Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: things to do, when to go & how long to stay

Overview

Vietnam's largest city and busiest airport, with big-city energy, war-history museums and endless food, plus easy access to the delta.

Stays, activities and transport for Ho Chi Minh City will be bookable here soon.

Where to stayComing soon

Curated stays by area and budget will appear here once hotel partners are connected.

Tours & activitiesComing soon

Bookable experiences will appear here once activity partners are connected.

Car rentalComing soon

Rental pickup options will appear here once car partners are connected.

Ho Chi Minh City is very affordable by Vietnam standards. Across Vietnam, mid-range travellers typically spend about $55–$90 per person per day.

Country-level planning estimate, excluding flights. See the full Vietnam budget breakdown.

Language: Vietnamese; English is common in tourism businesses and cities, limited in rural areas
Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND)
Power: Type A/C/F, 220V
Entry: Entry rules depend on nationality — verify current official requirements before booking.

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Plan 2–4 days here. Highlighted months are the best fit for most travellers.

Cheap domestic flights make the long north–south axis practical on a two-week trip
The north–south railway is slow but scenic, with sleeper services between the main cities

North to south classic
15 days
Hanoi, karst country, the central coast and the delta.
Route: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hội An & Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City
Centre and south
10 days
Heritage towns, a beach base and the Mekong.
Route: Huế → Hội An & Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta