Travel guide · Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City travel guide
Colonial landmarks, war history and late-night street food on the Saigon River
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by most residents, is Vietnam's largest city and its commercial engine on the Saigon River. Visitors focus on District 1, where the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Opera House and Bến Thành Market are a short walk apart, and on the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace for the history of the war. Chợ Lớn, the old Chinese district, has incense-filled temples and wholesale markets, and the food runs from broken-rice breakfasts to snail stalls in District 4. Metro Line 1, opened in December 2024, links the centre with the eastern suburbs. A 2025 reform replaced the numbered districts with wards, but maps, hotels and locals still use the old district names. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are December–March.
Key facts
- Country
- Vietnam
- Best time to visit
- December–March
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- SGN
- Mid-range daily budget
- $60–$130 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Bến Thành Market and Motorbike traffic
Why visit Ho Chi Minh City
- The War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace give two very different perspectives on the Vietnam War, a short walk from each other.
- Southern Vietnamese food is generous and herb-heavy: cơm tấm, bánh xèo, hủ tiếu and some of the country's best bánh mì.
- District 1 packs French colonial landmarks, rooftop bars and the Nguyễn Huệ walking street into a compact, walkable centre.
- The Củ Chi Tunnels and the canals of the Mekong Delta are both easy day trips.
- It is warm all year, with a reliable dry season from December to April.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Museum · District 3
War Remnants Museum
The city's most visited museum documents the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective, with photographs by war correspondents, galleries on the effects of Agent Orange and a reconstruction of island prison cells.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Rainy day
Palace · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Independence Palace
The modernist presidential palace of South Vietnam, completed in 1966, was where a North Vietnamese tank broke through the gates on 30 April 1975, ending the war.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
Religious site · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
The twin-spired red-brick cathedral was built by the French between 1863 and 1880 with materials shipped from France, and a statue of the Virgin Mary stands in the square in front.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Free
Market · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Bến Thành Market
The covered market with its clock tower, opened in 1914, sells fabrics, coffee, lacquerware, dried fruit and souvenirs, with a food section of noodle and rice stalls.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Shopping
- Food
- Free
- Rainy day
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Architecture · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Saigon Central Post Office
Across the square from the cathedral, this working post office from the 1890s has a vaulted iron-framed hall, painted maps of colonial Saigon and Cochinchina, and a large portrait of Ho Chi Minh.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
- Rainy day
Street · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Nguyễn Huệ walking street
A broad pedestrian boulevard running from the yellow colonial City Hall, with a Ho Chi Minh statue in front, down to the Saigon River.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Kids
- Photo spot
Where to stay
District 1 (Đồng Khởi) is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 6 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, luxury, shopping and families
District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Colonial landmarks, international hotels, malls and rooftop bars by the river
$ · Best for budget, nightlife and solo travellers
Phạm Ngũ Lão and Bùi Viện
Backpacker quarter of hostels, travel agents and a loud bar street
$$ · Best for food lovers, culture and quiet stays
District 3
Leafy residential streets, cafés in old villas and the pink Tân Định Church
$$$ · Best for families, quiet stays and food lovers
Thảo Điền
Riverside expat enclave of villas, cafés, international schools and craft beer
What to eat
Full Ho Chi Minh City food guide.
- Broken rice — Fractured rice grains served with a grilled lemongrass pork chop, shredded pork skin, steamed egg meatloaf and a fried egg, with pickles and sweet fish sauce.
- Bánh mì — Saigon-style bánh mì is generously stuffed: pâté, butter, several cold cuts, pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, coriander and chilli in a light, crisp baguette.
- Southern phở — Saigon's phở has a slightly sweeter broth than Hanoi's and comes with a plate of bean sprouts, Thai basil, saw-tooth herb and lime, plus hoisin and chilli sauces on the table.
- Hủ tiếu Nam Vang — A clear pork-bone noodle soup of Cambodian-Chinese origin, with chewy rice noodles, minced pork, liver, shrimp and quail eggs, served in broth or 'dry' with the soup on the side.
- Bánh xèo — A large, crisp turmeric and coconut-milk pancake folded over pork, shrimp and bean sprouts.
- Fresh spring rolls — Rice paper rolled around prawns, pork, rice vermicelli, lettuce and herbs, served cold with a peanut and hoisin dipping sauce.
When to go
The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is December to March, the heart of the dry season, when skies are clear and humidity is lower. April is very hot, and from May to November afternoon downpours are frequent but usually short, so travel is still practical with flexible plans.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season | December–March | Sunny, slightly less humid and the most comfortable time for sightseeing and Mekong trips; Tết brings closures. |
| Hot season | April–early May | The hottest weeks of the year, with temperatures in the mid-30s and building humidity before the rains. |
| Rainy season | May–October | Short, heavy afternoon storms and occasional flooding, but lower prices and lush countryside. |
| Late rains | November | Rain eases through the month as the dry season starts; a pleasant time with fewer crowds. |
- Ho Chi Minh City in January
- Ho Chi Minh City in February
- Ho Chi Minh City in March
- Ho Chi Minh City in April
- Ho Chi Minh City in May
- Ho Chi Minh City in June
- Ho Chi Minh City in July
- Ho Chi Minh City in August
- Ho Chi Minh City in September
- Ho Chi Minh City in October
- Ho Chi Minh City in November
- Ho Chi Minh City in December
Getting there and around
Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport is about 7 km north of District 1, within the city. Ride-hailing cars and taxis take about 20–45 minutes depending on traffic, and the airport bus 109 runs to the backpacker area near 23/9 Park in about 45 minutes. A new domestic Terminal 3 opened in 2025.
District 1's main sights are walkable, but the city sprawls and heat makes long walks tiring. Ride-hailing cars and motorbike taxis are the standard way around, and Metro Line 1 runs from Bến Thành east to Thủ Đức and Suối Tiên.
Plan your days
Two days covers District 1's landmarks, the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and Chợ Lớn. Four days adds a day trip to the Củ Chi Tunnels and another to the Mekong Delta, plus time for food tours and rooftop evenings.
Practical information
- Currency
- VND
- Language
- Vietnamese
- Plugs
- Type A, C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water. Ice in restaurants is usually factory-made.
- Emergency number
- 113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance
- Tipping
- Tipping is not traditionally expected but is appreciated.
Bag and phone snatching by thieves on passing motorbikes is the most common problem, especially in District 1 and around Bùi Viện. Traffic is the main physical hazard, and overcharging by unofficial taxis and some bars happens. During the rainy season, streets can flood briefly after storms and at high tide.
Flights to Ho Chi Minh City
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
Two days covers District 1's landmarks, the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and Chợ Lớn. Four days adds a day trip to the Củ Chi Tunnels and another to the Mekong Delta, plus time for food tours and rooftop evenings. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is December to March, the heart of the dry season, when skies are clear and humidity is lower. April is very hot, and from May to November afternoon downpours are frequent but usually short, so travel is still practical with flexible plans.
+What is Ho Chi Minh City known for?
War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Bến Thành Market, Motorbike traffic, Bánh mì, Củ Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta trips and Rooftop bars. The War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace give two very different perspectives on the Vietnam War, a short walk from each other.
+Is Ho Chi Minh City expensive?
Ho Chi Minh City is very affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $60–$130 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Ho Chi Minh City?
No. Traffic is intense and parking difficult; ride-hailing, taxis and the metro cover the city, and tours or cars with drivers cover day trips.