Travel guide · Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City: what to see and when to go
Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many, is Vietnam's biggest and fastest city: motorbikes, street food at every corner, French colonial buildings and glass towers side by side. It is hot all year, so the energy comes at night, and the Mekong Delta and the Cu Chi tunnels are close.
What to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City
Ben Thanh Market and street food
Stalls of pho, bánh mì, broken rice and fresh juices; the surrounding streets come alive after dark.
Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office
The red-brick French cathedral and the grand 1890s post office facing each other across a square.
War Remnants Museum
A sobering look at the Vietnam War through photographs and objects.
Cu Chi Tunnels
The underground network used during the war, about two hours' drive from the centre.
The Mekong Delta
A day trip by boat through canals, floating markets and fruit orchards.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months: Dec – Jan.
Getting there
| From | Flight time | Return flight |
|---|---|---|
| London | 13 hr, 45 min | ≈ €620 · See flights |
| New York | 19 hr | ≈ €740 · See flights |
| Los Angeles | 17 hr, 30 min | ≈ €700 · See flights |
| Dubai | 7 hr, 45 min | ≈ €460 · See flights |
| Singapore | 2 hr | ≈ €120 · See flights |
| Sydney | 9 hr, 15 min | ≈ €520 · See flights |
3 nights from London: ≈ €760 per person, flight and stay included.
Per person. Estimates from distance and local prices; real fares depend on your dates.
Essentials
- Country
- Vietnam
- Currency
- Vietnamese Dong
- Good for
- food · city · nightlife
- How long to stay
- 3–4 days
- Where to stay
- District 1 around Ben Nghe and Pham Ngu Lao for sights and food; District 3 or Thao Dien for quieter, leafier streets.Find a place to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Plan your trip
Flights, a place to stay and what else you need for Ho Chi Minh City, one tap each.
- FlightsFrom London · about €620 (opens in a new tab)
- StayHotels and apartments in Ho Chi Minh City (opens in a new tab)
- Things to doTours, tickets and experiences (opens in a new tab)
- Travel insuranceMedical, luggage and cancellation (opens in a new tab)
- Internet on arrivalData eSIM, no roaming bills (opens in a new tab)
Links open a sample search (Fri, Dec 4 – Mon, Dec 7, 2 people): change it on each site. If you book through these links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep improving diceando. Legal notice
Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in Ho Chi Minh City and when should you go?
The most pleasant months: Dec – Jan. Average highs range from 31° in July to 35° in March.
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
3 to 4 days is enough to see the essentials without rushing.
What does a few days in Ho Chi Minh City cost?
Accommodation runs at around €50 per person per night. 3 nights from London: ≈ €760 per person, flight and stay included. The flight from London takes about 13 hr, 45 min.
Where should you stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
District 1 around Ben Nghe and Pham Ngu Lao for sights and food; District 3 or Thao Dien for quieter, leafier streets.
