Welcome to the Ultimate Getaway Guide to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon—a vibrant city that is a mix of history, culture and modernity. This detailed 4 day Ho Chi Minch City itinerary will give you the highlights of what to do, see and eat. This is especially a good itinerary for foodies because it prioritizes eating the delicious Vietnamese cuisine. As you walk along the bustling streets and charming alleys (be careful when you cross the street!), you’ll discover the dichotomy of Ho Chi Minh City—where colonial-era architecture stands alongside sleek skyscrapers, and traditional markets buzz with energy amid a backdrop of contemporary urban life.
From exploring iconic landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and the War Remnants Museum to savoring the flavors of Vietnamese street food in local markets, you’ll get to experience a lot of the charm of Saigon in 4 days. Are you ready to dive in?
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How many days do you need to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
The amount of time you need to visit Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) depends on your travel preferences and interests. As long-term nomads, we typically like to spend at least a month in a destination to really explore in-depth. We didn’t feel the need to spend a whole month in Ho Chi Minh City since we have a preference for smaller cities but we were really glad we stopped here. As a travel destination, you can see a lot of the highlights in 3-4 days as we did in this 4 day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary.
Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
Here is a daily summary of our itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City:
| Day | What did we do? |
| 1 (Friday) | Arrived and stayed at a comfy Airbnb (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️). Lunch at Joi Factory (⭐️⭐️⭐️) and dinner at Shanti Veggie. (⭐️⭐️) |
| 2 (Saturday) | Explored the city on foot with a walking tour. Lunch at Nha Tu (⭐️⭐️⭐️) and enjoyed some sweets along the way. |
| 3 (Sunday) | Had our own food tour (⭐️⭐️⭐️), trying different local dishes. Spent a relaxing afternoon in the city. Returned to Joi Factory (⭐️⭐️⭐️) for dinner. |
| 4 (Monday) | Lunch at SEN Vegan Restaurant (⭐️⭐️⭐️). Date night with a great show at the Opera House (A O show) and dinner at Rice Field (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️). |
| 5 (Tuesday) | Checked out of our Airbnb and said goodbye to Saigon! |
The map provided below highlights all the locations where we made stops, including our accomodation.
Day 1 – Eating Plenty of Vietnamese Food!
Our day began early upon landing in Vietnam at 6 am. Opting for the convenient Grab app (a must-have in Vietnam), we headed to our Airbnb and swiftly checked in.
Eager to savor more Vietnamese cuisine since our last trip to Hanoi (Read: Destination Report: Hanoi (Vietnam): What to do, see, eat and avoid), we hopped on Grab again for a leisurely lunch at Joy Factory—a unique spot that doubles as a restaurant, co-working space, and hotel. The place had fantastic vegetarian dishes and delightful desserts (we are not vegetarian but seek out healthy restaurants).
Returning to our Airbnb for a brief break, we took the opportunity to plan our walking tour for the following day. We got another Grab to Shanti Veggie, where we indulged in delicious broken rice, served in a clay pot.
Since jet lag was getting to us, we went to bed early and call it a day!
Day 2 – Free Walking Tour to Discover Ho Chi Minh City
Fun facts:
– Did you know that Vietnam is the second biggest exporting country of coffee in the world after Brazil and before Colombia?
– Did you know that the favorite animal in Vietnam in the water buffalo?
– Did you know that the color of the Vietnam flag represents the bloodshed during the country’s struggle for independence (red) as well as their heritage and bright future (yellow)?
Want to learn more fun facts, definitely take a walking tour!
We love local-led walking tours, they are an excellent way of introducting us to the destinations we explore, immersing ourselves in local history, culture, and noteworthy sights. In this Ho Chi Minh Itinerary, we scheduled a walking tour through GuruWalk with Duoc (you can secure your spot for free using this link).
The tour lasted 3 hours and covered the following sites:
- Ben Thanh Market – No more than 1500 stalls!
- City Hall
- Ho Chi Minh Statue
- Opera House
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Post Office
- Book Street
- Independence Palace
- Tao Dan Park
We had a delicious lunch at Nhà Tú that offers a wide selection of Vietnamese cuisine with a friendly staff.
Day 3 – Self-guided Food Tour
For our third day we decided to do our own self-guided food tour. If you are not familiar with Vietnamese food or if this is your first visit to Vietnam, we recommend doing a guided food tour to get a good sampler of all of the amazing Vietnamese dishes. We opted for a self-guided food tour because we have are quite familiar with Vietnamese cuisine and selected our favorite dishes.
- Bánh Cuốn Hồng Hạnh – For Bánh Cuốn (thin, delicate rice noodle sheets rolled often filled with a mixture of seasoned ground pork, minced wood ear mushrooms, and shallots)
- Bún Chả Bà Lan “Thận” -For the “Obama” Dish: Bún Chả (another traditional Vietnamese dish that features grilled pork patties (cha) and vermicelli noodles (bun), often served with a variety of fresh herbs, vegetables, and a flavorful dipping sauce)
- Bánh Khọt Cô Ba Vũng Tàu – Great Bánh Xèo – savory and crispy pancake that is notable for its golden-yellow color, thin and lacy texture, and flavorful filling
- Thanh Glado Vegan ice cream – Delicious vegan ice cream at this small shop
- Chè chuối nướng Võ Văn Tần – To conclude the food tour, we indulged in a very popular dessert – it’s made of sweet banana, charred sticky rice, and a creamy coconut milk. A definite must-try in the city!
For dinner, we returned to Joy Factory.
Day 4 – Date night with dinner and the A O Show
On our last full day in the city, we started the day with another restaurant: SEN Vegan Restaurant that offered amazing vegan food!
We then planned a nice date night that started with an amazing dinner at Rice Field. It’s on the pricier side but really nice for a higher end meal and a big change from sitting on a stool on the sidewalks.
Followed by the incredible A O show at the Opera House.
The A O Show in Saigon is a captivating performance that blends traditional Vietnamese elements with contemporary arts to create a very cool theatrical experience. The show is renowned for its unique fusion of acrobatics, dance, and theatrical storytelling, all set against a backdrop of Vietnamese culture.
After the show, we got the chance to meet with the amazing crew. This was the perfect way to close or trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 5 – Time to say goodbye
Just enough time to pack and head over to the airport for our next destination: Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Since this was a short trip, we decided to book a simple Airbnb and we found an amazing deal that we are happy to share with you!
| Day | Accommodation / Location | Nomad Numbers Rating |
| 1-5 | Boutique homestay with rooftop garden (Ho Chi Minh City) | 5 out of 5 – Amazing place, exceptional hospitality Our week at Huy & Nhi’s place in the heart of HCMC was fantastic! The apartment was a delightful haven for our short stay. The hosts were exceptionally helpful and proactive. The apartment itself was clean and comfortable. We even enjoyed having the rooftop to ourselves a few times. The fully equipped kitchen (with free drinking water) and laundry facilities added extra convenience. (4.97 score on airbnb.com / 72 reviews) |
Here are a few pictures and a short tour of our accommodation
If this Airbnb is unavailable or if you’re seeking an alternative, feel free to explore other accommodations for your stay by using the search widget below:
Getting to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is easily accessible from major cities in Vietnam as well as internationally.
- By Air: The most common way to reach Saigon from international destinations is by flying into Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). This airport is the largest in southern Vietnam and serves as a major hub for both domestic and international flights.
- By Train: If you are already in Vietnam or in neighboring countries with rail connections, you can take a train to Saigon. The city has a railway station called Saigon Railway Station, providing train services from various parts of Vietnam.
- By Bus: Long-distance buses connect Saigon with many cities and regions within Vietnam. Bus terminals like Mien Dong Bus Station handle interprovincial buses, offering a cost-effective option for travelers.
Cost of Travel to Ho Chi Minh City
Our 5-day trip in Ho Chi Minh City was budget-friendly, mostly due to the fact that Vietnam is a really affordable country. Eating in Saigon is also really inexpensive!
TL;DR; As a couple we spent a total of 386 USD for this trip.
Note: this budget is as a couple so if you travel solo, your budget might differ.
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Here is our budget breakdown per spending category:
| Category | Total Cost USD | Comments |
| Dining Out | $120.52 | This covered all of our food (lunch and dinner as we skip breakfast) |
| Accommodation | $106.90 | Five nights at our Airbnb |
| Entertainment | $81.88 | A O show at the Opera House + Tip for our walking tour |
| Visa | $51.64 | 2x 30 days Visas for Vietnam (don’t forget to apply at least 1 week in advance online on the official Vietnamese website) |
| Local Transportation | $18.70 | A bunch of Grab rides to go from our Airbnb to the various sights/restaurants we wanted to go. |
| Groceries | $3.75 | A few fruits |
| Snacks | $3.03 | Ice cream and sugar cane juices |
| TOTAL | $386.42 | At $36.64 per day for two people, this 5 day trip to Ho Chi Minh City was a really great value! |
Other Tips for Your Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Here are our tips for anyone that is planning to visit Ho Chi Minh City and wants to save time and money while having the best possible experience:
- Weather: Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Be mindful of the weather, especially during the rainy season from May to November.
- Currency and Cash: The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). While credit cards are widely accepted in the city, the small stands in the street will only accept cash, so make sure you always have some with you.
- Traffic and Transportation: Motorbike traffic is insane! Exercise caution when crossing the streets, and consider using Grab (ride-hailing app) for safe and convenient transportation.
- Street Food Adventure: Embrace the vibrant street food scene. Try as many local specialties as you can find! Don’t shy away from exploring street markets for an authentic culinary experience.
- Bargaining: Bargaining is common in markets. Approach it with a friendly attitude and be prepared to negotiate for a fair price.
- Explore Districts: Ho Chi Minh City is divided into districts, each offering a unique atmosphere. District 1 is the central business and entertainment hub, while District 5 (Chinatown) and District 3 provide a more local experience.
- Health Precautions: Drink bottled or boiled water to avoid waterborne illnesses. Apply mosquito repellent, especially if you plan to visit rural areas.
- Safety Measures: Keep an eye on your belongings, be cautious of pickpockets, and use secure transportation options. Stay informed about the local emergency services.
Even if you prefer smaller cities, this bustling capital city of Vietnam has a lot to offer and is worth exploring for a few days. If you are doing a tour in Vietnam, you will likely start or finish in Ho Chi Minh City and it’s worth spending some time here. If anything, the delicious Vietnamese cuisine makes a stop worthwhile. As this 4 day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary illustrates, you can experience the cuisine, history and culture in a relatively short period of time.
Planning to see other parts of Vietnam? Check out our detailed destination guide for Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay and Ninh Binh. Also see how to apply for a visa in Vietnam.
What do you think about our Ho Chi Minh City itinerary? Would you like to spend a few days there and eat lots of delicious Vietnamese food? Please leave us a comment in the comment section below!
6 Comments
BadBackPackers · December 19, 2023 at 12:23 am
We’re in Vietnam now and will be heading to HCM city in a couple months 🙂 Thx for the tips!
Mr. Nomad Numbers · December 19, 2023 at 1:22 pm
Wow… spending a few months in Vietnam. That sounds lovely! What has been your favorite place so far? And what do you think about the food?
BadBackPackers · December 19, 2023 at 2:07 pm
Well we’ve only been here a week and started in Hanoi. So our favorite thing so far is easily Halong Bay. Absolutely stunning!
We’re vegan and there are so many great veg restaurants. Our favorite so far was a little buffet down an indescript alley filled with locals. And the bread used for the vegan bạhn mi we’ve found just melts in your mouth. 🤤
Mr. Nomad Numbers · December 19, 2023 at 2:40 pm
Thank you for sharing! While we appreciated Halong Bay, we found Ninh Binh to be more to our liking. Our Halong Bay experience fell short of expectations, particularly due to the crowded areas in some parts of the bay. Perhaps the bay is vast, and our differing experiences could be attributed to exploring different locations. Could you specify the tour you took? Your insights could be valuable for others looking into similar experiences!
As for vegetarian/vegan food we can definitely say that HCMC does not disappointed on this topic. Definitely give Joy Factory a try! We aren’t strict vegetarian/vegan but do like to reduce our meat consumption for so many reasons… And we were super happy with the veg food we got there.
BadBackPackers · December 19, 2023 at 3:31 pm
We did The Au Co ship, 2 day 1 night cruise. We splurged on a luxury cruise and found the entire thing magical, but it was pretty cold weather this week! Sorry your experience fell short 🙁
We will try Joy Factory! 🙂
Mr. Nomad Numbers · December 20, 2023 at 8:32 am
Thanks! Our issue wasn’t with the cruise itself but rather with the pollution of some section of the bay. Hopefully this will get addressed!