Start researching Ho Chi Minh City and the names soon pile up: Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Café Apartments, Ben Thanh Market…
What few guides explain is which of them fit together in one day and which need a day of their own.
The city centre is more compact than you might expect, and you can cover most of District 1 on foot.
The places that really need separate transport are out-of-town trips such as the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. This guide splits the sights into three zones and then helps you choose a day trip.
How should first-timers group the sights?
Ho Chi Minh City is huge, but the area visitors actually cover splits neatly into three zones.
- District 1 walking zone: Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Book Street, the Opera House, Ben Thanh Market and the Café Apartments are mostly 10–20 minutes' walk from each other.
- City ride zone: Tan Dinh Church in District 3, Cholon in District 5 and Landmark 81 in Bình Thạnh. They are not far, but walking there would wear you out.
- Out-of-town day trips: the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta and Vung Tau are one to three hours away each way, and each needs a full day.
So decide first whether you want a day trip, and the city days become easy to plan.
Top sights in Ho Chi Minh City
Open each sight below for the full details. Opening hours can change for holidays, religious events or renovation, so check the official or on-site notice again before you go.
Independence Palace: where Vietnam's modern history turned
Independence Palace (also called the Reunification Palace) is where tanks crashed through the gates in 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War.
The building is 1960s modernist architecture and still preserves the meeting halls, the president's office, the telecoms room and the underground command bunker.
A quick walk-through with photos takes about an hour; to see the basement and exhibitions properly, allow 1.5–2 hours. The lawns are large and the midday sun is strong, so go in the morning or late afternoon.
- Good for: first-time visitors, history fans, families
- Pair with: Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the Central Post Office (about 10 minutes' walk)
For a fuller visiting guide, see Independence Palace guide.
War Remnants Museum: prepare yourself first
The War Remnants Museum leaves the deepest impression on many visitors. Fighter jets, tanks and helicopters are displayed outside, while inside the focus is documentary photography from the Vietnam War.
A clear warning: the war photography and Agent Orange exhibits on the third floor are very heavy. If you bring children, read about them first and decide whether to go upstairs. Most people stay 1.5–2 hours.
- Good for: travellers interested in history
- Pair with: Independence Palace (about 10 minutes' walk)
For the exhibition layout and the best order to visit, see War Remnants Museum guide.
Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office: two French landmarks in one stop
The red-brick Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the cream-coloured Central Post Office opposite are the city's most recognisable pair of landmarks. They stand at the same intersection, just a few steps apart.
The Central Post Office is still a working post office. Its arched roof, green benches and old wall maps are all preserved, and you can post a postcard home from inside.
The cathedral has been under renovation in recent years, so expect scaffolding on the facade in your photos.
- Good for: photos, first-time visitors, older travellers
- Pair with: Nguyen Van Binh Book Street (right next to the post office)
The post office's architecture and how to send mail are covered in the Saigon Central Post Office guide.
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street: the best break when you're tired
This tree-lined walkway right beside the Central Post Office is lined with bookshops and small design stores, with a few café seats in the middle. It is shaded and car-free, one of the few places in the centre where you can stroll slowly.
Most books are in Vietnamese, but postcards, illustrations and notebooks are easy picks and make good souvenirs.
- Good for: a place to sit down, older travellers, escaping the sun
- Pair with: the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral
The Café Apartments: Ho Chi Minh City's most iconic old building
An old apartment block beside Nguyen Hue Walking Street, with cafés and small shops on every floor and balconies that look straight down the whole walking street. You can take the stairs or the lift (the lift costs extra).
You could never visit every shop, so the practical approach is to check the signs at street level and pick one or two floors. It gets crowded at weekends and the stairwells jam up.
- Good for: photos, coffee lovers, younger travellers
- Pair with: Nguyen Hue Walking Street and the Saigon Opera House
For choosing a café and finding the entrance, see the Café Apartments guide; for more cafés, see Ho Chi Minh City coffee shops.
Ben Thanh Market: souvenirs and snacks in one place
Ben Thanh Market sits right in the middle of District 1. By day it sells dried goods, coffee, cashews, clothes and bags; at night the surrounding streets turn into a night market.
Prices are negotiable here, so on a first visit walk a full loop to check prices before you buy. If you only want coffee, cashews and similar souvenirs, supermarket prices are easier to judge.
- Good for: souvenirs, market browsing, street snacks
- Pair with: Saigon Square and Nguyen Hue Walking Street
For bargaining tips, see the Ben Thanh Market guide; for clothes and bags, drop by Saigon Squareon the way, and to compare prices, see the Ho Chi Minh City supermarket shopping guide.
Tan Dinh Church: the pink church of District 3
Tan Dinh Church is pink from top to bottom with Gothic spires, which makes it the most photographed spot in Ho Chi Minh City.
It is in District 3, about 10–15 minutes by car from District 1.
It is not always open to visitors, so most people take photos outside and move on. The church faces a busy main road, so watch the traffic when crossing and taking photos.
- Good for: photos, couples
- Pair with: District 3 cafés and Tan Dinh Market
For photo angles and how to get there, see the Tan Dinh Church guide.
Saigon Opera House: a showpiece of French architecture
The Saigon Opera House stands where Nguyen Hue Walking Street meets Dong Khoi Street. Completed in 1900, its sculpted facade and arches are French architecture at its finest.
It is not open to visitors when there is no show, so most people photograph the exterior. It looks even better lit up at night, and it is right on the way to the Café Apartments and Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
- Good for: photos, architecture lovers
- Pair with: the Café Apartments and Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Show information and nearby sights are in the Saigon Opera House guide.
Landmark 81 observation deck: see the whole city at once
Landmark 81 is Vietnam's tallest building, and the SkyView observation deck at the top looks out over the Saigon River and the whole city.
Going up just before sunset is the best value, as you see both the daytime view and the city lights.
It is about 15–20 minutes by car from District 1. A shopping mall and an ice rink are downstairs, so there is somewhere to go if it rains.
- Good for: night views, couples, families with children
- Pair with: the Saigon riverside and the Vinhomes park
For choosing the best time to go up, see the Landmark 81 guide.
Cholon (Chinatown): a completely different side of the city
Cholon (Chợ Lớn), around Districts 5 and 6, is Ho Chi Minh City's Chinese quarter, home to Thien Hau Temple, Binh Tay Market and old herbal medicine shops.
The incense coils, wood carvings and painted details in the temples feel a world away from the French streets of District 1.
It is about 20–30 minutes by car from District 1. Allow at least half a day, otherwise the travel time takes up too much of your visit.
- Good for: local life, photos, second-time visitors
- Pair with: Binh Tay Market
For the route, see the Cholon (Chinatown) guide.
Streetwear street: Tran Quang Dieu Street, District 3
Tran Quang Dieu Street in District 3 is Ho Chi Minh City's streetwear hub, with an independent boutique every few steps; it feels a little like the side streets of Zhongshan in Taipei.
11 GARMENTORY, BUNNYHILL Concept, THE BOX ICON and NAGA SHOES are all in this area.
ALFAER.garments, Whose Studio and WHYS Blanca share the same concept store.
Rue Miche in District 1 and The New Playground in the basement of Vincom Center are similar stores you can plan separately.
- Good for: local Vietnamese design, shopping and photos, younger travellers
- Pair with: District 3 cafés and Tan Dinh Church
For a brand-by-brand rundown, see Ho Chi Minh City fashion brands.
Saigon Classics Day Tour: Independence Palace, Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market (with Water Bus)
View the Saigon Classics Day TourWhere can you go on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City?
After the city sights, many people add an extra day out of town. The two most common trips from Ho Chi Minh City are the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. They lie in opposite directions, one to the north-west and one to the south-west, so people usually do them on separate days or choose one.
Cu Chi Tunnels: a Vietnam War site you can do in half a day
The Cu Chi Tunnels, north-west of Ho Chi Minh City, are an underground tunnel network from the Vietnam War, more than 200 km long in total. You can see air vents, traps and underground kitchens, and crawl through a short widened section yourself.
The drive is about 1.5–2 hours each way, making it one of the few out-of-town trips that fits in half a day, so many people combine it with city sights on the same day.
- Duration: about 1.5–2 hours' drive each way, half a day for the round trip; the option that includes city sights takes about 5 hours in total.
- Who it suits: anyone interested in Vietnam War history, those with only half a day for a trip out of town, and first-time visitors to Ho Chi Minh City.
Cu Chi Tunnels Day Tour: includes city sights and a guide
View the Cu Chi Tunnels Day TourFor the difference between the half-day and full-day options, see Cu Chi Tunnels: half day or full day?
Mekong Delta: by sampan through coconut-palm waterways
The Mekong Delta, south-west of Ho Chi Minh City, is Vietnam's rice bowl.
Tours usually take a larger boat to an island in the river, then switch to a sampan through narrow canals lined with coconut palms, stopping at a coconut candy workshop and for tropical fruit and honey tea along the way.
The drive is about 2 hours each way and you are back by late afternoon, so it is a solid full day.
- Duration: about 2 hours' drive each way, departing 08:30 and back at your city hotel at 16:30, about 8 hours in total.
- Who it suits: those who want to see river villages and nature, families with children, and anyone who prefers a slower pace.
Mekong Delta Day Tour: Vinh Trang Pagoda, Thoi Son Island and a sampan ride
View the Mekong Delta Day TourRoutes and seasonal differences are covered in the Mekong Delta guide.
Vung Tau: head east for the sea
Vung Tau (Vũng Tàu), on the coast south-east of Ho Chi Minh City, is where locals most often go at weekends to see the sea, climb to the Christ statue and eat seafood. You can get there by speedboat, bus or private car.
- Duration: about 2–2.5 hours each way by speedboat, or 2–3 hours by bus or private car; allow 10–12 hours for a day trip.
- Who it suits: those who want the sea and seafood, second-time visitors, and anyone looking to relax further from the city.
To choose how to go, see the Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau day trip guide.
How to get around between the sights
Walking is enough for the District 1 loop: Independence Palace, the museum, the cathedral, the post office, Book Street, the Opera House, the Café Apartments and Ben Thanh Market are all within walking distance, about 3 km in total.
For Tan Dinh Church, Landmark 81 and Cholon in other districts, Grab is the easiest option. For a different view of the city, you can also take a stretch on the Saigon Water Bus; a late-afternoon departure doubles as a sunset cruise.
If you want to cover several sights in different districts in one day, a private car makes it much smoother:
- Pick-up from your hotel: set a time and the driver picks you up at your hotel or a place you choose.
- The whole car is just for your group: no sharing with strangers, so you set the pace.
- The car stays with you all day: finish one stop, get in and head to the next.
- Plan your own route: within 40 km for 4 hours or 80 km for 8 hours, and you can add a café stop along the way.
- Choose a vehicle for your group and luggage: 4-seater, 7-seater or premium 7-seater, comfortable for older travellers and children.
- Leave your things in the car: keep jackets, water and shopping in the car and pick them up later.
- Chinese-speaking customer service: contact customer service directly if anything comes up; what is and isn't included is clearly listed, with transparent pricing.
Ho Chi Minh City Private Car Charter: 4-hour / 8-hour options
View Ho Chi Minh City private car optionsWhen is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has no four seasons, only a dry season and a rainy season. It is hot all year; the difference is whether it rains.
- Dry season (December–April): almost no rain and strong daytime sun. Best for walking-based city sightseeing; avoid being outdoors at midday.
- Rainy season (May–November): mostly short, heavy afternoon showers that cool things down. Do outdoor sights in the morning and indoor ones in the afternoon.
The rainy season sounds daunting, but in Ho Chi Minh City the rain is usually an hour or two of heavy downpour in the afternoon that then stops, so you are rarely stuck indoors all day. The real thing to watch is the sun — whatever the season, the midday UV is very strong.
For indoor backup plans in the rainy season, see What to do in Ho Chi Minh City when it rains
Tips for your first visit
Staying in District 1 saves a lot of travel time
District 1 has the highest concentration of sights, so staying here cuts out travel time. For somewhere quieter, consider District 3. For how the areas compare, see Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Check prices at markets before buying
Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square both allow bargaining, so walk a loop and ask at two or three stalls to get a feel for prices. If you only want coffee, cashews and snacks, a supermarket is simpler.
Dress appropriately at churches and temples
Notre-Dame Cathedral, Tan Dinh Church and Thien Hau Temple are all places of worship. Avoid revealing clothing when visiting and follow the etiquette on site.
Don't put a day trip and city sights on the same day
The Mekong Delta day trip gets you back to the city at 16:30, and the Cu Chi Tunnels need more than half a day. Squeezing either one into a day of city sights usually leaves both parts rushed.
Leave time for a massage after a full day of walking
Ho Chi Minh City's sights all involve walking, and your feet will feel it by the end of the day. Many people book a massage before dinner to wind down. For price ranges and how to tip, see the Ho Chi Minh City massage guide.
See a different Ho Chi Minh City at night
By day you see French architecture and museums; at night Ho Chi Minh City is a different place. The flower market, riverside parks and street food stalls only come alive after dark.
Saigon Ao Dai Night Ride: flower market, old apartments and street food
View the Ao Dai Night RideFor more night-time options, see the Ho Chi Minh City nightlife guide.
Ho Chi Minh City sights: FAQ
There are three broad types of sightseeing: French architecture and museums in District 1 (Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office), photo and night-view spots in the city (the Café Apartments, Tan Dinh Church and Landmark 81), and day trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.
On a first visit, cover District 1 first, then decide whether to add an out-of-town day trip.
In order of priority: Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, the Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market. All five are in District 1 and can be visited on foot in one route.
If you have more time, add the Café Apartments, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street and Tan Dinh Church.
For the city only, 2 days covers the signature sights. To add the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta, plan for 3 days.
If you want both day trips, or also Vung Tau or Cholon, 4–5 days is more comfortable.
December to April is the dry season, with almost no rain, ideal for walking-based city sightseeing.
May to November is the rainy season, but the rain is usually an hour or two of heavy afternoon showers that then stop. Plan outdoor sights for the morning and indoor ones for the afternoon and it hardly gets in the way.
The most common choices are the Cu Chi Tunnels (north-west, about 1.5–2 hours each way) and the Mekong Delta (south-west, about 2 hours each way); for the sea, there is Vung Tau to the south-east.
All three are in different directions, so you can only pick one per day.
District 1's sights are very close together: Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Book Street, the Opera House, the Café Apartments and Ben Thanh Market are all within walking distance, about 3 km in total.
Tan Dinh Church, Landmark 81 and Cholon (Chinatown) need a ride; they are too far to walk.
Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum and the Landmark 81 observation deck require tickets, which you can buy on site.
If you join Lanytrip's Saigon Classics Day Tour or Cu Chi Tunnels Day Tour, entrance tickets are included in the tour, so there is no need to queue for them separately.
Keep the sights within the same District 1 loop: Independence Palace and the museum in the morning, a café or Book Street at midday to avoid the sun, then the cathedral, post office and market after 3 p.m. You won't need to travel far all day.
For the sights in other districts, book a private car: you can leave luggage and jackets in the car and add a stop without calling another ride.
Summary
Ho Chi Minh City has plenty of sights, but they are not hard to plan. Treat District 1 as one walking loop and cover Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Book Street, the Café Apartments and Ben Thanh Market in one go, and you will have seen most of what the city is about.
Then look at your time: with only 2 days, put Tan Dinh Church and Landmark 81 on day two.
With 3 days, keep a full day in the middle for the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta, and you will be back in time for dinner and a massage.
Further reading: more guides for this area
These guides are often part of the same trip, so read on to complete your route.
- Ho Chi Minh City in 3 Days How to plan sights, food and nightlife
- Independence Palace guide Hours, tickets, getting there and highlights
- War Remnants Museum guide Exhibitions, opening hours and how long to stay
- Saigon Central Post Office guide Architecture, photos and nearby sights
- Café Apartments guide Entrance, lift, photos and choosing a café
- Ben Thanh Market guide What to buy, bargaining tips and nearby sights
- Tan Dinh Church guide Photos at the pink church and getting there
- Landmark 81 guide Observation deck tickets, getting there and night views
- Cholon (Chinatown) guide Binh Tay Market, Thien Hau Temple and getting there
- Mekong Delta guide Day trips, transport and seasons
- Cu Chi Tunnels: half day or full day? Group tour vs private car
- Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City District 1, District 3 and Thảo Điền
- Ho Chi Minh City souvenir guide Coffee, cashews, snacks and a supermarket shopping list
