1 Day in Ho Chi Minh City: The Best Short Itinerary (2024)

If you’ve never been to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), it may come as a surprise that 1 day is enough. After all, it’s the second-largest city in Southeast Asia (only behind Jakarta, Indonesia).

Indeed, Saigon, as the city was called until 1973, is massive but most attractions are concentrated inside District 1 – the small core packing a proverbial Vietnamese punch.

The city also suffered great destruction in the Vietnam War deleting much of its heritage, so you won’t find a preserved old town or historical sights.

You can of course spend more days in HCMC. Backpackers usually stay 3-4 days with 1 day dedicated to the Cu Chi Tunnels and 1 or 2 days for a trip to the Mekong Delta.

Anyhow, 1 day is enough to see Saigon’s highlights.

I’ve been to HCMC 3 times and I look with excitement to the prospect of visiting again. Here’s how I think you should spend one full day in Saigon.

1 Day in Ho Chi Minh City at a Glance

What is HCMC all about? War history, (some) French architecture, amazing food, and the buzz of a megapolis. My 1-day itinerary gives you a little bit of each.

Some of the places included are:

• A traditional breakfast of Hủ tiếu at a street food stall;
• History, propaganda, and war crimes at the War Remnants Museum;
• What’s left from the French at the Post Office, the Notre Dame Basilica, the Opera House. and the City Hall;
• Bún riêu Nam Bộ for lunch in a popular local eatery;
• The touristy market Ben Thanh and the cheaper, more authentic alternatives;
• A walk down the trendy Nguyen Hue Street;
• Party at Bui Vien or in style at a rooftop bar.

Morning in Ho Chi Minh City

The Vietnamese people are most active in the morning.

I don’t know if it’s the socialist upbringing (wake up early, start work early, that kind of thing) or because the temperature is more forgiving before 11 AM, but Saigon feels so alive in the morning.

Start your day before 8 to see the morning energy in the small alleys of Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Saigon, start with an awesome breakfast.

The place I will share with you is not marked on Google Maps and has no name. It’s a street food stall only open for breakfast exclusively serving a variation of Hủ tiếu: a pork bone broth with noodles, various meats, 3 shrimp, and whatever greens you add as toppings. An unusual but delicious combination.

This is its precise location. Arrive before 10:30 AM or you’ll miss out on the best meal ever!

• Price for a small/large portion: 40.000/55.000 VND (1.7/2.3$)

War Remnants Museum

To get a quick idea of the type of exhibits you will find inside, consider its former name: The Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes.

The name was changed in the 90s after relations with the USA warmed up, but the exposition was barely touched: armaments and how they were used against civilians, Agent Orange and its effects, mutilations, mass murders, all the horrible stuff that war brings.

Even though both sides did it, the War Remnants Museum is not impartial. Everything displayed has 2 goals: propaganda first and a one-sided recollection of historical events second.

I recommend a visit to anyone, not just history buffs – it’s a mandatory introduction to what’s defined the Vietnamese nation since 1975.

• Opening times: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM
• Price: 40.000 VND (1.7$)

Independence Palace

This impressive palace was used as the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam until 30 April 1975 when Tank 843 of the North Vietnamese army bulldozed through the gates ending the 20-year war.

Inside, the Palace has been kept exactly how it was found. If you visit today, you will see the cabinet rooms, conference halls, and banquet chambers as they were used back in the 1970s.

• Opening times: 08:00 AM to 3:30 PM
• Price: 40.000 VND (1.7$)

Afternoon in Ho Chi Minh City

After getting your dose of recent history for the day, it’s time for some delicious Vietnamese lunch followed by some of the other popular landmarks in Saigon.

Lunch

For lunch, I have two choices for you:

• Ben Nghe Street Food: Next to Independence Palace but touristy and more expensive;
• Bún Riêu Cô Hương Béo: 15 minutes walk from Independence Palace but a locals’ favorite, delicious and cheap.

You’ve probably figured out which one I recommend. It is so pleasantly savory with a little bit of everything – meat, tofu, noodles, herbs, and a piquant broth.

Saigon Post Office

Some call Saigon Post Office marvelous. I’m not so sure, but then again my architectural knowledge is quite limited. It’s imposing and beautiful for sure, but a marvel?

Finished in 1891, it’s one of the few remaining French buildings in the rapidly modernizing Ho Chi Minh City.

Today, the post office continues to work as such, albeit more for tourists than locals. Inside you will find various shops for postcards, magnets, paper art, jewelry, clothes, etc. You can even send a postcard back home!

Opening times: 08:00 AM to 6:00 PM (closes at 5:00 PM on Sundays)

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica

Right outside the Post Office is the always-under-renovation Notre Dame Cathedral.

It had scaffolding on the side when I visited in 2018. It was under scaffolding from all sides during my visit in 2023 and remained under scaffolding upon my return in 2024. If you see it without wrapping, let me know in the comments, please.

The Basilica is quite large and if religious buildings are your thing, it is a gem to look at from the outside and hopefully soon on the inside too.

Cool Story: The Virgin Mary in front (reportedly) shed a real tear in 2005. Pious Vietnamese came on a pilgrimage from all around the country and it gathered so much attention that the police had to intervene to control the crowd.

Book Street

Right next to the post office and perpendicular to the Cathedral, is one of the coolest streets in Saigon – Đường Nguyễn Văn Bình better known as Book Street.

Especially in the afternoon, Book Street is an absolute joy to stroll on. With huge trees providing a thick shade and no motorbikes allowed, it’s a walking street as they should be.

Bookstores sell all sorts of memorabilia, trinkets and postcards and of course the reason for the name of the street – books in both Vietnamese and English.

Opening times: 08:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Coffee at a street food stall

One thing I love about Vietnam is the abundance of coffee. The country is the second-largest producer of the “black gold” in the world (with only Brazil caffeinating more people) and coffee is part of Vietnamese culture.

In Vietnam, coffee is not only a morning drink. Cafes are full of locals socializing in the afternoon too. Coffee carts are around every corner.

These are my go-to for a quick caffeine fix – some of the best coffee I’ve had is from a guy on the street with a passion for grinding beans, passing water through the powder, and adding condensed milk.

Get the buzz at Ben Thanh Market (but shop elsewhere)

Chợ Bến Thành or Ben Thanh (Tourist) Market is a leisurely 15-minute walk from the Post Office and totally lives up to its name – it’s made for tourists. Both to awe and to trap.

Vendors inside and around the outside edge sell pretty much anything and everything. It’s always busy, although foreigners outnumber locals 4:1.

Price tags usually indicate a set price and no bargaining. Not in Ben Thanh. Everything is more expensive and subject to haggling. The thing is – no matter how good you are at this ancient art, you will never get a fair price here.

If you want to buy cheap clothes, accessories, dried fruit, electronics, etc., you’re better off going to one of the other markets in Ho Chi Minh City:

• An Dong Market
• Tan Binh Market
• Thi Nghe Market

Evening in Ho Chi Minh City

As the sun begins to set and the temperatures become bearable again, it’s time to go on a walk to the trendiest places in Saigon!

Take a pic with Uncle Ho in front of the People’s Committee Building

The City Hall as it’s also called, is only an 8-minute walk from Ben Thanh.

This French Colonial-style building is picture-worthy in its own right, but most people opt to stand next to the big statue of Vietnam’s foremost hero – Ho Chi Minh, or he’s affectionately called: Uncle Ho.

Saigon Opera House

Just around the corner is another French architectural remnant: the Opera House. Depending on your interest in entertainment, this can only be a short stop for pictures from the outside, or you can book a ticket for one of the many shows performed inside.

It’s not all about Opera either! The most famous show is the Bamboo Circus A O Show which combines Vietnamese folk music with acrobatics and dance.

Stroll down the fancy Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard

Champs-Élysées? Nah, Nguyễn Huệ!

Okay, okay, it’s not as famous and a fair bit smaller at only 900 meters in length. But it’s in the heart of District 1 and houses some of Saigon’s trendiest establishments.

The boulevard is entirely pedestrian and becomes lively in the late afternoon. Avoid it earlier than 4 PM as there aren’t many trees to control the temperature.

The Cafe Apartments

Don’t miss the Cafe Apartments – a 4-story building full of quirky stores with different decor. It’s not just cafes inside. Beware: prices are NOT budget-friendly but exploring is free.

Most just photograph the building from the outside, which is fine too.

Bitexco Financial Tower

It’s not exactly on Nguyen Hue Street, but it’s so close that you may as well consider it to be.

For a year, in 2010/11, it was the tallest building in Vietnam. Today it’s the second-tallest in Ho Chi Minh City and 4th in Vietnam.

You can go up to the viewing deck, which will set you back 200.000 VND (8$). Alternatively, you can buy an overpriced drink at the bar (120k for a beer; cocktails from 200k) and enjoy similar views.

Get your Fast Track Ticket to Saigon Sky Deck now!

Dinner

You can absolutely pick a place to eat on Nguyen Hue and have an awesome dinner. After all, who am I to tell you what to eat, especially in a place with abundant street food like Ho Chi Minh City.

But if you’re going back to the backpacker area, I found this Bun Thit Nuong place that serves bowls with a little bit of everything: spring rolls, barbequed pork, noodles, vegetables, peanuts, and more. The prices are super affordable: only 30.000 to 40.000 VND (1.3 to 1.7$) per portion!

• Closing time: 9 PM

Alternatively, get one of the many food tours organized by local students either on foot or by motorcycle. They are eager, they are hungry, and they will take you to all their favorite food places.

• Food Tour on Motorbike (you’re on the back, not driving)
• Food Walking Tour

Night in Saigon

It’s been a long day. If you’ve visited every place in this guide, you’d be excused if you want to have an early retreat to bed.

Muster up some energy and go for a little party! Ho Chi Minh City never sleeps and has the bars with the cheapest drinks in Southeast Asia. It’s also the place with the most affordable rooftop bars in the region: you’d be spending less than 20% of what you would in Singapore!

Option 1: Bui Vien

Have you heard of the infamous Khao San Road in Bangkok? Well, Bui Vien is the Saigon alternative.

It’s flashy, loud, busy, and a little tacky even. Dancers on pedestals in front of all bars, hostesses trying to lure you inside with the promise of cheap drinks and loud music. It’s an attraction even if you’re not looking to party.

The street comes alive sometime around 9:00 PM and dies down around 1 AM.

Option 2: A rooftop bar

If you find Bui Vien a little over the top (I do too) you might want to feel the classier side of Saigon.

It’s a rapidly modernizing city with an ever-increasing skyline. And with a skyline come rooftop bars.

Now, I ain’t an expert in rooftop bars, so I will refer you to this amazing guide about the best ones in Ho Chi Minh. Most open around 6:00 PM and close around 2 AM.

My favourite: Chill Skybar.

Places that didn’t make the cut

You can only visit so much of Saigon in just 1 day. The itinerary includes the main sights only – an introduction and a summary combined.

Here are some more places to visit if you have more time in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Jade Emperor Pagoda: an impressive Buddhist temple;
• Giac Lam Buddhist Temple: the high pagoda is picture-worthy for sure;
• Tân Định Pink Church: It’s pink and it’s Catholic, in case you couldn’t guess;
• Thien Hau Temple: I mean, I’ve already started with the temples, I might as well…;
• The Museum of Fine Arts: I bet you’re surprised it’s not a temple;
• Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden
• Vinh Nghiem Buddhist Temple: I had to end with a temple, no other way!

What transport do you need?

This 1 day in Ho Chi Minh City is entirely achievable on foot. Assuming your accommodation is in District 1 too, you won’t have to walk more than 7 km in total.

If you want to reach the different markets listed in the guide or any place that’s a bit further out, I suggest you use Saigon’s public buses.

They are loaded in Google Maps – ask for directions and then just go to the nearest bus stop and wait.

Stop the bus by waving your hand (don’t expect it to stop if you don’t!). Payment is in cash on the bus, collected by a ticket attendant. It’s either 6.000, 7.000, or 8.000 VND, depending on the bus.

There are of course Grab and GoJek – ride-hailing apps equivalent to Uber in the West (which they beat out of the SEA market a few years ago). I assume these are self-explanatory.

What’s next after Saigon?

For many, Saigon is either the first stop in Vietnam or the last one. That’s what having a big airport does to a city.

If you decide to spend more days in Ho Chi Minh City, consider doing a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels or a tour of the Mekong Delta. You can visit what little is left of the Cai Rang Floating Market too.

And if you’re going north, popular next stops are either the seaside resort Mui Ne or the quirky mountainous town of Da Lat. Or, you know, just fly to Da Nang.