Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest metropolis and its kinetic commercial heart. French boulevards meet Buddhist temples, hidden alleys house 24/7 kitchens, and scooters flow like rivers through a skyline now pierced by glass towers. Beneath the bustle, you’ll find poignant history—from the Reunification Palace to the Cu Chi Tunnels—alongside a culinary scene that sprints from streetside phở to Michelin-starred tasting menus.

Expect humid heat (bring light clothing and hydrate), friendly locals, and a coffee culture that rivals anywhere in the world—phin brews, coconut coffee, and slow-drip robusta are daily rituals. Dry season runs roughly November–April; rains are heaviest May–October but showers are usually brief. Ride-hailing (Grab) is reliable; at crosswalks, move steadily and let traffic flow around you—don’t dart.

Tan Son Nhat (SGN) sits close to the center; District 1 is prime for first-timers. Cash is king at markets, though cards are widely accepted in restaurants. Many nationalities can apply for a 90-day e-visa; check current entry guidance before your trip. Come for the history, stay for the bowls of bún thịt nướng, late-night markets, and sunset views across the Saigon River.

Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon rewards curiosity. Turn a corner and find a colonial post office penned by Gustave Eiffel’s atelier, then a minute later a stall ladling crab tapioca soup. Nguyen Hue Walking Street comes alive at dusk; nearby, the Opera House and City Hall glow like a stage set.

• Top sights: War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica (facade often under restoration), Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House, Bitexco Sky Deck, Chinatown (Chợ Lớn) and Binh Tay Market.
• Eat and drink: phở at Pho Hoa Pasteur; cơm tấm at Com Tam Ba Ghiền; bánh xèo at Banh Xeo 46A; modern Vietnamese at Anan Saigon; vegetarian at Hum; craft beer at Pasteur Street Brewing Co.; rooftop sundowners at Saigon Saigon Bar (Caravelle) or Rex Hotel Rooftop Garden.
• Fun fact: Vietnam is one of the world’s largest robusta coffee producers; Saigon’s phin drip is a morning art form.

Where to stay

• Browse vacation rentals on VRBO Ho Chi Minh City or hotels on Hotels.com Ho Chi Minh City.
• The Reverie Saigon (District 1; opulent rooms, sky-high views): Book The Reverie Saigon
• Silverland Yen Hotel (District 1; boutique, serene onsen-style pool): Book Silverland Yen
• Sherwood Residence (apart-hotel, spacious for families, District 3): Book Sherwood Residence
• Hotel Nikko Saigon (District 1/5 edge; excellent breakfast, large pool): Book Hotel Nikko Saigon
• The Common Room Project (stylish social hostel): Book The Common Room Project

Getting in

• Flights to SGN: Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical times/costs: Bangkok 1h45 ($80–180), Singapore 2h ($90–200), Hanoi 2h10 ($40–120).
• Trains within Vietnam: Search the Reunification line on Trip.com Trains (Da Nang–Saigon ~17–19h; soft sleeper often $35–70).
• Airport to District 1: 25–60 minutes depending on traffic; Grab/taxi usually 150,000–300,000 VND. Use reputable cabs (Mai Linh, Vinasun) or ride-hailing.

Day 1: Arrival, Nguyen Hue Stroll, and Classic Vietnamese Dinner

Afternoon: Arrive at SGN and transfer to your hotel. Drop your bags and ease in with an iced coconut coffee at L’Usine Dong Khoi or a phin brew at Shin Coffee. Walk Nguyen Hue Walking Street to the French-era City Hall, then pop into the Central Post Office to admire the arched ceiling and old map murals; Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is next door (often under restoration but the square is photogenic).

Evening: Dinner at Quán Bụi Original (home-style Vietnamese—caramelized claypot fish, young coconut salad) or Cục Gạch Quán (grandma-chic setting, sautéed morning glory, soft-shell crab). Cap the night with a historic rooftop: Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar (Caravelle) for war-era stories and a view over Lam Son Square, or the Rex Hotel Rooftop Garden Bar for live music and a breeze.

Day 2: City Highlights by Jeep, Museums, and a Street Food Safari

Morning: See the city at street level—with the wind in your hair—on the Ho Chi Minh City Private Half-Day Tour by U.S Army Jeep. Expect stops such as the Jade Emperor Pagoda, Central Post Office, and more, with plenty of context from your guide.

Afternoon: Deep-dive into recent history at the War Remnants Museum—sobering, essential—and then walk to the Reunification Palace, preserved in 1975 time-capsule detail (communications room, map room, rooftop helipad). Lunch nearby at Pho Hoa Pasteur (since 1968; brisket and tendon are standouts) or Com Nieu Saigon (claypot rice theatrically cracked tableside).

Evening: Tackle dinner like a local on the Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour By Motorbike or Walking. Sample fresh rice-paper rolls, bún thịt nướng, grilled scallops with scallion oil, and a sweet chè dessert while zipping through hidden alleys. It’s equal parts meal and city orientation.

Day 3: Coffee Heritage, FITO Museum, and Chinatown (Chợ Lớn)

Morning: Start at Cheo Leo Cafe (since 1938), a living museum of phin-drip robusta brewed over charcoal. Continue to the FITO Museum (Traditional Vietnamese Medicine) to see antique apothecary cabinets, herbal tools, and folk remedies explained with care. Brunch options: The Lunch Lady (rotating noodle soups—try the crab-tomato bún riêu) or Bánh Xèo 46A (sizzling crepes with herbs and lettuce wraps).

Afternoon: Explore Chinatown in District 5. Wander Binh Tay Market’s central courtyard and spice aisles, then light incense at Thien Hau Temple with its coiled smoke spirals and porcelain dioramas on the roof. Cool off with a bowl of chè at Chè Hà Ký (longan, jellies, mung beans) or a sugarcane juice pressed to order.

Evening: Dinner ideas: Anan Saigon (inventive market-to-table; book ahead), Hum Vegetarian (lotus-inspired dishes, calm garden vibes), or Pizza 4P’s Le Thanh Ton (house-made burrata meets local produce). Drinks: Layla – Eatery & Bar for well-balanced cocktails; Pasteur Street Brewing Co. for Saigon-centric craft beers (Jasmine IPA is a local legend).

Day 4: VIP Day Trip to Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta

Spend a full day beyond the city on the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta VIP Tour by Limousine. Travel comfortably by limousine van, then explore the ingenious tunnel network used during the war—crawl through a widened section if you wish, and see concealed entrances and field kitchens. After lunch, continue to the Mekong Delta for river cruising, sampan rides through palm-lined canals, and a taste of tropical fruits and local sweets. It’s a rich contrast: wartime history in the morning, river life in the afternoon.

Day 5: Art, Last Bites, Sky-High Views, and Departure

Morning: Visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, set in a honey-colored 1929 mansion with stained glass and French tiles—great for Vietnamese modern art and photos. Coffee at Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters (precision brews) or Katinat Saigon Kafé for an iced coconut coffee. Shop for souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market (pepper, coffee, lacquerware) and Saigon Square (fixed-price fashion).

Afternoon: Early lunch on bánh mì at Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa (heaped with pate and cold cuts) or a plate of cơm tấm (broken rice with grilled pork, fish sauce, and pickles) at Com Tam Ba Ghiền. If time allows, ride up to the Bitexco Sky Deck for a 360° farewell to Saigon’s sprawl. Depart for SGN with buffer time for traffic.

Optional upgrades and swaps

• If you prefer a half-day at Cu Chi only, consider the Cu Chi Tunnels Luxury Tour - Morning or Afternoon for a shorter, focused visit.
• For a scenic river approach to Cu Chi, the History of Cu Chi Tunnels VIP Tour by Luxury Speed Boat cruises up the Saigon River and often avoids road traffic.

Practical tips

• Dress light, carry small bills, and keep shoulders/knees covered for temples.
• ATMs are widespread; use metered taxis or ride-hailing. Watch belongings in crowded markets.
• Build a midday “siesta” into your plan; Saigon shines in the cooler evenings.

In five days, you’ll taste Saigon’s essence: living history, alleyway kitchens, river life, and skyline sunsets. The city is fast-moving yet welcoming—an easy place to return to, because there’s always another café, market stall, or hidden pagoda waiting on the next corner.