If you only have one day in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam Travel Guide will customize an itinerary to make the most of your wonderful trip in Saigon
If you have unlimited time in Vietnam, you will surely be able to explore every aspect that makes this country unique. Unfortunately, many people traveling here have limited time, some only have half a day to visit Ho Chi Minh City and want to make the most of it. As part of our new “Customized Itinerary for Vietnam” series, we’ll guide you through different cities in Vietnam and help you experience the country to the fullest. We’ll also show you how to get off the beaten track and see the country in a unique way. The first part of our “Customized itinerary in Vietnam” series – Ho Chi Minh City!
Tourists often transit through Ho Chi Minh City before moving on to other nearby attractions outside the city. While Ho Chi Minh City has a lot to offer in terms of attractions and cultural experiences, it can be hard to get into everything when you have so little time here. We’ve compiled a thorough itinerary to help you make the most of your time here.
8 things you can do in a day in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Eat soup for breakfast
Vietnamese people love their noodle dish. You may already be familiar with pho, but there are countless other pho dishes that aren’t actually pho! What’s more, with the rich backing of a variety of meats, vegetables, and noodles, these soups are the breakfast of champions. So start your day Vietnamese style and gobble up a bowl of Pho, Crab Banh Canh, Bun Bo Hue, or whatever the guy next to you is eating.
introduction: Ben Thanh Market has a large area in the middle with food stalls. The turnover here is quite high so this is usually a safe place to eat.
2.Visit Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is the iconic central market of Ho Chi Minh City. No trip to the city would be complete without admiring this wonder. They sell everything from souvenirs to kitchen supplies to groceries and meats. It’s a one-stop shop! Or, just a great place to people watch. This market does not have air conditioning, so it is hot and muggy here during the day. And the sellers can be quite aggressive towards both tourists and locals – that’s just the nature of this market. Having said that, it is important to give this place a chance. It’s not just a tourist attraction. Even for those who live here, the market sells things that are normally hard to find elsewhere. The market is much bigger than it looks, so make sure you take the time to navigate and really explore all it has to offer. Please note that the prices here are very high so please negotiate. If the sign says ‘fixed price’ and the seller is hesitant, you will most likely find the same item in another store.
3. Marvel at the architecture
The architecture in the city is a mix of new skyscrapers, old tube houses and French colonial buildings. The old colonial buildings in the city center have a lot of character and contain a lot of history. Luckily, they’re all pretty close to each other, so it’s only a short walk to enjoy most of them. If you walk between Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon River along Dong Khoi Street and wander around Nguyen Hue and Le Loi streets, you will be able to appreciate the many beautiful old buildings of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. . If you have time, walk into the main historic post office for a closer look at the colonial architecture.
4. Sip some coffee
Vietnamese people are really proud of their coffee and there is no shortage of coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City. Coffee culture developed here long before Starbucks and other big-name coffee brands appeared. If you’ve been walking around the city for a while, sipping coffee and watching the people go by is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle. Luckily, most coffee shops have great regional fare.
introduction: One of the coolest cafes in the city is L’Usine at 151/1 Dong Khoi. The entrance is through an alleyway and up two sets of stairs.
5. Massage and shampoo
Ho Chi Minh City may be chaotic but Vietnamese people certainly know how to provide a serene escape from the chaos. Cheap foot massagers can be found everywhere, and for $5-10 you can be completely relaxed in an hour to 90 minutes. If you want a more orthodox spa service, go for a hair wash (Oil Shampoo). This is no ordinary hair wash – the right Vietnamese way of washing hair includes a head massage, face wash and mask, and shoulder massage! They will even blow-dry and style your hair afterwards. Read our blog about massage in Vietnam to understand the details of massage here.
introduction: A 70-minute foot massage at 118 (appropriately named because its address is 118 Pasteur) for $7 including tip and then go around the Jasmine Spa (45 Ton That Thiep, corner Pasteur and Ton That Thiep) to relax and wash your hair.
6. Traveling by motorbike
As soon as you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, you will notice that motorbikes are the means of choice. What better way to see the city than to experience it on a bicycle? You can rent a bike for about $7 per day or booking a motorbike tour in Ho Chi Minh City. There are some motorbike tours to suit your preferences, but by far our most popular are: gourmet. Not only does it take you to a number of different districts of the city that tourists don’t normally visit, you also have a chance to try some of Ho Chi Minh City’s best street food.
7. See Backpacker Area
Ho Chi Minh City is a popular destination for backpackers because the cost of traveling here is relatively cheap. Over time, this small area around Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien streets has become a magnet for budget accommodations, colorful restaurants and vibrant waterholes. Even if you’re not traveling as a backpacker, this particular area of the city is already a tourist attraction in itself. It gets pretty lively at night when hundreds of people sit on kid-sized plastic chairs, drinking local beer and mingling with the crowds.
8. See Saigon downtown
The city has very few tall buildings so climbing to the top of one of these gives you a great view of the city. Fortunately, there are a number of bars on very high floors where you can enjoy the view while sipping a drink. After a long day full of activities in Ho Chi Minh City, this is the perfect way to end your night. It’s mesmerizing to look out at the streets hundreds of meters below and really appreciate how the city moves. It’s a good way to relax in Saigon.
introduction: Heli Bar at Bitexco tower (52nd floor, 2nd floor Hai Trieu) is one of the highest sightseeing spots in the city, but the view from Chill Skybar (AB Tower, 76 Le Lai) will be much more beautiful. Both places have strict dress and footwear regulations.
We hope you enjoyed the article from Vietnam Travel Guide that can help you make the most of your time in Ho Chi Minh City.
