# Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City: top sights and where to go > Ho Chi Minh City keeps old Saigon in District 1: Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Opera House and Ben Thanh Market sit within a 20-minute walk, with the Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum a few blocks away. Walk the centre on day one and catch sunset from the Bitexco Skydeck; keep day two for the Cu Chi Tunnels, 60 km northwest, or a boat trip on the Mekong Delta canals. Web page: https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city ## Ready itineraries - [One day in Ho Chi Minh City: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/in-1-day.md): Ben Thanh Market, Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, the Opera House and sunset from the Bitexco Skydeck — on foot. - [2 days in Ho Chi Minh City: an itinerary day by day](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/in-2-days.md): Ben Thanh, the palace, the cathedral, the post office, the opera and Bitexco first; then the Mekong Delta by boat through canals and orchards near My Tho. ## All 10 places with the YesGo score - [Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-notre-dame-cathedral.md): YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free; inside only during Mass. Notre-Dame Cathedral is Ho Chi Minh City’s main Catholic church, built in 1877–1880 of red French brick, across the square from the… - [Saigon Central Post Office](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-central-post-office.md): YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free. Saigon Central Post Office is a working post office built by the French in 1886–1891: a yellow facade with a clock and a vaulted… - [Independence Palace](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/independence-palace.md): YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · 40,000–80,000 VND. Independence Palace is a 1960s modernist palace in central Ho Chi Minh City, preserved with its original interiors, gardens and a rooftop… - [Saigon Opera House](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-opera-house.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free outside; inside with a show ticket. The Saigon Opera House (Nhà hát Thành phố) is a white French-era theatre from 1900 on Lam Son Square, central Ho Chi Minh City. The… - [Ben Thanh Market](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/ben-thanh-market.md): YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free entry. Ben Thanh Market is the big covered market with a clock tower in central Ho Chi Minh City; the current building opened in 1914. Inside are… - [War Remnants Museum](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/war-remnants-museum.md): YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 60,000 VND; concessions 30,000. The War Remnants Museum is a large history museum in central Ho Chi Minh City with exhibitions on 20th-century history — serious… - [Bitexco Financial Tower](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/bitexco-financial-tower.md): YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 240,000 VND. Bitexco Financial Tower is the 262-metre, lotus-bud skyscraper in District 1, and its Saigon Skydeck on floor 49 is the city's most… - [Museum of Vietnamese History](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/museum-of-vietnamese-history.md): YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · 60,000 VND; kids and students free. The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, often called the Museum of Vietnamese History, fills a 1929 building at the Saigon Zoo gate: Dong… - [Cu Chi Tunnels](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/cu-chi-tunnels.md): YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ 90,000–110,000 VND. The Cu Chi Tunnels are a historic network of underground tunnels 60–70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, preserved as an open-air historic… - [Mekong Delta](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/mekong-delta.md): YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Day tour from $25. The Mekong Delta is the river-and-canal country southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. A day trip goes to My Tho and Ben Tre: about two hours each… ## Ho Chi Minh City travel guide Before you go: District 1’s cathedral and post office, Ben Thanh Market, Bitexco tower, the Mekong Delta, the airport, metro and weather. ## Trip essentials - How many days: 2–3 days: city and the Mekong Delta - When to go: December–April, the dry season - Visa: Depends on your passport — visa-free or e-visa - Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND); cash for markets - Airport: Tan Son Nhat (SGN) ≈ 7 km — Grab ≈ 30 min - Metro: Line 1 from Ben Thanh east, since late 2024 - Taxis: Grab and Xanh SM by app - Climate: Hot all year, ≈ 31–35° - Shopping: Bargain at Ben Thanh Market - Time zone: UTC+7 all year ## Key facts - **1886** — the Central Post Office was built to a design from Gustave Eiffel’s firm (source: Wikipedia, “Saigon Central Post Office”) - **1880** — the red-brick Notre-Dame Cathedral was consecrated (source: Wikipedia, “Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon”) - **262 m** — height of Bitexco Financial Tower, with the Saigon Skydeck on floor 49 (source: Wikipedia, “Bitexco Financial Tower”) - **2024** — the first metro line opened, from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien (source: Wikipedia, “Ho Chi Minh City Metro”) ## Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City The top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City are in District 1: Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, the Opera House, Nguyen Hue walking street, Ben Thanh Market, the Bitexco Skydeck and Independence Palace. The Museum of Vietnamese History is by the zoo, and the Mekong Delta makes a day trip. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above. | Where | What to see | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | **District 1** | [Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-notre-dame-cathedral), [post office](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-central-post-office) | 1 h | | **Lam Son** | [Opera House](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-opera-house), [Bitexco](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/bitexco-financial-tower) | 2 h | | **Ben Thanh** | [Ben Thanh Market](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/ben-thanh-market) | 1 h | | **Centre** | [Independence Palace](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/independence-palace) | 1.5 h | | **Museums** | [History Museum](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/museum-of-vietnamese-history) | 1.5 h | | **Day trips** | [Mekong Delta](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/mekong-delta), [Cu Chi](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/cu-chi-tunnels) | 1 day | Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–2 days, with places in a sensible order. ## Ho Chi Minh City airport to District 1 Tan Son Nhat International (SGN) is almost in town, ≈ 7 km from District 1. A Grab or Xanh SM takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic. Bus 109 runs from the domestic terminal to the bus station by 23/9 Park. | How | To | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | **Grab, Xanh SM** | District 1 | ≈ 20–40 min | | **Bus 109** | 23/9 Park | ≈ 45 min | | **Transfer** | Your hotel | ≈ 30 min | Evening traffic is heavy — leave extra time for the airport. ## Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City: District 1 for walking to the cathedral, Nguyen Hue and Ben Thanh; Bui Vien street for budget beds and nightlife; Thao Dien for leafy cafés by the river, with the metro into town. | Area | Best for | Keep in mind | | --- | --- | --- | | **District 1** | First visit, everything close | Pricier | | **Bui Vien** | Budget, nightlife | Loud at night | | **District 3** | Quieter, local cafés | ≈ 15 min to the centre | | **Thao Dien** | Green, cafés, metro | ≈ 20 min to the centre | ## Ho Chi Minh City weather by month Ho Chi Minh City is hot all year, ≈ 31–35 °C by day. The dry season from December to April is the best time to visit, though April is the hottest. May to November is the rainy season, usually with short afternoon downpours. - **January in Ho Chi Minh City** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 2. Dry, ≈ 32° — a great time. - **February in Ho Chi Minh City** (best time): day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 1. Dry and hot; Tet. - **March in Ho Chi Minh City** (best time): day ≈ 34°C, night ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 2. About 34°, dry. - **April in Ho Chi Minh City**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 5. The hottest month. - **May in Ho Chi Minh City**: day ≈ 34°C, night ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 16. Rains begin. - **June in Ho Chi Minh City**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 21. Afternoon downpours. - **July in Ho Chi Minh City**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 23. Rainy season. - **August in Ho Chi Minh City**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 22. Downpours. - **September in Ho Chi Minh City**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 23. Downpours, high water. - **October in Ho Chi Minh City**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 21. Rains easing. - **November in Ho Chi Minh City**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 12. About 31°, less rain. - **December in Ho Chi Minh City** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 6. Dry — the best month. The nearest beaches are [Phan Thiet and Mui Ne](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phan-thiet), ≈ 3–4 hours away, or [Phu Quoc](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phu-quoc), an hour by air. ## What to eat in Ho Chi Minh City Southern food in Ho Chi Minh City is sweeter and more herb-heavy than in the north. Try com tam broken rice with grilled pork, banh mi, hu tieu noodle soup and iced coffee with condensed milk. - **Com tam** — broken rice with grilled pork and egg. - **Banh mi** — baguette with pâté, meat and herbs. - **Hu tieu** — noodle soup with seafood. - **Ca phe sua da** — iced coffee with condensed milk. ## Ho Chi Minh City ticket prices The post office, Nguyen Hue, Ben Thanh Market and the cathedral from outside are free. You pay for the Bitexco Skydeck, Independence Palace, museums and Mekong Delta tours. Prices are in dong. - [Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-notre-dame-cathedral) — Free; inside only during Mass - [Saigon Central Post Office](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-central-post-office) — Free - [Independence Palace](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/independence-palace) — 40,000–80,000 VND - [Saigon Opera House](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-opera-house) — Free outside; inside with a show ticket - [Ben Thanh Market](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/ben-thanh-market) — Free entry - [War Remnants Museum](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/war-remnants-museum) — 60,000 VND; concessions 30,000 - [Bitexco Financial Tower](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/bitexco-financial-tower) — 240,000 VND - [Museum of Vietnamese History](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/museum-of-vietnamese-history) — 60,000 VND; kids and students free - [Cu Chi Tunnels](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/cu-chi-tunnels) — ≈ 90,000–110,000 VND - [Mekong Delta](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/mekong-delta) — Day tour from $25 ## Tips - Notre-Dame Cathedral is under restoration: visitors may enter only for Mass. - Head to Nguyen Hue in the evening — the walking street with fountains comes alive after dark. - Bargain at Ben Thanh Market — tourist prices start high. ## Questions ### Is Ho Chi Minh City worth visiting? Yes, for its colonial landmarks, buzzing street life, great food and easy trips to the Mekong Delta. ### Do I need a visa for Vietnam? It depends on your passport: some nationalities are visa-free for a set number of days, others apply for a 90-day e-visa online. Check the official rules for your passport. ### What to do in Ho Chi Minh City in one day? The cathedral, post office and Independence Palace in the morning, Ben Thanh Market and a museum at midday, and the Bitexco Skydeck and Nguyen Hue in the evening. ### How do I get from the airport to District 1? By Grab or Xanh SM in 20–40 minutes, or bus 109 from the domestic terminal. ### What is the weather like in Ho Chi Minh City in January? Dry and hot: about 32 °C by day and 22 °C at night. ### When is the rainy season in Ho Chi Minh City? May to November, usually with short afternoon storms. ### How do I visit the Mekong Delta? On a day tour: about 2 hours each way, with boats through the canals, orchards and workshops. ### Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City? District 1 for a first visit; Thao Dien for quieter streets with the metro into town. ### What to eat in Ho Chi Minh City? Com tam, banh mi, hu tieu and iced coffee with condensed milk. ### Is Ho Chi Minh City safe? Generally yes; watch for bag snatching from scooters and use app taxis. ## Sources - Wikipedia, “Ho Chi Minh City”; “Saigon Central Post Office”; “Ho Chi Minh City Metro”; climate (1991–2020 normals) - Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon — official website (restoration, Mass times) - Independence Palace — official website Facts checked: 09.11.2026 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.