Ho Chi Minh in 1 day what to see

Day 1 · The historic centre on foot

1. 09:00

   1Reunification Palace

   Sight · 1 h 30 min

   Where the war ended in 1975: negotiation rooms, a command bunker and tanks in the courtyard

   walk ≈ 8 min

2. 10:38

   2War Remnants Museum

   Sight · 2 h

   The war through Vietnamese eyes — photos, documents and hardware in the yard. Hard-hitting, not for young kids

   taxi ≈ 7 min

3. 12:45

   3Banh Mi Huynh Hoa

   Food · 30 min

   Banh mi stuffed with pâté and pork — there’s a queue from opening time

   taxi ≈ 9 min

4. 13:24

   4Notre-Dame Cathedral

   Sight · 30 min

   The country’s main Catholic cathedral, built in 1880 from Marseille brick; the facade is on view during restoration

   walk ≈ 1 min

5. 13:55

   5Central Post Office

   Sight · 30 min

   A working 19th-century post office with vaulted arches and old maps on the walls — send a postcard home

   taxi ≈ 8 min

6. 14:33

   6Bitexco Tower Skydeck

   Viewpoint · 1 h

   The lotus-shaped tower right in the centre, with a 49th-floor deck and no cross-town ride

   walk ≈ 10 min

7. 15:43

   7Ben Thanh Market

   Market · 1 h

   The city’s symbol since 1914: coffee, silk, spices and street food under one roof — haggling expected

   walk ≈ 10 min

8. 18:00

   8Bui Vien Street

   Evening · 2 h

   850 metres of bars, beer on plastic stools and street food until 2 am