Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City?
Many travelers spend three to four days in Ho Chi Minh City during their visit. After all, the colorful city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the restaurant scene.
Ho Chi Minh City is a mix of old and new, modern and historic, and it fills your senses with colors, sounds, scents, and tastes. The city has many museums that reflect the country's war torn past, but there are also peaceful parks and beautiful art. The food scene is second-to-none and the people are friendly and welcoming.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Ho Chi Minh City? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. So with three days, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the colorful city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have three to four days to fully enjoy the city. If you have three days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. It's a day trip outside of town, but the Cu Chi Tunnels are a must-see stop for any visitor. The War Remnants Museum is also a not-to-be-missed spot. Other highlights of the city include Thiên Hau Temple, the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, the Saigon Opera House, and the Reunification Palace.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for War Remnants Museum, which is ₫40000. It's great for backpackers and is known for extensive exhibits on the Vietnam War including photographic displays, military equipment, and the impact on civilians.
It's worth around 2 hours for Ho Chi Minh City Museum. Entry is approximately 40,000 VND for adults, with reduced prices or free admission for children and students.. It's known for its exhibits on the history, culture, and development of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Museum of Vietnamese History, which is ₫40000. It's great for families and is known for its extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits that trace the historical evolution of Vietnam from ancient times to the modern era.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Fine Arts Museum. It's a nice activity for backpackers and is known for its extensive collection of traditional and contemporary Vietnamese artworks and its beautiful colonial architecture. It's ₫40,000 for adults and ₫20,000 for students and children, with discounted rates potentially available for groups..
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is worth visiting for around 1 hour, which is great for families. Known for its distinctive red-brick neo-Romanesque architecture and status as a major religious and historical landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, entry is free.
It's worth around 2 hours for Jade Emperor Pagoda. Entry is free. It's known for its intricate wood carvings, statues of deities, and spiritual significance in Taoism.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Vung Tau Essential: Beach, Christ Statue & Colonial Heritage ($41)
- Small-group Saigon City Tour: 4-Hour Must-see Iconic Landmarks ($30)
- Cu Chi Ben Duoc Tunnel & War Museum – Original, Less Touristy ($24)
The culinary scene in Ho Chi Minh City is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. This city, arguably, has some of the best food in Vietnam. You'll find everything from food stalls selling mouthwatering street food to luxury restaurants preparing traditional dishes with a modern twist. Banh Mi (a Vietnamese sandwich) and Pho (Vietnamese soup) are the most well known dishes around town, but also try the Bún mắm (a noodle dish) and Bún bò Huế (a beef based soup).
A few tour suggestions include:
- Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City ($29)
- Private Vegan Food Tour By Scooter in Ho Chi Minh City ($45)
- Saigon Evening Food Tour by Scooter ($49)
Since Ho Chi Minh City is such a large city, you can spend at least a day exploring the many neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. Break up visiting popular landmarks with the more authentic neighborhoods for shopping and dining. It's a chaotic, cultural mix of modern high rises, motorbikes, traditional eateries, and world class museums. It'll hit all your senses with its many sights, sounds and smells.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Saigon Opera House (Municipal Theatre). It's a nice activity for couples and is known for its beautiful French colonial architecture and hosting a variety of cultural and artistic performances. It's tickets generally cost around 200,000 VND for adults, with discounts available for children and seniors depending on the event.
Bitexco Financial Tower & Skydeck is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for couples. Known for its iconic lotus-inspired architecture and breathtaking panoramic city views from the Skydeck, entry is ₫200,000.
Make sure to set aside around 1 hour for Ho Chi Minh City Hall (People’s Committee Building), which is free. It's great for backpackers and is known for its stunning French colonial architecture and being the headquarters of the city government.
It's worth around 1 hour for Saigon Central Post Office. Entry is free. It's known for its impressive French colonial architecture and historic significance as a functioning post office.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Nguyen Hue Walking Street. It's a nice activity for families and is known for lively pedestrian atmosphere with cultural events, street performances, and nightlife in the city center. It's free.
Pham Ngu Lao Street is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for backpackers. Known for vibrant nightlife, budget-friendly hostels, and lively street food scene, entry is free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Saigon Night Street Food and City Tour on Scooter ($65)
- Half-Day Mekong Delta by Speedboat and Leisure Biking ($112)
- Saigon Historical City Tour ($45)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The city never settles down and you'll find all night parties and dance clubs open into the early hours. Backpackers keep the energy high, but there are also luxury clubs and more relaxed places where you can have a good night out if the backpacker thing isn't your scene.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Saigon Nightlife ($97)
- Enjoy Your Nightlife In Saigon As A Saigonese! ($5)
- Ho Chi Minh Nightlife by scooter ($83)
Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city is filled with a mix of modern shopping centers and local shops selling traditional items. You'll find international brands as well as uniquely Vietnamese products. The city also has some of the best boutique shopping opportunities in Southeast Asia.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Ben Thanh Market. It's a nice activity for families and is known for its vibrant variety of local goods, traditional Vietnamese food stalls, and lively atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City. It's free.
Night Market at Ben Thanh is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for backpackers. Known for lively evening shopping with wide variety of street food and local handicrafts, entry is free.
Binh Tay Market is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for backpackers. Known for being a large traditional marketplace with an extensive variety of Vietnamese goods, fresh foods, and local street food in a historic setting, entry is free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Half-day Shopping Journey In Ho Chi Minh City ($42)
- Ho Chi Minh Cafe and Shopping tour ($97)
Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, Ho Chi Minh City is known for its wide range of shows. Water puppetry is a traditional art form that originated in the rural areas and was brought to the city. It is a fun cultural experience that kids and adults both enjoy. You can see it at The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ho Chi Minh City by Jeep and Musical Saigon River Dinner Cruise ($149)
Is 4 days enough time in Ho Chi Minh City?
Four days is the perfect amount of time in Ho Chi Minh City, as many visitors prefer to spend three to four days here. You'll be able to explore the major attractions and take part in the city's most popular things to do such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene. We have some suggestions for what to do and where to start your adventure below.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
How to spend 4 days in Ho Chi Minh City
With 4 days in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Don't miss the War Remnants Museum during your trip to Ho Chi Minh City, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Ho Chi Minh City?
Five days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace to wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, sample the delicious cuisine, and enjoy an evening out. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
How to spend 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City
If you have more than 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Ho Chi Minh City, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Cu Chi - Ben Duoc Tunnels & Liberated Area (Day Trip) ($135)
- Small-group Saigon City & Cu Chi Tunnels Day Trip ($69)
- Mekong Delta Full Day Trip - My Tho & Ben Tre - VIP Private Tour ($80)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Ho Chi Minh City.
More Info
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