A Ho Chi Minh City itinerary in three building blocks
Most visitors combine three things: the old centre around Ben Thanh Market, one war-history site and one trip out of town. With 2 days you do the centre on day 1 and pick Cu Chi or the Mekong for day 2. With 3 days you do both. If you have a single day, stay in the centre.
The plan below is a suggestion, not a timetable. Traffic, weather and the day of the week change how much fits in. Trips out of town need a full day, so book a tour or a driver for them. For ideas, see our pages on the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta day trips.
Day 1: the city centre on foot
Compact and flexible. Start early, before the heat.
Morning: palace, cathedral and post office
The Reunification Palace (Dinh Độc Lập, also called Dinh Thống Nhất) is one site with two names. Adults pay VND 80,000. The palace is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, so check the closing time at the gate. The cathedral of Notre-Dame is under restoration. Look at it from the outside and do not plan on going in. The Central Post Office and Nguyễn Huệ street are close by.
Midday: Ben Thanh Market
Entry is free. You pay for what you buy. The market rules give 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., the fresh food area opens from 4 a.m., but stall hours vary, so go in the morning or early afternoon.
Afternoon: War Remnants Museum
It stands at 28 Võ Văn Tần and is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The ticket office closes at 5 p.m. A regular ticket costs VND 60,000 from 1 October 2026. Some of the displays are hard to see, so be prepared, especially with children. Read more on our War Remnants Museum page.
Evening: river or Bui Vien
The public water bus line 1 runs from Bạch Đằng to Linh Đông, about 11 km. A single ride costs VND 15,000 and a return ticket VND 30,000. It runs 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Or walk the Bui Vien area, where the walking street runs Friday to Sunday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Our pick: an evening on the river
A fitting end to a day of sightseeing, with dinner on the Saigon River.
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.
Ho Chi Minh City tours and day trips
Cu Chi, Mekong Delta, city walks and river trips, with live prices and availability.
2 days in Ho Chi Minh City
The centre plus one trip out of town.
Do day 1 as above. On day 2 choose between history and countryside. Choose Cu Chi if the war and its tunnels interest you. Choose the Mekong if you want boats, canals and fruit gardens. Both take most of a day.
| Day 2 option | Distance and time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cu Chi Tunnels, Bến Đình | About 55 km, 1 to 1.5 hours one way | Foreign visitors: about VND 90,000 to 135,000 per site |
| Cu Chi Tunnels, Bến Dược | About 70 km, 1.5 to 2 hours one way | Foreign visitors: about VND 90,000 to 135,000 per site |
| Mekong Delta, Mỹ Tho | About 86 km, a typical tour leaves at about 8:30 a.m. and ends about 5 p.m. | About VND 499,000 per adult with transfer, guide, lunch and boats |
For most visitors with 2 days, Cu Chi is the compact choice. The Mekong suits those who want a slower day on the water. Both sites at Cu Chi open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The shooting range is a separate activity that is not included in the entry fee.
3 days in Ho Chi Minh City
Centre, Cu Chi with Cholon, and the Mekong.
Day 1: the centre
Follow the plan above, from the palace to the war museum.
Day 2: Cu Chi and Cholon
Go to the tunnels in the morning. Return to the city in the afternoon if time allows and spend the rest in Cholon. The Thien Hau temple at 710 Nguyễn Trãi is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily as a rule. Binh Tay Market is free to enter, and most stalls run from about 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Day 3: Mekong Delta
A day trip to Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre brings boats on the Mekong, small canals and fruit and sweets workshops. Do not count on a working floating market at Cai Be, because its status changes. Cai Rang near Can Tho is a separate trip, see Can Tho and the Mekong Delta.
Options if you have a spare day
Pick one, not all.
Can Gio mangroves
The reserve has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2000. The trip uses the Bình Khánh ferry, which crosses in about 15 minutes plus waiting. Wild animals cannot be promised. Details on the Can Gio page.
Tay Ninh and Ba Den Mountain
The Cao Đài main temple has prayers at 12 a.m., 6 a.m., 12 p.m. and 6 p.m., but a visit to a prayer is not guaranteed. Cable car prices run to 31 December 2026, for example VND 450,000 for an adult on the Vân Sơn line. See day trips from Ho Chi Minh City.
Vung Tau by fast boat
A fast boat links Saigon and Vung Tau. Fares change, so check the current price when you book.
Planning tips
What helps most.
Check the season on our weather page: the rainy season runs from May to November. In the afternoon, rain can interrupt outdoor plans. Pick a stay near the centre with where to stay, and read how to get from Tan Son Nhat Airport to the centre before you arrive. Carry valuables away from the road side, because bag snatching from motorbikes happens in busy tourist areas.
Plan the rest of your trip
More detail on each stop.
Ho Chi Minh City itinerary: frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
Two days cover the centre and one trip out of town. Three days add the second trip. One day is enough for the centre alone.
Can I do Cu Chi and the Mekong in one day?
No. Each is a full-day trip with 1 to 2 hours of driving each way. Do them on separate days.
What should I see in the city centre first?
The Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office, the outside of the cathedral and Ben Thanh Market fit into one morning on foot.
Is the War Remnants Museum suitable for children?
Some displays show the effects of war and can be upsetting. Children under 10 need an adult with them. Decide by the age of your child.
Should I book the day trips in advance?
It helps in busy months and saves time on the day. Check the date, the meeting point and what the price includes before you pay.