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5 Days in Ho Chi Minh City: A Journey of History, Culture, and Culinary Delights

sachin keshervani

12 Dec 2023

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Embark on a thrilling 5-day adventure in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Discover the city's rich history at the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum and War Remnants Museum. Indulge in mouthwatering beefsteaks at Beafsteak Lề Đường and Beefsteak Nam Son. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of local temples like Ba Thien Hau and Hoang Phap. Unwind with a cup of coffee at Vân's Coffee and savor the flavors of authentic Vietnamese cuisine at Quán Ăn Liên. Explore the Cu Chi Tunnel and admire the architectural beauty of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Independence Palace. Experience the city's vibrant nightlife at Blanchy's Tash and Octo Tapas Restobar. This unforgettable journey is designed for solo travelers seeking a perfect blend of history, culture, and gastronomy.

Trip to Ho Chi Minh City

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Savory Beefsteaks and Museums Galore

+

$78

·

$ 3

The Arrivals Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum

Elegant early 20th century building housing objects relating to Ho Chi Minh's military campaign.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

7 - 9 min

~

Directions

War Remnants Museum

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

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$8

7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Beefsteak Nam Son

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$36

6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Vân's Coffee

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$34

8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Tao Dan Park

Leafy public park featuring manicured gardens, a Buddhist temple, play areas & sports facilities.

No time set

•

Free

Day 2Temples, Cathedrals, and Coffee

+

$106

·

$ 3

The Arrivals Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

19 - 23 min

~

Directions

Meat Me

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$26

5 - 6 min

~

Directions

Ba Thien Hau Temple

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

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

29 - 35 min

~

Directions

Buu Long Pagoda

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

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

44 - 53 min

~

Directions

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon

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

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Nhà Hàng The Refinery

Decorated in the greatest of Paris Bistro tradition, The Refinery is a lovely French Brasserie and Wine Bar located in Saigon’s old Manufacture d'Opium.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$36

14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Independence Palace

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

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$10

14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Vân's Coffee

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$34

Day 3Buddhist Temples and the Cu Chi Tunnel

+

$35

·

$ 3

The Arrivals Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

53 - 64 min

~

Directions

Quán Ăn Liên

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$20

7 - 9 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

60 - 72 min

~

Directions

Cu Chi Tunnel

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

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

$15

Day 4Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine and Cultural Landmarks

+

$121

·

$ 2

The Arrivals Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Việt Nam Quán

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$26

1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Thích Quảng Đức Monument

Peaceful monument honoring a spiritual icon & martyr who sacrificed himself for religious equality.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Ton Duc Thang Museum

Established in 1988, the museum's galleries explore the life of Vietnamese politician Ton Duc Thang.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Saigon Skydeck

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

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

$25

3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Octo Tapas Restobar

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$32

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Blanchy's Tash

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$38

Day 5From Buddhist Temples to Fine Arts

+

$112

·

$ 3

The Arrivals Hotel

Depart from your stay 🏨

21 - 26 min

~

Directions

Ốc Nhớ Sài Gòn - Trịnh Đình Trọng

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$24

10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Giac Lam Buddhist Temple

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

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Xa Loi Buddhist Temple

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

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

9 - 11 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.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

$13

3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Blanchy's Tash

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$38

14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

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

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

•

$5

7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Bà Cô Lốc Cốc

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$32

Budget breakdown: $464 In total

Activities & Food:$451

Transport:$13