How many days should I spend in Ho Chi Minh City?

Is 3 days enough in Ho Chi Minh?

Three days. Enough, maybe. Depends.

It isn’t a race.

• First time? Doesn’t matter.
• Planned attractions? Irrelevant.
• Extending the trip? A choice.

Time is relative. What’s the rush? Ho Chi Minh City exists. You exist. The duration is arbitrary. I recall accidentally buying a lifetime supply of tea once. Didn’t need it. Used it.

Detached Observations

• History is heavy. War Remnants Museum. Brutal. Necessary.
• Food is cheap. Good. Street vendors > restaurants.
• Traffic is chaos. Embrace it. Or don’t.
• Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon – a moment of quiet amongst the mayhem.

Tick-tock. So?

Considerations

Three days allows a superficial glimpse. Is that enough? One can spend a lifetime chasing shadows. Or, three days offers a taste. Then, leave. Or don’t.

• Cu Chi Tunnels: Intense claustrophobia. Worth the trip.
• Reunification Palace: History frozen in time.
• Ben Thanh Market: Tourist trap. Still interesting. Buy something.

It’s all fleeting.

A Thought

“Is enough ever truly enough?” nah.

Personal Aside

Once spent a week watching a snail climb a wall. Time well spent. I thought.

Is 2 days in Ho Chi Minh enough?

Ugh, two days in Ho Chi Minh? Barely scratches the surface! Seriously. Need more time. Cu Chi Tunnels are a must though, totally worth it. That’s the highlight, hands down. The Mekong Delta too. But two days? Crazy packed.

Humidity. Man, it’s brutal. My best friend went last summer and said they were drenched constantly. Like, seriously sweaty. Sunscreen is essential. Seriously essential. She got a wicked sunburn on her nose. Stupid.

The food, though! Amazing. I’m still dreaming about the pho I had at that tiny place near Ben Thanh Market. Not the touristy ones, the smaller hidden gems. The name? I forget. Something about a gold dragon. But the food was incredible.

What else? The city is insane. Motorbikes everywhere! A total sensory overload. Love it, actually. But overwhelming if you’re not used to it. It felt like total chaos! I wish I had more than two days there. The backpackers’ area was buzzing. I ended up buying three new t-shirts. Stupid impulse buy. Maybe I’ll go back in 2024.

• Cu Chi Tunnels: Absolute must-see.
• Mekong Delta: Worth it if time allows.
• Sun protection: Absolutely vital. Essential, even.
• Food: The street food was a delight, especially the pho.
• Motorbike chaos: Be prepared for it. Lots of it.

How many days to spend in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi?

Ugh, Vietnam trip planning. Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh first? Decisions, decisions.

Four days in Hanoi sounds about right. Maybe five if I find some awesome street food tours. That’s my priority this time – food! Gotta try all those pho places. I heard this amazing banh mi place is a must-try in HCMC.

Three days in Ho Chi Minh City? Feels short. I want to hit the War Remnants Museum – that’ll be intense. And the Cu Chi Tunnels. Definitely need more time for shopping too. Got to find those silk pajamas I’ve been dreaming of. Plus, the nightlife…

Four days HCMC, minimum. I’m a history nerd but, seriously, the food scene in HCMC wins. Maybe I should flip it? Five days HCMC, four Hanoi.

Key Attractions:

• Hanoi: Old Quarter exploration, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature.
• HCMC: War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral.

My ideal? Five days in HCMC, four days in Hanoi. Five. Yes. Foodie heaven in HCMC – street food is calling my name! I’m going to be SO full. Then Hanoi for the history. And maybe a cooking class! Perfect.

How long should I spend in Ho Chi Minh?

Three days in Ho Chi Minh City, that’s what I needed. Maybe four if you’re really into museums. I spent two days last July, felt rushed. It was insanely hot, like, seriously oppressive humidity. I regretted not having more time. The food was amazing, though. So much pho!

The Cu Chi Tunnels, wow. That was intense. Claustrophobic. Creepy. Definitely worth seeing, but I was sweating buckets even down there. Plan for that. Bring water. Lots of water.

My must-visits:

• Ben Thanh Market: Chaos, but I loved the energy. Haggle hard! Got a killer deal on a silk scarf.
• War Remnants Museum: Heavy stuff. Prepare to be emotionally drained. But it’s important.
• Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office: Beautiful architecture. Postcards. Classic touristy stuff, but hey, they’re beautiful. I took tons of pictures.
• Saigon Opera House: Didn’t go inside, but the exterior alone is stunning at night.
• Food stalls everywhere. Seriously. So much good, cheap food.

I wish I’d had more time for the Mekong Delta trip. That’s on my list for next year. This year, though, three days felt perfect for the city itself. Four would’ve been better, but then I would’ve been really tired. Three days was perfect for me.

Why do people go to Ho Chi Minh?

Ugh, Ho Chi Minh City… Been there, survived that. 2023, spring break, right after my breakup.

I went because everything was cheaper than therapy. Plus, Sarah (my so-called bestie) insisted. Said it was “transformative.”

It was hot, okay? Like, swamp butt hot.

The markets… okay, they had stuff. Fake designer bags, spices, the usual tourist crap. I bought a conical hat; still have it. Gathering dust in my closet.

Food? I only dared eat pho from a street vendor. Pretty sure it cured my soul a little. Or maybe it was the Bia Hoi. Who knows?

I did a Saigon River cruise. It was… a river. Boats. People. Water. Not life-changing. Honestly.

The pagodas were pretty, I guess. Lots of gold. Lots of incense. I took pictures. Obligatory tourist shots.

Sarah loved it. Said she found herself. I found a mild case of heat rash and a burning need for air conditioning.

• Main reason: Cheap. (Seriously)
• Food highlight: Pho (legit good)
• Lowlight: The heat. OMG, the heat.
• Would I go again? Probably not. Unless someone pays me.
• Best memory: Sarah tripping over a scooter and face-planting into a pile of durian. Worth the price of admission. ha!
• Personal Tip: Bring bug spray. ALL the bug spray.

What to know before going to Ho Chi Minh?

Lunar calendar? So, plan your trip around pho-nomenal noodle availability. Just kidding. But seriously, Tet (Lunar New Year) is a zoo. Everything shuts down. Like, everything.

Cash isn’t king, it’s a jester. Cards are cool. Though, street food vendors might give you the really? look.

Staying connected? Easier than finding a banh mi stall. Which is very easy. Remember your roaming charges, though. Ouch. My phone bill last time looked like the national debt.

Personal space? Ha! What personal space? Think of it as communal coziness. Embrace the scooter swarm. It builds character.

Temple attire: Cover those gams. And arms. Basically, look like a respectful burrito.

Noise? Sweet, sweet cacophony. Ear plugs are optional, but advised if you, you know, value sleep. Or sanity. I prefer the chaos.

Dining etiquette? Slurp away! Chopsticks optional. Hands encouraged. Don’t wear white. Unless you want to look like a Jackson Pollock painting by the end of the meal.

• Visas: Check the current visa requirements for your nationality. Rules change faster than the price of durian.
• Traffic: Crossing the street is an extreme sport. Channel your inner Frogger. Look confident, even if you’re terrified. The scooters will sense your fear.
• Bargaining: Essential skill. Except in fixed-price shops. Offer half, settle for two-thirds. It’s a dance. A beautiful, chaotic dance.
• Food: Eat everything. No, seriously. Everything. Regret nothing. Except maybe that tenth bowl of pho. My stomach regretted that. Deeply.
• Safety: Petty theft is a thing. Guard your phone like it’s the Hope Diamond. Especially on those motorbike taxis. They are sneaky fast.

Remember my advice. You’ll thank me later. Maybe.

What should I be careful in Ho Chi Minh City?

HCMC. Tread carefully.

• Taxi scams abound. Trust few meters. Negotiate fiercely.
• Markets deceive. Prices inflate. Bargain relentlessly or walk. Theyll chase.
• Hotel rooms aren’t vaults. Secure valuables. Period.
• Pockets invite theft. Conceal everything. Act paranoid, even if its obvious.
• Smiling? Maybe. Beware friendly faces. Some hide ulterior motives.
• Locals are locals. Who cares?
• Other travelers. Nah.
• Snatch thieves lurk. Bags disappear. Hold tight, always. Happens near Ben Thanh.

Always look around you.

Additional Information:

• Taxi Scams: Unmetered cabs will inflate prices. Scrutinize your change. Vinasun and Mai Linh are slightly safer, but never trust blindly.

• Market Prices: Expect initial prices 2-3 times higher than fair. Walk away if they don’t budge. They will cave. Silk scarves, fake goods, same trap everywhere.

• Hotel Security: Room safes are easily compromised. Front desk lockbox preferable, but still risky. I personally use a hidden pouch.

• Pickpocketing: Crowded areas (markets, buses) are prime hunting grounds. Keep valuables in front pockets. Never show large bills in public.

• Friendly Faces: Overly helpful individuals are often after something. Maintain a healthy dose of skepticism. Trust instincts.

• Bag Snatching: Motorcycle thieves are common. Carry bags on the shoulder away from traffic. Wrap straps tightly. Clutch it.

I did saw a snatch thief once. They were fast.