Ultimate Getaway Guide to Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon – A 4-Day Itinerary

Welcome to the Ultimate Getaway Guide to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon—a vibrant metropolis that effortlessly weaves together a rich tapestry of history, culture, and modernity. This 4-day itinerary is designed to immerse you in the heart of this dynamic city, offering a perfect blend of historical landmarks, delectable cuisine, bustling markets, and unforgettable experiences.

As you traverse the bustling streets and charming alleys, you’ll discover the dichotomy of Ho Chi Minh City—where colonial-era architecture stands alongside sleek skyscrapers, and traditional markets buzz with energy amid a backdrop of contemporary urban life. This guide will lead you through our curated journey, ensuring you make the most of your time in this captivating city.

From exploring iconic landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and the War Remnants Museum to savoring the tantalizing flavors of Vietnamese street food in local markets, each day is crafted to provide a holistic experience of Saigon’s unique charm. So, fasten your seatbelt for a whirlwind adventure, and let the Ultimate Getaway Guide be your passport to an unforgettable 4-day journey through the enchanting streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Are you ready to dive in?

Note: Some links below are affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase any of them, Nomad Numbers may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please review our disclaimer page.

How much time do you need to visit Ho Chi Minh City?

The amount of time you need to visit Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) depends on your travel preferences, interests, and the depth of exploration you desire. However our recommendation is to spend at least 3 to 4 days.

What did we do?

Here is a daily summary of our itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City:

Day	What did we do?
1 (Friday)	We arrived and stayed at a comfy Airbnb (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️). Ate lunch at Joi Factory (⭐️⭐️⭐️) and had dinner at Shanti Veggie. (⭐️⭐️)
2 (Saturday)	Explored the city on foot with a walking tour. Ate at Nha Tu (⭐️⭐️⭐️) and enjoyed some sweets along the way.
3 (Sunday)	Had our own food tour (⭐️⭐️⭐️), trying different local dishes. Spent a relaxing afternoon in the city. We returned to Joi Factory (⭐️⭐️⭐️) for dinner.
4 (Monday)	Ate lunch at SEN Vegan Restaurant (⭐️⭐️⭐️). Had a date night with a great show at the Opera House (A O show) and dinner at Rice Field (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️).
5 (Tuesday)	Checked out of our Airbnb and said goodbye to Saigon!

The map provided below highlights all the locations where we made stops, including our accomodation.

Day 1 – Getting back to the basic: Vietnamese Food!

Our day began early upon landing in Vietnam at 6 am. Opting for the convenient Grab app (a must-have in Vietnam), we headed to our Airbnb and swiftly checked in.

Eager to savor more Vietnamese cuisine since our last trip to Hanoi (Read: Destination Report: Hanoi (Vietnam): What to do, see, eat and avoid), we hopped on Grab again for a leisurely lunch at Joy Factory—a unique spot that doubles as a restaurant, co-working space, and hotel. The place boasted fantastic vegetarian dishes and delightful desserts.

Returning to our Airbnb for a brief break, we took the opportunity to plan our walking tour for the following day. We summoned another Grab to get us to Shanti Veggie, where we indulged in some of the best broken rice, served in a clay pot, throughout our entire stay.

Since jet lagged was getting us, we went to bed early and call it a day!

Day 2 – Walking Tour to Discover the City

Fun facts:
– Did you know that Vietnam is the second country exporting coffee in the world after Brazil and before Colombia?
– Did you know that the favorite animal in Vietnam in the water buffalo?
– Did you know that the color of the Vietnam flag represent the bloodshed during the country’s struggle for independence (red) as well as their heritage and bright future (yellow)?

Want to learn more fun facts, definitely take a walking tour!

We’re avid enthusiasts of local-led walking tours, finding them to be an excellent means of delving into the destinations we explore, immersing ourselves in local history, culture, and noteworthy sights. Recently, we scheduled a walking tour through GuruWalk with Duoc (you can secure your spot for free using this link).

The tour lasted 3 hours and covered the following sites:

• Ben Thanh Market – No more than 1500 stalls!
• City Hall
• Ho Chi Minh Statue
• Opera House
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Post Office
• Book Street
• Independence Palace
• Tao Dan Park

We then grab lunch at Nhà Tú that offers a wide selection of Vietnamese cuisine with a friendly staff.

Day 3 – Enjoying our own food tour

For our third day we decided to go on our own food tour. We hit the following places

• Bánh Cuốn Hồng Hạnh – We ordered Bánh Cuốn (thin, delicate rice noodle sheets rolled often filled with a mixture of seasoned ground pork, minced wood ear mushrooms, and shallots)

• Bún Chả Bà Lan “Thận” – We order the Obama Dish: Bún Chả (another traditional Vietnamese dish that features grilled pork patties (cha) and vermicelli noodles (bun), often served with a variety of fresh herbs, vegetables, and a flavorful dipping sauce)

• Bánh Khọt Cô Ba Vũng Tàu – We ordered a vegetarian Bánh Xèo (a savory and crispy pancake that is notable for its golden-yellow color, thin and lacy texture, and flavorful filling)

• Thanh Glado Vegan ice cream – Enjoyed some yummy vegan ice cream at this small shop!
• Chè chuối nướng Võ Văn Tần – To conclude our food tour, we indulge in a delightful and comforting dessert. This delectable treat features the perfect harmony of sweet banana, subtly charred sticky rice, and a luscious drizzle of warm, creamy coconut milk. A definite must-try in the city!

For dinner we returned to Joy Factory.

Day 4 – Date night with an incredible show

On our last full day in the city, we started the day with another restaurant: SEN Vegan Restaurant that offered amazing vegan food!

We then planned a nice date night that was a combination of an amazing dinner at Rice Field.

Followed by the incredible A O show at the Opera House.

The A O Show in Saigon is a captivating performance that blends traditional Vietnamese elements with contemporary arts to create a mesmerizing theatrical experience. The show is renowned for its unique fusion of acrobatics, dance, and theatrical storytelling, all set against a backdrop of Vietnamese culture.

After the show we got the chance to meet with the amazing crew. This was the perfect way to close or trip to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 5 – Time to say goodbye

Our last day was pretty much spending a relaxing morning in our Airbnb and then packing before heading to the Airport to reach our next destination: Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Where to stay?

Since this was a short trip, we decided to book a simple Airbnb and we found an amazing deal that we are happy to share with you!

Day	Accommodation / Location	Nomad Numbers Rating
1-5	Boutique homestay with rooftop garden (Ho Chi Minh City)	5 out of 5 – Amazing place, exceptional hospitality Our week at Huy & Nhi’s place in the heart of HCMC was fantastic! The apartment was a delightful haven for our short stay. The hosts were exceptionally helpful and proactive. The apartment itself was clean, comfortable. We even enjoyed having the rooftop to ourselves a few times. The fully equipped kitchen (with free drinking water) and laundry facilities added extra convenience. We confidently place this spot in our top 10. (4.97 score on airbnb.com / 72 reviews)

Here are a few pictures and a short tour of our accommodation

If this Airbnb is unavailable or if you’re seeking an alternative, feel free to explore other accommodations for your stay by using the search widget below:

How to get there?

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is easily accessible from major cities in Vietnam as well as internationally.

• By Air: The most common way to reach Saigon from international destinations is by flying into Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). This airport is the largest in southern Vietnam and serves as a major hub for both domestic and international flights.
• By Train: If you are already in Vietnam or in neighboring countries with rail connections, you can take a train to Saigon. The city has a railway station called Saigon Railway Station, providing train services from various parts of Vietnam.
• By Bus: Long-distance buses connect Saigon with many cities and regions within Vietnam. Bus terminals like Mien Dong Bus Station handle interprovincial buses, offering a cost-effective option for travelers.

How much did we spend?

Our 5-day trip in Ho Chi Minh City was budget-friendly, mostly due to the fact that Vietnam is a really affordable country. Eating in Saigon is really inexpensive!

TL;DR; As a couple we spent a total of 386 USD for this trip.
Note: this budget is as a couple so if you travel solo, your budget might differ.

Are you wondering where this nice data is coming from? Well we create an app for that: Nomad Purse. Nomad Purse is the ultimate budget tracking app for slow/fast or long-term travelers like us! Tired of spending countless hours managing spreadsheets to track expenses? We felt the same way, which is why we created a solution to make budget tracking effortless. With Nomad Purse, you can easily keep track of your expenses and stay within budget, all in one convenient place. Say goodbye to the headache of manual budget tracking and hello to a stress-free travel experience. Learn more and start streamlining your budget today by visiting https://www.nomadpurse.com.

Here is our budget breakdown per spending category: 

Category	Total Cost USD	Comments
Dining Out	$120.52	This covered all of our food (lunch and dinner as we skip breakfast)
Accommodation	$106.90	Five nights at our Airbnb
Entertainment	$81.88	A O show at the Opera House + Tip for our walking tour
Visa	$51.64	2x 30 days Visas for Vietnam (don’t forget to apply at least 1 week in advance online on the official Vietnamese website)
Local Transportation	$18.70	A bunch of Grab rides to go from our Airbnb to the various sights/restaurants we wanted to go.
Groceries	$3.75	A few fruits
Snacks	$3.03	Ice cream and sugar cane juices
TOTAL	$386.42	At $36.64 per day for two people, this 5 day trip to Ho Chi Minh City was a really great value!

Others tips?

Here are our tips for anyone that is planning to visit Ho Chi Minh City and wants to save time and money while having the best possible experience:

• Weather: Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Be mindful of the weather, especially during the rainy season from May to November.
• Currency and Cash: The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). While credit cards are widely accepted in the city, the small stands in the street will only accept cash, so make sure you always have some with you.
• Traffic and Transportation: Motorbike traffic is insane! Exercise caution when crossing the streets, and consider using Grab (ride-hailing app) for safe and convenient transportation.
• Street Food Adventure: Embrace the vibrant street food scene. Try as many local specialties as you can find! Don’t shy away from exploring street markets for an authentic culinary experience.
• Bargaining: Bargaining is common in markets. Approach it with a friendly attitude and be prepared to negotiate for a fair price.
• Explore Districts: Ho Chi Minh City is divided into districts, each offering a unique atmosphere. District 1 is the central business and entertainment hub, while District 5 (Chinatown) and District 3 provide a more local experience.
• Health Precautions: Drink bottled or boiled water to avoid waterborne illnesses. Apply mosquito repellent, especially if you plan to visit rural areas.
• Safety Measures: Keep an eye on your belongings, be cautious of pickpockets, and use secure transportation options. Stay informed about the local emergency services.

As we say “adieu” to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), we find ourselves reflecting on the memories and discoveries made during our brief stay in this busy capital. For us, HCMC was a culinary adventure, as our itinerary vividly illustrates, yet we recognize the city’s rich historical tapestry, an aspect we’ve only begun to explore. Initially hesitant to include HCMC in our travel plans, it proved to be a rewarding stopover en route to Thailand. While Hanoi maintains its place as our preferred city in Vietnam, Saigon has certainly woven its own unique thread into the fabric of our journey.

What do you think about our itinerary to Ho Chi Minh City? Did you know about it? Would you like to spend a few days there and enjoy everything part of Vietnam? Please leave us a comment in the comment section below!