Vietnam dazzles with contrasts. In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), French-colonial facades stand shoulder-to-shoulder with glass towers, while the rhythm of everyday life flows through alleyway cafes, wet markets, and whirring scooters. A short flight away, Phu Quoc rewards you with palm-fringed beaches, exceptional snorkeling, and fiery sunsets that seem to pause time.

Ho Chi Minh City’s modern identity was shaped by centuries of trade, the French colonial era, and the Vietnam War. Today it’s a culinary powerhouse—pho at dawn, bánh mì at noon, shellfish and craft beer by night. Museums like the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace anchor the city’s story; neighborhoods like Cholon (Chinatown) and Thu Duc (formerly District 2) reveal its dynamism.

Phu Quoc, the “Pearl Island,” floats in the Gulf of Thailand with a national park core, pepper farms, and beaches like Long Beach and Sao Beach. Expect clear water, soft sand, and island-hopping by speedboat. Practical notes: Vietnam operates a 90-day e-visa for many nationalities; ride-hailing (Grab) is widely used; carry small VND notes for markets; the dry season (roughly November–April) brings the best beach conditions.

Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon is Vietnam’s energy dialed to eleven: morning iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá), lunchtime slurps of pho, and evenings on rooftop bars watching the city glow. Historic icons—Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior viewing during restoration), Central Post Office, and tree-lined Dong Khoi—frame a skyline that keeps rising.

• Top sights: Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Basilica (exterior), Central Post Office, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Bitexco Skydeck, Cholon’s Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple.
• Eat & drink: Pho Hoa Pasteur (classic southern pho), Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa (stacked cold-cut bánh mì), Quan An Ngon (regional Vietnamese), Cuc Gach Quan (home-style Vietnamese), Pasteur Street Brewing Co. (craft beer), Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar (historic skyline views).
• Fun fact: Locals still call it “Saigon”—and you’ll see “SGN” on your luggage tag en route.

Where to stay: For easy sightseeing, base in District 1; for quieter, leafy streets, look to District 3; for riverfront dining, consider Thu Duc City (Thao Dien). Browse stays on Hotels.com (Ho Chi Minh City) or apartments on VRBO (Ho Chi Minh City).

How to get there: Fly into SGN (Tan Son Nhat). Check fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights). From the airport, a Grab car to District 1 runs roughly 150,000–250,000 VND ($6–10) depending on traffic.

Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc mixes barefoot beach days with forested trails, fish sauce factories, and a cable car that sails over glassy water to Hon Thom Island. Long Beach provides classic sunsets; the south shelters coral gardens; the north hides Starfish Beach (seasonal clarity varies).

• Top experiences: Island-hopping snorkel trips, Hon Thom cable car, Sao Beach’s white sand, Dinh Cau Night Market, pepper farms, the island’s expanding “Sunset Town.”
• Eat & drink: Xin Chao (seafood with sea views), The Crab House (Cajun-style seafood boil), Ra Khoi (local seafood), The Home Pizza (Phu Quoc favorite), OCSEN Beach Bar (beanbags on the sand), Buddy Ice Cream & Info Café (desserts and coffee).
• Good to know: Scooter rental ~200,000–300,000 VND/day ($8–12); always wear a helmet. Dry season seas are calmer for snorkeling.

Where to stay: Long Beach (convenient and social), Ong Lang (quieter coves), and the south (Sao Beach access). Compare hotels on Hotels.com (Phu Quoc) or villas on VRBO (Phu Quoc).

Getting there from Saigon: 1-hour flight SGN–PQC on Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, or Bamboo Airways, often $35–90 one-way if booked early. Search schedules on Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights).

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, First Tastes of Saigon

Afternoon: Land at SGN and transfer to your hotel in District 1 or 3. Shake off jet lag with an elevated brew at The Workshop Coffee (lofty roastery setting) or a classic iced coffee at Cheo Leo Café (oldest wood-fired coffee roaster in town).

Evening: Dive straight into Saigon’s street food culture on a guided motorbike tour—your driver navigates the scooter ballet while you snack in local alleys.

Featured activity: Saigon By Night and Street Food By Motorbike | Opt: Ao Dai Riders

Expect bites like bò lá lốt (beef in wild betel leaves), bánh xèo (crispy turmeric crepe), and a sweet chè dessert. Nightcap at the historic Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar—open-air, live music, and city lights.

Day 2: War & Peace, Colonial Boulevards, Market Grazing

Morning: Start with breakfast pho at Pho Hoa Pasteur (a Saigon institution). Tour the Independence Palace to see preserved 1960s rooms and the rooftop helipad; then the War Remnants Museum for sobering context.

Afternoon: Coffee and pastries at L’Usine on Dong Khoi before strolling to the Central Post Office (Gustave Eiffel’s firm helped design it) and Notre-Dame Basilica (admire the facade while restoration continues). Snack through Ben Thanh Market—try bún thịt nướng (grilled pork with rice noodles) and fresh spring rolls.

Evening: Dinner at Cuc Gach Quan (grandma-style Vietnamese: caramelized pork, canh chua sour soup). Post-dinner, sample Vietnamese craft beers at Pasteur Street Brewing Co. (the jasmine IPA put them on the map).

Day 3: Cook, Cruise Cholon, Nightlife on Nguyen Hue

Morning: Learn Vietnamese cooking fundamentals with a market visit and hands-on class—then enjoy the lunch you’ve prepared.

Featured activity: Chef Vu Cooking Class Plus Market Trip in Saigon Center (Pick up by Cyclo)

Afternoon: Explore Cholon (Chinatown): Binh Tay Market’s curved roofs and bustling aisles, and the incense coils of Thien Hau Temple. Refuel with a velvety coconut coffee at a local café.

Evening: Dinner at Quan Bui (refined regional dishes like claypot fish and morning glory with garlic). Join the stream along Nguyen Hue Walking Street; if you want a view, slip into a hidden apartment-block café overlooking the promenade.

Day 4: Fly to Phu Quoc, Long Beach Sunset

Morning (Travel): Morning flight SGN→PQC (~1 hour; often $35–90). Compare options on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Taxi from Phu Quoc airport to Long Beach hotels is typically 120,000–200,000 VND ($5–8).

Afternoon: Check in and unwind on Long Beach. If you prefer a calm cove, head to Ong Lang for a quieter swim. Coffee break at Buddy Ice Cream & Info Café (ice cream sundaes are a local classic).

Evening: Sunset drinks with toes-in-sand at OCSEN Beach Bar (orange beanbags, DJ sets some nights). Dinner at Xin Chao for grilled squid, tamarind prawns, and island views; or The Crab House for a messy, delicious seafood boil.

Where to stay tonight: Browse beachfront picks on Hotels.com (Phu Quoc) or family villas on VRBO (Phu Quoc).

Day 5: Island-Hopping, Snorkeling, and the Hon Thom Cable Car

Spend a full day exploring the An Thoi archipelago by speedboat. Snorkel vibrant reefs, lunch on a local island, and ride the Hon Thom cable car—the longest over-sea cable car in the world—floating above aquamarine water and coral flats.

Featured activity: Snorkeling Island Hopping with Cable Car and Lunch

Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard; conditions are usually clearest in dry season. After docking, head to Dinh Cau Night Market for grilled scallops with scallion oil, charcoal-cooked sea urchin with quail egg, and rolled ice cream.

Day 6: North Phu Quoc—Starfish Beach, Forest Roads, Pepper Farms

Discover the island’s quieter side up north. This private tour focuses on Starfish Beach (best outlook typically Nov–April), local farms, and laid-back coastal life.

Featured activity: FullDay Private Tour in Starfish Beach and Phu Quoc Northern Part

Between stops, sample peppercorns at a small farm and try a bowl of bún kèn (a coconut-fish noodle specialty). Dinner back near Long Beach: Ra Khoi for steamed grouper and hotpot, or The Home Pizza for a local-loved pie and craft beer.

Day 7: Slow Morning, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Savor your last swim on Long Beach or a leisurely breakfast of bánh mì and Vietnamese coffee. Pick up edible souvenirs—Phu Quoc pepper, cocoa nibs, or fish sauce (check airline liquid rules). If you’re feeling active, a short coastal walk or a spa massage makes for a gentle goodbye.

Afternoon (Travel): Fly Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh City (~1 hour), then connect onward. Search flights on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. If extending overland in Vietnam later, bookmark Trip.com (trains) for routes like Saigon–Nha Trang–Da Nang.

Optional Add-Ons if You Have More Time

• Cu Chi Tunnels (half day): Crawl through preserved tunnels and learn guerrilla tactics and history.
• Mekong Delta (full day): Coconut candy workshops, sampan rides through palm-lined canals, and riverside lunches.
• Alternate Phu Quoc snorkel: Small-group premium speedboat outing with seafood BBQ—intimate and reef-focused. PREMIUM snorkel & islands hopping by SPEEDBOAT-Seafood BBQ (MAX12)

Logistics Cheat Sheet

• Seasonality: Saigon is year-round; Phu Quoc’s driest months are roughly Nov–Apr (best snorkeling visibility).
• Money: Cash (VND) rules markets and taxis; cards accepted at many hotels/restaurants. ATMs are common.
• Transport: Grab app for cars and scooters; always wear a helmet if riding pillion. Domestic flights are frequent and punctual.
• Visas: Many nationalities can apply online for Vietnam’s 90-day e-visa; check your passport’s eligibility before booking.

Summary: In a week, you’ll taste Saigon’s caffeine-charged mornings, its poignant history, and its after-dark culinary heartbeat—then exhale on Phu Quoc’s beaches, skimming over coral gardens and sailing the Hon Thom cable car. It’s an itinerary that blends city edge with island ease, and leaves plenty of reasons to return.