Vietnam Itinerary
The Perfect 5-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Ho Chi Minh City 🇻🇳 · Built from 20 real traveler plans · 40 spots
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most-planned destinations on Triply. We took 20 real traveler itineraries and distilled them into this 5-day plan — built around the 40+ places people actually saved, ranked by how often they show up. No filler, no tourist traps nobody bookmarks: just the spots real travelers keep choosing for Ho Chi Minh City.
Have 4 or 6 or 7 days instead of 5? 4-day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary · 6-day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary · 7-day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary — same ranked list, cut to fit, further down this page.
5-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Day 1
Well-known standby for handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing & other goods along with local eats.
A large, tranquil urban park where locals gather for exercise, tai chi, and bird-watching, offering a green escape in the city center.
A wide pedestrian boulevard ideal for people-watching, with plenty of cafes and street performers, especially lively in the evening.
A powerful and poignant museum showcasing the devastating impacts of the Vietnam War through photographs and military equipment.
Day 2
Buzzy, pedestrian-only street with Vietnamese & expat bookstores, plus spots for al fresco coffee.
Taste one of Ho Chi Minh City's most famous banh mi sandwiches, known for its generous fillings and flavorful ingredients.
Historical building of the Vietnam War era, with tours of government offices, war rooms & artifacts.
A stunning red-brick cathedral, a testament to French colonial architecture and a prominent religious landmark in the city.
Day 3
Sophisticated Asian fusion cuisine in a modern restaurant & cocktail bar on the riverfront.
An ancient Chinese temple dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, featuring intricate carvings and a smoky atmosphere from incense.
An exquisite French colonial building serving as a stunning architectural landmark and the seat of the city's government.
Easygoing place with colorful paper lanterns serving Vietnamese staples alongside assorted teas.
Day 4
The largest market in Cholon (Chinatown), offering a vibrant experience of wholesale goods, fresh produce, and local life.
A premier shopping mall featuring international brands, local boutiques, and various dining options in a modern setting.
A vibrant and ornate Hindu temple, offering a peaceful sanctuary and a glimpse into the city's diverse religious landscape.
Day 5
Ho Chi Minh City's famous 'backpackers' street, transforming into a vibrant pedestrian zone at night with street performers, bars, and diverse food options.
4-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Short on time? These are the 20 places travelers save most, in 4 days: skip the rest without regret.
- Day 1: Ben Thanh Market → Tao Dan Park → Nguyen Hue Walking Street → War Remnants Museum → Ho Chi Minh City Post Office
- Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Book Street → Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa → Independence Palace → Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon → Fine Arts Museum
- Day 3: The Deck Saigon → Phở Quỳnh → Thien Hau Temple → Ho Chi Minh City Hall → Secret Garden Restaurant
- Day 4: Binh Tay Market → Vincom Center → Mariamman Hindu Temple → Saigon Centre → Bitexco Financial Tower
6-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
With 6 days you get past the headline sights into the places people only reach on a longer Ho Chi Minh City trip. Days 6–6 are the extra stops.
- Day 1: Ben Thanh Market → Tao Dan Park → Nguyen Hue Walking Street → War Remnants Museum → Ho Chi Minh City Post Office
- Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Book Street → Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa → Independence Palace → Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon → Fine Arts Museum
- Day 3: The Deck Saigon → Phở Quỳnh → Thien Hau Temple → Ho Chi Minh City Hall → Secret Garden Restaurant
- Day 4: Binh Tay Market → Vincom Center → Mariamman Hindu Temple → Saigon Centre → Bitexco Financial Tower
- Day 5: Tan Dinh Church → Bún chả 145 Bùi Viện → Bui Vien Walking Street → Nha Hang Ngon → Takashimaya Vietnam
- Day 6: Bach Dang Wharf → Bình Tây Market → Jade Emperor Pagoda → Ho Chi Minh City Zoo and Botanical Garden → Ho Chi Minh City Museum
7-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
With 7 days you get past the headline sights into the places people only reach on a longer Ho Chi Minh City trip. Days 6–7 are the extra stops.
- Day 1: Ben Thanh Market → Tao Dan Park → Nguyen Hue Walking Street → War Remnants Museum → Ho Chi Minh City Post Office
- Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Book Street → Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa → Independence Palace → Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon → Fine Arts Museum
- Day 3: The Deck Saigon → Phở Quỳnh → Thien Hau Temple → Ho Chi Minh City Hall → Secret Garden Restaurant
- Day 4: Binh Tay Market → Vincom Center → Mariamman Hindu Temple → Saigon Centre → Bitexco Financial Tower
- Day 5: Tan Dinh Church → Bún chả 145 Bùi Viện → Bui Vien Walking Street → Nha Hang Ngon → Takashimaya Vietnam
- Day 6: Bach Dang Wharf → Bình Tây Market → Jade Emperor Pagoda → Ho Chi Minh City Zoo and Botanical Garden → Ho Chi Minh City Museum
- Day 7: The Cafe Apartments → An Dong Market → Cong Vien Van Hoa Park → Pho Quynh → Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
Top Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street — ★ 4.7 (saved by 10 travelers)A wide pedestrian boulevard ideal for people-watching, with plenty of cafes and street performers, especially lively in the evening.
- War Remnants Museum — ★ 4.5 (saved by 8 travelers)A powerful and poignant museum showcasing the devastating impacts of the Vietnam War through photographs and military equipment.
- Ho Chi Minh City Post Office — ★ 2.7 (saved by 8 travelers)
- Independence Palace — ★ 4.5 (saved by 7 travelers)Historical building of the Vietnam War era, with tours of government offices, war rooms & artifacts.
- Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon — ★ 4.4 (saved by 7 travelers)A stunning red-brick cathedral, a testament to French colonial architecture and a prominent religious landmark in the city.
- Fine Arts Museum — ★ 4.5 (saved by 6 travelers)
- Thien Hau Temple — ★ 4.6 (saved by 5 travelers)An ancient Chinese temple dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, featuring intricate carvings and a smoky atmosphere from incense.
- Ho Chi Minh City Hall — ★ 4.5 (saved by 5 travelers)An exquisite French colonial building serving as a stunning architectural landmark and the seat of the city's government.
Where to Eat in Ho Chi Minh City
- Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa — ★ 4.5
- The Deck Saigon — ★ 4.4
- Phở Quỳnh — ★ 4.3
- Secret Garden Restaurant — ★ 4.4
- Bún chả 145 Bùi Viện — ★ 4.3
Ho Chi Minh City Travel FAQ
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
Most travelers planning Ho Chi Minh City on Triply spend about 5 days there. That's enough to cover the top sights — Ben Thanh Market, Tao Dan Park, Nguyen Hue Walking Street — without rushing. This page also has 4-day and 6-day and 7-day versions of the same plan.
What are the top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
Based on 20 real Ho Chi Minh City itineraries, the most-saved spots are Ben Thanh Market, Tao Dan Park, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, Ho Chi Minh City Book Street.
Where should I eat in Ho Chi Minh City?
The most-saved places to eat in Ho Chi Minh City are Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa, The Deck Saigon, Phở Quỳnh, Secret Garden Restaurant, Bún chả 145 Bùi Viện.
Is Ho Chi Minh City worth visiting?
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most-planned destinations on Triply, with 20 traveler itineraries covering 40+ spots — so yes, there's plenty to fill a 5-day trip.
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