1 Day In Ho Chi Minh : Making The Most of 24 Hours in Saigon

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Ho Chi Minh is the bustling business capital of Vietnam and we kicked off our two-month Vietnamese adventure here.  And Wow! The city more than exceeded our expectations.

Many travellers bypass Ho Chi Minh City but they’re missing out! It offers a crazy, busy street life, a rich wartime history, incredible Vietnamese food and colour and noise and shopping and parks and Walking Streets and waterfronts and a captivating blend of old and new.

Even if you only have one day and one night to spare we highly recommend a visit. Keep reading because we’ll show you how to make the very most of your 24 hours in Ho Chi Minh.

24 Hours in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant modern city, with a population of 9 million (forecast to grow to 12 million).  It has a rich, albeit chequered history, a delicious food scene, stunning architecture and some of the most exclusive looking shopping areas we’ve seen.

The city is very different than its northern sister Hanoi but it’s becoming more and more popular as a tourist destination, offering lots of things to do.  We spent a week in the city but what if you only have 1 day spare in your itinerary? Is it still worth a visit? Absolutely!

Our 1 day Ho Chi Minh Itinerary includes :

Keep reading and we’ll tell you how you can do all of this in one day! If you are looking for more things to do for a longer stay, check our our favourite things to do in Ho Chi Minh.

Our Perfect 1 Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary

This day is busy but not overly so. We’ve listed things that we feel offer a great introduction to Saigon. It’s all perfectly do-able in 1 day and 1 night, without leaving you exhausted.

1. Don’t forget Vietnamese Breakfast

Vietnam starts its day with phở (pronounced fuh) a noodle soup. It’s a light yet flavourful soup like dish and a good way to start your HCM day. You can find it everywhere as you walk around the city.

If pho isn’t your thing (it wasn’t mine) there are plenty of wonderful cafes and bakeries; a remnant of the French Colonial days.  And Vietnamese Coffee is perhaps some of the best in the world so finding your morning cuppa will not be a problem.

2. A 9am Saigon City Walking Tour

We love a walking tour and if you only have 1 day to see Saigon then this is the perfect way to cover a lot of ground and learn a great deal in just a few hours. We took a GuruWalk as it visited some of the most iconic sites and it gives a great introduction to the city (and offers exceptional value for money).

The walk stops off at :

3. The Best Bahn Mi Lunch Break in Ho Chi Minh

Lunch is the perfect time to discover an iconic little Vietnamese lunch; a delicious bánh mì. It’s like a Vietnamese version of a filled baguette and you can choose a range of fillings with meats, sauces and pickled vegetables.

It’s the perfect street food (unless you’re vegetarian or gluten free) although sometimes you can choose veggie options.

For the best Bahn Mi in the city visit Bánh Mì Bảy Hổ. It looks like a simple street food vendor but everyone recommends them and it’s always busy with a queue of waiting customers!

4. A Must-see Visit to The War Remnants Museum

After lunch we recommend you first visit the War Remnants Museum. No visit to Ho Chi Minh would be complete without a glimpse into the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective. Neither the French or the US cover themselves in glory in the museum and the horrors of war are laid bare for all to see. 

There’s a lot to see so allow a good hour to wander the displays and information and give yourself time to make sense of what you see.

Top Tip : Not once in our 2-month long stay in Vietnam did we ever hear or see any animosity towards any visitor.  Indeed the opposite was true. We were told over and over that the war is in the past and people look forward to a bright future.

5. Enjoy a Walk Through Toa Dan Park

After all the talk of war it’s time to explore one of the cities famous parks.  Toa Dan Park is a glorious 10 hectare green space in the heart of the city.  I love big city parks and this is one of the best (followed closely by some of the city parks we visited in Japan.)

This is a popular spot in the early morning as locals gather for exercise classes.  We were there just before Tet and the paths were lined with row upon row of yellow chrysanthemums and an array of plants and flowers adorned in yellow and red blooms and ribbons

6a. Visit The Reunification Palace

I could not choose next between the Reunification Palace or Ben Thanh market so I’m giving you the choice. If you like history, after visiting the park head to the neighbouring Reunification Palace.  If not scroll down for the Market).

There’s a café at the entrance in the grounds of the palace if you feel in need of refreshment; Gerry can recommend the Lemon Soda.

There were iconic newsreels of the Palace during the fall of Saigon as Viet Cong tanks rolled through the gates.  Today you’ll find a peaceful site, pretty much left as it was in 1975.  You can visit independently or you can take a guided tour of both the Palace and the War Museum. We didn’t spend too long here but it was good to see.

6b. Ben Thanh Market

If history isn’t your things and you love a busy market then head to Ben Thanh Market. It’s a bit of an institution in the city and a really popular tourist destination.

With over 6,000 small business here and perhaps 10,000 visitors a day, there really is something for everyone.  Whether looking for clothing, souvenirs, local delicacies or fresh produce you’ll find it here; you can even find traditional lacquerware! But if you’re shopping do be prepared to barter!

The market is a fabulous place to fully experience the sights, sounds, colour and smells of Vietnam and perfect for those who love exploring a market!

7. Time For Coffee

After all this sight seeing it might be time to pause and stop for a cold drink; in my case a glorious iced coconut coffee.  I fell in love with Vietnamese coffee and wrote a post about my favourites in Hanoi.

But if it’s too late for a caffeine hit then just stop for a cold drink and people watch. Propaganda was one of our favourite coffee stops.

8. Bamboo Theatre and The A O Show at Saigon Opera House

When we researched things to do in Ho Chi Minh so many guides recommended the Bamboo Theatre in the Saigon Opera House  We secured our tickets on-line in advance which is just as well as they sell quickly.

The show lasts 45 minutes and we’re really glad we booked; it was the last show before Tet and was sold out.  This is a performance of dance, acrobatics and music to tell the story of Vietnam through the ages. It’s a crazy mix of dance and balance and movement.

Arrive 30 minutes before the show starts and you can grab a free cold drink and look out across the street to the Hotel Continental (site for the foreign correspondents during the Vietnam War) and the infamous 5 O’clock Follies at the Rex Hotel

Top Tip : When booking your seats don’t choose the cheaper seats like we did; there are large pillars that separated us and obscured the view a little.

9. Dinner at Hum

We ate some wonderful meals in Ho Chi Minh and there is a restaurant to suit every palate but our standout meal by far was at Hum.  It felt like we were eating at a Michelin star restaurant and they cater for vegans and gluten free too.

If your budget can’t quite stretch to this then a close second favourite was Be An in Walking Street. This little restaurant doesn’t get many reviews but it should; it was first class!

Dinner at either of these restaurants will be wonderful!

10. head to the waterfront and Ba Son Bridge

Our guide told us to head to the waterfront for the best free view of the city.  Walk along the promenade until you reach Ba Son bridge; Cầu Ba Son.

We walked across one side and back the other but be warned, you need to walk quite a distance away from the bridge to be able to cross the road and go back; I’m not sure the view was worth the effort to see the other side.  You just need to walk to the middle to see the glorious glorious Ho Chi Minh skyline at night. Trust us; it’s worth the view!

When you’ve taken in the city lights retrace your steps and stop off at one of the bars that line the waterfront; a gin and tonic never tasted so good after such a busy day!

Alternative Ideas and Swaps for your 1 Day in Ho Chi Minh

We get that some of our ideas won’t match yours. So here’s a couple of swaps that we’d recommend. But if you’d like more ideas take a read of our post about many more things to do Ho Chi Minh.

Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh (Choose District 1)

For a short visit to Ho Chi Minh City we definitely recommend that you stay centrally with easy access to the major attractions and cafes and restaurants.  For us that option is District 1.

Ultimately, the best area to stay in during your visit will depend on your preferences, budget and what you want to experience during your trip. However, bearing in mind your time is limited our recommendation would be District 1 and choose somewhere close to the fabulous and ever popular Nguyen Hue Walking Street.

1 Day In Ho Chi Minh : Is It Still Worth Visiting for One Day?

Absolutely! Even with just 24 hours, you can experience the energy, culture, and delicious food that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer.

One of the things that we absolutely loved about our trip to Vietnam was that each area was so very different.  Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are different but equally the Mekong Delta, Hue, Da Nang, Ha Giang and Hoi An were all so un-alike (or maybe Same Same Different as they say so often in Vietnam).  Every new destination was like opening a gift; Vietnam is full of wonderful surprises for every visitor.

Ho Chi Minh City has so much to offer a visitor and one day will give you a flavour for what is on offer. If your flight goes through Ho Chi Minh or you have the chance of one day to explore then it’s definitely possible to see the city’s highlights in 24 hours.

If you have more time, you can delve deeper into the city’s museums, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, or take a day trip to the Mekong Delta.  And if this is you then do look at our more details post about places we visited in Saigon during our time in the city.

Ho Chi Minh will make a great introduction or a superb finale to your Vietnam Itinerary.   We say get ready to fall in love with Ho Chi Minh; you’ll be glad you added in that extra day!

If you’re visiting elsewhere in Vietnam take a look at our other posts; we spent 2 months exploring this glorious country from Ho Chi Minh, to the Delta, the wonderful towns of Hoi An and Hue and of course Hanoi and the glory of the far north and the Ha Giang Loop. And we created the perfect itinerary for two weeks in Vietnam too.