Ho Chi Minh in 3 days a ready-made itinerary

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

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

3Banh Mi Huynh Hoa

Food · 30 min

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

taxi ≈ 9 min

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

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

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

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

8Bui Vien Street

Evening · 2 h

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

1Cu Chi Tunnels, Ben Dinh

Sight · 5 h

Guerrilla tunnels 35 km from the centre — the section widened for visitors, with a shooting range

taxi ≈ 1 h 25 min

2Thien Hau Pagoda

Temple · 40 min

A Chinese temple in Cholon, close to Binh Tay market

taxi ≈ 8 min

3Binh Tay Market

Market · 1 h 15 min

Chinatown’s wholesale market: spices, nuts and fabric cheaper than Ben Thanh, with few tourists

taxi ≈ 25 min

4Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Sight · 1 h

A boulevard with fountains from City Hall to the river — street performers, skaters and families at night

1Landmark 81 SkyView

Viewpoint · 1 h 30 min

An observation deck on floors 79–81 of Vietnam’s tallest building — a 360° view and the river bend

incl. crossing ≈ 30 min

2Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden

Park · 2 h

One of the world’s oldest zoos, opened in 1865: shady alleys, an orchid garden and the History Museum next door

incl. crossing ≈ 29 min

3Saigon River dinner cruise

Sight · 2 h

Dinner on board from Bach Dang pier, a short show and Landmark 81 lit up from the water