Ho Chi Minh City

Travel to Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon, though all the locals still call it that) is the largest (and most chaotic city) in Vietnam. Motorbikes, bicycles, cars, and rickshaws go wherever they please, and lots of street stands and markets spill into the traffic lanes. It’s a city with a billion things happening at once.

It’s also one of the most popular destinations in the country and has recently evolved into a hotspot for digital nomads thanks to its cheap cost of living.

The city has a lot to offer: wonderful shops, fantastic nightlife, delicious food, and plenty of historic sites. Additionally, you’ll find some interesting (and propaganda-heavy) museums like the War Remnants Museum as well as the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, secret tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. It’s my second favorite city in Vietnam (after Hoi An) and worth spending a few days visiting.

This travel guide to Ho Chi Minh can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this hectic metropolis!

How to reach Ho Chi Minh City?

Travellers can arrive in Ho Chi Minh City by bus, train or plane. Tan Son Nhat international airport welcomes foreign and domestic arrivals daily, while various bus companies operate shuttles from Phnom Penh and destinations across Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City also sees a steady stream of train traveller

How many days is enough?

As 'the most delicious city' in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is suitable for travel all year round. Two to four days is enough to include the most famous tourist spots in the city, and also a trip to the Mekong Delta

Best months to travel

The best time to visit is between December and March when the weather is most settled. The hottest month of the year is April with an average daily maximum of 35 C and an average low of 27 C. The coolest month of the year is December with an average daily maximum of 32 C and an average low of 24 C

Should I go to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city?

If you're looking for a refined evening out, or for a club with air conditioning where you can party till the small hours, HCMC is your best bet. For cheap booze and backpacker vibe, though the area around De Tham in HCMC is great, Hanoi has far more going for it for the laidback, on-a-shoestring traveller.

Best areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh city

The best place to stay in Saigon is District 1. It’s the main commercial hub and home to many of the city’s top tourist attractions.

Night life in Ho Chi Min City

The street drinking scene along Pham Ngu Lao in District 3 of Ho Chi Minh is legendary. This is the backpacker hub of the city and welcomes a mix of foreigners and local Vietnamese who mix freely and chat the night away, drinking cheap, draft beers known as 'beer hoi' while on small plastic stools along the street.

When it comes to Saigon nightlife, Bui Vien street and Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1 are “heaven” for foreigners. With so many bars, pubs, clubs along the street, you can enjoy your own trip totally in a night

Ho Chi Minh City Street Food

Ho Chi Minh City’s cuisine is at its best on plastic chairs in tiny alleys. There’s more street food here than anything else, ranging from little popup carts transported by motorbike to enormous street side eateries with tables and chairs consuming the sidewalk end-to-end