Old Saigon Neighborhoods and Museums In Depth
Stay in District 3 and explore temples, churches, a cluster of museums and Cholon at a slower pace, with one day in the Mekong Delta.
A slower-paced route. Stay in the old villas and café streets of District 3, and explore by neighborhood each day: the Pink Church and Jade Emperor Pagoda in Tan Dinh, the Zoo and Botanical Gardens and the History Museum, the museums of District 1 and Dragon House Wharf. On Day 4, go to My Tho and Ben Tre by small boat through coconut waterways. On the final day, see Cholon's temples and Ho Thi Ky food alley. The Cu Chi Tunnels are not included, making this a good choice for repeat visitors or those who prefer cultural sites.
Many shops and restaurants close for several days around Tet, the Lunar New Year, so plan around them.
Day by day
Day 1 · Pink Church and Jade Emperor Pagoda
Central Ho Chi Minh City（Tan Dinh Church、Jade Emperor Pagoda）
A taxi from the airport to District 3 takes about 25 minutes. In the afternoon, take a taxi or walk to Tan Dinh, about 1.5 km away.
Stay: District 3
Day 2 · Zoo, Botanical Gardens and Independence Palace
Central Ho Chi Minh City（Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens / Museum of Vietnamese History、Independence Palace、War Remnants Museum）
Take a 10-minute taxi from District 3 to the Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Then walk to the Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum, about 4 km for the whole day.
The History Museum is closed on Mondays, so check before you plan.
Stay: District 3
Day 3 · District 1 Museums and Riverfront
Central Ho Chi Minh City（Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office、Museum of Ho Chi Minh City、Ben Thanh Market、Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts、Nha Rong Wharf (Ho Chi Minh Museum)）
Take a taxi to Notre-Dame Cathedral, then walk past Gia Long Palace and Ben Thanh Market to the Fine Arts Museum. Cross the bridge to Dragon House Wharf.
Stay: District 3
Day 4 · Mekong Delta Day Trip
Central Ho Chi Minh City（Mekong Delta）
Join a tour or hire a car to My Tho or Ben Tre, about 2 hours each way. Transfer to a small boat to explore the waterways and a coconut candy workshop, and return to the city in the evening.
To see the Cai Rang Floating Market, you need to stay overnight in Can Tho, which can't be done on a day trip.
Stay: District 3
Day 5 · Cholon Chinese District and Departure
Central Ho Chi Minh City（Thien Hau Temple (Cholon)、Binh Tay Market、Ho Thi Ky Flower Market & Food Alley）
Take a taxi for about 20 minutes to District 5, then walk around the temples and markets, go to District 10 for Ho Thi Ky food alley, and take a taxi to the airport, about 30 minutes.