Quick Summary
- Photograph the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
- Step inside the Gustave Eiffel-designed Central Post Office
- Explore the Reunification Palace and wartime history
- Experience the powerful War Remnants Museum
- Discover Cholon's Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple
- Visit the ornate Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels underground network
- Cruise the Mekong Delta river life (optional full-day alternative)
- Savor the best street food in Southeast Asia
Three days in Saigon is the sweet spot for a first visit to Vietnam's southern powerhouse. It gives you enough time to explore the French colonial grandeur and wartime history of District 1, discover the vibrant Chinese heritage of Cholon and the spiritual beauty of District 3, and take the unmissable Cu Chi Tunnels day trip — all without feeling rushed, and with plenty of time for the street food and café culture that make this city unforgettable.
This itinerary balances iconic sights with authentic local experiences, from the emotional power of the War Remnants Museum to the incense-filled atmosphere of Thien Hau Temple, from the pink perfection of Tan Dinh Church to the underground tunnels where history was made. Day 1 covers District 1 and its French colonial and wartime landmarks, Day 2 explores Cholon and District 3, and Day 3 takes you underground at the Cu Chi Tunnels — with an optional full-day Mekong Delta cruise as an alternative.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Explore the best of Saigon's District 1 from the French colonial landmarks of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, through the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum, to the bustling Ben Thanh Market and the lively Bui Vien Walking Street.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
Start Day 1 at the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. Arrive at 8:00 AM to photograph the stunning pink-hued French colonial church in the soft morning light. Walk around Paris Square to admire the neo-Romanesque architecture built with red bricks imported from Marseille.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Exterior: 24 hours; Interior: limited due to restoration
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Early morning (7-9 AM) for soft light and fewer crowds
Nearby Food
- The Workshop Coffee
- L'Usine Café
- Phúc Long Coffee & Tea
Pro Tips
- Morning golden hour light makes for the best photographs of the cathedral
- Have breakfast at The Workshop Coffee nearby or grab a bánh mì from a street cart
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
01 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Saigon Central Post Office
Cross the street to the Saigon Central Post Office. Admire the soaring arched ceiling, the hand-painted maps, and the Ho Chi Minh portrait. Send a postcard home — stamps cost about 10,500₫ for international mail.
Details
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Closed: Sunday (limited hours))
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Morning before 10 AM for fewer crowds
Nearby Food
- The Workshop Coffee
- Cafe Apartment (42 Nguyen Hue)
- Cộng Cà Phê
Pro Tips
- The interior is best photographed from the entrance looking toward the Ho Chi Minh portrait
- Souvenir shops inside sell lacquerware, silk, and postcards at reasonable prices
Saigon Central Post Office
02 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Reunification Palace (Dinh Độc Lập)
Walk to the Reunification Palace. Explore the grand reception rooms preserved from 1975, the basement war command room with vintage military equipment, and the rooftop helicopter pad. See the original tank that crashed through the gates, ending the Vietnam War.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Entry: Indians 40,000₫, Foreigners 65,000₫
- Best Time: Morning (8-10 AM) for fewer crowds
Nearby Food
- Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa
- Ngon 138 Restaurant
- Cục Gạch Quán
Pro Tips
- Head to the rooftop helicopter first to avoid queues
- The basement war command room is the most fascinating part — don't rush through it
Reunification Palace (Dinh Độc Lập)
135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
War Remnants Museum
Walk to the War Remnants Museum. Begin in the outdoor courtyard with military hardware, then explore the indoor exhibits. The Requiem photography collection is profoundly moving. Plan at least 2 hours and be prepared for an emotionally heavy experience.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Entry: Indians 40,000₫, Foreigners 40,000₫
- Best Time: Late morning or early afternoon
Nearby Food
- Cơm Tấm Bụi Sài Gòn
- Propaganda Bistro
- Wrap & Roll
Pro Tips
- Allow at least 2 hours — rushing this museum does it a disservice
- Have lunch before or after — the emotional intensity can affect your appetite
War Remnants Museum
28 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành)
Head to Ben Thanh Market. Browse the stalls for lacquerware, silk, and souvenirs. Practice bargaining — start at 40-50% of the asking price. Stop at the food stalls for a cà phê sữa đá (15,000-20,000₫) and some chè.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Day market: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Night market: 6:00 PM - midnight
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Afternoon for shopping, evening for the night market
Nearby Food
- Market food stalls
- Ben Thanh Night Market
- Quan An Ngon
Pro Tips
- Bargaining is expected — don't pay the first price
- The food stalls inside offer better value than the restaurants outside
Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành)
Chợ Bến Thành, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Bui Vien Walking Street & Saigon River
End Day 1 at Bui Vien Walking Street. Grab bia hơi for 10,000-15,000₫ and try bánh tráng trộn from a street vendor. Later, walk to Nguyen Hue Walking Street and continue to the Saigon River for sunset views of the city skyline with the Bitexco Financial Tower glowing behind you.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Bars open from 5 PM; walking street 7 PM - 2 AM (weekends)
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Early evening for food, after 8 PM for atmosphere
Nearby Food
- Street food vendors
- Pho Quynh (open 24 hours)
- Quan Bui Restaurant
Pro Tips
- Arrive at 5 PM for a relaxed start, then walk to Nguyen Hue for sunset around 6 PM
- Keep your phone secure — use a cross-body bag
Bui Vien Walking Street & Saigon River
Bùi Viện, Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Where to Eat
Phở Hòa Pasteur or street cart phở
Vietnamese breakfast soup
40,000-65,000₫
Try: Phở bò (beef phở), Cà phê sữa đá, Bánh mì
Cơm Tấm Bụi Sài Gòn or Propaganda Bistro
Vietnamese rice plates / modern Vietnamese
35,000-120,000₫
Try: Cơm tấm (broken rice), Gỏi cuốn, Bún thịt nướng
Ben Thanh Night Market or Quan An Ngon
Street food / Vietnamese restaurant
40,000-150,000₫
Try: Bánh xèo, Bò lá lốt, Chè
Discover Saigon's diverse neighborhoods: Cholon (Chinatown) with its wholesale markets and incense-filled temples, District 3's Jade Emperor Pagoda and the pink Tan Dinh Church, Saigon's legendary café culture, and a sunset stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
Binh Tay Market (Chợ Bình Tây)
Start Day 2 with a Grab ride to Cholon. Begin at Binh Tay Market, the atmospheric 1928 wholesale market. Wander through the halls where merchants trade dried goods, spices, and herbal medicine. Have breakfast at the food court — try hủ tiếu (30,000-45,000₫) or dim sum.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Early morning (7-9 AM) when the market is most lively
Nearby Food
- Market food court
- Cholon street food stalls
- Hai Thuong Lan Ong herbal tea
Pro Tips
- Take a Grab from District 1 — about 30,000-50,000₫ and 20 minutes
- The food court is excellent and cheap — perfect for a Saigon breakfast
Binh Tay Market (Chợ Bình Tây)
57A Thập Mười, Phường 2, Quận 6, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Thien Hau Temple (Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu)
Walk to Thien Hau Temple, the most beautiful Chinese temple in Saigon. Experience the atmospheric swirl of incense smoke from massive spiral coils. Admire the ceramic figurine friezes on the roof and the gilded altars. Watch devotees making offerings to the goddess of the sea.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Morning when incense smoke creates atmospheric lighting
Nearby Food
- Cholon street food stalls
- Hai Thuong Lan Ong herbal tea shops
- Chinese pastry shops
Pro Tips
- Morning light filtering through incense smoke makes stunning photographs
- Buy incense (10,000₫) and make an offering — locals appreciate the respect
Thien Hau Temple (Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu)
710 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường 11, Quận 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chùa Ngọc Hoàng)
Take a Grab from Cholon to the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Explore the ornate interior with carved wooden figures, gilded statues, and incense smoke. Find the Ten Hells diorama, the fertility room, and the peaceful turtle pond. This temple gained fame when President Obama visited in 2016.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Morning for quieter visits
Nearby Food
- Banh Mi 362
- Cơm Niêu Sài Gòn
- Quán Bụi
Pro Tips
- The Ten Hells diorama is in a side room — ask to be pointed in the right direction
- A Grab from Cholon costs about 40,000-60,000₫
Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chùa Ngọc Hoàng)
73 Mai Thị Lựu, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tan Dinh Church (Nhà thờ Tân Định)
Walk or Grab to Tan Dinh Church, the Instagram-famous pink church. Photograph the striking facade and explore the equally pink interior with stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Closed: During services)
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Morning for the best light on the pink facade
Nearby Food
- Bánh Cuốn Tây Hồ
- District 3 street food stalls
- The Vintage Emporium
Pro Tips
- Stand across the street for the best full-facade photograph
- The surrounding District 3 streets are excellent for local street food
Tan Dinh Church (Nhà thờ Tân Định)
289 Hai Bà Trưng, Phường 8, Quận 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Saigon Café Culture & Café Apartment
Spend the afternoon at the Cafe Apartment on Nguyen Hue. Choose a café with a balcony, order a cà phê sữa đá (30,000-50,000₫) or egg coffee (45,000-65,000₫), and enjoy the view. Then explore The Workshop Coffee or Cộng Cà Phê nearby.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM (varies by cafe)
- Entry: Indians Free (10,000₫ elevator fee), Foreigners Free (10,000₫ elevator fee)
- Best Time: Afternoon for a relaxing break, sunset for balcony views
Nearby Food
- Cafe Apartment cafes
- The Workshop Coffee
- Cộng Cà Phê
Pro Tips
- Higher floors have better views of Nguyen Hue Walking Street
- The stairs are free — the elevator charges 10,000₫
Saigon Café Culture & Café Apartment
42 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Nguyen Hue Walking Street Evening
End Day 2 with a sunset stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Photograph the illuminated People's Committee building and Ho Chi Minh statue. Walk to the Saigon River for sunset views, then enjoy the evening atmosphere with street performers and families.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Sunset and early evening
Nearby Food
- Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar
- The Refinery
- Secret Garden Restaurant
Pro Tips
- The People's Committee building is most photogenic after dark
- For a rooftop drink, try Saigon Saigon Bar at the Caravelle Hotel
Nguyen Hue Walking Street Evening
Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Where to Eat
Binh Tay Market food court or Cholon dim sum
Chinese-Vietnamese breakfast
30,000-60,000₫
Try: Hủ tiếu, Dim sum, Chinese tea
District 3 street food or Cơm Niêu Sài Gòn
Vietnamese street food / local restaurant
35,000-100,000₫
Try: Bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls), Cơm tấm, Bún bò Huế
Secret Garden or Nguyen Hue area restaurants
Rooftop Vietnamese dining
80,000-200,000₫
Try: Cá kho tộ (caramelized fish), Gỏi cuốn, Bia Saigon
A full day dedicated to one of Vietnam's most significant historical sites: the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network used during the Vietnam War. Alternatively, swap for a full-day Mekong Delta cruise through floating markets and coconut candy workshops.
Cu Chi Tunnels (Địa đạo Củ Chi)
Depart Saigon at 7:00 AM for the Cu Chi Tunnels, 70 km northwest of the city (about 1.5-2 hours by road). Watch the introductory documentary about the tunnel network, then explore the site: crawl through widened tunnel sections, see ingenious booby trap displays and concealed entrances, explore underground kitchens and meeting rooms, and learn about the remarkable ingenuity of the tunnel builders. The experience is a powerful complement to the War Remnants Museum from Day 1.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Entry: Indians 120,000₫, Foreigners 120,000₫
- Best Time: Morning (arrive by 8:30-9:00 AM) to avoid midday heat underground
Nearby Food
- On-site restaurant at the tunnel complex
- Tour lunch stop
Pro Tips
- Book a half-day tour (200,000-400,000₫) — they include hotel pickup, transport, and a guide
- Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dirty — the tunnels are narrow
Cu Chi Tunnels (Địa đạo Củ Chi)
Phú Hiệp, Củ Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Mekong Delta Day Trip (Alternative Option)
After returning from the Cu Chi Tunnels around 1:00 PM, spend the afternoon relaxing, exploring more of District 1, or doing a final street food crawl. Alternatively, if you prefer river life over war history, skip Cu Chi entirely and dedicate the full day to a Mekong Delta tour — sampan rides through palm-lined canals, coconut candy workshops, tropical fruit orchards, and floating markets. Full-day Mekong tours cost 300,000-600,000₫ including transport and lunch.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Tours depart 7:00-8:00 AM, return 5:00-6:00 PM
- Entry: Indians Tour: 300,000-600,000₫ per person, Foreigners Tour: 300,000-600,000₫ per person
- Best Time: Dry season (December-April) for the best weather
Nearby Food
- Tour lunch (included)
- Tropical fruit tastings
- Coconut candy workshops
Pro Tips
- If doing Cu Chi in the morning, the afternoon is free for shopping, street food, or rest
- For a full-day Mekong Delta experience, book a tour departing at 7:00-8:00 AM instead of Cu Chi
Mekong Delta Day Trip (Alternative Option)
Ben Tre / My Tho, Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Farewell Saigon: Street Food & Sunset
Spend your final Saigon afternoon on a farewell street food adventure. Take a Grab to Vinh Khanh Street in District 4, Saigon's legendary seafood street. Point at fresh shellfish, snails, and shrimp from the ice displays and have them grilled to order — a full seafood feast with beer costs about 200,000-400,000₫ per person. End your Saigon trip with a rooftop cocktail at the Saigon Saigon Bar, watching the city lights come alive one last time.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Seafood restaurants: 4:00 PM - midnight
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Late afternoon and evening for the best seafood atmosphere
Nearby Food
- Vinh Khanh seafood restaurants
- Ốc Đào (snail restaurant)
- District 4 street food
Pro Tips
- Vinh Khanh Street is a short Grab from District 1 — about 15,000-25,000₫
- Arrive around 5:00 PM when the seafood restaurants are setting up their freshest displays
Farewell Saigon: Street Food & Sunset
Vĩnh Khánh, Quận 4, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Where to Eat
Hotel breakfast or street-side bánh mì
Quick breakfast before early departure
20,000-60,000₫
Try: Bánh mì, Cà phê sữa đá, Xôi (sticky rice)
Cu Chi Tunnels site restaurant or tour lunch
Vietnamese lunch
50,000-100,000₫
Try: Cassava (tapioca) with sesame salt, Vietnamese rice dishes, Local fruit
Vinh Khanh Street seafood or Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa
Seafood feast / street food
50,000-400,000₫
Try: Grilled shellfish, Ốc (snails), Bánh mì Huỳnh Hoa, Bia Saigon
Pro Tips for Your Trip
Book Cu Chi Tunnels Tour in Advance
Book a half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour at least 1-2 days in advance through your hotel, Grab, or online platforms like Klook or GetYourGuide. Tours typically cost 200,000-400,000₫ per person including hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, entry fees, and an English-speaking guide. Morning departures (7:00-8:00 AM) are best to avoid the midday heat.
Start Early to Beat the Heat
Begin each day by 7:00-8:00 AM before the tropical heat builds. Saigon averages 33-35°C by midday. Cover outdoor sightseeing in the morning and save indoor museums, markets, and cafés for the hottest hours. Always carry water, sunscreen, and a hat.
Use Grab for Everything
Grab is essential in Saigon. Car rides cost 30,000-80,000₫ across the city. Motorbike rides are 15,000-40,000₫ and faster in traffic. Avoid street taxis. Download the app before arriving and link a credit card or load GrabPay credit.
Cu Chi vs. Mekong: Choose Wisely
If you only have one day for a trip, Cu Chi Tunnels is the more unique and historically important experience. The Mekong Delta is beautiful but similar river experiences exist elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Ideally, do Cu Chi as a morning half-day tour and save the Mekong for a 4th day.
Carry Small VND and Stay Hydrated
Carry 500,000-1,000,000₫ in small denominations for street food, market purchases, and temple donations. Drink at least 2-3 litres of water daily — Saigon's heat and humidity are intense. Bottled water costs 5,000-10,000₫ everywhere. Coconut water from street vendors (15,000-25,000₫) is both hydrating and delicious.
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About the Author
Written by
Saigon Itinerary Team
A team of Saigon travel experts and long-term residents passionate about sharing the best of Vietnam's most dynamic city. With over a decade of combined experience exploring every district from District 1 to Cholon, we know Ho Chi Minh City inside out.
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