Travel guides › Ho Chi Minh City
Where should you stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
If you want major sights and restaurants close by, choose District 1. District 3 suits those seeking a calmer residential feel and cafés. Thao Dien, with its cafés and international restaurants, is convenient for longer stays. Families looking for a suburban lifestyle may also consider Phu My Hung in District 7. Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is within the city, about 20–60 minutes by car from District 1.
Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to combine historic sights and markets in the city center with cafés, bars and pubs, and riverside scenery. For a short visit, stay in District 1 to keep sightseeing and dining convenient. For a more relaxed stay focused on cafés and international restaurants, consider Thao Dien. With an extra day, add a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta.
Where should you stay?
District 1
District 1 is convenient for first-time visitors or short trips when you want major sights and restaurants nearby. You can use Ben Thanh Station on Metro Line 1, and explore central attractions such as Ben Thanh Market and Nguyen Hue Walking Street on foot or by car. Dine at a Vietnamese restaurant in District 1, then choose from rooftop bars, cocktail bars, or live music venues in the evening. Keep the busy, touristy feel of the city center in mind when choosing your accommodation.
District 3
Consider District 3 if you want a relatively quiet residential atmosphere while staying close to downtown. It is within reach of central District 1, but travel time from your accommodation to attractions depends on the address.
Thao Dien
Thao Dien is a good fit for a relaxed stay in a neighborhood with cafés and international restaurants, or for a longer visit. You can use Thao Dien Station on Metro Line 1, but destinations may be some distance from the station, so check each venue’s address first. You may need to plan each trip to the central sights, so consider the location carefully if you have a short trip packed with sightseeing.
Phu My Hung, District 7
This area suits families and long-stay visitors who prefer a suburban-style environment near international schools. If most of your plans focus on central District 1, also consider how convenient it will be to travel into the city.
How do you get from the airport to District 1?
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is in Ho Chi Minh City. The drive to District 1 takes about 20–60 minutes, depending on traffic and weather.
| Route | Transport | Time and fare |
|---|---|---|
| Tan Son Nhat Airport → District 1 | GrabCar | About 20–60 minutes · Reference fare: 120,000–280,000 VND. Check the fare shown in the app when booking. |
| Tan Son Nhat Airport → District 1 | Taxi | Reference fare: about 170,000–280,000 VND · Varies by vehicle and route. |
| Airport → Bus terminal near September 23 Park | Bus 109 | About 20 minutes · One-way fare: 20,000 VND. Departs from Terminal 3 and operates from 05:30 to 22:00. Its terminus is near the September 23 Park bus terminal, not in front of Ben Thanh Market. |
| Airport → via Ben Thanh → Trung Son residential area | Bus 152 | Listed as a free route from July to December 2026. Runs roughly 05:00–22:00, with service every 12–20 minutes. |
How do you get around the city?
For ride-hailing cars and motorbikes, you can use Grab, Xanh SM, or Be. Walk when distances in the city center are short, and consider a ride-hailing service or bus for longer trips. When crossing the road, watch for motorbikes and cars coming from both directions, even at crosswalks with pedestrian signals.
- Ride-hailing apps such as Grab: Book a car or motorbike and check the fare in the app.
- Taxi: Take a car when you need a direct ride to your destination.
- Bus: Bus 1 goes from Ben Thanh to Binh Tay Market in Cho Lon in about 25 minutes for 7,000 VND.
- Walking: The central sights in District 1 are easy to combine on foot.
- Metro Line 1: The Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien section is in service. Weekday operating hours are 05:00–22:00. One-way fares are 7,000–20,000 VND in cash and 6,000–19,000 VND by cashless payment.
Plan each day around the sights you want to see
Grouping sights in District 1 and nearby neighborhoods makes it easier to plan your route. The sample itinerary below focuses on attractions close to one another.
Day 1 | Independence Palace and the cathedral, then Nguyen Hue in the evening
Explore the former presidential palace, underground bunkers, and exhibits at the Independence Palace (Reunification Palace) · Dinh Độc Lập, then visit the nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon · Vương cung thánh đường Chính tòa Đức Bà Sài Gòn and Saigon Central Post Office · Bưu điện Trung tâm Sài Gòn. Continue to Ben Thanh Market · Chợ Bến Thành and Nguyen Hue Walking Street and The Cafe Apartment · Phố đi bộ Nguyễn Huệ; Chung cư 42 Nguyễn Huệ. For dinner, choose a restaurant in District 1, then visit a rooftop bar or live music venue. Check the cathedral’s restoration status and the Independence Palace’s visitor information for the day of your visit.
Day 2 | War Remnants Museum and Jade Emperor Pagoda
See photographs, documents, and military equipment related to the Vietnam War at the War Remnants Museum · Bảo tàng Chứng tích Chiến tranh, then visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda (Phuoc Hai Temple) · Chùa Ngọc Hoàng (Phước Hải Tự). The museum’s exhibits cover the horrors of war, so consider the age and sensitivities of your companions. The pagoda is an active place of worship; dress modestly, covering your shoulders and knees, and explore quietly.
Day 3 | Markets and temples in Cho Lon
Head to Cho Lon (Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple) · Chợ Lớn (Chợ Bình Tây, Miếu Bà Thiên Hậu / Hội quán Tuệ Thành) to visit Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple. Bus 1 takes about 25 minutes from Ben Thanh to the market, and you can include the temple in a walk from there. The market focuses on wholesale, so some shops may not sell individual items. Be considerate of worshippers at the temple.
If you have another day | Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta
Choose a Cu Chi Tunnels day trip · Địa đạo Củ Chi if you are interested in historic sites, or a Mekong Delta day trip · Đồng bằng sông Cửu Long if you want to see river and village scenery. Check whether the Cu Chi tour visits Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc, and review the destinations, boat travel, and inclusions for Mekong Delta tours to places such as My Tho and Ben Tre before booking. Tours to the Mekong Delta are listed as taking about two hours by car to My Tho.
When is a good time to visit?
Ho Chi Minh City’s dry season runs roughly from December through April. Consider visiting then if you prefer less rain. The wet season lasts from May to November. Heavy showers in the late afternoon are common, though rain can sometimes last all day. When planning outdoor activities, pair them with indoor sights and cafés in case of rain.
What should you prepare before entering the country?
Visa exemptions and permitted stays vary by nationality. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism says citizens of 25 countries can stay visa-free for up to 45 days, so check the official guidance for your nationality. An e-visa is valid for up to 90 days and may be issued for single or multiple entry.
Pick an itinerary by trip length
- 3 daysWhere should you spend the middle day of a 2-night, 3-day Ho Chi Minh City trip?
Ho Chi Minh City itinerary A for 2 nights and 3 days focuses on temples and the Saigon River; itinerary B focuses on markets and shopping and adds a day trip to the outskirts.
- 4 daysHo Chi Minh City in 3 nights and 4 days: history and the river, or markets and the outskirts?
Two suggested 3-night, 4-day itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City: Plan A links the Reunification Palace with the Saigon River; Plan B explores Cho Lon, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and local markets.
- 5 daysHo Chi Minh City in 4 nights and 5 days: history and riverside sights, or markets and shopping?
This 4-night, 5-day Ho Chi Minh City guide presents two itineraries: A for history, temples, and the riverside, and B for markets, shopping, and the Mekong Delta.
FAQ
How long does it take to get from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1?
It takes about 20–60 minutes by car, depending on traffic and weather. Bus 109 has a listed journey time of about 20 minutes and goes to the bus terminal near September 23 Park.
Which area is convenient for a first stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
District 1 is convenient if access to major sights and restaurants is your priority. Consider District 3 for a quieter residential atmosphere, or Thao Dien for a longer stay focused on cafés and international restaurants.
Can you take Metro Line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. The Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien section is in service, with weekday operating hours from 05:00 to 22:00. One-way fares are 7,000–20,000 VND for cash payments and 6,000–19,000 VND for cashless payments.
Where should you go if you have an extra day in Ho Chi Minh City?
Consider a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels for Vietnam War history, or a Mekong Delta tour that includes places such as My Tho and Ben Tre for river and rural scenery.
How many days can you stay in Vietnam without a visa?
Visa-free eligibility and permitted stays vary by nationality. According to the tourism authority, citizens of some 25 countries can stay for up to 45 days, and e-visas are valid for up to 90 days.
Official sources & check dates
- Where to Stay in HCMC: Neighbourhoods · 2026-10-28
- Thảo Điền, Ho Chi Minh City: Where to Eat, Drink and Stay (2026) · 2026-10-28
- Chốt giá vé đi tàu điện Metro số 1 — Báo Điện tử Chính phủ · 2026-10-28
- Grab from Ho Chi Minh Airport: pickup points and District 1 fares · 2026-10-28
- Tan Son Nhat airport to District 1: taxi, Grab, bus 109 and real prices · 2026-10-28
- ANA: Tan Son Nhat International Airport — Travel Information · 2026-10-28
- Bus 109 to the Saigon bus station: price and times · 2026-10-28
- Miễn phí vé xe buýt phát huy hiệu quả, lượng khách tăng hơn 30% · 2026-10-28
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Bus 152 Route Map & Timetable · 2026-10-28
- Grab & ứng dụng gọi xe - GoVietnam · 2026-10-28
- Living in Vietnam: pedestrian risks · 2026-10-28
- Bình Tây Market guide: hours, how to get there, what to eat and whether it is worth it · 2026-10-28
- Metro số 1 tăng chuyến, chạy tới 23 giờ phục vụ khách dịp Lễ 2-9 · 2026-10-28
- Từ ngày 21/1/2025: metro số 1 chính thức thu phí · 2026-10-28
- Independence Palace — Hours of operation and ticket price · 2026-10-28
- Contact and visitor information – Independence Palace · 2026-10-28
- Nhà thờ Chính tòa Đức Bà Sài Gòn – official site · 2026-10-28
- Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral emerges after nearly a decade of restoration · 2026-10-28
- Central Post Office in Saigon – Vietnam Tourism · 2026-10-28
- Plan your trip – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism official website · 2026-10-28
- Ben Thanh Market official site · 2026-10-28
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism · 2026-10-28
- The Cafe Apartment guide – Vietnam Airlines · 2026-10-28
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street – Vietnam National Authority of Tourism · 2026-10-28
- War Remnants Museum — Terms and Conditions · 2026-10-28
- War Remnants Museum official site · 2026-10-28
- Explore Ngoc Hoang Temple (Jade Emperor Pagoda) — Ho Chi Minh City Tourism · 2026-10-28
- Jade Emperor Pagoda: Hours, Dress Code and Visit Guide · 2026-10-28
- Vietnam Airlines: Binh Tay Market · 2026-10-28
- Vietnam Airlines: Thien Hau Temple · 2026-10-28
- Miếu Bà Thiên Hậu Chợ Lớn · 2026-10-28
- Cu Chi Tunnels: Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc, tickets and how to go · 2026-10-28
- Vietnam Airlines: Cu Chi Tunnels · 2026-10-28
- Địa đạo Củ Chi — GoVietnam · 2026-10-28
- Cu Chi Tunnels Visitor Guide: Bến Đình and Bến Dược · 2026-10-28
- Day-tripping in the Mekong Delta — Vietnam Tourism · 2026-10-28
- Mekong Delta Tours: day tour products and inclusions · 2026-10-28
- Day Tour Prices from Ho Chi Minh City · 2026-10-28
- Ho Chi Minh Climate - Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism · 2026-10-28
- Vietnam Visa Requirements - Vietnam Tourism · 2026-10-28
- Vietnam National Electronic Visa system · 2026-10-28
Site updated: 2026-10-28