Travel guides › Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City in 4 nights and 5 days: history and riverside sights, or markets and shopping?
Choose A if you’d like to explore historic sites, temples, and Saigon River views at an easy pace. Choose B if you’d rather visit markets and local neighborhoods, with a day trip to the Mekong Delta. Both itineraries start at Tan Son Nhat Airport and return there on the final day.
How do you get from the airport to District 1?
Tan Son Nhat Airport is within Ho Chi Minh City, about 20–60 minutes by car from District 1. The trip may take 15–25 minutes in light traffic or around 45–60 minutes in heavy traffic or rain.
Bus 109 runs from Airport Terminal 3 to the bus terminal near September 23 Park. A one-way ticket costs VND 20,000, and the stated journey time is 20 minutes. The reference fare for a GrabCar is VND 120,000–280,000.
4 Nights, 5 Days A | Historic Sites, Temples, and the Saigon River
Explore historic sights and city temples in District 1, then ride the Saigon Waterbus. This itinerary includes a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, combining Ho Chi Minh City’s wartime history with riverside scenery.
Day 1 | Airport to District 1, then an evening walk along Nguyen Hue
- Tan Son Nhat Airport → September 23 Park Bus Terminal
Take Bus 109 from Airport Terminal 3. The ride takes about 20 minutes and costs VND 20,000 one way. If you prefer a car, a GrabCar takes about 20–60 minutes, with a reference fare of VND 120,000–280,000.
- September 23 Park Bus Terminal → Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Head to District 1 and check in, then stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street and visit the Cafe Apartments. Have dinner at Quan Ngon Bun Cha Hanoi in District 1, then enjoy the city atmosphere at Aqua Sky Bar, a rooftop bar.
Day 2 | Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum, with dinner in District 1
- Accommodation → Reunification Palace (Independence Palace)
Travel from central District 1 on foot or by Grab. Reunification Palace is open daily from 07:00–18:00. General admission for the palace and exhibition halls is VND 80,000 for adults. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops; modest clothing is recommended.
- Reunification Palace (Independence Palace) → War Remnants Museum
After visiting the palace, walk or take a Grab to the War Remnants Museum. It is open daily from 07:30–17:30, with ticket sales and entry ending at 17:00. The standard adult ticket for foreign visitors costs VND 60,000. Try The Street Mac Dinh Chi nearby for lunch.
- War Remnants Museum → Dinner and drinks in District 1
After your visit, head to a District 1 restaurant for dinner. Later, stop by Karete Saigon Music Cafe Bar for live music.
Day 3 | Day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels
- District 1 → Ben Dinh Site, Cu Chi Tunnels
Travel from District 1 by day-tour vehicle or pre-booked car. Ben Dinh Site is open daily from 07:00–17:00. Adult admission for foreign visitors costs VND 135,000. Explore the exhibits and above-ground facilities, and wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
- Ben Dinh Site, Cu Chi Tunnels → District 1
Return to District 1 by pre-booked car, then have dinner at Sen Dai Viet Restaurant. Later, enjoy the rooftop atmosphere at Banana Mama Rooftop Bar & Kitchen.
Day 4 | Jade Emperor Pagoda and the Saigon Waterbus
- District 1 → Jade Emperor Pagoda
Take a Grab or taxi. The pagoda is open daily from 07:00–17:30; hours are listed as 05:00–19:00 on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month. Cover your shoulders and knees, and keep your voice low to be considerate of worshippers.
- Jade Emperor Pagoda → Bach Dang Wharf
Return to District 1 for lunch at A Taste of Saigon Kitchen. Travel from Ben Thanh to Bach Dang Wharf and board the Saigon Waterbus. It runs from 07:00–21:00 on weekdays and 07:00–23:00 on weekends and public holidays. A one-way ticket costs VND 15,000. Check the departure schedule.
- Bach Dang Wharf → Linh Dong Wharf → District 1
Ride along the Saigon River to Linh Dong, then return to Bach Dang. The round-trip fare is VND 30,000. Have dinner at Quan Nha, then visit Amber Lounge for live music.
Day 5 | Saigon Central Post Office and the trip to the airport
- Accommodation → Saigon Central Post Office and the Cathedral
After checking out, walk or take a Grab from District 1 to see the exterior of Saigon Central Post Office and Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral. Restoration updates are ongoing, so check on the day of your visit whether the cathedral exterior is accessible. Grab a quick lunch at U Thương Banh Mi.
- District 1 → Tan Son Nhat Airport
Take Bus 109 from September 23 Park Bus Terminal to the airport. The stated journey time is 20 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs VND 20,000. A GrabCar takes about 20–60 minutes, with a reference fare of VND 120,000–280,000. Allow enough time for your flight.
4 Nights, 5 Days A: Confirmed Admission and Transport Costs (per adult)
Bus 109 round trip VND 40,000 + Reunification Palace VND 80,000 + War Remnants Museum VND 60,000 + Cu Chi Tunnels VND 135,000 + Saigon Waterbus round trip VND 30,000 = total VND 345,000.
- Included: confirmed admission fees listed in the itinerary, plus round-trip fares for Bus 109 and the Waterbus.
- Not included: accommodation, meals, flights, local car rides, or transport or tour costs for the Cu Chi Tunnels.
4 Nights, 5 Days B | Markets, Shopping, and the Mekong Delta
Visit Ben Thanh Market, Cho Lon—the commercial district of Ho Chi Minh City’s ethnic Chinese community—and Thao Dien in turn. Add a day tour to the Mekong Delta to experience both market life and river and countryside scenery.
Day 1 | From the airport to Ben Thanh Market and Nguyen Hue
- Tan Son Nhat Airport → September 23 Park Bus Terminal
Take Bus 109 from Airport Terminal 3. The ride takes about 20 minutes and costs VND 20,000 one way. Alternatively, a GrabCar takes about 20–60 minutes to District 1, with a reference fare of VND 120,000–280,000.
- September 23 Park Bus Terminal → Ben Thanh Market
Leave your bags at your accommodation, then head to Ben Thanh Market. The market is listed as open daily from 07:00–19:00, with the night market from 19:00–24:00. Admission is free. Have dinner nearby at A Taste of Saigon Old Market, stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, then end the night at Tamarind Hidden Cocktail Bar.
Day 2 | Cho Lon Market and Thien Hau Temple
- Ben Thanh Market → Binh Tay Market
Take Bus 1 from Ben Thanh; the ride takes about 25 minutes and costs VND 7,000 one way. Binh Tay Market’s indoor stalls are open around 06:00–18:00, and entry is free. Visit in the morning to see the wholesale trade and architecture.
- Binh Tay Market → Thien Hau Temple
Walk through Cho Lon to visit Thien Hau Temple. It is open daily from 06:00–17:30, and admission is free. Cover your shoulders and knees. Return to District 1 for lunch at Home Saigon.
- Cho Lon → Dinner and live music in District 1
Have dinner at Lua Dai Viet Restaurant in District 1, then spend the evening at Bepop Saigon for live music.
Day 3 | Day trip to the Mekong Delta
- District 1 → My Tho and Ben Tre, Mekong Delta
Book a day-tour vehicle departing from District 1 and visit My Tho or Ben Tre. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism lists the drive to My Tho at about two hours. Reference prices for adult group tours are VND 800,000–1,190,000 per person; tours typically include boat rides and village activities. Check the destination and whether meals and admission fees are included when booking.
- My Tho and Ben Tre, Mekong Delta → District 1
Return to District 1 by tour vehicle and have dinner. Later, spend the evening at Ozone Sky Lounge & Restaurant Saigon, a rooftop bar.
Day 4 | Thao Dien cafes and a neighborhood walk
- Ben Thanh Station → Thao Dien Station
Take Metro Line 1 to Thao Dien Station. The cash fare is VND 7,000–20,000 one way, depending on the distance. From the station, continue on foot or by car.
- Thao Dien Station → Thao Dien cafes and shops
Stroll around Thao Dien, enjoy coffee or pastries at Tartine Saigon, and have lunch at Soko Cake Bake & Brunch, Xuan Thuy. For dinner, try Com Tam Moc at Estella Place, then stop for a drink at Pasteur Street Craft Beer Thao Dien.
- Thao Dien → District 1
Take Metro Line 1 from Thao Dien Station back to Ben Thanh Station. If you’d like to explore the nightlife, enjoy a cocktail at DOT Bar in District 1.
Day 5 | From around Ben Thanh Market to the airport
- Accommodation → Ben Thanh Market and a walk in District 1
After checking out, leave your bags and explore the area around Ben Thanh Market. The market is listed as open daily from 07:00–19:00, and admission is free. Grab a quick lunch at U Thương Banh Mi, then head to the airport.
- District 1 → Tan Son Nhat Airport
Take Bus 109 from September 23 Park Bus Terminal to the airport. The stated journey time is 20 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs VND 20,000. A GrabCar takes about 20–60 minutes, with a reference fare of VND 120,000–280,000. Allow enough time for your flight.
4 Nights, 5 Days B: Confirmed Admission and Transport Costs (per adult)
Bus 109 round trip VND 40,000 + Mekong Delta group tour VND 800,000–1,190,000 = total VND 840,000–1,230,000. Metro and Cho Lon bus fares vary by route, so they are not included in this total.
- Included: round-trip fares for Bus 109 and the reference price for a Mekong Delta group tour.
- Not included: accommodation, meals, flights, metro fares, Cho Lon bus fares, or local car rides.
FAQ
Which itinerary suits you better: Ho Chi Minh City in 4 nights and 5 days, A or B?
Choose A if you’re interested in wartime history, temples, and a ride on the Saigon Waterbus. Choose B if you’d like to explore markets and Thao Dien, with a Mekong Delta tour.
How do I get to the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta for a day trip?
The Cu Chi Tunnels itinerary uses a day-tour vehicle departing from District 1 or a pre-booked car. For the Mekong Delta, it’s common to book a day tour by vehicle to places such as My Tho or Ben Tre.
What’s the best way to get from the airport to District 1?
Bus 109 costs VND 20,000 one way, and the stated journey time is 20 minutes. If you have a lot of luggage or want to go straight to your accommodation, you can take a GrabCar; the reference fare is VND 120,000–280,000.
Official sources & check dates
- ANA: Tan Son Nhat International Airport — Travel Information · 2026-10-28
- Grab from Ho Chi Minh Airport: pickup points and District 1 fares · 2026-10-28
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism · 2026-10-28
- The Cafe Apartment guide – Vietnam Airlines · 2026-10-28
- Independence Palace — Hours of operation and ticket price · 2026-10-28
- Contact and visitor information – Independence Palace · 2026-10-28
- War Remnants Museum — Terms and Conditions · 2026-10-28
- War Remnants Museum 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
- Explore Ngoc Hoang Temple (Jade Emperor Pagoda) — Ho Chi Minh City Tourism · 2026-10-28
- Saigon WaterBus — Water Bus · 2026-10-28
- Saigon WaterBus 공식 홈페이지 · 2026-10-28
- Central Post Office in Saigon – Vietnam Tourism · 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
- Plan your trip – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism official website · 2026-10-28
- Ben Thanh Market official site · 2026-10-28
- Bình Tây Market guide: hours, how to get there, what to eat and whether it is worth it · 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
- 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
- Mekong Delta Day Trip From Saigon: Tour or Bus · 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
- Saigon Metro Line 1 one year on: what travelers need to know · 2026-10-28
Site updated: 2026-10-28