Travel guides › Ho Chi Minh City
Where should you spend the middle day of a 2-night, 3-day Ho Chi Minh City trip?
Choose A for temples and a relaxed riverside experience, or B for markets, city shopping, and a history visit to Cu Chi. Both itineraries start at Tan Son Nhat Airport and return to the airport on the final day.
How do you get from the airport to District 1?
It takes about 20–60 minutes by car from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1, depending on traffic. The reference fare for GrabCar is 120,000–280,000 VND. Bus 109 takes about 20 minutes from the airport to the bus terminal near September 23 Park and costs 20,000 VND one way.
Bus 109 runs from Terminal 3 between 05:30 and 22:00. Bus 152 is listed as a free route from July to December 2026. From the bus stop, continue to your accommodation by car or on foot.
2 Nights, 3 Days A | Temples and the Saigon River
Start your first day with an easy visit to District 1’s historic sights and evening scenery. On the second day, visit a temple before taking the Saigon Waterbus. On the final day, stroll past downtown cafés and along the river before returning to the airport.
Day 1 | From the airport to the palace and cathedral
- Tan Son Nhat Airport → September 23 Park Bus Terminal
Bus 109 takes about 20 minutes and costs 20,000 VND one way. It departs from Terminal 3 and is listed as running from 05:30 to 22:00. If you have a lot of luggage, expect a 20–60 minute GrabCar ride to District 1, with a reference fare of 120,000–280,000 VND; check the fare shown in the app.
- September 23 Park Bus Terminal → Reunification Palace (Independence Palace)
Travel to the center of District 1 by car or on foot. The Reunification Palace is open daily from 07:00 to 18:00. General admission for adults to the palace and exhibition areas is 80,000 VND. For lunch, consider Home Saigon or A Taste of Saigon Old Market nearby.
- Reunification Palace → Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office
Explore the sights on foot in central District 1. Restoration notices for the cathedral are ongoing, so check whether the exterior is accessible. Take a look at the post office’s vaulted ceiling and interior map as well.
- Central Post Office → Nguyen Hue Walking Street and The Cafe Apartments
Walk along Nguyen Hue Walking Street and visit the building at 42 Nguyen Hue. Have dinner at Quan Ngon Bun Cha Hanoi, then end the evening at Aqua Sky Bar or The Create Saigon Music Cafe Bar.
Day 2 | Jade Emperor Pagoda and the Saigon River
- District 1 → Jade Emperor Pagoda (Phuoc Hai Pagoda)
Take a Grab or taxi to the pagoda. It is open daily from 07:00 to 17:30, with listed hours of 05:00–19:00 on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month. Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, and explore the worship areas quietly. Return to District 1 for lunch at Sen Dai Viet Restaurant or Con Oc Quan.
- Jade Emperor Pagoda → Bach Dang Wharf
Travel by car to Bach Dang Wharf on the District 1 riverfront. Waterbus Line 1 runs from Bach Dang to Linh Dong and costs 15,000 VND one way or 30,000 VND round trip. Listed operating hours are 07:00–21:00 on weekdays and 07:00–23:00 on weekends and public holidays; check the departure schedule.
- Bach Dang Wharf → Riverside dinner and nightlife
Enjoy the river views on the Waterbus, then return to the area around the wharf. Have dinner at Lua Dai Viet Restaurant and spend the evening at Banana Mama Rooftop Bar & Kitchen or Bepop Saigon.
Day 3 | Walk around downtown, then head to the airport
- District 1 accommodation → Ben Thanh Market
Walk or take a Grab to explore the market. Official tourist information lists daily hours of 07:00–19:00 and night market hours of 19:00–24:00. Admission is free. Have lunch at A Taste of Saigon Kitchen or Ut Thuong Banh Mi.
- Ben Thanh Market → Tan Son Nhat Airport
A GrabCar ride takes about 20–60 minutes, with a reference fare of 120,000–280,000 VND. To take the bus, ride Bus 109 to the airport. Check the departure terminal and operating hours when planning your trip.
2 Nights, 3 Days A: Confirmed Admission and Transport Costs (per adult)
Airport transfers are calculated using the reference GrabCar fare range.
- 80,000 VND (Reunification Palace) + 30,000 VND (Waterbus round trip) + 20,000 VND (Bus 109 to the airport) + 120,000–280,000 VND (GrabCar from the airport on arrival) = total 250,000–410,000 VND
- Included: general admission to the Reunification Palace, Saigon Waterbus round trip, Bus 109 from the airport on arrival, reference GrabCar fare to the airport on departure
- Not included: accommodation, meals, airfare, travel within the city, and transport other than the Waterbus
2 Nights, 3 Days B | Markets, Shopping, and a Cu Chi History Visit
Explore the city’s markets, architecture, and shops, then spend a day at the Cu Chi Tunnels. This itinerary suits travelers who want to visit a historic site outside the city. On the final day, take your time in District 1 before heading to the airport.
Day 1 | From the airport to Ben Thanh Market and downtown shopping
- Tan Son Nhat Airport → September 23 Park Bus Terminal
Bus 109 takes about 20 minutes and costs 20,000 VND one way. It departs from Terminal 3 and is listed as running from 05:30 to 22:00. If you prefer to travel by car, a GrabCar takes about 20–60 minutes, with a reference fare of 120,000–280,000 VND.
- September 23 Park Bus Terminal → Ben Thanh Market
Walk or drive to the market to browse souvenirs and local eateries. Official tourist information lists daily hours of 07:00–19:00 and night market hours of 19:00–24:00. Admission is free. Have lunch at A Taste of Saigon Old Market.
- Ben Thanh Market → Reunification Palace (Independence Palace)
Walk or take a Grab. The palace is open daily from 07:00 to 18:00, and general admission for adults costs 80,000 VND. After exploring the palace and exhibition areas, have dinner at Home Saigon.
- Reunification Palace → Nguyen Hue Walking Street and The Cafe Apartments
Walk along the pedestrian street and visit the building at 42 Nguyen Hue. Explore the cafés on different floors of The Cafe Apartments, then enjoy the nightlife at Tamarind Hidden Cocktail Bar or Amber Lounge.
Day 2 | Day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels
- District 1 → Ben Dinh Cu Chi Tunnels
Travel in a pre-booked day-tour vehicle or other pre-arranged car. Ben Dinh historical site is listed as open daily from 07:00 to 17:00. Admission for foreign adults is 135,000 VND. Explore the outdoor exhibits, and try the tunnel experience if you are comfortable with narrow, low spaces. Check whether lunch is included in your tour, then return to District 1 for dinner at Quan Nha.
- Cu Chi Tunnels → District 1 nightlife
Return to District 1 in your pre-booked vehicle. After dinner, enjoy the bar or pub atmosphere at Ozone Sky Lounge & Restaurant Saigon or Lost and Found.
Day 3 | Walk along the Saigon River, then head to the airport
- District 1 accommodation → Bach Dang Wharf
Travel to the riverfront by car or on foot and stroll along the Saigon River. A Waterbus round trip costs 30,000 VND. Listed operating hours are 07:00–21:00 on weekdays and 07:00–23:00 on weekends and public holidays. Check the departure schedule. Have lunch at Sen Dai Viet Restaurant.
- Bach Dang Wharf → Tan Son Nhat Airport
A GrabCar ride takes about 20–60 minutes, with a reference fare of 120,000–280,000 VND. If you choose the bus, take Bus 109 from District 1 to the airport and check the operating hours and stops.
2 Nights, 3 Days B: Confirmed Admission and Transport Costs (per adult)
The round-trip vehicle cost to Cu Chi and transport within the city are excluded from the total. Airport transfers are calculated as Bus 109 on arrival and the reference GrabCar fare on departure.
- 20,000 VND (Bus 109 from the airport on arrival) + 80,000 VND (Reunification Palace) + 135,000 VND (Cu Chi Tunnels admission) + 120,000–280,000 VND (GrabCar to the airport on departure) = total 355,000–515,000 VND
- Included: Bus 109 from the airport on arrival, general admission to the Reunification Palace, admission to the Ben Dinh Cu Chi Tunnels, reference GrabCar fare to the airport on departure
- Not included: accommodation, meals, airfare, Cu Chi tour vehicle, and local transport
FAQ
Which itinerary is better for visiting a temple and the riverside?
A combines Jade Emperor Pagoda and the Saigon Waterbus, so you can enjoy both a place of worship and river views.
How much is admission to the Cu Chi Tunnels?
Admission for foreign adults to the Ben Dinh historical site is 135,000 VND. A pre-booked car or day-tour vehicle costs extra.
What is the easiest way to get from the airport to District 1?
A car takes about 20–60 minutes, and the reference GrabCar fare is 120,000–280,000 VND. Bus 109 takes about 20 minutes, costs 20,000 VND, and connects to the September 23 Park Bus Terminal.
Official sources & check dates
- Grab from Ho Chi Minh Airport: pickup points and District 1 fares · 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
- 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
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism · 2026-10-28
- The Cafe Apartment guide – Vietnam Airlines · 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
- Saigon WaterBus — Water Bus · 2026-10-28
- Saigon WaterBus 공식 홈페이지 · 2026-10-28
- Saigon Waterbus online booking and travel time · 2026-10-28
- Plan your trip – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism official website · 2026-10-28
- Ben Thanh Market official site · 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
- Bến Đình or Bến Dược? Which Cu Chi Tunnels Trip to Book · 2026-10-28
Site updated: 2026-10-28