Vietnam is charming and chaotic in equal measure, which is one of its many alluring factors for international tourists heading to the Southeast Asian country to try its exquisite cuisine, and to sample its adhering culture. Ho Chi Minh City leans more towards chaotic than charming, however, it has its unique history which dates back centuries, some good and some bad. This 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary includes some activities that cover the dark history, natural beauty, and highly energetic local life to give you a true insight into the lives of the 9 million inhabitants. The suggested itinerary is filled with daytime activities, leaving your nights free to explore Saigon’s thriving nightlife scene.
This 3-day Ho Chi Minh Itinerary was written by Tom from Tom Henty’s Travel.
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An introduction to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
As you wander around the streets of Ho Chi Minh, its vast history is on display through its many French-influenced colonial buildings and ornate pagodas. However, there is also a modern vibe in parts of the city. Swanky Rooftop bars are popping up throughout Ho Chi Minh offering spectacular views of the city. Saigon is the second largest city in Vietnam in terms of area (after the capital city Hanoi) and the largest in terms of population. This makes Ho Chi Minh City a very densely populated city. This is evident as you walk the streets of the city through the fog and pollution trying to dodge the hundreds of scooters whizzing by at any given moment.
The city’s location is famed for being close to the Mekong Delta, with its Saigon River (Song Sai Gon) flowing straight into it. The geographical location of the city makes it prone to flooding, which is why being selective of which season you visit can have a profound impact on your 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary.
The best time to spend 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City
To enjoy Ho Chi Minh to its fullest, it is best to visit the city in the dry season, which runs from November to May. Whichever time of the year you visit southern Vietnam you are guaranteed hot temperatures with a minimum of 20C. However, monsoon season can cause disruption in the city and surrounding nature highlights.
The Perfect 3-Day Ho Chi Minh Itinerary
Day 1 – Explore the essence of Saigon
Your first day should be the day on your 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary that you explore the heartbeat of the city. In and around the backpacker’s district you will feel the unique energy of the city. A lot of the main highlights are located close to District 1, so within walking distance. However, the combination of pollution and heat in the city makes even a short walk uncomfortable. Bolt is a cheap way of traversing the city and you can book it easily on the app for a fixed cost with live updates.
Street food, markets, and pagodas are all bedrock of Vietnamese culture and, therefore are all included in your first day. You can choose whichever order fits your taste, but nighttime is better for Bui Vien Street, and the market atmosphere in the evening goes up a notch also.
Bui Vien Street
Day or night, the street to visit for entertainment is Bui Vien Street. Since the early 90s, Bui Vien Street has been on the global radar, with new hotels, restaurants, and bars popping up regularly. Through the daytime, the street is quieter to sit and enjoy a local coffee or some Vietnamese street food. However, at night, the ‘backpackers’ street comes alive, with booming music, flashing lights, and crowded pedestrianized streets. It is recommended that you try ‘banh mi’, while you wander up and down Bui Vien Street. The sandwiches are the ideal snack for a very cheap price.
Ben Thanh Market
As with other Asian countries, the bazaars are a great place to interact with the smiling locals in Vietnam and a good spot to try and grab some bargains. Ben Thanh Market is a must on your Vietnam Bucket List. It is the most famous market in Ho Chi Minh, with the historical trading point dating back to the 17th century. Thousands of visitors do their shopping at Ben Thanh in District 1 each day, from locals purchasing food to tourists buying souvenirs and cheap goods. The market opens shortly after the vendors arrive at 4 am and it runs well into the evening when the night markets on site open.
Other Ho Chi Minh markets to consider
Cai Be Floating Market: For a more authentic Vietnamese market experience, you should escape the city and head out towards the Mekong Delta for the Cai Be Floating Market. The rivers are awash with bright colors from the fresh flowers and vegetables that blend with the traditional straw hats sitting on the vendor’s heads. You can tie this experience in your 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary with day 3’s full-day trip to the Mekong Delta.
Binh Tay Market: Back into the heart of Saigon for the Binh Tay Market, which is located in Chinatown. The scale of this market is impressive, with over 2000 stalls selling anything from spices and fresh bread, to jewellery and beautiful street food.
Visit some pagodas to immerse in the culture
Pagodas are a key feature of Ho Chi Minh, which adds to the city’s authentic culture. Even though the ornate religious sites are still active places of worship, tourists are welcome to enter inside them and explore respectfully. It is either free or very cheap to visit the most popular temples in the city, so it is a great addition to your plans.
Two popular pagodas in Ho Chi Minh city
Jade Emperor Pagoda: ‘Ngoc Hoang Pagoda’, as the locals call it, is a famous pagoda in the city, which has entertained some very important people since it opened over a century ago. There is a Taoist theme to this Pagoda, with many statues located around the structure. Visitors are allowed to explore the interior and exterior gardens, which makes it a very atmospheric temple.
Thien Hau Temple: A pagoda right in the center of Chinatown, which dates back to the 1700s. Thein Hau has a tranquil feeling, compared to other sites, so it is an ideal spot to escape the chaos of Saigon.
In this 4-hour landmarks tour, you will visit the Benh Thanh Market and the Jade Emperor Pagoda along with some of Saigon’s must-see attractions.
Swing by the Notre Dame Cathedral
While you are exploring the downtown area of Ho Chi Minh, don’t miss putting the Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the most famous buildings in the city, on your 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary. The 60-meter tall building is a symbol of Saigon, so an ideal free activity to add to your Vietnam itinerary. There is ongoing construction currently to improve the structure, meaning you cannot enter inside, but you can still feel the history of the building as you wander by.
Day 2 – Learn about the history of the region at the Cu Chi Tunnels
On the second day of your 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary, it is time to go and learn about Vietnam’s dark, but proud history. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an important relic of the nation’s history, so they should be a must on any Ho Chi Minh itinerary. The extensive tunnel network underneath the Cu Chi jungle was originally constructed during the Indochina War in the 1940s. However, they were expanded significantly twenty years later when the American military presence increased. Guerilla warfare took place throughout the region, with the Vietnamese using the tunnels to close the gap between the significant military advantage that the USA held.
What can you do at the Cu Chi Tunnels?
The Cu Chi jungle has undertaken significant improvements to cater to international tourists, meaning there is an abundance of activities to keep you busy for the duration of the Cu Chi Tunnels Tour. You will see original booby traps, missiles, and bomb craters from when you first enter the site, and throughout your tour. It is like walking onto a set for an action movie. The first stop of your tunnel tour is a small movie theatre to watch a Vietnamese propaganda video about the history of the site and war. It is, of course, totally the Vietnamese side of the story and it is showcased in black and white for added effect, but it is from the 1960’s, and narrated in Vietnamese.
Enter inside the war tunnels
The highlight of the tour is entering inside the small war tunnels, which were once used by the Vietnamese soldiers. And, as you can imagine, the conditions are miserable. The tunnels are humid, dark, and suited to smaller people, although some of them have been increased in size, so Western tourists can experience them.
If you want to gain the full ‘guerilla’ experience, you do have to crawl on your knees at some points, during the 30-minute stint underground. There are various exit points, so you can choose which distance you want to wander the tunnels for. The local guides are extremely helpful and very knowledgeable, offering detailed information about the war and the systems that the Vietnamese used against the Americans.
Try Vietnamese war snacks
The next section of the tour is like a step back in time to the 1960s, as you are served a snack that the Vietnamese soldiers lived on during combat. The boiled and sweetened tapioca (starch), is served with a sweet dip and local tea and is included in the entrance fees. They aren’t very tasty, especially compared to the standards of Vietnamese food, but it’s good to experience the living conditions of the soldiers.
How to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Jungle is located approximately 45km from the center of Ho Chi Minh. However, the journey by road takes around 90 minutes each way due to the traffic congestion on the periphery of the densely populated city. Regular buses leave every 30 minutes, with the average cost being budget-friendly at 20,000 VND (75p). An official tour is slightly more expensive, but still very reasonable and includes a driver, air condition bus, and assistance purchasing tickets and entering the jungle.
Day 3 – Explore the beautiful nature of the Mekong Delta
No 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary is complete without a trip to the famous Mekong Delta. It is one of the most beautiful nature spots in Southeast Asia. On the last day of your 3 days in Ho Chi Minh, you will be heading out of the city center again to go and explore the quieter village life along the banks of the vast delta.
Some of the Delta’s charms include scenic farms, which along with the waterways, are home to thousands of different species, of birds, reptiles, and fish. Stilted villages and towns awash with color fill the banks of the Mekong River, all thriving with local life through their markets, which are both inland and floating on the Mekong. A real unique aspect of the Delta life. You can expect to wear a straw hat as you explore the narrow waterways on a traditional sampan boat, which are flanked on either side by lush greenery and coconut palms.
What to expect at the Mekong Delta
Tours to the Mekong Delta are an important part of tourism in Ho Chi Minh City, so the day tours are very well planned to ensure you can fully immerse yourself in the culture of the Vietnamese countryside life. A very popular part of the tours of the Delta are the bee farms. You can expect to stop by a bee farm to enjoy honey tea while learning about the processes of honey extraction.
Another day, another opportunity to go and visit a pagoda. But this time one with a unique and fun twist. The ‘Vnh Trng’ Pagoda is home to some beautiful architecture, tranquil gardens, and a giant Buddha, which is posing as laughing. You will find the fun statue is one of several different Buddha statues sprawled across the Temple’s grounds. You are free to wander the grounds at your leisure.
During your afternoon break you can rent a bike and explore the countryside. You will come across coconut plantations, fruit orchards, and local markets. An authentic Vietnam experience that will leave you longing for more. A nice traditional lunch will satisfy your taste buds before heading back to Ho Chi Minh for your night’s entertainment on the last evening of your 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City!
Popular Towns along the Mekong Delta:
- Can Tho
- Cai Be
- Chau Doc
How to visit the Mekong Delta
Due to its popularity with international tourists, the bus schedule to the Mekong Delta is regular, with buses leaving Ho Chi Minh hourly each day. You are looking at around 145,000 VND (£5) each way. It takes several hours to reach the Delta on the bus, and you can purchase tickets either online or directly at the bus station in the city. If you are spending 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City with no budget, then taking a speedboat directly from Ho Chi Minh to the Mekong Delta is a unique experience that you won’t forget.
Where to stay for 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City
The majority of travelers choose to book accommodation near District 1 in Ho Chi Minh, as it is suitable for all budget ranges. From the hostels in the backpacker area of Bui Vien Street to the International 5-star brands. Most of the city’s tourist attractions are close to District 1. So it will be more efficient and cheaper to navigate your 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary from this location.
Here are some recommendations:
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