottle of Saigon beer on a local restaurant’s terrace will be the 11th and final stop on this tour.

Day 3

7. Browse books at Ho Chi Minh Book Street

Whether you’re a bookworm on the hunt for a new read, or someone looking for an aesthetically pleasing photo spot, Ho Chi Minh Book Street is a destination you don’t want to miss.

At this book street, you can find books of all genres and topics, and this includes novels published by major Vietnamese publishing houses. If you’re looking for a special souvenir, a book written by a local author would be a great idea! Even if you can’t read the language, it’ll surely be a memorable gift to yourself that serves as a reminder of the good times you had in Vietnam. After you’ve purchased a new book, sit back and enjoy the atmosphere at any of the cafes that line the street.

8. Go to the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine

The Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (Fito) is an ideal destination for those who want to learn about the history and culture of Vietnamese medicine. This museum houses more than 3,000 well-preserved artifacts, vividly recreating the journey and development of long-standing traditional medicine. With its unique interior (a combination of traditional and modern elements), stepping into Fito is like travelling back in time. Not only is it a hub for culture and information, it's also a great place to take photos!

Opening hours: 8:30AM - 5PM
Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

9. Browse and buy antiques at secondhand markets

Flea markets are treasure troves of unique gems at surprisingly low prices. They're paradise for lovers of antique trinkets and the stories behind them. If you're on the hunt for a good deal, whether it's for clothes, shoes, household appliances or handicrafts, your best bet is a secondhand market.

Some suggested markets you should visit:

1. Nhat Tao Market: The largest used electronics market in Ho Chi Minh City, specialising in selling phones, computers, and components | Address: Nhat Tao Street, District 1, HCMC

2. Ban Co Market: A long-standing secondhand market with a wide variety of goods, from clothes, shoes to household items and souvenirs | Address: Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3, HCMC

3. Hoang Hoa Tham Market: Affordable secondhand market, focusing on many fashion items | Address: Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Tan Binh District, HCMC

4. Ben Thanh Market : Large market with many items, from clothes, shoes to souvenirs, local specialties | Address: Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1, HCMC.

10. Watch a traditional water puppet show

End your day with the traditional Golden Water Puppet show, where puppetry and storytelling intertwine. Vietnamese water puppets originated in the rice fields of the country’s Red River Delta region as a means of entertainment at village festivals. Some time after, the puppets reached the royalty, cementing itself as a high status art form. Nowadays, the puppets are used to depict life in Vietnam, and are accompanied by traditional operatic music.

Day 4

11. See the whole city from above at Landmark 81

The final day of a jam-packed holiday is always bittersweet; you dread coming back to reality, but you also miss the warmth of your bed at home. A visit to Landmark 81 is probably the best time to soak in your final moments in Ho Chi Minh City. The observation deck grants you a panoramic view of the whole city, including a bird’s-eye view of the Saigon River.

Landmark 81 is the tallest building in Vietnam and the second tallest in Southeast Asia. Its name derives from the number of floors the building has— 81. Other than the observation deck, Landmark 81 also houses a mall, hotel, and luxury apartments.

12. Shop for local goods at Ben Thanh Market

Now’s your chance to buy souvenirs to commemorate your trip! Ben Thanh is Ho Chi Minh’s central market, and its inception dates back all the way to 1912. Its current form was built in 1985, and ever since then, Ben Thanh Market has become a one stop centre for locals and tourists alike. Here, you’ll find different varieties of local fruits and vegetables, as well as traditional Vietnamese handicrafts and fabrics.

Some stalls close well before the official closing time, but don’t worry if you can’t make it in time. After 6PM, neighbouring streets will be lined with food and clothing stalls. This night market is usually up and running until midnight.

13. Learn how to cook Vietnamese cuisine

To understand a culture is to understand its food, and what better way to immerse yourself in the country’s culture than to learn how its cuisine is made. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a budding cook, the Hoa Tuc Cooking Class will leave you with a newfound appreciation for Vietnamese flavours. The menu changes everyday, from dishes like fresh spring rolls on Mondays, to green papaya salad on Sundays.

You’ll be guided through the process of preparing 3 dishes and 1 dessert. Before you start cooking, participants get to buy their own ingredients from Tan Dinh Market, making this culinary class a full-blown experience.

14. Dine during sunset with Saigon Princess Dining Cruise

After all that walking and exploring, we suggest winding down with the Saigon Princess Dining Cruise. This relaxing cruise will bring you across the Saigon River at sunset, so you can dine on delicious food while admiring the scenic view. You can choose between a 3, 4, or 5-course dinner, including options for children and vegetarians.

The ride is 2 hours long, so diners have ample time to savour their food before making their way to the upper deck to soak in the city’s skyline for one final hoorah.

Where to Stay

One of the best parts about going on holiday is the satisfying feeling of coming back to a comfy hotel room after a tiring day of exploring. For ultimate relaxation, we commend these hotels:

1. Hotel Nikko Saigon

Address: 235 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

2. Citadines Regency Saigon

Address: 235 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

3. Felix Hotel

Address: 26 Le Thi Hong, Ward 7, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City

4. The Hotel Nicecy

Address: 202 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ward 3, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

5. Silverland Sil Hotel & Spa

Address: 185 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam Essentials

If you plan on doing some walking around Ho Chi Minh (which you most certainly will), it’s best to always be connected to the internet for when you need to refer to a map. The easiest way to do so is by getting a 4G SIM card for Vietnam that you can pick up from Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

In addition to that, instead of having to look for a taxi everywhere you go, we highly recommend booking a private car charter, especially if you’re travelling in a group!