Exploring The Most! Ho Chi Minh City 3 Day Itinerary

This is the Ho Chi Minh City 3 Day Itinerary for you to get the most during your short stay. Being one of the most visited cities in the world , Ho Chi Minh City (“HCMC”) has a lot to offer.

I have been to the great city several times. However, I still recall how confused I was about planning my first visit because there is endless information online for city itinerary, things to do, food to eat, museums to visit, and day trips to take.

Worse, if you are planning a longer trip Vietnam you also need to consider your itinerary not only for HCMC but also for Hanoi, Nha Trang, and Da Nang.

I wrote this post to let you know what to expect for HCMC (aka “Saigon”) and, of course, the itinerary.

Basic Facts Of Ho Chi Minh City For First Time Traveler

Before I get into the itinerary, you need to know several facts regarding HCMC first. First, HCMC is often referred to as “Saigon” (most people thought it was two places) for historical reasons. The city used to be called Saigon as the capital city of the Southern Vietnam government. However, with the fall of the regime in 1976,  the city was renamed Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of the Country.

Second, despite being the first tourism city with over USD 300m revenue and carrying the name of the Country founder, it is NOT the capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi is the capital city instead.

Third, even the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh is at Hanoi instead of HCMC.

With the historical backdrop, HCMC is more “Westernized” as compared to Hanoi. The whole city is divided into 24 districts, and District 1 is where most tourist icons are located.

What To Expect From Saigon

You will find endless information regarding HCMC. Despite the overwhelming information, the things to do roughly fall into the below category.

Iconic Buildings

These include IGable buildings in HCMC with colonial and other historical features, such as Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, and Saigon Central Post Office.

Museums Of History

These include Independence Palace, the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, and the War Remnant Museum.

Day Tours

In particular, the Cu Chi tunnel tour is the only place I am aware of in the world where you can crawl into a war tunnel and also fire in a shooting range in the same morning.

Food Culture

Similar to street food in Hanoi, there is plenty of Vietnamese street food available there. Additionally, Vietnam, as a whole, is also famous for French fine dining at cheap prices. For HCMC, you can find some high-quality Western food café.

Night Culture & Other Entertainments

HCMC has the best bars and night activities in Vietnam. It is better than Hanoi and way better than Nha Trang. There you could find a great bar street. Additionally, the Japanese street and beauty hair-washing are also unique things in the city.

Shopping

HCMC is famous for Vietnamese coffee, arts, local snacks, and even instant noodles (or Pho). They are all very budget-friendly, and surely you don’t want to miss them.

Now, with our goals clear, let me share with you the time required to experience them all.

Are Three Days Enough?

Three days are the best for HCMC, especially if you are having a wider Vietnam vacation. For example, if you assign ~ 3 days for HCMC, Hanoi, Nha Trang, and Da Nang, it is already a 2-week-long vacation. I understand that our annual leave is limited.

Three days are also ideal in the sense that you have sufficient time to explore the essence of the cities, for example, with at least 2 nights to experience the night culture. Not to mention, you need at least half a day for the unique Cu Chi Tunnel.

If you have anything less than 3 days, 2 nights, like 1 day or 2 days, you may need to “speedrun” the city and skip the Cu Chi Tunnel. If you have longer than 3 days, then you probably need to consider going to the city nearby, like Vung Tau and Ninh Binh.

The Three-Day Itinerary Summary

Day 1 Morning

Things To Do: Money Exchange  & Ben Thanh Market

Vietnam is still a very cash-based Country. So you will need Vietnamese Dong (VND). The best money exchange shop in HCMC is just near Ben Thanh Market. Let’s go exchange first. (I would suggest at least getting  ~ 3m VND (~ 120 USD)) in cash first.

Ben Thanh Market

The market has a distinctive design with a prominent clock tower and colorful façade founded in the 17th Century. An interesting fact is that Ben Thanh is also called the “Yokohama market” in Chinese, reflecting its business as a shopping hub.

So you should take a photo before getting inside. Inside the market, you will find stall arrays selling dried fruits, coffee, handicrafts, textiles, and other souvenirs.  Since it is your very first stop in HCMC, I suggest you just get the sense of pricing first. The drop-off point of the Cu Chi tunnel tour on the second day is also the market.

You will find lots of food stalls in the middle of the market. This is the place where I recommend you to have a local breakfast.

Day 1 Afternoon

Things To Do: Independence Palace, Lunch, Museum of HCMC & multiple city icons.

In the afternoon, you will visit two museums, have lunch at a Michelin-starred local restaurant, and visit multiple must-go city attractions. All the items are within walking distance.

Independence Palace

The palace closes at 3:30 pm, so you should try going there before lunch.  Again, back to the time of the Vietnam War, the palace used to be the presidential palace of South Vietnam. With the fall of Saigon in 1975, the place was taken over by the North Vietnamese troops. Nowadays, it is a four-story exhibition building. There, you will find the president’s room, dining hall, multi-military items, and a secret tunnel to the war room for display.

Lunch at Bep Me In

 Bep Me In , located near Independence Palace, is a local Michelin starred restaurant. It offers multiple high-quality traditional Vietnamese food. The best signature dish is the Vietnamese pancake with shrimp and pork served in a bamboo basket. Additionally, the average price is less than 200k VND (~ 8 USD).

It is usually packed with tourists around noon. That’s why I put it after the visit to the Independent Palace.

Museum of Ho Chi Minh City

Just near the Independence Palace and Bep Me In, you will find the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City. It is another place to showcase not only the history of the Vietnam War but also the local traditions and city developments. More importantly, the museum is a good IG photo place with its beautiful French colonial exterior.  You should be mindful that the museum closes at 5 pm.

After the museum, we will visit several city icons within close walking distance.

Notre Dame Cathedral Of Saigon

Also known as the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, it has been one of the city’s most iconic structures since 1880. The building showcases neo-Romanesque architecture, featuring red brick exteriors and two prominent bell towers that reach a height of 58 meters. Again, this is part of the left behind from the French colonial time of Vietnam. It is one of the best places for photos in the city.

Unfortunately, the Cathedral is still under maintenance during my last visit to the city in 2024 and 2025. However, since it is very close to other tourist icons, you should still at least take a look.

Saigon Central Post Office

Built-in 1891, this historical building is not only great for IG photos. It is also the place where you can send nice postcards to your home country. Unknown to many people, it is also the place where you can find cheap, high-quality souvenirs. You will find multiple souvenir shops on the left and right wings just passing the entrance. It is even cheaper than those in Ben Thanh Market.

Other than being a good spot for photos, postcards, and shopping. It is also the place where you can book inter-city trains via the Kiosk.

Ho Chi Minh City Book Street

Don’t miss the book street just near the post office. It is a small pedestrian street with bookstores on both sides. It is a very good place for photos or buying a journey. If there is extra time, you can also chill out at the fancy cafes in the street.

Day 1 Night

Things To Do: Nguyen Hue Square (HCM Statue), Café Apartment, Dinner, beauty hair-washing

On the first day night, we will explore the final piece of must-go HCMC icons, the Ho Chi Minh statue and Café apartment.

Nguyen Hue Square (HCM Statue)

Nguyen Hue Square is the central hub of HCMC. You will find the Ho Chi Minh statue there for photos (after all, it is called Ho Chi Minh City). Walking along the Boulevard, you can experience the vibe of the whole city. From there, you can walk to the final destination, the café apartment.

Café Apartment

The Cafe Apartment, located in Ho Chi Minh City, is a unique and trendy destination housed in a former apartment building. This multi-story space features a variety of cozy cafes, restaurants, and shops, each offering a distinct ambiance and menu. With its eclectic mix of styles and vibrant decor, the Cafe Apartment attracts both locals and tourists looking for a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy coffee meals or simply unwind. The building’s charming architecture and artistic vibes create a perfect backdrop for socializing, working, or capturing Instagram-worthy moments, making it a must-visit spot in the city.

Dinner At Pizza 4ps

Pizza 4P’s is a Vietnam-based Japanese Italian pizza restaurant. I first bumped into the chain during my visit to Hanoi. It had the best pizza pizza I ever tasted in my life. Later on, I found out that they have branches not only in Hanoi but also in HCMC and other Asian Countries like Cambodia, Japan, India, and Indonesia.

Again, they are not expensive, a pizza is only around 300k VND (~ 12 USD). You should give it a try after having Vietnamese dishes in the morning and afternoon already.

Beauty Hair Washing (Optional)

HCMC is also famous for beauty hair washing. In short, the barbershop offers haircuts and soapy massage hair services by local beauties. It seems to be a unique thing to do not only in Vietnam but also in the world. You shouldn’t expect anything other than hair washing and massage, so it is good for both males and females. Some people like it, and some people don’t. The cost is around 40 USD, and you may check out this video to learn more.

Day 2 Morning

Things To Do: Breakfast &Cu Chi Tunnel day tour

The Cu Chi Tunnel day tour usually starts at 7 am and ends at around 2 pm, dropping off at Ben Thanh Market. You should grab a local breakfast at a nearby convenience store or vendor. Usually, lunch is not included in the day tour.

Cu Chi Tunnel

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an extensive underground network located near Ho Chi Minh City.  It was estimated to be over 250km built during the Vietnam War. Needless to say, its historical value and uniqueness, more importantly, you can crawl into the tunnel and short real guns (at a reasonable additional cost) during the tour.

For details, you may check out my post for the Cu Chi Tunnel day tour review and fire-range review.

The tour shall occupy you the whole morning plus early afternoon. It is one of the most unique day tours in the world.

🕳️ The Best Half Day Cu Chi Tunnel Tour ! ✅ Book Your Tour Now!

Best Valued Tour

Cu Chi Tunnel Tour

The half-day Cu Chi Tunnel starts around 7 am and ends at 2 pm. The tour includes a local tour guide to explain the history, structures, and facts about the war tunnell. If will also have a chance to crawl into that and fire real guns at the shooting range.

Click To Book Now ✅

Day 2 Afternoon

Things To Do: Lunch & War Remnants Museum

Day 2 afternoon usually starts around 2 pm at Ben Thant Market. This is your chance to go for money exchange (if needed) or shopping at the market (if needed). Otherwise, you can either lunch at the market or Pho 2000, another local restaurant nearby.

War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum is another must-visit museum in HCMC. It is a museum with a focus on the modern history of the Vietnam War. On the ground floor, you will see news extracts about how different Countries, including the US, condemned the wars during that time. You will also see a sample prison demonstrating the torture the locals received during that time.

Inside the building, you will see the graphic displays of Agent Orange, a chemical weapon used by the US that leads to multiple generations of birth defects. One particularly harrowing display features a preserved specimen of a deformed fetus, highlighting the severe birth defects caused by the chemical. This exhibit is located on the third floor and is presented in a way that is both impactful and unsettling.

You are advised to approach the section with caution. The museum is located in District 3 of HCMC. You can take a Grab or Grab bike (if traveling solo) to get there, with ~ 5-minute drive.

The museum closes at 5:30 pm. You are more likely to resonate with the displays after your day tour in the Cu Chi tunnel earlier.

Day 2 Night

Things To Do: Visit Japanese street & Dinner there

Japanese Street

Compared to Hanoi or Nha Trang, HCMC has the most vibrant nightlife, especially on Japanese streets. It refers to the area near Le Thanh Ton Street. The place used to be crowded with Japanese expats during the 80s and 90s. That’s why you will find blocks full of Japanese restaurants, convenience shops, and even a Japanese-style girl bar.

Food comes first, you will find a lot of great Japanese food there. For example, I am fond of a Japanese fried pork shop there. You can just walk around the street and decide.

Compared to the numerous restaurants and convenience shops, there are way more bars there. Specifically, they are the girl bars. Every day after 6 pm, you will see a bunch of pretty girls greeting outside the bars for customers.

In detail, you can pay a fixed fee for all you can drink in the bar, i.e. 100 USD. The bar girl will chat with you and ask you to buy drinks for her (that’s how they make money). It is a traditional Japanese-style girl bar. Again, per my understanding, nothing goes beyond chatting.

Personally, I find it amazing to just walk around and experience. But I never got into the bar, considering that it seemed to be a “totally ripped off” for my wallet.

Day 3 Morning

Things To Do: Lotte Mart

Day 3 tends to be more relaxing, at least in the morning. I recommend you hunt for souvenirs and also have breakfast at Lotte Mart to recharge.

Lotte Mart At District 7

The best place for local snacks and Vietnamese coffee for souvenirs is Lotte Mart in Vietnam. In HCMC, there is one big Lotte Mart complex in District 7. Again, you will need to take a grab from District 1 to there. The ride is around 20 minutes, and you can also have your breakfast nearby while shopping.

Day 3 Afternoon

Things To Do:  French Fine Dine & Saigon River

Again, day 3 afternoon is very relaxing. We will have a French fine dining and enjoy the Saigon River.

Restaurant La Cuisine

Similar to street food in Hanoi and seafood in Nha Trang, French fine dining is a must-eat item in HCMC. Because of the French colonial period in Vietnam, you will find a lot of good French fine dining restaurants in main cities like Hanoi and HCMC.

More importantly, the price is way cheaper than other places in the world and even cheaper during lunch. The average price could be around 30 USD for a fine-dine set or below. The one I recommend is Restaurant La Cuisine. It is located conveniently in District 1 of HCMC. You can indulge yourself in the great food and elegant environment there.

Saigon River

After the relaxing lunch, the next is Saigon River. The promenade at the riverside is very popular with locals and tourists alike. There, you will find many cozy cafes. I recommend you spend the rest of the afternoon at the Katinat there, a popular local coffee & tea house. There, you will find the café frequented by not only tourists but also young locals for chilling.

The riverside is also the place for boat-booking to other cities near HCMC.

Day 3 Night

Things To Do:  Saigon Sky Deck & Bui Vien (bar street)

After a relaxing all, we will be enjoying the skyline of HCMC and then again immerse into the nightlife of the city.

Saigon Sky Deck

During the dawn, you can go to the Saigon Skydeck nearby on the top of Bitexco Financial Towe of HCMC.  From there, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city. The ticket price is probably the cheapest I have ever seen in the world for less than 10 USD.

Bui Vien Street (Bar Street)

Bui Vien Street is the bar street for HCMC, known for its vibrant nightlife and diverse culture. Every night, the street is featured with lightnings, bars, and even live street performances on the street like fire breathing. The area is also full of restaurants, so feel free to pick one for dinner.

As for the bars, I found them more or less the same. However, you need to be cautious that the bars also offer balloons filled with nitrous oxide (aka laughing gas). Despite its popularity as a recreational drug, you need to be aware of its health risks.

Getting The Most In 3 Days

Thank you for reading through the article. Over the 3 days, we learned Vietnam’s history, tasted the great local & international food, experienced the culture, visited all must-see icons, and even crawled the war tunnel.

I hope this trip plan can help you navigate the numerous confusing options online. HCMC is the best city to visit in Vietnam and probably the best in the world. It offers the best value with minimal cost. As someone from Asia, I used to frequent Bangkok but found that HCMC was my new favorite.

So why wait, let’s start with booking the accommodation first!

Frequently Asked Questions About Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary

Is it safe to walk in HCMC for Tourist?

Yes it is very safe, except you need some time to get used to crossing the roads with many bikes. Try to follow the local practice.

As for scam, tourist traps or pocket-picking. I have never experienced that in my recent travels.

Can I do 1 day in HCMC instead of 3 days?

Yes you can “speed run” the city in just one day. That would mean you need to skip most museums and the Cu Chi Tunnel.

What to do in HCMC for 4 days or more?

If you are staying for 4 days, you could visit the icons in District 2 like China town. Alternatively, you can take another day tour to Mekong river or go to the Saigon Zoo.

If you are staying for 4 days more, than sparing a day or 2 to nearby city of HCMC would be a good idea.

Where to stay in HCMC?

You would like to stay in District 1. This is where 90% of the tourist icons located. I usually stay at Indo Serviced Apartment in Japanese street for their fancy two floor gym and only costed ~ 20 USD per night.

However, if you are looking for a more upgraded option (~ 40 USD), you can go for Adora hotel which is more quiet and near most of the attractions.

Is Uber available?

No both are not available. You need to use Grab instead for HCMC and Vietnam.

Is HCMC expensive?

No it is very cheap. It is even cheaper than Thailand and a bit more expensive than Laos.

What to add other than HCMC in a longer vacation?

If you are looking for more time in Vietnam, naturally Da Nang, Hanoi and Nha Trang would be the choices. The travel time from HCMC to Nha Trang is less than 2 hours flight. What I did was a 10 days for Hanoi, Nha Trang and HCMC in my last visit.

If you are looking for other Countries then you could think of Thailand (Bangkok), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Laos (Vientiane than Luang Prabang) .