Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Overview
Saigon roars with motorbike rivers, French colonial landmarks, legendary banh mi stalls, and a relentless entrepreneurial energy across Southeast Asia's most dynamic city.
Cost of Travel
Daily budget guide for Ho Chi Minh City — what you can expect to spend per person including accommodation, meals, transport, and activities.
per person per day
per person per day
per person per day
Approximate costs in USD based on today's exchange rates.
Explore Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon Opera House
Ornate 19th-century French colonial opera house that is now home to the city's ballet & symphony.
Independence Palace
Historical building of the Vietnam War era, with tours of government offices, war rooms & artifacts.
War Remnants Museum
Memorial museum exhibiting photographs, weapons & other objects from the Vietnam & Indochina wars.
Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh's body is on display in this mausoleum & historic site.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Sprawling underground tunnel complex used by Viet Cong soldiers, plus exhibits & war memorials.
Where to Stay
Park Hyatt Saigon
The city's most refined luxury hotel overlooking the Opera House, with a French colonial ambiance, stunning pool, and acclaimed Square One restaurant.
Liberty Central Saigon
A modern hotel in District 1 with a rooftop pool offering city views and walking distance to major sights and Ben Thanh Market.
Where to Eat
Anan Saigon
Vietnamese
Chef Peter Cuong Franklin's acclaimed restaurant above a street food market, reinventing Vietnamese classics with modern technique and storytelling.
Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
Vietnamese
The most famous banh mi shop in Saigon, with queues stretching down the block for their legendary stuffed baguettes loaded with pate and cold cuts.
Travel Tips
- Crossing the street: walk slowly, steadily, and predictably — traffic flows around you
- Banh mi and pho are better from street stalls than restaurants
- Visit the Mekong Delta on a day trip (2 hours) for floating markets
- District 1 has the main sights; District 3 has the best local food
- Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk (ca phe sua da) is addictive
- Motorbike traffic is insane — a Grab bike is the fastest way anywhere
Getting There & Around
Motorbike taxis (xe om) and Grab are the main transport. The new metro Line 1 is under expansion. Walking is challenging due to sidewalk obstacles. City buses exist but are confusing for visitors. Taxis are metered — use Vinasun or Mai Linh. Traffic is chaotic but vehicles move slowly.
Book & Reserve
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