Last Updated on 2026 年 4 月 9 日 by Ching
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, known as the “Little Paris of the East” with its French charm and vibrant creativity, is definitely the top choice for Southeast Asia travel in 2025! With just 20,000 TWD, you can stay in a four-star hotel in Ho Chi Minh, enjoy French cuisine, and even take a side trip to the stunning red and white sand dunes of Mui Ne.
This Ho Chi Minh Travel Guide is the essence of my second visit to Vietnam, compiling the latest 2025 e-visa instructions, a 5-day 4-night itinerary, must-try foods, and tips to avoid scams in transportation. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned traveler, following this guide will ensure a great time in Saigon!
Where is Ho Chi Minh? Geographical location of Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is located in southern Vietnam and is one of the five centrally governed cities in Vietnam.
Named after the founding leader of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, “Ho Chi Minh,” it is the economic, trade, and cultural center of Vietnam and a major hub for tourism in the country.
Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City include the romantic Pink Church and unique coffee apartments, while the nearby stunning desert of Mui Ne makes it a popular Southeast Asian travel destination in recent years.
Must-See Before Departure: Vietnam Travel Tips
Vietnam, with its affordable and unique offerings, is a popular new choice for Southeast Asian travel.
Whether it’s the natural beauty of Halong Bay in North Vietnam, the ancient town charm of Hoi An in Central Vietnam, or the bustling and vibrant Ho Chi Minh City in South Vietnam, the diverse landscapes of Vietnam captivate travelers from all over the world!
If you’re visiting Vietnam for the first time, here are some travel tips organized just for you.
主要使用越盾 (VND)，匯率約 台幣 1 : 750 越盾。鈔票面額眾多且零很多（從 1,000 到 500,000），付錢前請務必看清楚面額，以免弄錯金額！
Vietnam Visa Application
How to buy cheap tickets to Ho Chi Minh
This time, we flew with VietJetAir from Taipei to Ho Chi Minh City, and the ticket cost less than $5000 without luggage, which is very cheap. VietJetAir often has special ticket offers. Remember to check for tickets using Skyscanner first!
Ho Chi Minh Transportation Guide:
Grab Car Booking Tutorial vs Taxi Fraud Prevention
When traveling to Ho Chi Minh, common travel methods include renting a motorcycle, taking Grab, or using a taxi. Since our stay in Ho Chi Minh was short, we mainly used Grab as our primary mode of transportation.
1. Grab [Highly Recommended]
Grab is a ride-hailing app exclusive to Southeast Asian countries and a must-have for Southeast Asia travel. Its interface and usage are identical to Uber, making it very easy to use.
Moreover, the app has a built-in translation feature, so there’s no need to worry about language barriers. Most of the cars and drivers are of good quality!
2. Taxi
There are many taxis in Ho Chi Minh City, with the largest being the white VINASUN and the green MAiLINH.
There are many reports online about taxi scams (detours, overcharging, etc.).
We also encountered this during our trip, where the taxi meter showed 20,000, but the driver turned off the meter at the destination and demanded 200,000!
Luckily, everyone in the car was a big guy, so insisting not to pay didn’t cause any trouble. It’s still recommended to use Grab for peace of mind unless you can’t get a Grab ride.
3. Rent a Motorbike
During the trip, I chatted with classmates who visited Ho Chi Minh City last year. They rented motorbikes for their travels, and it seemed quite nice.
Ho Chi Minh City has many motorbike rental shops. Perhaps next time, if I have more time, I’ll try renting a motorbike in Vietnam to make the trip feel more local!
However, there are many roundabouts and heavy traffic here, so be sure to ride safely when renting a motorbike!
4. Long-Distance Bus
If you’re traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to more distant towns, sleeper buses are a great option!
For example, on this trip to Ho Chi Minh City, we also planned a visit to Mui Ne. The journey took over five hours, and choosing to take a sleeper bus allowed us to rest well and feel much less fatigued.
Depart from Ho Chi Minh! Two days and one night in Mui Ne for under $3,000
Must-try foods in Ho Chi Minh: Pho / Baguette / Seafood / Cafes
#Vietnamese Pho
When it comes to Vietnamese cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely a steaming bowl of Vietnamese Pho. During our days in Vietnam, we enjoyed a bowl for breakfast at the hotel, another at a snack shop for lunch, and even had one after drinks at a late-night bar to sober up!
Vietnamese Pho with its rich beef-flavored broth is something that remains unforgettable!
#Vietnamese Baguette
On the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll find numerous vendors pushing carts selling French baguettes. Cafes and Vietnamese restaurants also feature these baguettes, and in District 1, there’s even a specialty shop called Bánh Mì Hùynh Hoa. When in Vietnam, you must try a few of these baguettes, crispy on the outside and soft inside, filled with fresh vegetables and aromatic grilled meat—Vietnamese baguettes!
#Vietnamese Cold Noodle Salad
In the scorching midday heat of Ho Chi Minh City, don’t let the temperature deter your appetite. Vietnamese Cold Noodle Salad is sure to whet your appetite! The tender noodles mixed with fresh vegetables, a tangy-sweet sauce, and nuts offer a chewy texture and aromatic flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
#Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls
The translucent and glistening Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls are a perfect summer snack. The fillings vary by vendor, but the most common is shrimp and fresh vegetables wrapped in rice paper, served with a rich peanut sauce that is truly delightful!
#Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls
One amazing thing about Vietnam is that whether you’re at a street stall or a restaurant, Vietnamese fried spring rolls are almost never disappointing! Each one is incredibly delicious, with a crispy outer layer and hot filling inside. Despite being fried, they are not greasy and are a very popular snack.
#Authentic French Cuisine
After nearly a century of French colonization, Vietnam retains many French elements. Besides some historical buildings, the most praised experience is enjoying authentic French cuisine here!
The quality of French cuisine here is consistently high, and with relatively affordable prices, it’s highly recommended for anyone traveling to Vietnam not to miss out!
#Local’s Favorite Snack Hub – Ben Thanh Market
When traveling to Ho Chi Minh City and wanting to taste authentic Vietnamese street food, don’t forget to visit the century-old Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh!
Ho Chi Minh Free Travel Planning
This five-day Ho Chi Minh tour is effectively only four days, as the last day is just breakfast before heading to Ho Chi Minh Airport. The first two days are spent in Mui Ne, enjoying the coastal town’s vacation atmosphere and natural scenery. The following two days are in Ho Chi Minh City, where you can appreciate French architecture, cuisine, traditional Vietnamese markets, night views, and more.
飯店 Check-in ➝ 享受私人海灘/泳池
晚餐：Bibo 海鮮大排檔
返回飯店早餐/SPA ➝ 搭巴士回胡志明市
晚餐：道地法式料理
濱城市場逛街 ➝ 越式洗頭/按摩體驗
晚餐：越南河粉 ➝ 范五老街微醺
金融塔/高空酒吧眺望市景
晚餐：Cuc Gach Quan (米其林推薦)
前往新山一機場 (SGN) ➝ 甜蜜的家
The itinerary isn’t too packed, especially on the third and fourth days. If you’re energetic, you might be able to cover everything in one day. However, we chose a slower pace to explore the city, which I believe strikes a balance between travel and relaxation.
Ho Chi Minh Tourist Attractions
#Mui Ne White Sand Dunes & Fairy Stream
Located a five-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne offers a distinctly different travel experience from the city. The most unique features are the endless white sand dunes and the special geographical landscape of Fairy Stream.
If you have enough time while visiting southern Vietnam, consider planning a two-day, one-night trip to explore this stunning city!
[Recommended] Further reading: Explore Mui Ne Attractions | Stunning White Sand Dunes, Red Sand Dunes, Fairy Stream – Vietnam Mui Ne Itinerary
#Pink Church
The Pink Church is a super popular Instagram spot in Ho Chi Minh City. Officially named the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, this Catholic church was built in the 20th century and is the second largest church in Ho Chi Minh City.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral
Location: 289 Hai Bà Trưng, Phường 8, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Phone: +84 28 3829 0093
#Penang Market
As mentioned above, if you want to try local snacks, you must visit Penang Market. The market itself is one of the few buildings from the Saigon era that still stands today. Besides being a food haven, it’s also a prime spot for tourists to buy local handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, and souvenirs.
Ben Thanh Market
Location: Chợ, Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1,
Phone: +84 28 3829 9274
Opening hours: 07:00–19:00
#Ho Chi Minh Coffee Apartment
The Ho Chi Minh Coffee Apartment, which has been rumored for years to be demolished, still stands firm at the City Hall Square in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. Despite its weathered exterior, the influx of numerous small coffee shops has turned it into a must-visit spot for Ho Chi Minh’s hipsters and Instagram enthusiasts!
The old exterior and the renovated interior of the vintage building create a sense of time warp. Especially at night, when each small shop lights up, the vibrant neon colors bring this building to life, making it an incredibly attractive destination.
Ho Chi Minh Coffee Apartment
Location: Vietnam, 42 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1
Opening Hours: 08:00–22:00
#Saigon Central Post Office
This Saigon Central Post Office is one of my favorite spots in Ho Chi Minh. Its French colonial architecture, as the first post office built during the French colonial period, exudes a romantic charm. Sending a postcard from this century-old European-style building is truly enchanting.
I bought a lot of stamps here. They are not too expensive and have a distinctive Vietnamese style, which I absolutely love!
Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office
Location: Số 125 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, District 1
Opening Hours: 07:00–19:00
#Red Cathedral
Located next to the Saigon Central Post Office, the Red Cathedral (Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon) was a highly anticipated attraction for me. This is the largest church in Ho Chi Minh City, with its entire exterior made of red bricks imported from France, giving it a magnificent appearance. Unfortunately, when we visited in early April, it was under renovation, so we couldn’t capture its complete look!
#Chill Skybar Highly Recommended
Although Sky Bars are usually not on the must-visit list, I recommend it to travelers like me who enjoy city nightscapes.
Chill Skybar is located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, offering convenient access and reasonably priced drinks. If you want a panoramic view of the entire city, this is definitely the top choice!
Chill Skybar
Location: AB Tower, Floor 26, 76A Lê Lai, Phường Bến Thành, District 1
Phone: +84 93 882 28 38
Business Hours: 17:30–02:00
Best Time for Night Photography: Recommended to visit around 6 PM
Dress Code: Yes; Men are not allowed to wear slippers or shorts, women’s skirts must be knee-length.
Further Reading: Chill Skybar｜Popular Ho Chi Minh Rooftop Bar for Stunning Vietnam Night Views
Ho Chi Minh & Mui Ne Accommodation
During our five-day trip, we stayed at quite decent places. One night in Mui Ne and three nights in Ho Chi Minh, all at four-star hotels, with actual accommodation costs around $7,600.
#Mui Ne Accommodation – The Cliff Resort
The Cliff Resort & Residences is one of Mui Ne’s four-star resorts, featuring a stunning swimming pool, private beach, and affordable rates. Highly recommended for enjoying a vacation atmosphere here!
The Cliff Resort & Residences
Address: Zone 5, Phu Hai Ward, Bình Thuận, Vietnam
Phone: +84 252 3719 111
Earliest check-in time: 14:00
Latest check-out time: 12:00
Check lowest room rates: <booking lowest rates>
Further reading: Vietnam Mui Ne Accommodation Recommendation | The Cliff Resort & Residences – Stunning Private Beach and Pool
#Ho Chi Minh Accommodation – Fusion Suites Saigon
This Fusion Suites Saigon is a four-star hotel that opened in 2016. The high-ceiling lobby on the first floor is very stylish, and the rooms feature large floor-to-ceiling windows, soft and comfortable double beds, and a warm wooden decor that is very appealing. We stayed at this hotel for three nights, and the staff were very friendly, making it a wonderful accommodation experience!
Fusion Suites Saigon
Address: 3-5 Suong Nguyet Anh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: +84) 8 3925 7257
Earliest check-in time: 14:00
Latest check-out time: 12:00
Check lowest room rates: <agoda lowest rates>, <booking lowest rates>
Ho Chi Minh & Mui Ne Five-Day Expenses
For our five-day trip, including airfare and accommodation, we spent less than 20,000. The major expense was enjoying an authentic French meal in Vietnam, while other costs were very affordable! We used Grab for daily transport, enjoyed massages, night views, and bars, and around $200 USD was more than sufficient.
Is Ho Chi Minh fun? Ho Chi Minh travel insights
This time visiting Southern Vietnam, I experienced a completely different feeling from Central Vietnam.
Exploring the distinctly styled cities of Mui Ne and Ho Chi Minh, Mui Ne’s stunning natural landscapes are breathtaking, while Ho Chi Minh is vibrant and exciting. This itinerary wasn’t too packed, allowing for a leisurely five-day journey in this mysterious Eastern Paris, enjoying a relaxed and slow-paced lifestyle.
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您算的有些是平均分擔後的價錢吧 我也去過 不可能一個人頭300元就能吃到海鮮大餐 還有 你們是ㄧ人ㄧ房嗎？