Table of Contents
1. Must-read notes for your 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City
1.1. Is 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City enough for travelers?
Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), Vietnam, with a focus on experiencing its rich history, culture, and culinary delights. Therefore, it is quite hard to make a Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 3 days that can cover everything in the city. However, if you only have this short period of time in Ho Chi Minh City, it still can provide you with a good introduction to the city’s highlights, but whether it’s enough depends on your travel preferences and what you want to see and do.
In conclusion, if you are good with rush-paced traveling and don’t need too much insight into the city, then 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City is enough. If you want more, you still can visit the city on your next trip, as it is recommended to spend 6-7 days so that you can cover almost all aspects of Saigon.
1.2. Top things to consider before making your Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 3 days
If you have decided to stay only 3 days in the city this trip, or your plan is locked for that short time, you will go to the next step: choosing a suitable plan. Before that, there are some factors to consider before making your Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 3 days:
- Your interests: What you would like to do will affect your itinerary a lot. As you only have a short time, you should only choose what fits your interests to put into your Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 3 days
- Your budget: Some activities may cost more than others. Consider your budget before making the plan.
- Your accommodation: Most of the popular things to do in Ho Chi Minh City for 3 days are in the city center. If your hotel is too far, it may affect your itinerary.
- Your travel time: The time you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City matters, as activities may be different depending on seasons, especially on holidays.
1.3. Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide - and other travel tips you may need before making your plan
Besides all of the notes above, it is recommended to read more guides related to Vietnam Travel, as some of them may help you a lot in your trip. We will update these related guides continuously right below, so stay tuned for updates! Here are some other travel tips you may need for making your Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 3 days:
2. Ideas for Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 3 days
Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary (1): Popular Must-do
This itinerary is for travelers who want to cover the most popular things to do in Ho Chi Minh City in 3 days. Therefore, we will pick the most visited destinations and activities for this itinerary.
Day 1: History and foodie
- Morning & afternoon:
Arrival and check-in at your hotel. If you are too tired (especially if you reach the city after a long flight), you can take a rest until the afternoon. Or else it is best to visit some of the historical sites of Saigon: War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, Saigon Opera House, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and Vietnam History Museum. They are quite close to each other. However, as there are quite many things to see in each place, they may take you the whole morning and afternoon.
Here are some guides you may need for this itinerary:
Full detailed guide to War Remnants Museum Ho Chi Minh City - Night:
This is the time when Vietnamese food becomes heaven, as most of the restaurants are very active at night. Vietnamese food is everywhere, you can easily find a place to enjoy the famous Pho, Banh mi or Vietnamese coffee.
Day 2: A trip to Mekong Delta countryside
- Morning & afternoon:
Take a trip to the Mekong Delta. The most popular areas to be visited are My Tho and Ben Tre, and the trip will be from morning to about 4-5 PM depending on your trip. - Night:
Do nightlife activities such as visiting bars, pubs,… there are a lot of great ones in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Or if you don’t want alcohol, you can visit the highest buildings in Saigon like Bitexco Tower or Landmark 81.
Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels & Shopping
- Morning:
Take a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. It is best to visit Ben Duoc, which is more authentic and less touristy. - Afternoon:
Visit markets and malls for shopping. If you want a guide about this, you can read this article Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City: What To Buy & Where To Shop - Night:
You can spend extra time wandering around to enjoy nightlife, or take a rest before leaving Ho Chi Minh City.
Book tours to cover this itinerary (Popular Must-do) with ease:
Every itinerary has its pros and cons. Sometimes, trying to arrange everything yourself is complicated. In that case, you may want to consider booking tours to make your 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City easy:
- Day 1:
Take a Saigon Unseen Tour to discover historical and unseen places. You can request to change the tour to fully historical, or by car,… if you want.
Then you can choose between Local Night Walking Food Tour or Local Night Food Tour By Scooters to explore the best authentic Vietnamese food that you can never try yourself. - Day 2:
If you don’t like touristy tours, you can check Ben Tre – Mekong Delta Tour 1 Day (Not Touristy) to enjoy the countryside. Small group and private options are available. - Day 3:
There is no need to get yourself stuck in a bus with 30 other people for a Cu Chi Tunnel tour. Consider booking a Private Cu Chi Tunnel Tour With Rice Paper Village or a Daily Cu Chi Tunnel Small Group Tour (Half-day) for the best of your experiences.
Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary (2): History & Culture Enthusiasts
This itinerary is for travelers who want to enjoy the historical and cultural aspects of Ho Chi Minh City in 3 days. Therefore, we will recommend the best war sites and cultural places for you to visit.
Day 1: The history food journey
- Morning & afternoon:
Arrival and check-in at your hotel. If you are too tired (especially if you reach the city after a long flight), you can take a rest until the afternoon. Or else it is best to visit some of the historical sites of Saigon: War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, Saigon Opera House, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and Vietnam History Museum. They are quite close to each other. However, as there are quite many things to see in each place, they may take you the whole morning and afternoon.
Here are some guides you may need for this itinerary:
Full detailed guide to War Remnants Museum Ho Chi Minh City - Night:
This is the time when Vietnamese food becomes heaven, as most of the restaurants are very active at night. Vietnamese food is everywhere, you can easily find a place to enjoy the famous Pho, Banh mi or Vietnamese coffee.
Day 2: Into the unseen of Saigon
- Morning:
There is one thing that is most lively in the morning: the local life of Ho Chi Minh City. Local wet markets, small alleys, and old apartment buildings in the 20th century are must-go places for those who seek Vietnamese culture. You can choose the old town of District 3 or visit China Town in District 5 for this. - Afternoon:
Temples and pagodas are one of the key factors in Vietnamese culture. Try to visit at least one famous place like Thien Hau Temple, Jade Emperor Pagoda, or Mariamman Hindu Temple. - Night:
If you want some true local life experience at night, it is best to stay out of touristy areas at night. You can take a taxi to visit other districts like District 7, 8 or 10 to explore local culture.
Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels & Culture Engagement
- Morning:
Take a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. It is best to visit Ben Duoc, which is more authentic and less touristy. - Afternoon:
Take a cooking class. Don’t choose the touristy ones that take you to a small room to play with food like normal travelers. To engage with Vietnamese culture, it is best to take a cooking class with a local market visit, or an authentic farm. - Night:
You can spend extra time wandering around to enjoy nightlife, or take a rest before leaving Ho Chi Minh City.
Book tours to cover this itinerary (History & Culture Enthusiasts) with ease:
Every itinerary has its pros and cons. Sometimes, trying to arrange everything yourself is complicated. In that case, you may want to consider booking tours to make your 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City easy:
- Day 1:
Take a Historical City Tour to get not only history but also insights from local tour guide.
Then you can do a Local Night Food Tour By Scooters to explore the best authentic Vietnamese food and visit a few different districts in Ho Chi Minh City. - Day 2:
You can consider Saigon Unseen On Motorbike (Daytime) for visiting off-the-beaten-path places in Saigon, then take a Local Night Walking Food Tour, which guarantees to take you to places without a single tourist other than you. - Day 3:
There is no need to get yourself stuck in a bus with 30 other people for a Cu Chi Tunnel tour. Consider booking a Private Cu Chi Tunnel Tour With Rice Paper Village or a Daily Cu Chi Tunnel Small Group Tour (Half-day) for the best of your experiences.
Before ending your 3 days in Vietnam, take a Private Farm Tour & Cooking Class – the only cooking class in Ho Chi Minh City that takes you to an authentic local farm.
Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary (3): Foodie Lovers
This itinerary is for travelers who want to explore all aspects of culinary in Ho Chi Minh City in 3 days. Therefore, we will pick the best foodie experience for you to try the most delicious food of Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Food Exploration
- Morning:
Arrival and check-in at your hotel. You should take a rest and get yourself ready before starting your first activity. - Afternoon:
Visit Ben Thanh Market and explore the food court in the market. Then visit the area around for great Vietnamese food. Popular food like Pho, Banh Mi,… is quite easy to find anywhere. - Night:
For a Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 3 days of a foodie, nighttime should be the best. You can visit an open-air Vietnamese restaurant or a local bar, which usually offers lots of Vietnamese-style cocktails. Craft beer artisan is a good option too.
Day 2: Local coffee & cooking class
- Morning:
Visit local areas to enjoy the famous Vietnamese coffee (phin coffee, egg coffee, coconut coffee). If you don’t want to have breakfast at your hotel, most of the cafes in HCMC will offer quite delicious Vietnamese breakfasts. A coffee workshop is a good option in case you want more engagement. - Afternoon:
Join a cooking class, preferably one with visiting a local market or local farm. - Night:
Relax.
Day 3: Bring back your Vietnamese food
- Morning:
Visit Ben Thanh Market or others to buy some Vietnamese packaged food. Many of them can be kept for a long time. If you are a food lover and have fallen in love with Vietnamese food, you should buy a few to bring home. Remember to check with your airline guidelines before buying. - Afternoon:
Visit some famous coffee shops in the city like Highlands Coffee, Trung Nguyen Coffee,… to buy some to bring home. - Night:
Relax before leaving.
Book tours to cover this itinerary (Foodie Lovers) with ease:
Every itinerary has its pros and cons. Sometimes, trying to arrange everything yourself is complicated. In that case, you may want to consider booking tours to make your 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City easy:
- Day 1:
Choose between Local Night Walking Food Tour or Local Night Food Tour By Scooters to explore the best authentic Vietnamese food that you can never try yourself. - Day 2:
Take a Saigon Unseen Tour to discover historical and unseen places. In this tour, you will visit one of the oldest coffee shops in Saigon, which uses a very unique way to brew coffee. - Day 3:
Contact AN Tours Vietnam for a Vietnamese coffee workshop, where you can buy coffee as souvenirs as well.
Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary (4): Nature & Beach Exploration
This itinerary is for travelers who want to enjoy nature and the beach near Ho Chi Minh City in 3 days. Therefore, this itinerary will lead you to the best nature and beach near the city.
Day 1: The countryside
- Morning & afternoon:
Take a trip to the Mekong Delta. The most popular areas to be visited are My Tho and Ben Tre, and the trip will be from morning to about 4-5 PM depending on your trip. - Night:
Relax or visit a Vietnamese restaurant or bar.
Day 2: The mangrove forest
- Morning & afternoon:
Visiting Can Gio Mangrove Forest – the heart of Vietnam’s rich natural beauty and biodiversity. Located just a short drive from the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City, this unique ecosystem offers a serene escape into a world of lush greenery, winding waterways, and an array of wildlife. Visitors can explore the mangrove forests by boat, marveling at the intricate network of canals while glimpsing rare species like the elusive dugong and vibrant birdlife. The UNESCO-listed Can Gio Biosphere Reserve also houses a remarkable mangrove crab farm and a rehabilitation center for endangered primates, making it not only a picturesque destination but also a vital hub for conservation efforts in the region. - Night:
You can choose to stay at Can Gio Beach to relax or return back to your hotel to wander around and explore the city.
Day 3: The sea
- Morning & Afternoon
Take a trip to Vung Tau city – called Rio De Janeiro of Vietnam. Each drive will take you 2 hours, but you will like it. Vung Tau is a combination of mountain and culture, both of which you can explore in a short trip. - Night:
You can spend extra time wandering around to enjoy nightlife or take a rest before leaving Ho Chi Minh City.
Book tours to cover this itinerary (Nature & Beach Exploration) with ease:
Every itinerary has its pros and cons. Sometimes, trying to arrange everything yourself is complicated. In that case, you may want to consider booking tours to make your 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City easy:
- Day 1:
If you don’t like touristy tours, you can check Ben Tre – Mekong Delta Tour 1 Day (Not Touristy) to enjoy the countryside. Small group and private options are available. - Day 2:
Contact AN Tours Vietnam for a private driver or tour to Can Gio. - Day 3:
Contact AN Tours Vietnam for a private driver to Vung Tau City. Or if you are a pure beach lover, you can consider spending your 2 days 1 night with Private Vung Tau 2D1N Camping Tour By Mobihome
Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary (5): Couple Vacation
This itinerary is for coupled travelers who want to make a romantic trip to Ho Chi Minh City in 3 days. Therefore, we will pick the best couple things to do in the city.
Day 1: Explore the city together
- Morning:Arrival and check-in at your hotel. If you are too tired (especially if you reach the city after a long flight), you can take a rest until the afternoon. Or else it is best to visit some of the historical sites of Saigon: War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, Saigon Opera House, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and Vietnam History Museum. They are quite close to each other. However, as there are quite many things to see in each place, they may take you the whole morning and afternoon.
Or if you don’t like too much history, you can consider visiting Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Bach Dang Wharf, Bitexco Tower, Landmark 81, or Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden. These places are the perfect start for a couple in Ho Chi Minh City, which are great for dating or photography. - Night:
Enjoy food at Vietnamese restaurants, or bars/ craft beer artisans.
Day 2: A trip out of HCMC together
- Morning & afternoon:
Take a trip to Cu Chi Tunnel, or Mekong Delta, or Vung Tau beach depending on your interests. - Night:
Relax.
Day 3: Shopping together
- Morning:
Visit Ben Thanh Market or malls for shopping. There are many shops selling couple outfits that you may love. Remember to check the price before you buy. - Afternoon:
Visit some famous coffee shops in the city like Highlands Coffee, Trung Nguyen Coffee,… to buy some to bring home. - Night:
Relax before leaving.
Book tours to cover this itinerary (Couple Vacation) with ease:
Every itinerary has its pros and cons. Sometimes, trying to arrange everything yourself is complicated. In that case, you may want to consider booking tours to make your 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City easy:
- Day 1:
Take a Saigon Unseen Tour to discover historical and unseen places. In this tour, we will pick places for you to take couple photo.
At night, you can choose between Local Night Walking Food Tour or Local Night Food Tour By Scooters to explore the best authentic Vietnamese food that you can never try yourself. Special offer: we do have FREE cake for birthdays or anniversaries. - Day 2:
Choose one of these tours depending on your interests:
Ben Tre – Mekong Delta Tour 1 Day (Not Touristy)
Private Cu Chi Tunnel Tour With Rice Paper Village
Private Vung Tau 2D1N Camping Tour By Mobihome - Day 3:
Contact AN Tours Vietnam for a private driver for shopping.
Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary (6): Family Vacation With Children
This itinerary is for travelers who want to enjoy a trip with their family with children to Ho Chi Minh City in 3 days. Therefore, this Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 3 days will show you the best things to do with kids.
Day 1: City exploration day
- Morning & afternoon:
Arrive in HCMC. Unless your kids are interested in history (in this case you can take them to popular sites like the War Remnants Museum or the Notre Dame Cathedral,…), or else it is best to explore the city in the local/ unseen sights: local coffee shops, local wet markets, or zoo,.. which will interest kids a lot more. - Night:
Relax or visit a Vietnamese restaurant.
Day 2: Fun day!
- Morning & afternoon:
Enjoy a trip to the countryside of the Mekong Delta. There are a lot of activities here that your children will love. Or else, it is best to visit a theme park in or near Saigon like Suoi Tien, Dam Sen, or Dai Nam - Night:
Wandering around Nguyen Hue Walking Street or Bach Dang Wharf. If you would like a little fancier, you can visit the top of Bitexco Tower or Landmark 81.
Day 3: Shopping day
- Morning & Afternoon
Agree or not, kids love shopping (their parents will pay anyway), especially shopping for what they love. You can take your kids around markets and malls like Ben Thanh Market or Vincom Center to buy something before leaving the city. - Night:
You can spend extra time wandering around to enjoy the nightlife or take a rest before leaving Ho Chi Minh City.
Book tours to cover this itinerary (Family Vacation With Children) with ease:
Every itinerary has its pros and cons. Sometimes, trying to arrange everything yourself is complicated. In that case, you may want to consider booking tours to make your 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City easy:
- Day 1:
Take an Unseen City Tour in the morning to explore the local sights and a Local Night Walking Food Tour for the kids to enjoy the best authentic Vietnamese food - Day 2:
Book a Ben Tre – Mekong Delta Tour 1 Day (Not Touristy) to enjoy the countryside. Small group and private options are available. Or contact AN Tours Vietnam for a private driver to the theme park. - Day 3:
For day 3, you don’t have to do any tours. Just take a taxi and visit shopping malls.
3. Other related Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Thank you for reading our post. Above are the best Ho Chi Minh City Itineraries for 3 days. Besides those, we will soon update more related itineraries to Ho Chi Minh City, please follow our social media or visit the list here:
- Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 5 days
- Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary 1 week
info@antoursvietnam.com
+84 37 4463 732 (Henry) (Whatsapp/ Zalo available) +84 70 6666 520 (Vincent) (Whatsapp/ Zalo available)
