If you’re working on a Vietnam or Southeast Asia itinerary, you may wonder, how many days in Ho Chi Minh City is enough? The truth is, I’d recommend more time than you’re probably thinking.
Unfortunately, most people don’t think much of Saigon. It’s more of a “layover city” than anything. But it’s a fantastic starting point for the south, which is far less touristy than northern and central Vietnam. Not to mention all the hidden gems in Ho Chi Minh.
So, given all that, I’d recommend a minimum of 2-3 days in HCMC, but if you can spare more time, a week or more is also easy to work with.
In this guide, I’ll answer the question ‘How long to stay in Ho Chi Minh City?’ in detail, including quick sample itineraries for different amounts of days in the city.
Quick Answer: How Long To Schedule In HCMC
I’d recommend an absolute minimum of 2-3 days in HCMC. However, 3-5 days is perfect for your first time in the city. It’ll give you enough time to explore all parts of the town, take one or more day trips, and maybe even make a short overnight trip to Mekong or somewhere nearby.
If you can squeeze in even more time and want to use HCMC as a base (after exploring the city, of course), you can also spend 7+ days in the south and visit the Mekong, Cat Tien National Park, Can Gio, and other fun nearby places that most tourists miss out (or you can just spend more time in the beautiful chaos that is Saigon).
Why HCMC is more than a layover city
The main idea is that HCMC is much more than a layover city. Most people don’t set aside anywhere near enough time in the South, and it’s a shame, honestly. Not everyone loves this place as much as we do, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to see and do.
I made this mistake my first time visiting Saigon. I only spent 1-2 days here, and it was more of a transitional place until I took the bus to Phnom Penh. And I didn’t like the city very much because I didn’t see it. But I promise, if you have a little more time, you’ll see the side of the city that most people miss on a breeze-through.
Guide To How Long To Stay In Ho Chi Minh City (and what to do with your time)
Are you wondering ‘how many days do I need in Ho Chi Minh City‘? I’ve got you! Here’s a breakdown of what to do with your time for different schedules, including a sample itinerary for each and a description of the best things to do:
24 hours in HCMC
As mentioned, 2-3 days should be the bare minimum in Ho Chi Minh City. I don’t think anything less is anywhere near enough. However, you can still get a little taste in one day. A lot of people come to HCMC on a layover or just before flying in/out of the country. If that’s the case, try to make the most of it and see as much as possible.
It’s hard to get around HCMC, so if you just have a day, I recommend staying in District 1 (the city center), near many of the main attractions, and saving yourself some travel time between attractions. You can walk most sites around District 1. Otherwise, it’s a short Grab (motorbike taxi) ride away. Or you could try driving a motorbike yourself.
What to see in 24 hours in hcmc
If you only have one day, you should stick to HCMC attractions near the city center. Here’s a list of different things to do in District 1 (or nearby) and how long you want for each one (if applicable):
- War Remnants Museum: 2-3 hours
- Independence Palace: 1-2 hours
- Museum of Fine Arts: 1 hour
- Ben Thanh Market: 1 hour
- Saigon Post Office: 30 minutes
- HCMC Book Street: 30 minutes
- Ben Nghe Street Food: Food for lunch or dinner
- Bui Vien: As long as you’d like to drink or can just walk through (at night)
There are honestly a handful of great museums in HCMC, you could fill up an entire day just with some of those. Of course, don’t forget to set aside some time for classic activities, like sitting in a local coffee shop with Vietnamese coffee, grabbing a Banh Mi from a street vendor, or walking through a park.
2-3 days is good for the main highlights
2-3 days is better because you won’t be rushing around and have little time for a day trip or exploring outside the city center. You’ll still be cramming a lot into a bit of time (if you want to do activities), but you will have more freedom.
With 2-3 days in Ho Chi Minh City, I recommend doing at least one day trip and then spending 1-2 days exploring within the city itself.
For day trips, you have several options. There are Cu Chi Tunnels, Monkey Island/Can Gio, and the Mekong Delta. Some tours combine multiple activities into one day trip, like visiting Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong in one day.
sample itinerary for 2-3 days in hcmc
You have all the same options as a 24-hour itinerary with the main HCMC attractions in the city center. However, having a few extra days gives you time for a day trip. Here’s one sample itinerary for 3 full days in HCMC:
- Day 1: Get settled in your accommodation, take a short walk to explore the area, and grab some coffee and good street food. After you learn your way around, head to Nguyen Hue walking street, where the famous Ho Chi Minh monument is. You can walk down to the river and grab a drink at the renowned cafe apartments that are also right on the street. Afterward, explore one or more museums (Fine Arts, War Remnants, HCMC Museum) in the city center. In the evening, have a drink or two on Bui Vien.
- Day 2: Leave early for a day trip. Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta (My Tho is the closest access point), or Monkey Island in Can Gio Reserve.
- Day 3: Make sure you’re ready for checkout, swing by Ben Thanh Market and buy any souvenirs, send a postcard from Saigon Post Office, and grab another cup of famous Vietnamese coffee.
The itinerary may change depending on when you arrive/when you leave, but you’ll have enough time to see one or two HCMC museums, one full-day tour outside of the city, and the other main sites in the city.
3-4 days give you a little more for day trips
3-4 days is a great amount of time because you can squeeze in a 2-day trip to more remote parts of southern Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is wonderful, but there are a lot of other fun activities and places to see in the south.
You should still try to catch all the main tourist activities in the city, but you can do so at a much slower pace. You can also spend 1-2 nights outside the city, giving you a much better peak into culture, traditions, and more rural living in Vietnam.
Sample itinerary for 4 days in hcmc
If you have at least 4 days, you can fit all the main attractions in the city center, but set aside a little time for a 1-2 night trip to somewhere outside the city. Here’s a quick run-through of what that would look like:
- Day 1: Get settled in your hotel and explore whatever you can in the city center, including the War Remnants Museum, the Saigon Post Office, Ben Thanh, and Bui Vien at night.
- Day 2: Visit Cu Chi Tunnels; you can visit on your own (you’ll need almost all day) or go on a tour. Some tours will combine the tunnels with another trip, like a village on the Mekong Delta.
- Day 3: Get up early and head out for a short weekend or day trip. I’ll go into more detail about your options in the next section. You’ll be able to leave your bags at your accommodation in HCMC, so you don’t have to travel with all of them for one night away.
- Day 4: Head back to HCMC, grab your bags, and prepare for departure.
The best part about having multiple days in HCMC is you don’t have to rush through. You can even stay in the city center and discover many hidden gems. You aren’t super constricted by time, which is awesome for a city as vibrant as Saigon.
Other places to explore in Southern Vietnam
For your one or two nights outside of the city, here are a few recommendations:
Can Gio
This is technically an outside district of HCMC, but it’s hard to get to and a bit far away. It takes 2-3 hours from the city center, depending on whether you go by bus, car, or motorbike. It’s where Monkey Island is, and there’s a really neat place called Thanh An Island. There are a few nature-focused hostels and glamping retreats in Can Gio for those who can stay the night.
Mekong Delta
The Mekong is one of the most interesting regions in Southeast Asia to me because of how dependent people were on the river for everything. Can Tho is the biggest city in Mekong and a great starting point. It’s also only 2-3 hours from HCMC, so it’s perfect for a one or two-night trip. Cai Be is also 2-3 hours from the city; it’s much more low-key but still beautiful.
Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien National Park is about 3 hours from HCMC and is an excellent place for nature lovers. The main thing to do in the national park is rent a bicycle and explore the path. There are trees, nice picnic areas, and a well-maintained path. Also, I love the little cabins right at the park entrance.
Mui Ne
With the new highway, Mui Ne (a small beach village) is only about 3 hours from HCMC, making visiting in one night possible. I recommend a little more time because there are some nice beaches and activities, but it’s still possible with one or two days.
Vung Tao
This is a larger city on the coast. You can get there in about three hours by ferry from downtown HCMC, so it’s easy to travel. The city isn’t that special, but it’s different from HCMC and has some lovely beaches and activities.
Ba Den Mountain (Black Virgin Mountain)
The tallest peak in southern Vietnam, Black Virgin Mountain has been transformed into a little park with gondolas to the top. You can stay in Tay Ninh City and spend a full day exploring the mountains and the more rural parts of Vietnam. It’s not overly touristy, especially with international tourists.
These are just a few things you can do near HCMC if you have a little more time on your hands. You’ll only be able to pick out one if you have 3-4 days in HCMC, but it’s better than nothing!
7+ days and you can use HCMC as a base to explore Southern Vietnam
We’ve spent over a year exploring southern Vietnam, so I’m biased, but 7+ days is the way to go. It’s a little deceiving because I don’t think you need 7+ days in Ho Chi Minh City, but it gives you so much more freedom to use HCMC as your home base and venture out to more unknown places.
With a week or more, you can do everything mentioned in all previous itineraries. You might not be able to do all the weekend trips mentioned above, but you can pick out one or two and explore whichever one you settle on.
When people travel to Vietnam for a short time (2 weeks or less), I recommend choosing one region and using a home base to branch off from the city. So, you can use HCMC as a base, leave big luggage in HCMC (if you have a lot from more travel you’re doing), and make exploring things easier for yourself.
A few hidden gems in hcmc
If you have a lot of time, you might want to explore more “hidden gems” in Ho Chi Minh City. There’s all the usual stuff, like the War Remnants Museum, but there’s also a lot of other things that aren’t talked about so much. Here are some ideas:
- Museum of Vietnamese Traditional Medicine: This is one of my favorite museums in Vietnam. It’s about herbal medicine in Vietnam. It’s so well-organized, and the displays are so impressive, though. I highly recommend it.
- Saigon Water Bus: This is a cheap, fun way to see HCMC from the water and explore further districts. Just make sure you book your tickets in advance.
- Saigon Opera House: This is a popular tourist attraction, but not enough people make time for it. There’s a show every night at the Saigon Opera. The A O Show has been going on for years and is really impressive.
- Russian Market: This is a large market in District 1 that’s often overlooked. It primarily sells warm winter clothes and knock-off name brands. It’s the place to go shopping; just be ready to haggle on the price.
Of course, you can also wander the streets and alleys and try to find some of your hidden gems. Whenever I have a free day in HCMC, I find something new and wonderful.
tips to break up your time in southern Vietnam
As someone who’s spent lots of time in HCMC and Southern Vietnam, here are some travel tips to help you manage your travels effectively:
Explore HCMC on “bookend” days
If you have 7+ days, you only need 2-3 days in the city itself, so you can plan these days to be at the beginning and end of your time in HCMC. That way, you can leave big luggage at your accommodation in the city and venture off to other parts of the region without bags weighing you down.
Here’s an example for 7 days in HCMC:
Spend your first day exploring the city; on the 2nd-day head to the Mekong Delta (Can Tho) for two days. From there, return to the city for a brief stop-through, and then explore Can Gio, Cat Tien, or Vung Tao for 1-2 days. Finish with 2 days back in the city before departing.
Plan ahead
If you’re trying to see many different things and go to many other places, plan ahead. It’s not easy getting around by bus and public transportation, so you’ll have to figure out your itinerary to start coordinating things.
Don’t plan too much
If you have 7 days, you can honestly consider spending one or two days on a weekend trip to the Mekong or something and the rest of the time in the city. There’s so much to see in the city; it might grow on you with a few extra days, too. And sometimes, it’s nice to slow down and soak it all in.
HCMC is sometimes given a bad rep, but I love the city and the surrounding region. The more time you have to explore and adventure, the more you’ll fall in love with it. It’s not for everyone, especially long-term, because of the pollution and chaos of the city, but it’s still surprisingly charming and mesmerizing.
Questions And Answers When Planning Your Time in HCMC
If you don’t know how to plan your time in HCMC, try to ask yourself some of these questions to help decide on an exact itinerary and how many days in Ho Chi Minh City is enough for you:
What are your travel goals?
Why are you traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, and what exactly are you looking to get from your trip? If you just want to enjoy some of the delicious southern food and visit a few museums, 3 to 4 doors is plenty of time. However, if you want to explore lesser-known places on the Mekong Delta or other historically important places, you might want to schedule a week or more for more of Southern Vietnam.
What’s your ideal pace of travel?
This is kind of an obvious question, but factor in your style of travel and your preferred pace. If you like to go slow, spend a few hours at a coffee shop, and not have every day packed full of activities, then you might want to set aside a few extra days. I like to have a few super busy days followed by a few more mellow days. And I prefer to stay in one place longer to explore the place.
When are you arriving/departing?
Don’t forget to think about your arrival and departure times. If you’re flying into HCMC and landing around 4:00 PM, you won’t have that time. And the same with leaving. If you have an 11:00 AM flight, you won’t be able to do too much that day. Make sure to consider your departure/arrival time and work around that.
What’s your budget and travel style?
Your budget and travel style also make a big difference. For example, if you have a big budget and can hire a private driver for your entire stay, you’ll get around to places outside the city much easier and more comfortably. However, if you’re taking local buses, you need to account for more travel time.
What season are you traveling in?
Also, consider the season you’re traveling in HCMC. The best time to visit Saigon is in the winter, specifically in December, January, and February. The summer months are the rainy season, it can be very rainy and humid. If you’re traveling during the rainy season, you must account for a few hours where you’ll be taking cover inside because the rain gets intense. I feel like I get around slightly slower in the rainy season.
Tips For Maximizing Your Time In HCMC
If you’re planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City, there are a few things to keep in mind when creating your travel schedule. Here are some tips coming from someone who’s spent about a year traveling around southern Vietnam:
Plan ahead and book tours when possible
Planning ahead can make things easier no matter where you’re traveling; the same goes for Ho Chi Minh City. The truth is, most activities never get over-booked. You’ll always be able to book a tour or entry to a museum the day before or sometimes even the day of the activity in Vietnam. There are so many tour companies; there’s always a way to get in somewhere.
However, the problem comes with planning your time. If you only have a few days in HCMC, you want to make the most of your time and see as much as possible in the south. So, to do that, it’ll help you book your tours and activities in advance. Or, at the very least, have a good idea of what you want to do and on what days.
Use Grab to get around the city
You can walk to most places in the city center, but if you only have a few days, you might consider taking Grab bikes or cars to save time. Grab bikes are usually faster than cars because they can maneuver around traffic, but both will get you there.
Prepare for the weather ahead of time
The weather can put a damper on travel plans in Vietnam, so try to plan. My biggest advice when handling the weather, especially if you’re visiting during the rainy season, is not to let it get in the way. If you’re planning a tour of the Mekong, and the forecast says it will rain all day, go for it anyway. Most of the time, it only rains in spurts throughout the late morning and early evening. If you’re walking out and about and don’t have tours, you can always duck in a little cafe to wait it out. Just plan a little extra time in your itinerary for this.
Understand everything usually takes longer than you’d think
However long you think it’ll take to get somewhere, tack on a little more time. This is for travel within the city and other places in the south.
In the city, traffic can really make a short distance take a long time. And if you’re traveling by motorbike, you’re not going as fast as some cars in other countries. Sometimes, driving 5 miles (8 km) can take 20-30 minutes inside the city with traffic.
Outside the city, the roads are not always the best for efficiency and speed. There’s traffic leaving the city, the road might not be the most straightforward route, and the speed limits can be lower.
For example, the distance between HCMC and Can Tho is approximately 90 miles (160 km). Traveling on a highway in the United States would only take around 1.5 hours to get there. But in reality, the drive in Vietnam takes around 3 hours.
Don’t forget to set aside enough time for the airport
The HCMC airport, Tan Son Nhat International Airport, is not always the most efficient place in the world. Not to mention, there can be a ton of traffic going there (and back) during rush hour in HCMC. So, make sure you leave with plenty of time to get checked in, go through security, and find your gate.
Usually, the suggested two hours for a domestic and three hours for an international flight is plenty of time. However, I once got to Tan Son Nhat about 3.5 hours before an international flight, and the immigration line was so long I barely made it on my flight. So, stick to the recommended times and give yourself as much time as possible.
What’s The Perfect Amount Of Time To Spend In HCMC?
How long in Ho Chi Minh City is enough? 2-3 days should be the bare minimum, a week or more is ideal.
Ho Chi Minh City is an incredible city and is definitely worth visiting. Some people only set aside 1-2 days for a quick pass-through, but this is nowhere near enough time. I’d recommend a minimum of 2-3 days in HCMC for your very first visit. However, we’ve spent over a year exploring Saigon and other parts of southern Vietnam, and we promise you, there’s a lot to see and do. If you can afford the time, you can easily spend 1-2 weeks in HCMC and explore other nearby areas.
If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Vietnam, how much time are you thinking of setting aside for Ho Chi Minh City?
Leave a Reply