【2025 Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide】Must-See Attractions and Itinerary + Food Recommendations

Preface Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is Vietnam's most bustling city, boasting rich colonial-style architecture, historical war relics, and it's also a food paradise in southern Vietnam. This article will introduce you to the must-visit attractions in Ho Chi Minh City and itinerary planning, and at the end of the article, we'll add extended reading on Ho Chi Minh City food recommendations, so you can take care of eating, drinking, and having fun all in one go! Article Overview Must-visit attractions in Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary planning suggestions Transportation options Accommodation recommendations Travel tips Further Reading: Ho Chi Minh City Food Recommendations 1. Must-Visit Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City (Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon) doesn't have many attractions in the city center. Most are casual strolling, browsing, and photo-taking routes, suitable for arranging 2-3 days for a relaxed exploration. The following are the top 10 must-visit attractions in Ho Chi Minh City that we've compiled: Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành) This market dates back to the French colonial period in Saigon, selling cashews, coffee, textiles, and more, with a gold shop offering better exchange rates right next door. It's great for daytime shopping, and at night it transforms into a night market. Reminder: this place is heavily touristy and prices tend to be inflated, so remember 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 (Saigon Opera House) A French-style building built in 1900 with an elegant exterior. It hosts performances from time to time inside and is a representative example for understanding Ho Chi Minh City's French historical architecture.

People's Committee Hall & Café Apartment A representative example of French colonial architecture, the square often features art installations during the day and is a great place for an evening stroll at night. Next door, the Café Apartment is home to many unique cafés and creative shops, making it a popular photo spot on social media.

Century Post Office (Central Post Office) Designed by a French architect, the interior retains old postal facilities. Many people buy postcards here to send back to their home countries. It is a classic historical landmark in Ho Chi Minh City.

Notre-Dame Cathedral (紅教堂) Built in the late 19th century by the French using red bricks, its exterior has a Romanesque style while the interior is designed in Gothic style. It is only open to visitors during holiday Mass.

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 this way. Nguyen Van Binh Book Street A cultural hangout for the literary/artsy crowd, lined on both sides with bookstores and cafés. On holidays, new book launches and calligraphy events are held there, giving it a relaxed atmosphere.

Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập) The former presidential residence 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 (Bùi Viện Street) A hub of nightlife, packed with bars and restaurants that get lively at night — a paradise for backpackers. Tan Dinh Church / Pink Church (Nhà thờ Tân Định) Built in the early 20th century, it became an Instagram-famous spot thanks to its pink exterior. The interior is not open to visitors, so it's recommended to get there by Grab.

2. Itinerary Arrangement Suggestion 👉 Four-day three-night itinerary suggestion, suggested schedule focused on "city sightseeing + historical culture + nightlife + food": Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Exploration Morning: Binh Tay Market (currency exchange + shopping) → Centennial Post Office & Red Church & Book Street Afternoon: MiuMiu Massage (reservation required) → People's Committee Hall & Coffee Apartment & Opera House Evening: Dinner by 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: Phở 2000 to try classic beef pho → drinks on Pham Ngu Lao Street

Day 3: Coffee & Free Time Morning: Try Vietnamese chocolate at Maison Marou Afternoon: Visit any attractions or museums you missed (consider taking a taxi/bus 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: Get ready to head back 3. Transportation · Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) Grab ride: About 25 minutes, costing around 250,000 VND Bus: Route 109 or 152, about 35 minutes, single fare 20,000 VND Taxi: Not recommended, you may encounter scams · City transportation: You can hail a ride using the GRAB or UBER app. If you want to take a taxi, look for the major brands VINASUN (white) or MAILINH (green). · For trips to the outskirts (Cu Chi, Mekong Delta), it's recommended to join a day tour or hire a private car. 4. Accommodation Recommendations · Recommended area: District 1 (the area from Ben Thanh Market to the Saigon River pier) · Price reference: Three- to four-star hotels cost around NT$1000-1500, and Airbnb prices are similar. · Luxury Choice: Majestic Hotel (Ho Chi Minh City's first five-star hotel, with a century of history, boasting beautiful views of the Saigon River and classic European design).

5. Travel Tips · Climate Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical monsoon climate, with hot and humid weather all year round. The best time to travel is from November to April, when the climate is drier and more pleasant, making it suitable 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 prepare sun protection items. · Overall, Vietnam's public security is quite good, but you should still be careful of motorbike bag-snatching and phone theft — avoid using your phone while walking on the street. · Currency: It's recommended to bring US dollars. The jewelry shops near Binh Thanh Market have good exchange rates. · Tips: Massage shops usually require tips (starting from 100,000 VND). Hotels depend on personal preference, and restaurants have no tipping culture. · Traffic Safety: There are many motorcycles, so be careful when crossing the road. Grab is recommended for transportation. Avoid taking taxis to avoid scams. · Vietnamese Hair Wash: A popular experience in recent years, hair wash + facial care + massage, approximately 900,000 VND. You can simply choose shops with high Google Maps ratings. 6. Further Reading: Ho Chi Minh City Food Recommendations When traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, you absolutely cannot miss the local and international cuisine! I've put together a complete guide to Ho Chi Minh City food, covering everything from pho and traditional Vietnamese restaurants to specialty spots like Pizza 4P's, Danbo Ramen, and Noir Dining — it has it all. In this article, you can find: Vietnamese cuisine recommendations: Pho 2000 (the pho restaurant even Clinton has visited), Ngon Restaurant (a gathering place 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 (popular sushi among the streets of Japan) Signature experiences: Noir Dining (dark dining) and the Nikko Hotel Buffet (luxury buffet) Local hidden gems: Mì Vịt Tiềm Thiêm Huy (herbal stewed duck noodles) and Lão Lài Mutton Hot Pot (nourishing and health-boosting) 👉 Want to see the full food list and recommended dishes? Please check out this article: 2025 Ho Chi Minh City Food Recommendations | 20 Must-Try Restaurants: A Guide to Vietnamese Cuisine, Hong Kong-Style Food, Japan Street, 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 exploration, you're sure to find your own surprises in this city! Explore More Vietnam Travel Attractions Vietnam boasts rich natural landscapes and cultural heritage — whether you want to explore the magnificent mountains and rivers of northern Vietnam, the historic ancient towns of central Vietnam, or the laid-back coastline of southern Vietnam, you'll find the travel experience that suits you best! 🇻🇳 Northern Vietnam Travel Guide 📍Hanoi: Thousand-Year Ancient Capital｜📍Ha Long Bay: World Heritage Wonder｜📍Tam Coc: Ha Long Bay on Land｜📍Sapa: Sea of Clouds and Terraced Fields 🇻🇳 Central Vietnam Travel Highlights 📍Da Nang: Coastal Resort Destination｜📍Hoi An: Ancient Lantern Town｜📍Hue: Imperial Citadel Ruins 🇻🇳 Southern Vietnam Highlights 📍Nha Trang: Beach and Island Paradise｜📍Da Lat: Romantic French Hill Town｜📍Ho Chi Minh City: Where Modernity Meets History｜📍Vung Tau: Seaside Resort Destination