All citiesHo Chi Minh City Things to do and walking itinerary
Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City travel guide
27 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, where to stay, airport transfers, 1 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
- Saigon Central Post Office — Working colonial-era post office opposite the cathedral, with a vaulted hall and old painted maps. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Ben Thanh Market — The city's landmark market with a clock-tower entrance: fabric, coffee, souvenirs and food stalls. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica — cathedral located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 35 min)
- War Remnants Museum — military museum in Vietnam (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Independence Palace — Presidential Palace of South Vietnam (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Saigon Opera House — opera house in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens — zoo in District , Ho Chi Minh City (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Museum of Ho Chi Minh City — museum in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Xá Lợi Pagoda — Buddhist temple in Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Mariamman Temple, Ho Chi Minh City — Hindu temple in Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Thien Hau Temple — Chinese-style temple in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts — art museum in Vietnam (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Tan Dinh church — church building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History — history museum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Saigon Central Mosque — mosque in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Citadel of Saigon (1790) — capital of Vietnam (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Jade Emperor Pagoda — Taoist pagoda in Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Việt Nam Quốc Tự (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Giác Lâm Pagoda — Buddhist temple in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Tao Dan Park — urban park in Ho Chi Minh City (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Vinh Nghiem Pagoda — pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- September 23 Park — public park in central Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Saint Francis Xavier Church — church building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Jeanne d'Arc Church — church building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sacred Heart Church — church building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Dragon House — historic house museum in District 4, Ho Chi Minh City (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Quách Thị Trang Square — urban square in front of Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (visit ≈ 15 min)
2-day Ho Chi Minh City walking itinerary
Starting point: Ben Thanh / District 1. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 3.8 km · 5,080 steps · 51 min on the way): Ben Thanh Market → Independence Palace → War Remnants Museum → Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica → Saigon Central Post Office
- Day 2 (≈ 5.3 km · 7,110 steps · 1 h 10 min on the way): Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens → Saigon Opera House → Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Ho Chi Minh City
- Mekong Delta (My Tho) — Delta town to the south: boat trips through coconut groves, narrow canals and orchards. (visit ≈ 480 min)
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
- Ben Thanh / District 1: The heart of the city; the market, metro and airport bus are here.
- Dong Khoi / Nguyen Hue: The opera house, smart hotels and a pedestrian boulevard down to the river.
- Pham Ngu Lao: Budget hotels, backpackers and nightlife.
- District 3 / Tan Dinh: Leafy streets, local cafés and the pink church; calmer.
- Thao Dien: Green riverside area full of cafés and boutiques.
Getting from the airport to Ho Chi Minh City
- Tan Son Nhat (SGN): Airport bus 109 ≈ 45 min; taxi or Grab ≈ 30 min.
Getting around
Traffic is heavy; Grab bikes or cars are the easiest for short trips. Metro line 1 links Ben Thanh with Thao Dien.
Classic places to eat
- Phở Hòa Pasteur: Pho noodle soup on Pasteur Street since 1968.
- Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa: The city’s most famous, most loaded bánh mì.
- Bánh Xèo 46A: Crispy turmeric Vietnamese pancakes for decades.
- Cục Gạch Quán: Country-style Vietnamese food in an old villa.
- Cà Phê Vợt Cheo Leo: A tiny shop brewing coffee through cloth filters since 1938.
- Chè Hiển Khánh: A decades-old shop for traditional chè sweet soups.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Akuna — 1 MICHELIN star, Contemporary
Romantic views
- Bach Dang Wharf (Evening): A lit-up promenade park along the Saigon River.
- Saigon Skydeck (Sunset): River and city views from the 49th floor of Bitexco Tower.
- Ba Son Bridge (Evening): A new cable-stayed bridge to Thu Thiem that lights up at night.
Good to know before visiting Ho Chi Minh City
- Fine: Drug offences carry extremely severe penalties, including death.
- Fine: E-cigarettes and heated tobacco have been banned since 2025.
- Fine: Photographing military sites, borders and government buildings is prohibited.
- Fine: Drones require a permit.
- Warning: Political criticism and unauthorised protests can be prosecuted.
- Warning: Cross through motorbike traffic slowly and steadily; riding needs a valid licence.
- Emergency: police 113, ambulance 115, fire 114
- Plugs: A/C/F, 220V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: Tipping is optional but appreciated in tourist areas.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, Wikivoyage — Vietnam, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Ho Chi Minh City travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
- Highlights: Saigon Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace. The map has 27 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
- Ben Thanh / District 1: The heart of the city; the market, metro and airport bus are here. Other options: Dong Khoi / Nguyen Hue, Pham Ngu Lao, District 3 / Tan Dinh and Thao Dien.
- How do you get from the airport to Ho Chi Minh City city centre?
- Tan Son Nhat (SGN): Airport bus 109 ≈ 45 min; taxi or Grab ≈ 30 min.
- How do you get around Ho Chi Minh City?
- Traffic is heavy; Grab bikes or cars are the easiest for short trips. Metro line 1 links Ben Thanh with Thao Dien.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Ho Chi Minh City?
- According to the last known data there are 1 starred restaurants: Akuna (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Ho Chi Minh City?
- Emergency: police 113, ambulance 115, fire 114.
- Do you tip in Ho Chi Minh City?
- Tipping is optional but appreciated in tourist areas.
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