[2025 Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide] Must-Visit Attractions Itinerary + Food Recommendations

Preface Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is Vietnam's most bustling metropolis, boasting rich colonial-era architecture and historical war relics, while also being a food paradise in southern Vietnam. This article will introduce you to Ho Chi Minh City's must-visit attractions and itinerary planning, and at the end, we've added a link to a Ho Chi Minh City food guide, so you can sort out everything about eating, drinking, and having fun in one go! Article Guide Must-Visit Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City Suggested Itinerary Planning How to Get Around Recommended Accommodations Travel Tips Further Reading: Ho Chi Minh City Food Recommendations 1. Must-Visit Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) doesn't have too many downtown attractions — most are the kind of places you can stroll around, take some photos, and enjoy, making it perfect for a relaxed 2–3 day exploration. Here's our curated list of the Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City: Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành) This market has been preserved from the French colonial period in Saigon, selling cashews, coffee, textiles, and more, with nearby gold shops offering better exchange rates. It's great for shopping during the day, and at night it transforms into a night market. Reminder: this area is heavily touristy with inflated prices, so be sure to compare prices and haggle; also, most taxis waiting at the entrance are unlicensed, so it's recommended to use Grab instead.

Saigon Opera House Built in 1900, this French colonial-style building has an elegant façade, and performances are held inside from time to time — it's a fine example of Ho Chi Minh City's French colonial architecture.

People's Committee Hall & Coffee Apartment

Central Post Office Designed by a French architect, the interior still preserves the old postal facilities. Many visitors come here to buy postcards to send back home, making it one of Ho Chi Minh City's classic historical landmarks.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Built with French red brick in the late 19th century, it has a Romanesque exterior and a Gothic interior design. It is only open to visitors during holiday masses.

Cu Chi Tunnels An underground bunker system from the Vietnam War era, fully showing how the Vietnamese people avoided combat. It's recommended to join a half-day tour to get there, as transportation is more convenient. Nguyen Van Binh Book Street A cultural, artsy enclave lined with bookstores and cafés on both sides. On weekends, new book launches and calligraphy events are held here, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập) The former presidential palace of South Vietnam, later converted into a museum, fully showcasing the history of the Vietnam War and the architectural style of that era. Bui Vien Street A nightlife hotspot packed with bars and restaurants, buzzing with energy at night — a paradise for backpackers. Tan Dinh Church (The Pink Church) Built in the early 20th century, this church became a viral IG spot thanks to its striking pink facade. The interior isn't open to visitors, so it's best to get there by Grab.

2. Itinerary Suggestions 👉 Suggested 4-day, 3-night itinerary, recommended to focus on "city sightseeing + history & culture + nightlife + food": Day 1: Exploring Downtown Ho Chi Minh City Morning: Ben Thanh Market (currency exchange + shopping) → Century-old Post Office & Notre-Dame Cathedral (Red Church) & Book Street Afternoon: MiuMiu Massage (reservation required) → People's Committee Hall & Coffee Apartment & Opera House Evening: Dinner by the Saigon River → EON51 Bar night view

Day 2: Culture & Shopping Day Morning: Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour, or Independence Palace + War Remnants Museum Afternoon: Ben Thanh Market walking street → 137 Massage Evening: Pho 2000 to enjoy classic beef pho → Drinks on Pham Ngu Lao Street

Day 3: Coffee & Free Time Morning: Try Vietnamese chocolate at Maison Marou Afternoon: Revisit any spots or museums you missed (consider taking a ride to the Pink Church) Evening: Enjoy Japanese cuisine in the Japanese Quarter

Day 4: Last-Minute Shopping & Departure Morning: Stock up on coffee, cashews, and souvenirs Afternoon: Prepare to head back 3. Transportation · Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) Grab: About 25 minutes, costing around 250,000 VND Bus: Route 109 or 152, about 35 minutes, single fare 20,000 VND Taxi: Not recommended, risk of scams · City transportation: You can use the GRAB or UBER app to hail a ride. If you want to take a taxi, look for the major brands VINASUN (white) or MAILINH (green). · For trips to the suburbs (Cu Chi, Mekong Delta), it's recommended to join a day tour or hire a private car. 4. Accommodation Recommendations · Recommended area: District 1 (from Ben Thanh Market to the Saigon River wharf area) · Price reference: Three- to four-star hotels cost about NT$1,000-1,500, and Airbnb prices are similar. · Luxury Choice: Majestic Hotel (Ho Chi Minh City's first five-star hotel, with a century of history, boasting stunning views of the Saigon River and classic European design).

5. Travel Tips · Climate Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical monsoon climate, hot and humid all year round. The best time to travel is from November to April, when the weather is drier and more pleasant for sightseeing. May to October is the rainy season, with more frequent rainfall. Daytime temperatures are generally above 30°C, while evenings are slightly cooler, so it's recommended to bring light clothing and sun protection. · Overall, Vietnam is quite safe, but you should still be careful of motorbike bag-snatching and phone theft — avoid using your phone while walking on the street. · Currency: We recommend bringing US dollars, as the gold/jewelry shops near Ben Thanh Market offer good exchange rates. · Tipping: Massage parlors usually expect a tip (starting from 100,000 VND), hotels are up to personal discretion, and restaurants generally don't have a tipping culture. · Traffic safety: There are many motorbikes, so please be careful when crossing the street. For rides, we recommend using Grab. Try to avoid taxis to steer clear of scams. · Vietnamese hair wash: A popular experience in recent years — hair wash + facial care + massage, for about 900,000 VND. Just pick a place with high ratings on Google Maps. Further reading: Ho Chi Minh City food recommendations When traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, you absolutely can't miss the local and international cuisine! I've put together a complete Ho Chi Minh City food guide, covering everything from pho and traditional Vietnamese restaurants to specialty spots like Pizza 4P's, Danbo Ramen, Noir Dining, and more — it has it all. In this article, you'll find: Vietnamese food recommendations: Pho 2000 (the pho place even Clinton visited), Ngon Restaurant (a gathering spot for traditional Vietnamese dishes) Hong Kong-style cuisine: San Fu Lou (Hong Kong-style dim sum), Ocean Palace (Cantonese seafood restaurant) Japanese cuisine: Danbo Ramen (rich tonkotsu ramen), Sushi Hokkaido (a popular sushi spot on the streets of Japan) Signature Experiences: Noir Dining (dine in complete darkness), Nikko Hotel Buffet (luxurious buffet spread) Local Hidden Gems: Mì Vịt Tiềm Thiêm Huy (herbal stewed duck noodles), Lão Lại Mutton Hot Pot (nourishing and body-boosting) 👉 Want to see the full food list and recommended dishes? Check out this article: 2025 Ho Chi Minh City Food Guide | 20 Must-Try Restaurants: A Guide to Vietnamese, Hong Kong-Style, Japanese Street Food, and International Cuisine Summary Ho Chi Minh City blends French colonial architecture, Vietnam War history, and a rich culinary culture, making it the perfect starting point for exploring southern Vietnam. Whether you're stopping by briefly or diving deep into the city, you're sure to find surprises that are just for you! Explore more Vietnam travel destinations Vietnam is home to breathtaking natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. Whether you want to discover the magnificent mountains and rivers of northern Vietnam, the historic ancient towns of central Vietnam, or the laid-back coastlines of southern Vietnam, you'll find the perfect travel experience for you! 🇻🇳 Northern Vietnam Travel Guide 📍Hanoi: Ancient Capital of a Thousand Years｜📍Halong Bay: A World Heritage Wonder｜📍Ninh Binh (Tam Coc): The "Halong Bay on Land"｜📍Sapa: Breathtaking Sea of Clouds and Terraced Fields 🇻🇳 Central Vietnam Travel Highlights 📍Da Nang: A Seaside Resort Paradise｜📍Hoi An: The Ancient Lantern Town｜📍Hue: Relics of the Imperial Citadel 🇻🇳 Amazing Sights of Southern Vietnam 📍Nha Trang: A Paradise of Beaches and Islands｜📍Da Lat: A Romantic French-Style Mountain Town｜📍Ho Chi Minh City: Where Modernity Meets History｜📍Vung Tau: A Coastal Resort Getaway