Should I spend more time in Hoi An or Ho Chi Minh?

How many days should you spend in Ho Chi Minh?

Two, three days tops. Saw most stuff then. Went to the War Remnants Museum, crazy. Powerful stuff. Took a whole day, easy. Traffic, omg. Could’ve stayed longer there, actually. Definitely worth it. Markets, Ben Thanh, good for souveniers. Bargaining’s a must. Got a sweet deal on a silk scarf for my mom. Food stalls everywhere, pho, banh mi, amazing! Ate street food, no problem. Drank fresh coconut water straight from the coconut, so good. Cu Chi tunnels, another day trip, half day even. Claustrophobic, but cool. My hotel was in District 1, near everything. Walked alot. Hot and humid, bring a hat! Could’ve done four days, but three was enough for me. Flew to Hanoi after.

• Two or three days is good for Ho Chi Minh City itself.
• Four days if you include a day trip, like the Mekong Delta. Didnt go, but heard it’s good.
• War Remnants Museum: Allow a full day.
• Ben Thanh Market: Half a day, maybe more if you love shopping.
• Cu Chi Tunnels: Half-day trip. Booked through my hotel.
• Street food: Eat all the things! No regrets.
• District 1: Good location for hotels.
• Traffic: Crazy! Be prepared.
• Weather: Hot and humid. Pack light clothes, sunscreen, bug spray.
• Bargaining: Essential in markets. Don’t pay the first price. Got my silk scarf down to like a third of the asking price!

Is 3 days in Ho Chi Minh enough?

Three days… it just… disappears. Like smoke. Remember that trip in ‘21? Lost track of time completely. Districts blurred.

Gone too fast. Didn’t see half of what I wanted. The markets, the scent of street food… still there in my mind. Wish I’d had more time. Cu Chi tunnels… another day, at least.

Three days isn’t enough. Not really. Not if you want to breathe it in. I wanted to get lost in it. Explore.

• City center: Two days, maybe. Just the highlights.
• Beyond the city: Need more. Mekong Delta… that’s a whole trip in itself. Can Tho. Floating markets. So much to see.
• Travel time: Eats into your days. Buses are slow. Remember that traffic jam outside the post office? Crazy.

Three days is a start. Barely scratched the surface. Still think about those back alleys. The motorbike symphony. The heat. Should have stayed longer. Regret that.

How many days is enough for Hoi An?

Three days minimum. Hoi An demands it.

Best time? February to April. Perfect weather. But any season works. My trip, July 2024—scorching.

Key Considerations:

• Old Town exploration: Essential.
• Food scene: Don’t miss it.
• Tailoring: Get it done. Amazing deals. My suit cost $75.
• Cooking class: Worth the time.

Weather:

• February-April: Dry season. Best.
• May-August: Rainy, hot.
• September-January: Cooler, less crowded.

My opinion: Go in the shoulder seasons. Fewer tourists. Still great weather. Avoid peak season. It’s chaos.