Vietnam Itinerary
The Perfect 5-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Ho Chi Minh City 🇻🇳 · Built from 15 real traveler plans · 40 spots
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most-planned destinations on Triply. We took 15 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 vibrant pedestrian promenade offering a lively atmosphere, street performances, and views of the city's modern architecture.
A stunning red-brick cathedral, a testament to French colonial architecture and a prominent religious landmark in the city.
A powerful and poignant museum showcasing the devastating impacts of the Vietnam War through photographs and military equipment.
Day 2
An exquisite French colonial building serving as a stunning architectural landmark and the seat of the city's government.
A vibrant and ornate Hindu temple, offering a peaceful sanctuary and a glimpse into the city's diverse religious landscape.
Day 3
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.
Ho Chi Minh City's famous 'backpackers' street, transforming into a vibrant pedestrian zone at night with street performers, bars, and diverse food options.
Day 4
A large, historic market in Cholón (Chinatown) known for its wholesale goods, bustling atmosphere, and ornate architecture.
Day 5
The largest market in Cholon (Chinatown), offering a vibrant experience of wholesale goods, fresh produce, and local life.
Easygoing place with colorful paper lanterns serving Vietnamese staples alongside assorted teas.
A premier shopping mall featuring international brands, local boutiques, and various dining options in a modern setting.
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 → Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon → War Remnants Museum
- Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Post Office → Fine Arts Museum → Ho Chi Minh City Hall → The Deck Saigon → Mariamman Hindu Temple
- Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City Book Street → Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa → Independence Palace → Jade Emperor Pagoda → Bui Vien Walking Street
- Day 4: Nha Hang Ngon → Takashimaya Vietnam → Thien Hau Temple → Bitexco Financial Tower → Bình Tây Market
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 → Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon → War Remnants Museum
- Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Post Office → Fine Arts Museum → Ho Chi Minh City Hall → The Deck Saigon → Mariamman Hindu Temple
- Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City Book Street → Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa → Independence Palace → Jade Emperor Pagoda → Bui Vien Walking Street
- Day 4: Nha Hang Ngon → Takashimaya Vietnam → Thien Hau Temple → Bitexco Financial Tower → Bình Tây Market
- Day 5: Binh Tay Market → Tan Dinh Church → Secret Garden Restaurant → Phở Quỳnh → Vincom Center
- Day 6: An Dong Market → Pho Quynh → Banh Mi Huynh Hoa → Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street → Book Street
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 → Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon → War Remnants Museum
- Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Post Office → Fine Arts Museum → Ho Chi Minh City Hall → The Deck Saigon → Mariamman Hindu Temple
- Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City Book Street → Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa → Independence Palace → Jade Emperor Pagoda → Bui Vien Walking Street
- Day 4: Nha Hang Ngon → Takashimaya Vietnam → Thien Hau Temple → Bitexco Financial Tower → Bình Tây Market
- Day 5: Binh Tay Market → Tan Dinh Church → Secret Garden Restaurant → Phở Quỳnh → Vincom Center
- Day 6: An Dong Market → Pho Quynh → Banh Mi Huynh Hoa → Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street → Book Street
- Day 7: Saigon Centre → Công viên Tao Đàn → Saigon Central Post Office → Bach Dang Wharf → Le Van Tam Park
Top Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street — ★ 4.7 (saved by 8 travelers)A vibrant pedestrian promenade offering a lively atmosphere, street performances, and views of the city's modern architecture.
- Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon — ★ 4.4 (saved by 8 travelers)A stunning red-brick cathedral, a testament to French colonial architecture and a prominent religious landmark in the city.
- War Remnants Museum — ★ 4.5 (saved by 6 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 6 travelers)
- Fine Arts Museum — ★ 4.5 (saved by 5 travelers)
- 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.
- Mariamman Hindu Temple — ★ 4.2 (saved by 5 travelers)A vibrant and ornate Hindu temple, offering a peaceful sanctuary and a glimpse into the city's diverse religious landscape.
- Independence Palace — ★ 4.5 (saved by 4 travelers)Historical building of the Vietnam War era, with tours of government offices, war rooms & artifacts.
Where to Eat in Ho Chi Minh City
- The Deck Saigon — ★ 4.4
- Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa — ★ 4.5
- Nha Hang Ngon — ★ 4
- Secret Garden Restaurant — ★ 4.4
- Phở Quỳnh — ★ 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 15 real Ho Chi Minh City itineraries, the most-saved spots are Ben Thanh Market, Tao Dan Park, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City Post Office.
Where should I eat in Ho Chi Minh City?
The most-saved places to eat in Ho Chi Minh City are The Deck Saigon, Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa, Nha Hang Ngon, Secret Garden Restaurant, Phở Quỳnh.
Is Ho Chi Minh City worth visiting?
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most-planned destinations on Triply, with 15 traveler itineraries covering 40+ spots — so yes, there's plenty to fill a 5-day trip.
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