Ho Chi Minh City First-Timer's Classics
Colonial architecture in District 1, the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum, plus half a day at the Cu Chi Tunnels and a stroll through Cholon's Chinese district.
Designed for first-time visitors to Saigon. On Day 1, after arriving in the afternoon, walk around Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office and Nguyen Hue Walking Street. On Day 2, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning, then return to the city in the afternoon to see the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum. On Day 3, browse Ben Thanh Market and Thien Hau Temple in Cholon before heading to the airport. Trips into the Mekong Delta are better suited to itineraries with more time.
May–October is the rainy season, with afternoon showers, so plan outdoor activities for the morning.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival and Evening Walk in District 1
Central Ho Chi Minh City（Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office、Nguyen Van Binh Book Street、Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh City Municipal Theatre)、Nguyen Hue Walking Street & City Hall、Bitexco Financial Tower (Saigon Skydeck)）
A taxi or bus 109 from the airport to District 1 takes about 30–45 minutes. After that, walk everywhere.
Notre-Dame Cathedral has been under long-term restoration, so you can usually only see its exterior.
Stay: District 1 (Dong Khoi Street)
Day 2 · Cu Chi Tunnels and Independence Palace
Central Ho Chi Minh City（Cu Chi Tunnels、War Remnants Museum、Independence Palace）
In the morning, join a half-day tour or hire a car to the Cu Chi Tunnels, about 1.5–2 hours each way. In the afternoon, return to District 1 by taxi or on foot to see two sights.
The Independence Palace closes for a lunch break at midday, so allow 1.5 hours if you visit in the afternoon.
Stay: District 1 (Dong Khoi Street)
Day 3 · Ben Thanh Market and Cholon
Central Ho Chi Minh City（Ben Thanh Market、Thien Hau Temple (Cholon)、Binh Tay Market）
Walk through Ben Thanh Market in the morning. Take a taxi for about 20 minutes to Cholon, then take a taxi from District 5 to the airport in about 40 minutes.
Evening rush hour traffic to the airport is heavy, so leave plenty of time.