Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

"Scooters, tunnels and Vietnam's biggest city"

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam with the volume turned up: the country's largest city, fast, modern and fuelled by millions of scooters. Officially renamed in 1976, it's still Saigon in everyday life (the airport code is still SGN). French colonial landmarks like the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral sit beside glassy towers, street-food stalls and rooftop bars. It's also the gateway to the Cu Chi tunnels and the canals of the Mekong Delta.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) at a glance

Best time to go: December to April is dry and sunny. May to November is the rainy season: still warm, more humid, with heavy afternoon showers that usually pass quickly.
How long to stay: Three to four days covers District 1's landmarks, the War Remnants Museum, the markets and separate day trips to the Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta. Stay a week to add Cholon, food tours and an overnight in the Delta.
Who it's for: Travellers who love fast-paced mega-cities, incredible street food, vibrant café culture, and layered history.
Might not be for you if: You want quiet, walkable lanes. Saigon is big and spread out, and you'll rely on Grab to get around.

The Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) shortlist, illustrated

Traveller in front of the yellow Saigon Central Post Office — Saigon Central Post Office
Not by Eiffel, still glamorous. Send a postcard home.

Traveller following a local guide down the narrow stairs into a Cu Chi tunnel — Cu Chi tunnels
Narrow, dark and humid. Repellent on before you go.

A woman in a conical hat rowing a wooden boat through a Mekong Delta palm canal — Mekong Delta
Narrow canals, conical hats and a slower pace of life.

Colourful food tasting served in small round pieces at a Saigon market — Market tastings
Small bites, big flavours — best on a guided food tour.

Best Time to Visit

December to April is dry and sunny; May to November is the rainy season, warm and humid with afternoon downpours

Dec – Feb

Dry, sunny and the most comfortable — peak season.

Mar – Apr

Dry and very hot; mornings for sightseeing, afternoons for cafés.

May – Jul

Rainy season begins: sunny mornings, heavy afternoon showers.

Aug – Nov

Still wet and humid. Pack a light raincoat.

Getting Around

Saigon is huge and spread out. Grab does most of the work, and Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN) sits right on the edge of the city.

📱 Grab

Cars and motorbike taxis at fixed prices — airport rides, dinners and everything in between.

🛵 Scooter tour

Riding on the back with a local guide is the most fun way to see the old city and its markets.

🚌 Day-tour bus

Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta are easiest as a full-day tour with pickup, boats and lunch included.

✈️ Flights

Short, cheap domestic flights link Saigon with Phu Quoc, Da Nang and Hanoi.

💡 District 1 is walkable for the post office and central sights; Grab the rest.

Suggested Itineraries

Day 1

Arrive & Central Saigon

Check in, explore Nguyen Hue and the riverfront, then dinner in District 1. Keep the first day flexible around your arrival.

Day 2

Landmarks & History

Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior, Independence Palace, lunch, then the War Remnants Museum. Take a café break between visits.

Day 3

Cu Chi Excursion

Set aside the day for the tunnels and return journey, with an unhurried lunch. Back in Saigon, choose an easy evening rather than another sightseeing circuit.

Day 4

Mekong Delta: Ben Tre

Leave early for a full-day Ben Tre excursion with waterways, villages and lunch. Expect several hours on the road; don't add Cu Chi to the same day.

Day 5

Cholon & Street Food

Explore Thien Hau Temple and Cholon's market streets in the morning, rest through the hottest hours, then join an evening food walk or guided scooter tour.

Day 6

Markets, Art & River Views

Ben Thanh Market and the nearby Fine Arts Museum, followed by a relaxed lunch. Leave the afternoon open before a river cruise or rooftop sunset.

Day 7

Final Morning & Departure

Coffee and a short neighbourhood walk near your hotel. Keep the rest of the day clear for checkout and the airport transfer, with extra time for traffic.

✨ Feeling dizzy already? Breathe. This is a menu, not a to-do list — skip a stop, nap by a fountain, leave a couple of sparks for next time.

Highlights

Cu Chi tunnelsMekong Delta day tripStreet food by scooterSaigon Central Post Office

Must See

Saigon Central Post Office
Cu Chi tunnels
Mekong Delta canals
Ben Thanh Market
District 1 by scooter

Local Cuisine

Banh miCom tam broken ricePhoCoconut candy from the Mekong

Insider Tip

Put on strong mosquito repellent before a Cu Chi or Mekong trip, not after the first bite. The tunnels sit in humid jungle.

A tall multi-tiered pagoda tower beside modern high-rise buildings in Ho Chi Minh City — Pagoda towers between the high-rises: old Saigon never left.

Bronze statue of a monk wrapped in flames at the Thich Quang Duc Monument in Ho Chi Minh City, with flowers and an incense urn — The Thich Quang Duc Monument: a quiet stop with a powerful story.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) travel questions, answered

Is it Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City?

Both. The city was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City on 2 July 1976, but locals still call it Saigon, and the airport code is still SGN.

Can you visit the Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta in one day?

Yes. Full-day tours combine both, with transport, boats and food included. It's a long day, so bring water and mosquito repellent.

Is the Saigon Central Post Office by Gustave Eiffel?

It's a popular myth. The architect was Alfred Foulhoux. It's still a working post office, so you can send a postcard home from there.

Do I need mosquito repellent in Saigon?

Yes, especially on day trips to Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta. Dengue is present in southern Vietnam, so use a strong repellent and put it on before you go out. Not medical advice; check with a travel clinic.

Details last checked 30 October 2026.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — Unofficial AI-generated editorial illustration inspired by the destination and atmosphere of the film or series. Not an official poster or promotional image.

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The Greatest Beer Run Ever

A New Yorker sneaks into 1960s wartime Vietnam with a bag of beer, to bring cheers to his friends from home.