Ho Chi Minh City 7 Day Itinerary

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & City Orientation

  • Check-in at your hotel (recommended: Caravelle Saigon, Park Hyatt Saigon or Majestic Hotel Saigon).
  • Lunch at Phở 24 (Multiple locations) for authentic Vietnamese phở.
  • Visit the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum to learn about Vietnam’s history.
  • Explore Ben Thanh Market for local goods, souvenirs and street food.
  • Dinner at Propaganda Restaurant for a fusion of Vietnamese and Western cuisines.
  • Get acquainted with the city’s vibrant nightlife on Bui Vien Street.

Day 2: Explore District 1

  • Breakfast at Cafe Apartment (86 Ton That Thiep) for a scenic view of the city.
  • Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office and Jade Emperor Pagoda.
  • Lunch at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (26 Le Thi Rieng) for a famous banh mi sandwich.
  • Afternoon walk around Dong Khoi Street, enjoy shopping at high-end stores or boutiques.
  • Visit the Museum of Fine Arts to appreciate Vietnamese art and sculpture.
  • Dinner at Quan An Ngon (138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia) for a variety of traditional dishes.

Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels & Explore District 7

  • Morning visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an essential part of Vietnam’s wartime history.
  • Lunch at Café Saigon (Pham Thei Street) before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Afternoon exploration of District 7: Thao Dien Village and An Phu area.
  • Visit the Vincom Center Thao Dien for shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
  • Dinner at Hidden Hanoi (141 Nguyen Van Huong) for Vietnamese street food with a modern twist.

Day 4: Day Trip to Mekong Delta (Cai Be Floating Market)

  • Early morning departure to the Mekong Delta, approximately 2 hours by bus or boat.
  • Visit the Cai Be Floating Market, local villages, and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch in a local family’s home.
  • Afternoon boat ride along the river, explore coconut candy workshops, and stop at Vinh Long Town.
  • Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening.
  • Dinner at La Villa French Restaurant (240C/65 Cong Truong Quoc Te) for a taste of French cuisine.

Day 5: Explore District 3 & Binh Thanh District

  • Breakfast at MORI Coffee (8 Ngo Duc Ke) or Cafe Zoom (71-73 Hai Ba Trung).
  • Visit the Saigon Central Post Office, General Post Office Museum, and Turtle Lake.
  • Lunch at Com Tam Quan An Ngon (289B Dong Khoi Street).
  • Afternoon exploration of Binh Thanh District: Cho Lon (Chinatown) and Thien Hau Pagoda.
  • Dinner at Propagation (160 De Tham) for delicious vegetarian dishes.

Day 6: Visit the Museum of Vietnamese History & Explore Pham Ngu Lao Area

  • Breakfast at The Coffee House (Multiple locations).
  • Visit the Museum of Vietnamese History to learn about the country’s rich history and culture.
  • Lunch at Anan Saigon (128-130 Vo Van Tan) for a unique blend of Southeast Asian cuisines.
  • Afternoon exploration of Pham Ngu Lao area, known for backpacker hostels, bars, and restaurants.
  • Visit the Independence Palace and Central Post Office again at night when beautifully lit up.
  • Farewell dinner at Mandarin Restaurant (14 Le Loi Street) for a taste of high-end Vietnamese cuisine.

Day 7: Departure

  • Breakfast at your hotel or nearby café.
  • Check-out and departure from Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Things to Know:

  • Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City can be chaotic, so use Grab (Vietnam’s Uber) for safe transportation.
  • Always carry small Vietnamese currency (VND) for street food and small shops.
  • Haggling is common at markets, but prices are usually already marked at shops.
  • Respect local customs and traditions during your visit.
  • Don’t drink tap water; always use bottled or filtered water.

Enjoy your trip to Ho Chi Minh City!