Ho Chi Minh City in a nutshell
Ho Chi Minh City lies in southern Vietnam on the Saigon River. Many people still say Saigon (Sài Gòn), the name used before the city was renamed on 2 July 1976. Since 1 July 2025 the administrative city is far larger than the old centre: it also includes the former areas of Bình Dương and Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, covers more than 6,772 km² and has about 14 million residents. Most visitors stay in the compact centre around the old District 1.
This guide covers the sights of the centre, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta day trips, the Can Gio mangroves, Saigon River cruises, street food, Ben Thanh Market, the War Remnants Museum, Cholon, Bui Vien and nightlife, weather, where to stay, Tan Son Nhat Airport and ready-made itineraries. Entry fees are in Vietnamese đồng (VND) as shown for 2026; tours are priced in US dollars.
Our picks: tours in Ho Chi Minh City
For most visitors the combined Cu Chi and Mekong day shows the most in one go, and with half a day the Cu Chi morning or afternoon trip is enough. The scooter food tour suits an evening, and the private day works well for families who want their own pace.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
A private day around the centre and Cholon
- All entrance fees
- Vietnamese set-menu lunch
- Air-conditioned car and guide
The route includes the Thien Hau Temple in Cholon, the War Remnants Museum and Ben Thanh Market. Taxes, two bottles of water and all entrance fees are covered.
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Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta in one day
- Cu Chi and a Mekong coconut village
- All entry fees and boat trips
- Vietnamese lunch
One day that combines the Cu Chi Tunnels with boat rides and a coconut village in the Mekong Delta, travel insurance included. The vehicle drops you at Ben Thanh Market or the operator's office.
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Street food as a scooter passenger
- Food and drinks included
- Accident insurance and helmet
- Part of Chinatown and the flower market
You ride as a passenger and do not drive yourself, and female riders are part of the team. A Michelin variant is available as an option when you book.
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My Tho and the Ben Tre coconut village
- Motorboat and sampan rides
- Cycling through coconut gardens
- Vietnamese lunch
A day trip to My Tho and Ben Tre with the listed attractions and a traditional music performance. The drop-off is in District 1 only.
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Cu Chi Tunnels, morning or afternoon departure
- Entry tickets included
- English-speaking guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
The basic Cu Chi visit with the entry ticket and a bottle of water. The vehicle drops you at Ben Thanh Market or the operator's office, not necessarily at your hotel.
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One hour on the Saigon River with a sliding roof
- Boat with a captain
- Sliding roof for sun or rain
- Guide and toilet on board
The shortest way onto the river without giving up a whole evening. Drinks and snacks are sold separately on board.
Check availability →Ho Chi Minh City tours and day trips
Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, food tours and Saigon River cruises, with live prices and availability.
Ho Chi Minh travel: plan your days
One day in the centre, then one trip out of town at a time.
The centre
The Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral from outside, Nguyễn Huệ street and Ben Thanh Market sit in one area. Palace and museums sell separate tickets.
Things to do →Cu Chi Tunnels
The two sites lie roughly 55 to 70 km from the centre, 1 to 2 hours by road each way. They open daily from 07:00 to 17:00.
Cu Chi Tunnels →Mekong Delta
Mỹ Tho is 86 km away. A typical day trip leaves around 08:30 and ends around 17:00, with boats, canals and a coconut candy workshop.
Mekong Delta day trips →Food and evenings
Broken rice, bánh mì, phở and hủ tiếu are everywhere. Bui Vien is a walking street from Friday to Sunday, 19:00 to 02:00.
Food tours →
Explore Saigon by topic
Every guide on this site, from sights to the airport.
Things to do
The palace, museums, markets and viewpoints of the centre.
Ho Chi Minh City tours
Walking, motorbike, food and day tours compared.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc, entry fees, hours and how to get there.
Mekong Delta
Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre as a day out from the city.
Day trips
Tây Ninh, Vũng Tàu and other places within a day.
Can Gio mangroves
A biosphere reserve south-east of the city, via the Bình Khánh ferry.
Saigon River
Water bus fares and evening boat trips.
Street food
Dishes to try and how to eat well on the street.
Ben Thanh Market
Hours, shopping and the markets nearby.
War Remnants Museum
Hours, tickets and what the exhibitions cover.
District 1
Palace, post office, cathedral and Nguyễn Huệ.
Cholon
Binh Tay Market and the pagodas of Chinatown.
Nightlife
Bui Vien, the evening scene and staying safe.
Weather
Monthly averages and the best time to visit.
Where to stay
Which area suits you, with the new district names explained.
Tan Son Nhat Airport
Bus, taxi and transfers into the centre.
Itinerary
Two or three days with Cu Chi and the Mekong.
History
From Gia Định to Saigon and the city of today.
A few things to know before you go
Changes that matter for your trip in 2026.
District names have changed
Since 1 July 2025 the city works with 168 smaller units instead of 441. Names such as District 1, District 3 and Thảo Điền still help you find your way, but official wards now carry new names, for example Bến Thành and Sài Gòn.
New museum tickets
From 1 October 2026 the War Remnants Museum and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum each charge VND 60,000 for regular tickets. The Ho Chi Minh Museum branch at Bến Nhà Rồng is closed for works, so do not plan around it.
Free city buses, with limits
Until 31 December 2026, 134 city bus lines are free, with electronic registration since 1 October. Airport shuttles and long-distance lines are not included.
The airport
Flights still use Tan Son Nhat (SGN). Long Thành Airport plans a gradual start from 1 December 2026, so check which airport your ticket names.
Mekong and Can Gio
A Mekong boat trip is about canals, orchards and workshops, and a busy floating market is not part of every trip. Swimming at Cần Giờ and seeing wild monkeys cannot be promised either.
Beyond Saigon
Other places in Vietnam that have their own guides.
For the Cái Răng floating market and the rest of the delta around Cần Thơ, Cần Thơ has its own guide. If you continue north along the coast, Hoi An and Phu Quoc each have theirs. This site stays with Saigon and the trips you can make from it.
More independent Vietnam guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one place.
Ha Long Bay
Cruises, caves and the quieter Bai Tu Long Bay.
Cat Ba Island
The island, its national park and kayaking in Lan Ha Bay.
Hoi An
The lantern-lit old town, My Son and the beaches.
Cam Thanh
Basket boats in the coconut forest near Hoi An.
Hue
The Imperial City, royal tombs and the Hai Van Pass.
Sapa
Treks through rice terraces, Fansipan and the Ha Giang Loop.
Nha Trang
Beaches, island trips and the Po Nagar towers.
Phu Quoc
Beaches, the Hon Thom cable car and island hopping.
Can Tho and the Mekong Delta
Floating markets, river towns and trips from Saigon.
Phu Yen
Basalt columns at Ganh Da Dia, quiet beaches and lagoons between Quy Nhon and Nha Trang.
Quy Nhon
Ky Co, Eo Gio, the Cham towers and island trips on the Binh Dinh coast.
Ba Na Hills
The Golden Bridge, the cable car and Da Nang's beaches, bridges and mountains.
Ha Giang
The Ha Giang Loop, easy riders, Ma Pi Leng Pass and Dong Van.
Ho Chi Minh City: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
The rainy season runs from May to November and the dry season from December to April. Long-term station averages show the highest daytime temperatures in April (34.6 °C) and the most rain from June to October, with about 280 to 310 mm a month. The dry months are easier for day trips. See the weather page.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
German citizens can stay up to 45 days without a visa, and the passport must be valid for at least 6 months. British and Swiss citizens also have 45-day exemptions in 2026. Austrian and US citizens need a visa in advance, for example an e-visa for up to 90 days at USD 25 or USD 50. Rules differ by nationality and change, so check your government's travel advice.
How many days do I need?
Two days cover the centre and one trip out of town. Three days add a second trip, for example Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta. The itinerary page suggests how to split them.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
By bus, taxi or ride-hailing app. Buses 109 and 152 serve the airport, and the fare is a few thousand to about 20,000 VND depending on the line. See the airport page for the options.
Is the tap water safe to drink?
Travel health advice recommends boiled water or bottles with a sealed cap, and no ice cubes or raw food that is not fully cooked. Order drinks accordingly.
Is ho-chi-minh-city.org the official website of the city?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the city administration, the tourism department, a museum or any tour company.