The PERFECT Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Saigon Travel Guide
Ho Chi Minh City is the industrial hub of Vietnam. Although much less conventional than the capital, Hanoi, and possessing much less potential by way of out of doors actions in comparison with Central Vietnam; the town which can be nonetheless referred to as Saigon to at the present time affords a number of diversions to maintain the traveler busy. From quirky idea cafes to marvelous structure in addition to ultra-happening rooftop bars, Ho Chi Minh City is probably higher considered the place to go with the intention to expertise fashionable pleasures. If you make your approach across the nation, this metropolis is a pleasant complement to the opposite components and personally, I might consider Ho Chi Minh City as one of the best place to finish a visit round Vietnam.
Other than that, in case you are right here only for a brief getaway, Ho Chi Minh City additionally has loads of actions to maintain you preoccupied for two or 3 days. This Ho Chi Minh City itinerary reveals you the place to go and the locations to eat throughout that jaunt.
Day 1
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City and is the busiest airport in Vietnam. Its location is fairly near the town heart, typically requiring only a quarter-hour drive if there isn’t any visitors jam.
Start the day within the Notre Dame de Saigon
notre dame de saigon cathedral
One benefit of Ho Chi Minh City is that a lot of its vacationer points of interest are shut to one another, in District 1. Sidewalks for pedestrians have improved vastly the previous decade, and it’s typically fairly nice to stroll round District 1 assuming it isn’t too sizzling. Assuming you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City early within the morning, you possibly can nonetheless beat the crowds in the event you make Notre Dame de Saigon (each day, 8AM to 5PM) as your first cease. Most folks find yourself taking selfies or capturing photographs of the cathedral from the surface, however in the event you can, try the interiors as properly. The stained glass home windows, which have been imported from France, are noteworthy.
Marvel on the interiors of the Central Post Office
central submit workplace of saigon
Early morning can be a superb time to take a look at the Central Post Office (each day, 7AM to 9PM) subsequent door. You’d nonetheless be capable to snap a photograph of the beautiful hallway with Uncle Ho’s portrait within the center with out different vacationers within the shot. The foremost draw right here is the arched ceiling and the colourful tiled flooring. Completed in 1891, the submit workplace constructing dates again from French colonial rule and was designed by Alfred Foulhoux.
Relive the Seventies on the Reunification Palace
reunification palace
From there, it’s a couple of minutes stroll to the Reunification Palace (each day 8AM to 11AM, 1PM to 4PM). Formerly the palace of the President of South Vietnam, this gigantic constructing was transformed right into a museum after the tip of the Vietnam War. The interiors are left as they supposedly have been again in 1975, with classic sofas and different decoractive gadgets relationship again from the Sixties when the palace was constructed. If you feel peckish by this time, there’s a cafeteria to the left facet of the palace grounds which serve pho at a reasonable value.
War Remnants Museum
For a extra intense take a look at the struggle, try the War Remnants Museum (each day 7:30AM to 12PM, 1:30PM to 5PM) which is situated only a block away from the Reunification Palace. It has been over a decade since I’ve been right here however the reminiscence of seeing these ugly depictions of torture has been arduous to overlook.
Rooftop eating at Secret Garden
secret backyard – ho chi minh metropolis
For a late lunch, I like to recommend heading to Secret Garden (each day 11AM to 10PM) which is only a quick stroll from the palace. The “secret” is actually apt to this eatery’s identify as it’s important to enter by way of an unassuming condo complicated and climb just a few flights of stairs to get there. This rooftop restaurant is sheltered however is partially open so don’t come right here anticipating airconditioning.
Bitexco Tower and the air up there
bitexco tower
By early afternoon, it could be too sizzling to take a look at any of the out of doors points of interest so the timing is simply apt to climb as much as one of many metropolis’s tallest buildings – the Bitexco Tower. Here, you will discover the Sky Deck (9:30AM to 9:30PM) from the place you possibly can survey the superior view from this 262-meter tall constructing. The Sky Deck in itself is situated on the forty ninth ground whereas the restaurant on the fiftieth/51st flooring provide a pleasant environment within the evenings.
Selfies Galore at The Cafe Apartments
the cafe residences
When it cools a bit, you possibly can resume your exploration of Ho Chi Minh City’s out of doors points of interest. The metropolis heart particularly, has an array of eclectic buildings starting from French colonial grandeur to modernist constructs. Not removed from Bitexco Tower is Nguyen Hue, an avenue with a large pedestrian walkway within the center. You will discover a number of locals hanging round right here, particularly in the direction of late afternoon and evenings. One of the extra iconic spots right here is The Cafe Apartments. It is actually one constructing with one retailer occupying every window and every one proudly displaying its emblem. From afar, it makes for fairly a photogenic spot to take a selfie. The Cafe Apartments is undoubtedly essentially the most instagrammable spot in Ho Chi Minh City.
Colonial Architecture
the town’s colonial constructing are additionally price testing at night time!
At the northwestern finish of Nguyen Hue is the City Hall or also referred to as Hotel de Ville. Prior to the instagram age (and the event of The Cafe Apartments just a few blocks down), this was essentially the most iconic spot within the metropolis. The basic European model of this constructing coupled with Ho Chi Minh’s statue in entrance makes it a favourite for pictures, despite the fact that informal guests will not be allowed to enter. As an added tip, come again throughout the night when the outside is floodlit. It’s a very completely different sight from the day. Also close by is the Opera House, one other wonderful instance of colonial structure. The inside is much more spectacular however guests are solely allowed to enter if they’re watching a present.
the pink tan dinh church
Before heading to dinner, try the putting Tan Dinh Church. Dating again from the 1870s, the construction is thought for its vibrant pink hue and makes for one of many metropolis’s most photogenic buildings. The structure here’s a mixture of Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque kinds and in my opinion, is much more lovely than the Notre Dame de Saigon.
Home-style cooking at Cuc Gach Quan
scrumptious home-style cooking at cuc gach quan
For dinner, try Cuc Gach Quan (each day 9AM to 11:30PM) for its voluminous menu of native dishes. Set in a mansion with a lush backyard, the dishes right here evoke family-style cooking. Even the menu offers you a lot flexibility, typically itemizing solely substances and permitting for a lot customization by way of the cooking and preparation.
Day 2
Ho Chi Minh’s Cafe Culture
Start the day in one in every of Ho Chi Minh’s many cafes. The enterprising mindset coupled with the espresso loving tradition of the Vietnamese has led to a big selection of idea cafes in Ho Chi Minh City. And certainly, there are too a lot of them that it’s arduous to pack in additional than 3 throughout a brief go to to the town. One that’s fairly distinctive and in addition close to lots of the vacationer points of interest is Soo Kafe (open each day 8AM to 11PM) situated just some steps away from Ben Tanh Market. This is a favourite vacationer hangout with its arrange much like a library. Customers can flick through one of many books on the shelf as they get pleasure from their espresso or latte. Do word that as a consequence of its reputation, it might be tough to discover a seat particularly in noon / early afternoon when it’s particularly sizzling exterior. You can also’t go fallacious with the ever-present Cong Cafe which has branches throughout Vietnam. I significantly preferred their coconut milk espresso. If you’ve got extra time for cafe-hopping, additionally try The Workshop Coffee (each day, 8AM to 9PM) which has a definite Brooklyn vibe. They specialise in chilly brews.
Explore one of many metropolis’s sprawling markets
ben tanh market
Everyone is aware of about Ben Tanh Market – Ho Chi Minh City’s foremost market situated in District 1. It’s crammed with retailers promoting attire, meals and even souvenirs. Given the rise of tourism within the metropolis, all sections besides these coping with recent meals have turn into tourist-oriented and the worth has turn into considerably larger than different markets within the metropolis. I significantly like chewing on the native snack referred to as “mang cau” or soursop sweet. All in all, it’s as much as you to weigh the fee – like is it price taking a GRAB journey to a much less touristy marketplace for just a few {dollars} in financial savings? If you favor one thing extra localized and genuine, I can recommend heading over to Cholon for the Binh Tay Market. You’ll discover lots of the items there at a markedly lower cost, and also you get to take a look at Saigon’s model of the Chinatown, too.
Afterwards, try a contemporary and extra affluent facet to Ho Chi Minh City by visiting the town’s mannequin group, Vinhomes Central Park. You’d really feel as in the event you stepped into a distinct place altogether as you allow the town’s frenetic vitality behind for some upscale condominium towers and chain shops. The nation’s tallest constructing – the Vincom Center Landmark 81 – can be situated right here and it has its personal statement deck open to guests.
Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion
For the afternoon, you possibly can be a part of a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels are an elaborate community used throughout the Vietnam War to move items and folks. One of essentially the most memorable components of the tour is the revelation of 1 the hidden entice doorways used throughout wartime to get to the tunnels. Visitors may try the booby traps used again then.
Depending on the time you possibly can spare, and particularly for full-day excursions, the tour to Cu Chi Tunnels can also embrace a cease on the photogenic Cao Dai Temple. The faith referred to as Caodaism began right here in Southern Vietnam again in 1926 and will be considered incorporating each Buddhist and Christian components. This is very evident within the temple the place one can see dragons and structure resembling a Chinese temple however with statues of Jesus Christ. It’s fairly a singular and fascinating place to take a look at particularly on the best way from Cu Chi Tunnels again to the town.
Travel Tips for Ho Chi Minh City
- In the present age of uncertainty, I’ll err within the facet of warning and buy journey insurance coverage previous to my journey. If you reside in Singapore, try Starr Travelead, one of many most cost-effective journey insurance coverage. They have a promotion that comes with S$5 money rebate that helps to cowl the insurance coverage value. For these based mostly elsewhere, you possibly can’t go fallacious with Worldnomads with its many inclusions for claims.
- Ho Chi Minh City has loads of “snatchers” on motorbikes. You by no means know when a motorcycle immediately involves you when you’re strolling on the sidewalk with the intention to seize your bag. A sling bag, reasonably than a traditional backpack, is really helpful whereas strolling outside in Ho Chi Minh City.
- You pays in USD in lots of locations together with retailers, eating places and different tourist-oriented institutions. This doesn’t apply to the small eateries or groceries. If you urgently want to alter for Vietnamese Dong, you possibly can strive inquiring in jewellery shops for a greater fee.
- You can keep away from the potential lengthy queues for a taxi and e book your airport transfers right here.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
sedona suites ho chi minh metropolis
Budget – The Akoya Central Saigon Hotel affords immense worth for the $30 to $40 it often fees per night time. Situated just some steps from Ben Tanh Market and virtually inside strolling distance to many vacationer points of interest, it typically feels unimaginable to suppose that rooms right here additionally embrace a free minibar.
Midrange – Located proper smack within the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint boasts of a rooftop pool in addition to fashionable and well-appointed rooms. It is virtually inside strolling distance to lots of the metropolis’s points of interest
Splurge – For spacious apartment-style dwelling, you possibly can’t go fallacious with Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City. Located simply subsequent to Takashimaya, rooms on this property include chic views of the burgeoning metropolis skyline.
