Central Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon: French colonial architecture and rivers of motorbikes, Ben Thanh Market, the Cu Chi Tunnels and coffee culture, the vibrant heart of southern Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) lies on the Saigon River at the northeastern edge of the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam. It is the country's largest city and economic center, with a population of nearly 10 million. Tan Son Nhat International Airport is only about 7 km from District 1, with many direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Kunming and other cities, taking 3–5 hours; Chinese travelers can apply for an e-visa (valid for 90 days). It is hot all year, with a dry and a rainy season: December to April is the dry season, with temperatures of 28–34°C and little rain, the best time to visit; May–November is the rainy season, with brief downpours in the afternoon that usually end within an hour and don't disrupt your plans. The core attractions are concentrated in District 1: the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica (the "Red Church"), the Central Post Office, City Hall and Nguyen Hue Walking Street are all within walking distance, Ben Thanh Market and Pham Ngu Lao (the backpacker area) lie to the south, and the War Remnants Museum is on the edge of District 3; Cholon in District 5 is the Chinese quarter, home to Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market; across the Saigon River, Thu Thiem (District 2) has Landmark 81 and a new business district. The top day trips are the Cu Chi Tunnels (about 60 km northwest, half a day) and the Mekong Delta (My Tho or Ben Tre, a full day). Plan on 3–4 days: 2 days in the city plus 1 day each for Cu Chi or the Mekong. In the city, Grab cars and Grab motorbikes are the most convenient way to get around, and Metro Line 1, opened at the end of 2024, links Ben Thanh Market with Suoi Tien Park in the east. Tips: when crossing the street, keep a steady pace and let motorbikes go around you; watch your phone and bags on the street against snatch-and-grab thieves on motorbikes; Vietnamese dong banknotes carry large numbers, so take care not to confuse VND 20,000 and VND 500,000 notes; the famous café apartments (42 Nguyen Hue) charge an elevator fee of about VND 3,000.

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Where to eat

Itineraries