What a 5-day Saigon trip actually looks like
Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by most locals) is sensory overload in the best way — motorbikes swarming every intersection, street food vendors on every corner, French colonial architecture next to glass skyscrapers, and a war history that's confronting and essential.
Five days covers central Saigon, the Cu Chi Tunnels, a Mekong Delta day trip, the food scene, and still leaves room for a cooking class or spa day.
Central Saigon & war history
Chợ Lớn (Chinatown) & food tour
Cu Chi Tunnels
Mekong Delta, cooking & your pace
Essential Ho Chi Minh City trip planning tips
Good planning makes Ho feel effortless. Here's what actually matters.
Crossing the street
Walk slowly and steadily — the motorbikes will flow around you. Don't run, don't stop suddenly, and don't panic. It works, but the first time is terrifying.
Eat where locals eat
The best food is at tiny plastic-stool joints. If it's packed with Vietnamese people and has no English menu, sit down. A meal is $1–3.
Incredibly cheap
Saigon is one of Asia's cheapest cities. Street food meals $1–3, excellent restaurants $8–15, beer $0.50–1.50. Budget $30–50/day easily.
It's always hot
Year-round 28–35°C and humid. Carry water, use sunscreen, and take midday breaks in air-conditioned cafés. Dry season (Dec–Apr) is more comfortable.
Use Grab, not taxis
Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber) is essential in Saigon. Fixed prices, no scams, and motorbike option (Grab Bike) for getting through traffic fast.
Vietnamese coffee culture
Cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk) is life-changing. Egg coffee (cà phê trứng) from Hanoi is also available here. Drink it daily.
This itinerary is just the starting point
Your Wandercrafted Ho plan adapts to exactly how you like to travel. Tell it your preferences:
Ho Chi Minh City trip planning – frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
Three days for central Saigon and the Cu Chi Tunnels. Five days adds the Mekong Delta, a cooking class, and time to eat properly. Many people combine it with Hanoi, Hoi An, or Ha Long Bay on a wider Vietnam trip.
Is Ho Chi Minh City safe?
Very safe for violent crime. Bag snatching by motorbike is the main risk — carry bags on the building side and use a crossbody bag. Scams target tourists at Ben Thanh Market and taxi stands.
What's the best time to visit?
December to April (dry season) — still hot but less rain. May to November is monsoon season with afternoon downpours but lower prices and fewer tourists. It's warm year-round.
How does Wandercrafted personalise my Saigon itinerary?
Tell us if you're here for street food, war history, nightlife, or all of it. We plan around heat, traffic, and your energy levels — with specific restaurant recommendations and neighbourhood routing.
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