How Many Days in Saigon Are Enough? Best Itinerary Suggestions
How many days in Saigon is the perfect amount to truly experience the city's charm? Many travelers find that 3 days and 2 nights is ideal, giving you enough time to visit major attractions like Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, and the War Remnants Museum while also immersing yourself in Saigon’s vibrant street food, nightlife, and local culture. This timeframe allows for sightseeing, relaxation, and even a short day trip to destinations like the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta.
1. How Many Days in Saigon Are Enough?
Answer: The most popular choice for a trip to Saigon is usually 3 days and 2 nights, providing enough time to experience the city’s highlights. However, depending on your budget and travel preferences, you can also consider shorter or longer stays:
|
Duration |
Recommended Itinerary |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|
One Day (Day Tour) |
Quick tour of historical and cultural sites, street food tasting, and shopping in central districts. |
Time-saving, great for busy travelers. |
Only a brief glimpse of the city, not enough time for deeper exploration. |
|
Two Days One Night |
Combine city sightseeing and a short trip to Cu Chi Tunnels or Can Gio Ecotourism Area. |
Allows for a deeper dive into Saigon’s history and culture. |
Higher cost than a one-day tour, requires careful planning for travel between locations. |
|
3 Days 2 Nights or More |
A flexible itinerary to explore Saigon like a local, with time to appreciate its culture, history, and food scene. |
Offers a well-rounded experience, allowing you to fully enjoy the city’s diversity. |
Requires more time and a bigger budget than shorter trips. |
Thus, there is no single answer to the question "How many days should I spend in Saigon?". Carefully consider your preferences, budget and schedule to choose the most ideal time.
Travelers rely Depending on your preferences and experience needs, choose a suitable time to travel to Saigon. - Photo source: Joytime
2. Detailed Itinerary Suggestions for Each Option
Please refer to the detailed Saigon exploration itinerary suggestions below, designed specifically for different lengths of stay.
Note:
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The schedule is for reference only and can be changed flexibly to suit the type of tour you choose and personal preferences.
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Departure time will be based on your starting location and method of travel, so the suggested itinerary will not include a specific departure time.
2.1. One Day in Saigon
If you only have 1 day, you can still "touch" the most quintessential spots of Saigon, feel the vibrant pace of life and capture memorable moments with the following suggested itinerary:
|
Duration |
Activities |
|
|
Day 1
|
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM |
Enjoy breakfast with the city's "classics" such as vermicelli, bread, and rolls at:
|
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8:30 AM - 10:00 AM |
Step into the Independence Palace, a place that preserves the heroic imprints of the Vietnamese people |
|
|
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
"Touch" ancient French architecture with the magnificent beauty of Notre Dame Cathedral and the City Post Office |
|
|
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Enjoy a local lunch with delicious dishes such as broken rice, beef noodle soup,... and "recover" for the afternoon journey. |
|
|
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Explore the vibrant Chinatown, where culture and cuisine collide colorfully. |
|
|
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
Shopping at Ben Thanh Market, bringing home Saigon gifts. |
|
|
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM |
"Awaken" your taste buds in the evening with dishes such as grilled food and Thai hot pot at:
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|
|
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Stroll Bui Vien walking street - bustling "Western quarter" with bars, pubs and street music. |
|
|
9:30 PM - 11:00 PM |
Enjoy coffee on the sidewalk, "sip" cool draft beer and watch the city light up. |
Independence Palace is a famous destination in Saigon. - Photo source: Joytime
2.2. Two Days One Night in Saigon
This 2 days 1 night itinerary is the perfect combination of exploring the symbols of Saigon and experiencing a part of heroic history at the Cu Chi Tunnels, giving you a diverse and meaningful trip.
|
Duration |
Activities |
|
|
Day 1
|
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM |
Enjoy the typical flavors of Saigon with dishes such as bread, Nam Vang noodles, and heirloom pho at:
|
|
8:30 AM - 09:30 AM |
Admire the magnificent beauty of Saigon Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. |
|
|
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
Visit the Independence Palace, a place that witnessed the ups and downs of Vietnamese history. |
|
|
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Have lunch and rest, recharge for an afternoon of exploration. |
|
|
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Immerse yourself in the art space at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts. |
|
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4:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
Shop at Ben Thanh Market, a famous traditional market with countless items. |
|
|
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM |
Enjoy dinner with a variety of delicious dishes such as:
|
|
|
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
Stroll on Nguyen Hue walking street, watching Saigon shimmering at night. |
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|
Day 2 |
6:00 AM - 7:00 AM |
Enjoy a light breakfast and a strong cup of coffee on the sidewalk. |
|
7:30 AM - 12:00 AM |
Depart and explore the Cu Chi tunnels - a magnificent underground tunnel system. |
|
|
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM |
Enjoy lunch in the heart of the tunnels. |
|
|
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
Visit the Ben Duoc - Cu Chi memorial temple, "commemorating" the sons of iron and earth. |
|
|
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Return to urban life, moving to the center of Saigon. |
|
|
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
Enjoy a delicious dinner with dishes such as vermicelli noodles, beef noodles, and broken rice at:
|
|
|
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
"Adventure" with Saigon music at bars and pubs such as:
|
Notre Dame Cathedral is a place not to be missed when coming to Saigon. - Photo source: Joytime
When planning your two-day adventure in Saigon, consider where to stay in Ho Chi Minh to ensure you're centrally located and can easily access all the attractions and activities on your itinerary.
2.3. 3 Days 2 Nights in Saigon
The relaxing 3-day, 2-night schedule is for those who want to "live slowly" in Saigon, exploring the city in their own way.
|
Duration |
Activities |
|
|
Day 1
|
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM |
"Awaken" your taste buds with Saigon breakfast dishes such as banh mi, vermicelli noodles, grilled meat vermicelli at:
|
|
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM |
Step into the heroic history of the Vietnamese people at the Independence Palace. |
|
|
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Visit the War Remnants Museum, which preserves the imprints of the Vietnam War. |
|
|
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Have lunch and rest at a typical Saigon restaurant. |
|
|
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
Admire the beauty of ancient French architecture - Notre Dame Cathedral. |
|
|
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM |
Visit the city center Post Office, a unique architectural work bearing the mark of time. |
|
|
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM |
Enjoy your first dinner in Saigon with dishes such as snails, spring rolls, bo bia,... at:
|
|
|
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
Immerse yourself in the flow of people on Nguyen Hue walking street: Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and see Saigon at night. |
|
|
Day 2 |
6:30 AM - 8:00 AM |
Start the day with a light breakfast and a glass of silverware on the sidewalk. |
|
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, an ancient temple with bold Chinese architectural imprints. |
|
|
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
Explore the Museum of Fine Arts, which displays unique Vietnamese works of art. |
|
|
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM |
Enjoy a flavorful lunch with delicious dishes such as broken rice, vermicelli noodles, and noodles at:
|
|
|
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
Check-in at Tan Dinh church, a unique architectural work with outstanding pink color. |
|
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4:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Visit Tao Dan Park - "green lung" in the heart of the city. |
|
|
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
Enjoy dinner with Vietnamese flavors such as vermicelli fish sauce, crab noodle soup, and beef noodle soup at:
|
|
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8:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
Immerse yourself in the art of water puppetry at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater. |
|
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Day 3 |
6:00 AM - 7:00 AM |
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel or local eatery. |
|
7:30 AM - 12:00 AM |
Explore the legend Cu Chi tunnels. |
|
|
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM |
Enjoy typical dishes in the Cu Chi tunnels area. |
|
|
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
"Remembrance" of heroic martyrs at Ben Duoc memorial temple - Cu Chi. |
|
|
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM |
Goodbye Cu Chi district, return to Saigon center. |
|
|
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM |
Immerse yourself in the bustling culinary space and enjoy shopping for unique souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market. |
|
|
9:30 PM - 11:00 PM |
Visit Landmark 81 Vietnam - the 2nd tallest building in Southeast Asia. |
Cu Chi Tunnels - Famous historical relic site in Ho Chi Minh City. - Photo source: Joytime
To make your journey to discover Saigon perfect and complete, learn and refer to these Ho Chi Minh City tour variety from Joytime. The tours are designed with a local character, promising to bring sublime moments and personal impressions.
3. Tips to Take a Tour around Saigon
Here are some tips to help you make your Saigon adventure more fulfilling:
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Choose the right time to travel: Saigon has a tropical climate with hot and humid weather year-round. The rainy season lasts from May to November, often bringing sudden showers. Checking the weather forecast before your trip is essential for packing and planning your activities accordingly.
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Plan your budget: Clearly define your estimated expenses, including transportation, accommodation, food, sightseeing, and entertainment. Always have a backup budget for unexpected costs. It’s also advisable to carry some cash, especially if you plan to visit smaller areas where electronic payments may be limited.
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Book services in advance: Secure your accommodation, train tickets, entrance fees for popular attractions, and other essential services ahead of time—especially during peak seasons. Comparing prices and service quality from different providers will help you make the best choice.
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Organize your schedule wisely: To avoid a stressful and exhausting trip, plan a reasonable itinerary. Ensure you allocate enough time to travel between destinations and avoid an overly packed schedule.
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Pack appropriately: Bring comfortable clothing suitable for the weather, along with well-cushioned footwear for extensive walking. If you plan to visit pools or nearby beaches, don’t forget your swimwear. Also, prepare essential personal items such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, insect repellent, basic medication, personal identification documents, and motion sickness pills (if needed).
You should choose a suitable time to travel to Saigon as well as check the weather forecast to make your trip more complete. - Photo source: Joytime
In summary, to answer the question “How many days should you spend in Saigon?”, it depends entirely on your interests, budget, and personal schedule. No matter how long you choose to explore, the city is always ready to offer unique and unforgettable experiences.
Let Joytime take care of everything - from transportation and accommodation to your exploration itinerary - so you can fully enjoy every moment. With authentic local tours, attentive services, and budget-friendly pricing, Joytime is committed to creating the most memorable experiences.
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