How many days should I spend in Ho Chi Minh City, and what are the must-see sights?
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 4 days ago
TL;DR
For a first visit, 3–5 days is usually enough for Ho Chi Minh City: two days for the centre, one for Cu Chi Tunnels, and 1–2 more for museums, markets, or the Mekong Delta. Spending 14–20 days makes sense mainly if you are working remotely or using the city as a base for southern Vietnam.
What the community said
Allow 3–4 full days for a first trip. Spend one day walking around District 1: the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Dong Khoi Street, and the Opera House; finish with Bach Dang Wharf or Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
5 days ago District 1, Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Set aside a day for the city’s history. The War Remnants Museum on Vo Van Tan takes around 1.5–2 hours, while the Independence Palace on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia takes about an hour. Entry is roughly 40,000 VND for the museum and 65,000 VND for the palace.
5 days ago War Remnants Museum — 40,000 VND; Independence Palace — 65,000 VND
Use a fourth or fifth day for the Cu Chi Tunnels, around 70 km from central Ho Chi Minh City. Expect 1.5–2 hours each way; admission is usually about 90,000 VND, while a District 1 tour with transport commonly costs around 500,000–900,000 VND.
5 days ago Cu Chi Tunnels — about 90,000 VND
For a more contemporary side of Saigon, add District 3 and Thao Dien in District 2. District 3 has older cafés around Vo Van Tan, while Thao Dien offers riverside restaurants, cafés, and bars. Take Metro Line 1 from the centre to Thao Dien station.
5 days ago Thao Dien, Metro Line 1
If you have a week or more, you do not need to stay in Ho Chi Minh City the entire time. Keep the final 3–5 days for the city and add 1–2 nights in the Mekong Delta, such as Ben Tre or Can Tho. Ben Tre is about 2–2.5 hours away, while Can Tho is around 3.5–4 hours by road.
30 days ago Ben Tre and Can Tho, Mekong Delta