Ho Chi Minh City
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3 Days in Ho Chi Minh City — Complete Itinerary

Daily Budget€15 EUR–50 EUR
Best SeasonNovember–April
DestinationHo Chi Minh City
Duration3 Days
Day 1
Morning

Ben Thanh Market Exploration

Wander through the labyrinth of vendors at 280 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, District 1, sampling fresh spring rolls (com tam) and watching artisans weave baskets. Avoid tourist traps by heading straight to the back section near the central fountain for authentic street food at 15,000 VND (€0.55) per plate.

Budget tip: Buy spring rolls from the vendor near the fountain (not the front stalls) – 50% cheaper than "tourist" prices.
Afternoon

War Remnants Museum

Study the visceral exhibits on the Vietnam War at 28 Vo Nguyen Giap, District 3, focusing on the "Tunnel Warfare" display and the "B-52 Crash" photo exhibit. Open 7:30–11:30 AM and 1:30–4:30 PM (closed Mondays).

Budget tip: Entry is 100,000 VND (€3.70) – pay cash to avoid tourist tax scams at the gate.
Evening

Saigon River Cruise at Thao Dien

Board the Saigon River Cruise (departing from 318 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, District 3) at 6:00 PM for sunset views past the Saigon Bridge and historic riverside homes. Enjoy free jasmine tea and learn about the city's colonial architecture from the captain.

Budget tip: Skip the expensive dinner package – the 150,000 VND (€5.50) cruise includes tea and is cheaper than dinner at most riverside restaurants.
Day 2
Morning

Cu Chi Tunnels Tour

Join a 3-hour minibus tour from the Ho Chi Minh City Tourist Center (135 Le Duan, District 1) to the Cu Chi Tunnels complex at 8:00 AM. Crawl through 200m of original tunnels and see the "Tunnel City" exhibit.

Budget tip: Book a shared minibus tour for 450,000 VND (€16.70) – cheaper than private taxis and includes an English-speaking guide.
Afternoon

Nguyen Hue Walking Street & Cafe de la Paix

Stroll Nguyen Hue Street (District 1) past the Opera House, then sip coffee at Cafe de la Paix (15 Le Duan) – the original 19th-century French colonial cafe. Order a "Cà Phê Sữa Đá" (iced coffee with condensed milk) for 25,000 VND (€0.92).

Budget tip: Get coffee at Cafe de la Paix (not the touristy "Cafe de la Paix" near the bridge) – same price, better ambiance.
Evening

Binh Tay Market & Street Food Alley

Explore Binh Tay Market (541 Nguyen Trai, District 5) for fresh tropical fruits, then head to the alley behind it (near Hùng Vương Street) for 30+ street food stalls serving "Bánh Mì" (15,000 VND/€0.55) and "Bún Thịt Nướng" (grilled pork noodles).

Budget tip: Eat at the alley behind Binh Tay Market – avoid the market's front stalls where prices are 30% higher.
Day 3
Morning

District 1 Architecture Walk

Start at Notre Dame Cathedral (1 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1), then walk past the Central Post Office to the Opera House. Photograph the French colonial facades and learn about the history from the guide at the Post Office.

Budget tip: Free walking tour – ask the Post Office staff for the "Architecture History" pamphlet (they hand them out daily).
Afternoon

Pho 2000 at 335 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai

Eat the legendary beef pho at Pho 2000 (335 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1), known for its slow-simmered broth and 15-minute wait times. Order "Pho Tai" (beef pho) with extra herbs for 65,000 VND (€2.40).

Budget tip: Go at 11:00 AM to avoid crowds – pho is cheaper (65,000 VND) than lunch specials at tourist restaurants.
Evening

District 3 Street Art & Night Market

Discover the "Street Art District" in District 3 (around 200-300 Nguyen Van Cu), then visit the night market at Nguyen Van Cu Street (open 5:00–10:00 PM) for handmade crafts and grilled seafood.

Budget tip: Buy souvenirs at the night market – prices are 40% lower than at Ben Thanh Market.

Local Insider Tip

Street food stalls near Binh Tay Market (District 5) open at 5:00 AM but close by 8:00 AM – get the freshest, cheapest meals before the tourist rush.

About These Attractions

Verified descriptions from Wikipedia · Last checked 2026-04-12

Bến Thành MarketMarket in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam [Wikipedia]

Bến Thành Market is located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam in District 1. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in the city and an important symbol of the city. Ben Thanh Market is a famous destination for many local and foreign tourists from

War Remnants MuseumWar museum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam [Wikipedia]

The War Remnants Museum is a war museum at 28 Võ Văn Tần Street, Xuân Hòa, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It contains exhibits relating to the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War.

Củ Chi tunnelsNetwork of tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam [Wikipedia]

The tunnels of Củ Chi are an immense network of connecting tunnels located in the Củ Chi District of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. The Củ Chi tunnels were the location of several military ca

Source: Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0

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