Stories · Vietnam
3 days in Ho Chi Minh City
The story I wish I had read before going.
My first time in Ho Chi Minh City, I tried to see everything and mostly saw queues. Now I do it differently: a few places a day, the right ones, in the right order. Here is my 3-day thread.
Day 1 · The icons
In the morning, I make my way to Cu Chi Tunnel. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.6 out of 5 across 18,000 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.
Around noon, it’s Landmark 81. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (24,000 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or also check Tiqets.
Lunch without a plan: the first noisy room you pass is often the right one.
Later, head to Saigon Central Post Office. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Everyone goes; everyone is right. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Ho Chi Minh City is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 2 · Fresh air
Early in the morning, meet me at Independence Palace. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (48,989 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or go through Tiqets.
Late morning, it’s Tao Dan Park. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 15,674 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: how to get there · what visitors say.
At lunchtime, stay around Hồ Chí Minh 700000: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
After lunch, head to War Remnants Museum. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (41,842 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Ho Chi Minh City does the rest.
Day 3 · The icons
To start, meet me at Bitexco Financial Tower. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.5 out of 5 across 20,000 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.
Then, head to HCMC History Museum. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 4,200 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
In the afternoon, head to Jade Emperor Pagoda. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (2,100 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Ho Chi Minh City is a city that tells itself better at night.
If you’re still hungry
Other places I wish I could have fitted in: Saigon Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Statue of Ho Chi Minh, September 23rd Park, Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Slip them in wherever a day feels light.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
And if you go, tell me what you loved. Ho Chi Minh City changes, and so do I.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.