Getting around · Ho Chi Minh City · Vietnam
Getting around Ho Chi Minh City
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
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. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Ride-hailing
- Airports
- SGN
- Need a car?
- No
Ways to get around
Ride-hailing
Grab, Be and Xanh SM offer cars and motorbike taxis with fixed in-app fares; motorbike rides are the fastest way through traffic for short trips.
Metro
Metro Line 1 runs about 20 km from Bến Thành through the Opera House and Ba Son stations to Thảo Điền, Thủ Đức and Suối Tiên, avoiding road traffic.
It is handy for reaching Thảo Điền and Landmark 81's side of the river.
Walking
Đồng Khởi, Nguyễn Huệ, the cathedral, the post office and Bến Thành Market are all within 15 minutes' walk, though pavements are often blocked by parked motorbikes.
Cross roads slowly and steadily; do not stop suddenly or run.
Taxi
Metered taxis from established companies such as Vinasun and Mai Linh are reliable; avoid unmarked cars and drivers who approach you.
Bus
City buses are inexpensive but slow and signed mainly in Vietnamese; the airport bus routes are the most useful for visitors.
Boat
Public waterbuses run from Bạch Đằng pier up the Saigon River, and hydrofoils connect the city with Vũng Tàu.
From the airport
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.
Do you need a car?
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.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Củ Chi Tunnels | About 1.5–2 hours each way by road | Tour bus, car with driver or river boat |
| Mekong Delta (Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre) | About 2 hours each way by road | Tour bus or car with driver |
| Cần Thơ and Cái Răng floating market | About 3.5–4 hours each way by road | Bus, car with driver or tour; best as an overnight trip |
| Tây Ninh Cao Đài Holy See | About 2.5–3 hours each way by road | Tour or car with driver, often combined with Củ Chi |
| Vũng Tàu | About 2 hours by hydrofoil or road | Hydrofoil from Bạch Đằng pier, or bus |
| Cần Giờ mangrove forest | About 1.5–2 hours by road and ferry | Car with driver or tour |
Questions travellers ask
+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.
+How do you get from the airport to Ho Chi Minh City?
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.
+What is the best way to get around Ho Chi Minh City?
Ride-hailing: Grab, Be and Xanh SM offer cars and motorbike taxis with fixed in-app fares; motorbike rides are the fastest way through traffic for short trips.