Ho Chi Minh City Tour - Full Experience For Travelers

Known as the “City that never sleeps“, Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon always possesses a strange attraction to any visitor coming here. Below Metta Voyage would like to suggest to you an extremely detailed Ho Chi Minh City tour itinerary!

1. The ideal time to travel to Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon’s climate, which is affected by the tropical monsoon, clearly distinguishes between the wet and dry seasons. The city’s temperature varies just slightly, between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. Each season in Saigon has its own beauty and excitement, so you can go on a Ho Chi Minh city tour at any time of the year.

Ho Chi Minh City

The dry season starts from late December to April next year. This is the time when Saigon is sunny and dry, perfect for a Ho Chi Minh City tour. However, the temperature will be quite high and muggy in the summer, so you need to prepare sunscreen, a hat and protective jacket.

The rainy season lasts from May to late November with cooler weather. Depending on the time, the city will have sudden big and small rains. If you have a Ho Chi Minh city tour in this season, don’t forget to keep an umbrella or raincoat with you.

2. Means of transportation when going to Ho Chi Minh City tour

Saigon is the most vibrant city in the nation, and getting there is simple because you can go here by car, air, or train from anywhere on the planet.

2.1. Transportation to Saigon

Plan: Traveling by air to Saigon, it will take you about 1.5-2 hours to fly and land at Tan Son Nhat airport. Domestic airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, Jetstar Pacific… all operate routes to Ho Chi Minh City from all over the country.

Train: If you have plenty of time, you can choose to experience the train ride, leisurely admiring the mountain scenery along the way. Saigon is the station of many train lines such as North-South trains, specialized vehicles running from Nha Trang, Da Nang… Train prices range from 200,000 – 1,000,000 VND/time.

Coach: A coach is a viable option if you reside in one of Saigon’s adjacent provinces. The cost of a ticket is only between 100,000 and 200,000 VND per person/trip, and there are numerous journeys that run continuously throughout the day.

Private vehicle: If you want to “travel” to Saigon from nearby provinces, transportation there is incredibly convenient. Motorcycling is an option for those who prefer to control speed. Or, if you drive, it’s much more practical because the city now has many freeways, which significantly reduces travel time.

2.2. Means of transportation in Saigon

Bus: As a popular public transport in the city, you can go to any place with only the price from 5,000 – 7,000 VND / turn / person. Particularly for students, with a valid student card, the price is only 2,000 VND / turn.

Taxi drivers: The motorbike taxi drivers are very enthusiastic and hospitable, so if you want to both explore Saigon and listen to interesting daily life stories from the drivers, you can take a traditional motorbike taxi. However, you should ask the price before getting in the car. Besides, with the current development of motorbike taxi technology, you can absolutely take Grab, Bee … to ensure a better price.

Motorbike: Motorcycle is a great idea for a Ho Chi Minh city tour. In Saigon, there are numerous private motorcycle rental agencies and direct hire locations. Depending on the vehicle, the rental fee ranges from 80,000 to 180,000 VND each day. Renting a motorcycle in Saigon is very affordable, costing between 100,000 and 200,000 VND per day. You can ask the hotel to help you rent a car, or you can get in touch with reliable companies like Tigit Motorbikes (0386,518,481), Bike Saigon (0974.424,163)…

3. Ideal locations for Ho Chi Minh tour

3.1. Ben Thanh market

Opening hours: 07:00 – 19:00 daily
Address: Located between Phan Boi Chau – Phan Chu Trinh – Le Thanh Ton – Quach Thi Trang Square, Ben Thanh Ward – District 1.
Ticket price: free

Ben Thanh market is one of the most well-known icons of Saigon to visitors from near and far because it is regarded as a historical witness to the changes in history over the ages. In the heart of Saigon, Ben Thanh Market has four entrances: East, West, South, and North. Visitors to Ben Thanh market will be inundated with options for clothing, shoes, souvenirs, and a variety of other tools and goods. This is an indispensable place for Ho Chi Minh City tour.

3.2. Independence Palace

Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 07:30 – 11:00 and 13:00 – 16h00 daily
Ticket price: Adults: 40,000 VND/person/time; Student: 20,000 VND/person/time; Children: 10,000 VND/person/time.

Independence Palace is a next destination for the Ho Chi Minh City tour that visitors cannot ignore. Independence Palace is a distinctive piece of bold Asian architecture that is connected to many significant historical events. It is a place of peace and marks the conclusion of the Vietnamese nation’s 20-year civil conflict. When visiting this location, travelers can view priceless relics as well as more than 100 rooms that were once utilized for meetings and work by important officials and politicians.

3.3. Notre Dame Cathedral

Address: 1 Paris Commune, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 07:00 – 19:00
Ticket price: Free

Notre Dame Cathedral was constructed in the 17th century using traditional French architecture and is situated in the “heart” of the city. This check-in area, which has a reddish-orange tone that has aged with time, is essential to visit when in Saigon. The church is currently undergoing restoration and is only accessible to guests during services.

3.4. City Post Office

Address: 125 Paris Commune, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 07:00 – 19:00.
Ticket price: Free

The city post office is an unfamiliar check-in point when traveling in Ho Chi Minh city tour. The building is a perfect combination of Western and Eastern architecture, making visitors think of train stations in Europe. Souvenir counters, arched ceilings, mailboxes, public telephone booths… will take you back to the 90s, feeling an old Saigon.

3.5. Ho Chi Minh City Museum

Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong, District 1.
Opening hours: 07:30 – 18:00 from Monday to Sunday, including public holidays and New Year.
Ticket price: 5,000 VND / turn.

Ho Chi Minh city tour will not be complete without Ho Chi Minh Museum. Re-used from a building built by the French in the 90s of the 19th century, the City museum is still a delicate combination of Asian – European architecture. Coming to the museum, you will learn the history of forming the city named after this Uncle through each period.

3.6. War Remnants Museum

Address: 28 Vo Van Tan, District 3.
Opening hours: 07:30 – 18:00 from Monday to Sunday, including public holidays and New Year.
Ticket price: 40,000 VND / adult – 20,000 VND / student, child

The War Remnants Museum, the most well-known museum that must visit in Ho Chi Minh city tour, is currently home to thousands of objects and records related to the Vietnam wars and the severe effects they left behind. Additionally, the museum frequently hosts various subject exhibitions in an effort to stay innovative and draw in more visitors.

4. What to eat on the Ho Chi Minh City tour?

4.1. Steamed Broken Rice

Ba Cuong ribs rice

Address: 263 Tran Quang Khai, Tan Dinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 07:00 – 21:30
Reference price: 50,000 – 90,000 VND

Tai broken rice

Address: 1 Nguyen An Ninh, Ward 14, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 06:00 – 10:00 and 16:00 – 21:00
Reference price: 40,000 – 70,000 VND

Huyen broken rice

Address: Alley 95 Dinh Tien Hoang, Ward 3, Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 00:01 – 04:00 and 16:00 – 23:59
Reference price: 30,000 – 45,000 VND

4.2. Snail

Snail

Vinh Nho Snail

Address: 5 Thao Dien, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, HCMC
Operating hours: 7:00am – 10:00pm
Price: 40,000 VND – 50,000 VND.

To Snail

Address: 224 Xom Chieu, Ward 16, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Operating hours: 12:00 – 23:00
Price: about 50,000 VND

235A Snail

Address: 235A Mai Xuan Thuong, Ward 6, District 6, City. Ho Chi Minh City
Operating hours: 13:00 – 23:00
Price: 50,000 VND – 110,000 VND

4.3. Noodle Soup

My Tho Thanh Xuan noodle soup

Address: 62 Ton That Thiep, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Operating hours: 06:00 – 19:00
Price: about 30,000 – 50,000 VND/person

Hong Phat noodle soup

Address: 391 Vo Van Tan, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Operating hours: 6:00 – 22:00
Price: about 60,000 – 110,000/person

Nam Vang Trung Coi noodle soup

Address: 80 Cao Thang, Ward 4, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Operating hours: Open all day
Price: about 50,000 VND/piece

4.4. Vietnamese Crepe

Ba Hiu pancake shop

Address: 46/9 Street No. 12 Tran Nao, Binh An Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Operating hours: 11:00 – 21:00
Price: About 25,000 – 50,000 VND

Quang Ngai pancake shop

Address: 323 Vo Thanh Trang, Ward 11, Tan Binh, Ho Chi Minh City
Operating hours: 11:00 – 21:00
Price: About 7,000 – 50,000 VND

Dien Bien Phu pancake shop

Address: 335 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 4, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Operating hours: 15:00 – 22:00
Price: About 8,000 – 60,000 VND

4.5. Bun Bo Hue

Bun Bo Xua

Address: 48 Cach Mang Thang Tam, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC
Operating hours: All day (usually crowded at 12:00)
Price: About 15,000 – 35,000 VND

Bun Bo Nam Giao

Address: 248 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, HCMC
Operating hours: 06h00 – 02h00 (usually crowded at 12h00)
Price: About 30,000 – 90,000 VND

Bun Bo Ngoc Dung

Address: 504 – 506 Hoang Huu Nam, Long Binh Ward, District 9, HCMC
Operating hours: 05h00 – 22h00 (usually crowded at 12h00)
Price: About 40,000 – 60,000 VND

5. Notes when going to Ho Chi Minh City tour

To prevent being disappointed, book accommodations and flights at least two weeks before departure.

Identification credentials, wallets, hats, sunscreen, umbrellas, some basic medications, phones, and cameras to release virtual life are essentials for a self-sufficient vacation to Saigon.

Have a city map ready or a phone with 3G mode to be proactive about the way and avoid getting lost.

When eating, you need to ask carefully the price before eating, avoid eating at the bus stations because the food is often unhygienic and the price is expensive.

When traveling to religious or historical sites, you should also pack a discrete, courteous dress.

When planning your itinerary, especially when visiting this city during the rainy season, pay attention to the weather prediction.

6. Conclusion

Above is the whole experience for Ho Chi Minh city tour that Metta Voyage summarizes. Hopefully the above article will help visitors have a great experience in the city named Uncle. Visitors can also refer to the article Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Ho Chi Minh City For Your Holiday for more destination options. For more information, please contact Metta Voyage!