Ho Chi Minh City 3-day itinerary

Start at the War Remnants Museum (₫40,000), one of the most powerful museums in Southeast Asia. Allow 2 hours minimum. Then walk through Saigon's French colonial district: Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica (exterior, under renovation), the Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the Reunification Palace (₫65,000) where a North Vietnamese tank crashed through the gates in 1975.

Walk to Bến Thành Market, Saigon's iconic covered market since 1912. The food stalls sell excellent phở (₫50,000) and bánh mì (₫25,000). Haggle for souvenirs at 40% of the asking price. Then discover Saigon's speciality coffee scene. The Workshop on Lê Lợi has industrial-chic vibes and excellent cà phê sữa đá (iced milk coffee, ₫55,000). Or try ca phe trung (egg coffee) at a traditional shop.

Head to Bùi Viện Walking Street, Saigon's backpacker district. Bia Saigon: ₫15,000 (60 cents). Bánh tráng trộn (mixed rice paper): ₫20,000. The street closes to traffic at 7pm and the party begins. For dinner, Phở Hòa Pasteur on Pasteur Street serves the city's best phở (₫85,000). For rooftop drinks, Saigon Saigon Bar atop the Caravelle Hotel has colonial glamour and river views.

Book a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels (₫250,000–500,000 including transport). The tunnel network used by Viet Cong guerrillas stretches 250km. You can crawl through widened sections (claustrophobic but unforgettable). The guide explanations of booby traps, underground hospitals, and kitchen ventilation systems are fascinating. Choose the Ben Dinh site for a less commercialized experience.

Return to Saigon and cross the bridge to District 4, a gritty, local neighbourhood that tourists rarely visit. The alleyway food stalls here serve the city's best cơm tấm (broken rice with pork, ₫40,000), bánh xèo (crispy Vietnamese pancakes, ₫35,000), and bún thịt nướng (vermicelli with grilled pork, ₫45,000). The narrow lanes buzzing with scooters are Saigon at its most authentic.

For a change from Bùi Viện, cross to District 2 (Thảo Điền), Saigon's expat hub with excellent restaurants and bars. The Deck on Nguyễn U Di has riverside dining. Biacraft Artisan Ales serves Vietnamese craft beers (₫80,000 per pint). For rooftop drama, Chill Skybar on the 26th floor of AB Tower has 360-degree city views and cocktails from ₫200,000.

Grab to Cholon, Saigon's sprawling Chinatown in District 5. Bình Tây Market is the wholesale hub, a beautiful art-deco building packed with traders selling dried goods, herbs, and fabrics. Visit Thiên Hậu Temple, a stunning Cantonese temple from 1760 with elaborate ceramic roof figurines and giant incense coils hanging from the ceiling. The surrounding streets are pure sensory overload.

Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda in District 3 (free), considered the finest Chinese temple in the city with carved wooden doors, ceramic figurines, and an incense-filled atmosphere. Then explore District 3's cafe scene. The Snap Cafe in a converted apartment building and Cong Caphe (communist-themed cafe, ₫45,000 for coconut coffee) are local favourites. The neighbourhood has excellent bánh mì stalls.

For the definitive Saigon bánh mì, queue at Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa on Lê Thị Riêng Street, District 1, for the legendary overstuffed baguette with pâté, cold cuts, and pickled vegetables (₫55,000). The queue is always long but moves fast. Then explore the Bến Thành Night Market that sets up around the main market after 6pm: cheaper clothes, souvenirs, and more street food for your final evening.