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8 Days in Ho Chi Minh City: A Journey Through Vibrant Culture and Culinary Delights

Deepak Kulkarni

7 Dec 2023

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Embark on an unforgettable adventure in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Immerse yourself in the bustling streets, visit ancient temples, explore local markets, and indulge in mouthwatering Vietnamese cuisine. Get ready for an exciting journey filled with rich history, stunning architecture, and authentic flavors.

Trip to Ho Chi Minh City

Get Your Guide

Viator

Day 1Café Hopping and Sky-high Views

+

$82

·

$ 1

CHEO LEO Cafe

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$6

9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Ho Thi Ky Flower Market

Vendors with colorful bouquets of flowers line this busy outdoor market also offering street food.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Saigon Skydeck

Glass-enclosed observation deck on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower with scenic views.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$25

1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Bitexco Financial Tower

Iconic 68-floor skyscraper featuring an observation deck, retail shops, dining & a cineplex.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

$25

2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Rice Field

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$10

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Anan Saigon

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$16

Day 2Opera House and Tranquil Parks

+

$49

·

$ 3

Opera

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$8

1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House

Ornate 19th-century French colonial opera house that is now home to the city's ballet & symphony.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$13

6 - 8 min

~

Directions

September 23rd Park

Relaxed stretch of green space & walkways with a playground, duck pond & lots of trees.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

23 - 28 min

~

Directions

Giac Lam Buddhist Temple

Venerable Buddhist temple established in 1744, with many statues, tombs & a 7-tiered stupa.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

5 - 6 min

~

Directions

Nhân Quán

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$14

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Quán Mì Quảng Sâm

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$14

Day 3Gastronomic Delights and Vibrant Markets

+

$32

·

$ 1

Cơm gà Đông Nguyên 東源鸡飯

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$12

12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Binh Tay Market

Covered market with stalls selling home goods, produce & local dishes like pho & spring rolls.

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

17 - 21 min

~

Directions

Ben Bach Dang Park

Park, market & recreation area on the banks of the Saigon River, with boat rides & local fare.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Godmother Bake & Brunch

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$10

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Tandoor

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$10

Day 4Art, Religion, and Iconic Landmarks

+

$37

·

$ 2

Bún riêu cua ốc

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$8

3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Classical to contemporary Vietnamese & foreign artworks on display in an elegant colonial building.

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

$5

7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon

1880s Catholic cathedral built with French bricks & featuring 58m-tall Romanesque bell towers.

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Xa Loi Buddhist Temple

This tall, prominent Buddhist pagoda built in 1956 was raided by government forces in 1963.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

G Coffee - Hồ Xuân Hương

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$12

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Cafe Cóc

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$12

Day 5Coffee Culture and Cultural Gems

+

$44

·

$ 2

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$8

5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Independence Palace

Historical building of the Vietnam War era, with tours of government offices, war rooms & artifacts.

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

$10

10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Ho Chi Minh City Book Street

Buzzy, pedestrian-only street with Vietnamese & expat bookstores, plus spots for al fresco coffee.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

45 - 54 min

~

Directions

Buu Long Pagoda

Prominent Buddhist temple with ornate architecture, a tranquil ambiance & a vegetarian restaurant.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

5 - 6 min

~

Directions

Quán Cây Me

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$16

24 - 29 min

~

Directions

Quán Bún Bò Huế Giáo Toàn

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$10

Day 6Historical Tunnels and Scenic Dining

+

$57

·

$ 2

Vân Anh

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$12

42 - 51 min

~

Directions

Cu Chi Tunnel

Sprawling underground tunnel complex used by Viet Cong soldiers, plus exhibits & war memorials.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$15

11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Ben Duoc Restaurant

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$12

10 - 12 min

~

Directions

S'cottage Coffee

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$18

Day 7Culinary Adventures and Cultural Immersion

+

$46

·

$ 1

Minh Quý - Bún Giò Heo

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$6

9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Hoang Phap Buddhist Temple

This colorful pagoda has ornate architecture & religious statues, plus an open courtyard.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

57 - 69 min

~

Directions

War Remnants Museum

Memorial museum exhibiting photographs, weapons & other objects from the Vietnam & Indochina wars.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$8

2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Hum Vegetarian, Cafe & Restaurant

The first vegetarian restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City to cater your health rather than providing just assortments of veggies.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$18

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Prem Bistro

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$14

Day 8Temples, Ecotourism, and Vegetarian Delights

+

$32

·

$ 2

Quán Bún Bò Huế Giáo Toàn

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$10

16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Thuy Chau Ecotourism

Artificial eco-park with peaceful woodland & riverside walks, picnic spots & a swimming pool.

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

28 - 34 min

~

Directions

Ba Thien Hau Temple

This 18th-century pagoda honoring a sea goddess features colorful, ornate Chinese architecture.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

20 - 30 min

~

Directions

Nhà Hàng Chay Thiện Duyên - Ẩm Thực Chay

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$12

12 - 18 min

~

Directions

Kitchen Seoul

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$10

Budget breakdown: $388 In total

Activities & Food:$378

Transport:$10