1 Day in Ho Chi Minh – Best Itinerary for a Full Experience

Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling economic and cultural hub of Vietnam, is packed with fascinating experiences waiting to be explored. But what if you only have one day to soak in the essence of this vibrant city? Don’t worry! This guide will walk you through an ultimate itinerary to help you maximize your time and enjoy the very best of Saigon.

1. Detailed Itinerary for Exploring Ho Chi Minh City in 1 Day

Here’s a suggested itinerary for spending 1 day in Ho Chi Minh City. Feel free to adjust it based on your preferences and schedule to create the most enjoyable experience!

Note: This schedule is for reference only and can be flexibly adjusted depending on visitors' preferences and time. You should prioritize your favorite places and arrange time reasonably to have the best experience.

1.1. Morning: Immerse Yourself in History

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Kickstart Your Day with a Classic Saigon Breakfast

Begin your day with a signature Saigon breakfast. Here are some must-try dishes:

• Bun rieu: A hot bowl of vermicelli noodles with a sour broth, fragrant with the smell of crab bricks, combined with tofu, blood and fresh raw vegetables.

• Banh cuon: Smooth white rolls, rich meat filling, served with sweet and sour dipping sauce and fragrant cinnamon rolls.

• Banh mi: "Legend" Saigon bread with crispy crust, plump and rich fillings including ham, pate, herbs,...

Suggested places for breakfast:

• Ganh noodle soup at Ben Thanh market: No. 163 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Thien Huong rice rolls: 179A 3/2 Street, Ward 11, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

• Huynh Hoa Bread: 26 Le Thi Rieng Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Explore the Independence Palace – A Landmark of Southern Vietnam’s History

Coming to the Independence Palace, you can not only admire the unique architecture but also "touch" Vietnamese history, feel the "breath" of time through the artifacts.

• Address: No. 135, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Opening hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

• Ticket price: 65,000 VND/person/time (3 USD)

Independence Palace is a destination not to be missed when coming to Ho Chi Minh City. - Photo source: Joytime

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Visit Notre Dame Cathedral & Saigon Central Post Office

These two architectural works with strong French imprints are destinations not to be missed when coming to Saigon.

Notre Dame Cathedral:

• Address: Paris Commune Construction Site, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, City. Ho Chi Minh

• Ceremony hours of the day: Monday – Saturday: 5:30 am, 5:30 pm; Sunday: 5:30 am, 6:45 am, 8:00 am, 9:30 am (mass in English), 4:00 pm, 5:15 pm, 6:30 pm

• Ticket price: Free admission

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the beautiful architectural works from the French colonial period. - Photo source: Joytime

City Post Office:

• Address: No. 2 Paris Commune Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Monday - Friday), 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Saturday), 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sunday)

• Ticket price: Free admission

Similar to Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Post Office is also one of the architectural highlights of France. - Photo source: Joytime

1.2. Lunch: Refuel with Saigon Cuisine

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Enjoy a Hearty Saigon Lunch

It’s time to "treat" yourself with a delicious lunch with typical Saigon dishes to energize yourself for the next journey.

• Broken rice: Plate of broken rice with fragrant grilled ribs, crispy skin, fatty egg rolls, served with sweet and sour fish sauce and pickles.

• Beef noodle soup: The famous beef noodle bowl with rich broth, tender beef, pork sausage, crab rolls, served with raw vegetables and fish sauce.

Save immediately the favourite restaurants of Saigon people:

• Ba Ghien broken rice: 84 Dang Van Ngu, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City

• Old beef noodle soup: 48 Cach Mang Thang Tam, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Guests can enjoy delicious dishes such as beef noodle soup and beef pho for lunch. - Photo source: Freepik

1.3. Afternoon: Explore Cultural "Treasures"

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Visit the War Remnants Museum – A Powerful Reminder of the Past

Coming here, you will witness images and artifacts of the war, thereby better understanding the pain and loss that war causes as well as the indomitable and resilient spirit of the Vietnamese people.

• Address: No. 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, City. HCM

• Opening hours: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm all days, including weekends and holidays (ticket counter closes at 5:00 pm)

• Ticket price: 40,000 VND/person/time (2 USD)

Visitors can witness Vietnam's heroic history at the War Trophy Museum. - Photo source: Joytime

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Stroll Through Ben Thanh Market & Pick Up Souvenirs

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the traditional market and "hunt" for unique souvenirs. 

Address: Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Notes when visiting Ben Thanh market:

• Many stalls have prices quite high compared to reality, so you should bargain (can reduce 20 - 50% compared to the original price).

• Check the quality of goods carefully before buying, especially souvenirs, fabrics, and dry foods.

• The market is often crowded, please keep personal belongings, phones, wallets carefully to avoid theft.

• Avoid bringing too much cash or high-value items.

Visitors can visit Ben Thanh Market to buy souvenirs to give to relatives and friends or keep memories of the trip. - Photo source: Joytime

1.4. Evening: Experience Saigon's Nightlife

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Indulge in Saigon’s Nighttime Food Scene

Saigon at night is a "paradise" for food lovers with countless attractive options such as:

• Snail: Boiled snails, grilled, stir-fried with tamarind,... are always the favourite dishes of Saigon people.

• Seafood: Fresh shrimp, crabs, crabs, squid,... are prepared in a variety of ways and attractively.

• Hot pot: Beef hotpot, chicken hotpot, seafood hotpot, vegetarian hotpot,... 

• Snacks: Mixed rice paper, grilled rice paper, fried dough, spring rolls,... 

Save the famous delicious places to eat in Saigon:

• Nguyen Tri Phuong Food Street: Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 

• Chinese food street: No. 801 Nguyen Trai, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

• Oc Nhu: 650/4/29D Dien Bien Phu, Ward 11, District 10, City. HCM

Visitors can walk around the nightlife food streets in Ho Chi Minh City to enjoy a variety of delicious dishes. - Photo source: Joytime

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Stroll around Nguyen Hue walking street, "immerse yourself" in bustling Saigon

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is the “heart” of Saigon at night, a place always bustling and vibrant with all kinds of fun and entertainment activities.

Address: Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, City. HCM

Notes when coming to Nguyen Hue walking street:

• Avoid littering and keep walking streets clean and beautiful.

• Pay attention to protecting personal property, preventing pickpockets and theft.

• Do not cause disorder on the pedestrian street.

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Explore Nguyen Hue Walking Street – The Heart of Saigon at Night

After walking around the walking streets, take time to experience two typical cultural features of Saigon:

• Flat coffee: Sit down on the sidewalk, sip a refreshing drink and "chat" with friends.

• Draft beer: “Cheer” cool glasses of beer, enjoy finger food and "chill" with the rhythm of Saigon life.

List of places to "chill" with friends:

• Flat coffee:

  • Notre Dame Cathedral: Paris Commune Construction Site, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, City. Ho Chi Minh

  • April 30 Park: Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, City. Ho Chi Minh

  • Turtle Lake: Located at the intersection of three streets Vo Van Tan, Pham Ngoc Thach and Tran Cao Van in District 3, City. Ho Chi Minh

• Draft beer:

  • Cai Keng Quan: 333 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 15, Binh Thanh District, City. Ho Chi Minh

  • Malt Bar: 46-48 Mac Thi Buoi, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, City. Ho Chi Minh

“Siping” with friends in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the great experiences. - Photo source: Joytime

If you want to explore “a real Saigon” without having to struggle with scheduling, let Joytime accompany you. With these uniquely designed Ho Chi Minh City tour, Joytime will bring you the most memorable and authentic experiences of this dynamic city.

Some attractive 1-day Saigon tours of Joytime:

2. Tips to Unveil The Beauty of Ho Chi Minh City in One Day

If you only have one day to explore Ho Chi Minh City, don’t worry - you can still make the most of your trip with a little planning! Here are some handy tips to help you enjoy a seamless and memorable experience:

• Plan your itinerary in advance – List the must-visit attractions to save time and optimize your journey.

• Book tickets and services early – Secure flights, transportation, hotels, and entrance tickets in advance, especially during peak seasons such as Tet holidays, for better prices and availability.

• Choose nearby destinations – Focus on attractions close to each other to minimize travel time.

• Check the weather forecast – Prepare suitable clothing and essentials like a light jacket if needed. Especially, if you visit Saigon during the rainy season (from May to November each year), you should bring an umbrella or a raincoat.

• Use digital maps for navigation – Bring a city map or use a smartphone with 3G/4G for easy directions.

• Protect yourself from the heat – Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to stay comfortable under Saigon’s sun.

• Keep your belongings secure – Avoid flashy bags or expensive wallets; if carrying valuables, stay alert and keep them safe.

• Confirm prices before purchasing – Always ask for prices in advance when shopping or dining to avoid overpaying.

• Be cautious with strangers – Politely decline food or drinks offered by strangers and stay aware of your surroundings.

• Stay flexible with your schedule – Allow room for spontaneous experiences to make your trip more enjoyable and stress-free.

Tourists should flexibly customize their 1-day itinerary to explore Saigon depending on the actual situation. - Photo source: Joytime

3. FAQs on One-day Itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City

Let's answer frequently asked questions about the journey to explore Ho Chi Minh City in one day:

3.1. Is one day enough to explore Ho Chi Minh?

One day is enough to visit some of the city's most iconic landmarks, such as the Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market. However, if you have more time, spending 2 - 3 days will allow you to fully experience the city's vibrant culture, diverse cuisine, and dynamic nightlife.

3.2. What is the best time of year to visit Ho Chi Minh?

Ho Chi Minh City has warm weather all year round, so you can visit anytime. However, the rainy season lasts from May to November, so it's a good idea to check the forecast before planning your trip.

3.3. Can you visit the Cu Chi Tunnels in one day?

Yes, but it will be a bit rushed. A good option is to explore downtown Ho Chi Minh City in the morning and then head to the Cu Chi Tunnels (about 70 km from the city center) in the afternoon.

You can absolutely visit Cu Chi Tunnels in a 1-day journey to explore Saigon. - Photo source: Joytime

Exploring Ho Chi Minh City in just one day may seem like a challenge, but with the right plan and a spirit of adventure, you can still capture its vibrant essence. From historical landmarks to bustling markets and delicious street food, every corner of the city has something exciting to offer.

If you want a hassle-free way to explore the city's highlights in just one day, let Joytime be your travel companion! We offer personalized, locally-inspired tours at good prices, ensuring you experience the best of Ho Chi Minh City with ease. Contact us now for free consultation and tour bookings!