Ho Chi Minh City itinerary
7 days, hour by hour · VietnamJune–September
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 35
- Per day
- ≈ 800,000 VND
- First stop
- 07:00
Short answer
The TripWalkers Ho Chi Minh City itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 35 stops, hour by hour, for June–September. The first three days:
- Day 1 District 1 classics
- Day 2 Cu Chi Tunnels
- Day 3 Cho Lon (Chinatown)
Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Days 2 and 5 are day trips out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 800,000 VND a day (excluding accommodation and flights).
Day 1 · 08:00–15:30
District 1 classics
Culture
War Remnants Museum
A museum of the Vietnam War: heavy but important. Cooler in the morning.
≈ 40,000 VND per personCulture
Independence Palace
The palace tanks crashed into in 1975, with 1960s architecture and a bunker.
≈ 65,000 VND per personLandmark
Notre-Dame Cathedral Saigon
The French cathedral (under restoration), with the Central Post Office opposite.
FreeFood
Pho Hoa Pasteur
A classic spot serving pho since 1968, on Pasteur Street.
≈ 90,000 VND per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Shopping
Ben Thanh Market
The city's iconic market: coffee, dried mango, and haggling is a must.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Banh Mi Huynh HoaSaigon's most famous banh mi, with 10 kinds of meat and a long queue.
- Saigon Central Post OfficeA post office designed by Eiffel; step inside to see it.
Day 2 · 08:00–19:30Day trip
Cu Chi Tunnels
Culture
Cu Chi Tunnels Ben Duoc
1.5 hours from the city (tour ~500,000 VND, or bus number 13); a 200 km tunnel network. Ben Duoc is less touristy, with 20-100 m crawls.
≈ 125,000 VND per personFood
Cu Chi Tapioca Tasting
War-era tapioca and tea at the tunnel exit; included in the tour.
FreeFood
Cu Chi Local Eatery
Eat com tam (broken rice) on the way back.
≈ 80,000 VND per person- 1 h 15 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Jade Emperor Pagoda
Saigon's most atmospheric temple, with a turtle pond and incense.
Free- 2 h · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
A pedestrian boulevard in front of the City Hall; cafes in the Cafe Apartment building (42 Nguyen Hue).
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Cafe Apartment SaigonA 9-storey apartment block full of cafes; balcony views.
- Ho Chi Minh City MuseumCity history; an alternative to the pagoda.
Day 3 · 08:00–21:00
Cho Lon (Chinatown)
Shopping
Binh Tay Market
Cho Lon's wholesale market; lively in the morning, with street breakfast.
FreeCulture
Thien Hau Temple
A temple to the sea goddess, with hanging spiral incense.
FreeFood
Cho Lon Street Food Tour
Hu tieu (Cho Lon noodles) and dim sum on Ha Ton Quyen street.
≈ 100,000 VND per personCulture
Cha Tam Church
The church where Diem was captured, in Cho Lon.
Free- 6 h 45 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Bui Vien Walking Street
The backpacker street: plastic stools, beer and noise.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Com Tam Ba GhienThe city's most famous com tam, in Phu Nhuan.
- Saigon Opera HouseThe A O Show bamboo circus; an alternative to Bui Vien.
Day 4 · 09:00–13:45
Coffee and District 3
Landmark
Tan Dinh Church
A pink-painted cathedral, ideal for photos.
FreeFood
Tan Dinh Market
A local market; banh cuon for breakfast.
≈ 50,000 VND per personFood
Cong Caphe
Coconut coffee at Cong Caphe, plus egg coffee.
≈ 60,000 VND per personLandmark
Turtle Lake
The Turtle Lake roundabout: young crowds and street snacks.
FreeFood
Secret Garden Restaurant Saigon
Vietnamese home cooking in a rooftop garden, in District 1.
≈ 150,000 VND per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Banh Xeo 46AVietnamese savoury pancakes on Dinh Cong Trang.
- Fine Arts Museum SaigonArt in a colonial mansion; an alternative to coffee.
Day 5 · 09:30–15:00Day trip
Mekong Delta
Culture
Vinh Trang Pagoda
1.5 hours from the city (tour ~600,000 VND, lunch included); giant Buddhas.
FreeNature
Mekong River Boat Tour
A boat on the main river, with Unicorn Island and honey and coconut candy workshops.
FreeNature
Ben Tre Canoe Tour
A sampan through palm-lined canals; included in the tour.
FreeFood
Mekong Island Restaurant
Elephant ear fish and rice paper; included in the tour.
FreeShopping
Ben Tre Coconut Workshop
Coconut candy and souvenirs.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Cai Be Floating MarketA morning floating market; an alternative to My Tho (early start).
- My Tho Hu Tieu RestaurantMy Tho noodles; an alternative to the island.
Day 6 · 09:30–19:00
Thu Thiem and Bitexco
Landmark
Bitexco Saigon Skydeck
Views from the 49th floor; visibility is clear in the morning.
≈ 200,000 VND per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Shopping
Ho Thi Ky Flower Market
A flower market with Cambodian street food, in District 10.
FreeFood
Ho Thi Ky Cambodian Noodles
Num banh chok, inside the market.
≈ 70,000 VND per person- 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Landmark 81 SkyView
Vietnam's tallest building, in Binh Thanh.
≈ 300,000 VND per person- 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Thu Thiem Riverfront
The city skyline at sunset from the new bridge; cafes.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Quan Ut Ut Thu ThiemAmerican-style BBQ by the river.
- Saigon WaterbusThe river bus from Bach Dang; a cheaper alternative to Landmark.
Day 7 · 07:00–12:45
Morning market, gentle farewell
Nature
Tao Dan Park
Morning tai chi and birdcage coffee: the city's ritual.
FreeFood
Pho Le
Sweet-style pho in District 5; a farewell breakfast.
≈ 80,000 VND per personShopping
Saigon Square
Affordable clothing and souvenirs; air-conditioned.
FreeFood
L'Usine Le Loi
A cafe-boutique with coffee and pastries; a farewell stop.
≈ 120,000 VND per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Tan Son Nhat Airport Bus 109
30 minutes to the airport by bus; farewell.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Banh Mi 37 Nguyen TraiBanh mi with grilled meatballs, from a street cart.
- Saigon Botanical GardenA botanical garden and zoo; an alternative to the park.
Good to know: 6 things that make a Ho Chi Minh City trip easier
- Grab (motorbike or car) is cheap and safe; a motorbike taxi costs 30,000-60,000 VND. Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien) is open.
- June to September is the rainy season: afternoon downpours are common, so sightsee in the morning and take an umbrella. Expect 32°C and humidity.
- Pho costs 60-90,000 VND, banh mi 30-60,000, coffee 30-60,000. Street stools are safe, and the ice is factory-made.
- For Cu Chi and the Mekong, a tour (hotel pickup included) is the most practical option. The Ben Duoc tunnels are quieter than Ben Dinh.
- Cross the road at a steady pace (motorbikes will swerve around you). To avoid bag snatchers, don't hold your phone in your hand on the street.
- Tipping is not expected; haggle 30-50% off at markets.
Spending: ≈ 5,600,000 VND per person for 7 days
- Food2,500,000 VND
- Entry and tours1,600,000 VND
- Local transport900,000 VND
- Other600,000 VND
Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 2 and 5; skip it on a short stay.
How much does a day in Ho Chi Minh City cost?
In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 800,000 VND per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.
What time should you start the day in Ho Chi Minh City?
The first stop is at 07:00. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.
Which season is this itinerary for?
This page covers June–September. There is a separate plan for October–May: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.