Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide

The facade of the Ho Chi Minh City Municipal Theatre in daylight — Saigon Opera House (Municipal Theatre) · Photo: Bahnfrend / CC BY-SA 4.0

Vietnam's biggest and busiest city blends swirling motorbike traffic, French colonial buildings and a buzzing cafe culture. It suits travelers who want great food, coffee and spas on a small budget, with easy day trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.

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Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.

Plan your Ho Chi Minh City trip

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At a glance

Currency: VND (₫)
Power & plugs: 220V · Type A/C/F
Driving side: Right
Tipping: Optional (small, for good service)
Local language: Tiếng Việt
How long to stay: 4 to 5 days

Emergency numbers

Police113
Ambulance115
Fire114

When to go

The dry season from December to April is best, with December to February slightly less hot. The May to October wet season brings short afternoon downpours, and rain eases from November. Many shops close around Tet (Lunar New Year, January or February), so check dates.

Monthly climate normals

Warmest: May (avg high 34.9°C) · Coolest: Feb (avg low 23.1°C) · Wettest: Sep (273 mm)

	High °C	Low °C	Rain mm
Jan	32.0°	23.4°	12
Feb	32.7°	23.1°	8
Mar	33.6°	24.9°	18
Apr	34.5°	26.4°	57
May	34.9°	26.4°	202
Jun	33.5°	25.5°	224
Jul	33.0°	25.2°	231
Aug	32.9°	25.1°	219
Sep	32.6°	25.0°	273
Oct	32.3°	25.0°	240
Nov	32.4°	24.9°	128
Dec	31.6°	23.9°	41

Monthly averages of daily highs and lows, and average monthly rainfall. Any given year can differ.

Source: WMO World Weather Information Service — Viet Nam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration · Ho Chi Minh City (WMO city data) · 1991–2020 normals —View source

Airport to the city

Grab / Xanh SM Taxi

The easiest way from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) to District 1. Fares are fixed in the app; meet drivers at the designated pickup zone.

Time about 25-45 minCost about 150,000-250,000 VND

Bus 109

Airport bus linking the Saigon Bus Station at 23/9 Park (near Ben Thanh Market and Pham Ngu Lao) with the airport. It now runs from domestic Terminal T3 and no longer stops at the international terminal (T2), so take the inter-terminal shuttle to T3 if you arrive internationally. Cheapest option if you travel light.

Time about 45-60 minCost check official fare

Metered Taxi (Vinasun, Mai Linh)

Pick a reputable company at the official taxi rank and make sure the meter is running.

Time about 25-45 minCost about 200,000-300,000 VND

Getting around

Grab (bike and car)

The go-to app for locals and visitors. GrabBike motorbike taxis are fastest and cheapest for short hops.

Xanh SM Electric Taxis

Green electric taxis you can book in the app or hail on the street, with transparent fares.

Metro Line 1

The city's first metro runs from Ben Thanh east toward Thu Duc (Suoi Tien). Handy between District 1 and Thao Dien.

Walking

Central District 1 is very walkable. To cross the street, walk slowly and steadily without running and traffic will flow around you.

Where to stay

District 1 (Ben Thanh, Dong Khoi)

Good for: First visit, sightseeing and shopping

Main sights, hotels and restaurants are all within walking distance. Most convenient but pricier than other areas.

Bui Vien Street (Pham Ngu Lao)

Good for: Backpackers, nightlife

Budget stays and bars on a loud party street until late. Stay a block away if you want to sleep.

District 3

Good for: Cafe hopping, local feel

Leafy streets, local eateries and stylish cafes, calmer than District 1. About 10 minutes to District 1 by Grab.

Thao Dien (former District 2 area)

Good for: Longer stays, families

Expat area with brunch cafes and spacious serviced apartments. The metro now links it easily to District 1.

Map of stays in Ho Chi Minh City

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Top sights

War Remnants Museum
Powerful photos and artifacts from the Vietnam War. Allow about two hours; the content is heavy.
Independence Palace
The former presidential palace, symbol of the war's end in 1975, including basement bunkers. Officially it opens daily without a lunch break, but hours can change for events, so check the official site before you go.
Central Post Office & Notre Dame Cathedral
French colonial landmarks side by side. The cathedral interior may be restricted during restoration.
Saigon Central Post Office · Photo: Yesvn123 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Ben Thanh Market
Classic market for souvenirs, coffee, dried fruit and food stalls. Haggling is expected; night stalls set up nearby.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
A wide pedestrian boulevard from City Hall to the Saigon River, great for an evening stroll. Cafes fill the old apartment block along it.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Wartime tunnel network about 1.5 hours away by road, usually visited on a half-day tour.
Forest trail at the Cu Chi Tunnels · Photo: RG72 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Mekong Delta Day Trip
Boat rides through canals, orchards and coconut-candy workshops around My Tho or Ben Tre. Plan a full day.
Mekong Delta Day Trip · Photo: Esin Üstün from Istanbul, Turkey / CC BY 2.0
Landmark 81 SkyView
Observation deck in Vietnam's tallest building, overlooking the city and river. Best around sunset.

Tours & tickets →

What to eat

Pho

Beef noodle soup, about 50,000-90,000 VND at local shops. Load it up with herbs and lime.

Banh Mi

Crispy baguette sandwiches filled with meat and pickles, about 20,000-50,000 VND. Perfect breakfast or snack.

Com Tam (Broken Rice)

Southern-style rice with grilled pork chop, Saigon's everyday meal. About 40,000-70,000 VND.

Bun Thit Nuong and Banh Xeo

Grilled pork vermicelli bowls and crispy Vietnamese pancakes. Wrap in greens and dip in fish sauce.

Vietnamese Coffee

Strong iced coffee with condensed milk (ca phe sua da) or coconut coffee, about 30,000-60,000 VND. Try a street-side plastic-stool cafe.

Daily budget (per person)

Budgetabout 800,000 VND - hostels, local eateries, GrabBike

Mid-rangeabout 2,500,000 VND - 4-star hotel, restaurants and cafes, spa

Comfortabout 6,000,000 VND+ (~230 USD+) - 5-star hotel, fine dining, private tours

Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.

Suggested itinerary

Day 1
Independence Palace, the Post Office and cathedral, pho for lunch, War Remnants Museum in the afternoon, then Nguyen Hue and a rooftop bar.
Day 2
Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour, Ben Thanh Market in the afternoon, then Bui Vien or a night market for dinner.
Day 3
Full-day Mekong Delta tour with boats and orchards, then a spa back in the city.
Day 4
District 3 cafe hopping and com tam for lunch, Landmark 81 views, then head to the airport.

Local tips

Entry and visa rules vary by nationality and can change, so check official Vietnamese government sources before you travel. Apply for an e-visa only through the official portal and avoid lookalike agency sites.
Vietnamese dong has many zeros; the 10,000 and 100,000 notes, and the 20,000 and 500,000 notes, look similar, so double-check when paying.
Motorbike phone and bag snatching happens; keep your phone out of reach of the street and carry bags on the building side.
Markets and street food are cash only; hotels, malls and chain cafes take cards. Change money at banks or licensed exchange counters; exchanging foreign currency at unlicensed places (including some gold shops) can break the law.
Tipping is not required, but about 50,000-100,000 VND for spa staff or tour guides is appreciated.
Local SIMs and eSIMs are cheap and sold at the airport; activate one on arrival so you can use Grab.
Do not drink tap water; stick to bottled water.
Since July 2025 the district level has been abolished and addresses now use new ward names. Old names like District 1 and District 3 are still widely used, so check both in your map app.