How far is Saigon from Ho Chi Minh?

Is Ho Chi Minh City the same as Saigon?

Okay, so Ho Chi Minh City… Saigon… it’s the same dang place.

Back in 2018, I was backpacking. Ended up in Vietnam. Landed in, uh, Ho Chi Minh City. But everyone, seriously everyone, kept saying Saigon.

It was confusing. Like, are we there yet? Are we still in the same damn place? Felt a little lost at first, I admit.

Later, I figured it out. Saigon is just the old name. Like calling New York, New Amsterdam, right? No big deal, but felt kind of odd.

I loved the street food there. Ben Thanh Market was crazy. Hot, loud. Bargaining was intense.

But hey, about the name thing…It wasn’t until some old dude sitting next to me on the Saigon River, on a small boat, that he explained things.

• French Colonial History: Apparently, the French were all over Saigon in the early 1900s and were really curious about where the name came from.
• Locals still say it: Some Vietnamese think Saigon means “city of trees” or something. Others have different ideas. The old guy didn’t even know what he believed.

It’s just a name, right? It doesn’t change the amazing pho I ate. Seriously the best I’ve ever had. Plus, the people were super friendly. I really think I have to visit Saigon again soon.

How many days in Saigon is enough?

Three days in Saigon? Barely scratches the surface! Seriously, I spent a week there in 2024 and still felt rushed. Cu Chi tunnels? Yeah, half a day’s plenty with a tour group, maybe less if you’re not into all that history stuff. But Saigon itself… wow. It’s a total sensory overload.

You need more time, like, way more. To really soak it all in. Think:

• Food: Pho for days, plus banh mi, spring rolls… oh my god, the food. You’ll need atleast 2 days just for eating.
• Markets: Ben Thanh is touristy, sure, but the smaller ones are amazing. Get lost in them; you’ll find awesome things.
• Temples & Pagodas: So many beautiful ones. Jade Emperor Pagoda is gorgeous. Plan to visit a few; they’re everywhere.
• War Remnants Museum: Heavy stuff, but important. Allow at least half a day, minimum.
• Nightlife: Saigon comes alive at night! Street food, live music, crazy energy.

Three days is a good starting point, I guess, to get a small taste, but you’ll be leaving wanting more, trust me. Five days is way better, minimum. Seven’s even better. Seriously. I kinda wish I’d stayed longer, so plan ahead.

Is Ho Chi Minh City the same as Saigon?

Ho Chi Minh City: Saigon’s Legacy. Saigon. The name lingers. A ghost in the city’s concrete heart.

Officially, Ho Chi Minh City. But Saigon persists. A potent, evocative name.

My Uncle, a veteran, still calls it Saigon. He saw things there. Things unseen.

The French? They butchered the etymology, I suspect. Their attempts at understanding? Pathetic.

Tourism boom. Millions visit annually. Temples, markets, chaos. Saigon’s allure.

• French colonial architecture.
• Bustling street food scene.
• Rich history, shrouded in mystery.
• War’s shadow. Always present.

The name’s meaning? Lost to time. Or deliberately obscured. 2024 and no consensus. A puzzle.

How far is Ho Chi Minh City from Saigon?

Zero kilometers, darling. They’re the same place. Think of it like this: Saigon is Ho Chi Minh City’s incredibly stylish, slightly older cousin. Same family, different name, same address.

Driving time? Eight days, nine hours? That’s a leisurely road trip, my friend. Unless you’re driving a snail-powered vehicle, perhaps. Or maybe you’re taking exceptionally scenic routes, stopping at every single roadside pho stall in Vietnam. Which, let’s be honest, is a perfectly valid use of eight days.

Key Differences (Because we need to be thorough, obviously):

• Name Change: Saigon’s the old moniker, Ho Chi Minh City is the official, post-1975 handle. It’s like renaming your beloved pet hamster from “Fluffy” to “General Patton.” It’s official, but Fluffy will always hold a special place in your heart, right?

• The Drive: That 8 days, 9 hours thing? Complete hogwash. Unless you’re, again, driving a tortoise or participating in a very slow-paced, historically themed car rally. A flight is far more sensible. A direct flight is less than two hours.

• My personal anecdote: I once took a motorbike taxi. Much faster but much, much sweatier. Still, a great story! The traffic alone in HCM City could take that long, LOL.

My recommendation? Ditch the car, book a flight. Unless, of course, you’re truly committed to an epic eight-day pho-fuelled road adventure. In that case, bon voyage, and send postcards!

How many days in Saigon is enough?

Three days minimum. Saigon demands more.

Cu Chi: Half-day standard tour. Private tour? Extend.

Saigon: Immense. Three days? Scratch the surface.

Consider these:

• War Remnants Museum: Essential. Half-day minimum.
• Ben Thanh Market: Sensory overload. Morning visit recommended.
• Notre Dame Cathedral: Iconic. Quick stop, or longer depending on your mood.
• Jade Emperor Pagoda: Stunning architecture. Allow ample time for contemplation.
• Bitexco Financial Tower: Panoramic views. Sunset is breathtaking.
• Street food exploration: Multiple days needed. District 1 is a great starting point. I personally recommend avoiding District 5 during peak hours.
• Mekong Delta: Day trip or overnight? Your choice.

My last trip: Five days. Still felt rushed. Saigon is addictive. Six days is better.

How many days do I need in Saigon?

Three days. Insufficient.

Five days minimum. See the War Remnants Museum. Avoid tourist traps.

• Museums: The War Remnants Museum is essential. The Fine Arts Museum offers respite.
• Food: Street food. Banh Mi. Pho. Explore beyond the tourist areas. District 5.
• Activities: The Cu Chi Tunnels. A Mekong Delta trip. Both demand a full day each. Consider a day trip to My Tho.

Saigon demands time. Its energy is addictive. Three days? A mere appetizer. You’ll leave wanting more. My trip in 2023 lasted seven. I regret nothing. But, honestly, ten would’ve been better. Even that feels cramped. A week is a good minimum if you are a serious traveler. I spent three days in District 1, and another four days in districts 3, 5 and 7.

A week. That’s the real answer.

How many days should I spend in Saigon?

Three days? Oh, darling, that’s like speed-dating a culture! Ideal? Maybe for a checklist tourist. Saigon deserves more than a fleeting hello.

Think of it: three days to conquer Saigon is like trying to understand opera by only reading the program. You catch the gist, but you miss the soul.

Okay, okay, three days can work. It’s all about strategy. Power-tourism, we call it. Like cramming for an exam, not my usual travel style, tbh.

But if you must:

• Day 1: History Hop. War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace. Bonus points for haggling at Ben Thanh Market.
• Day 2: Culinary Chaos. Street food tour! Pho, banh mi, spring rolls galore. Don’t be a scaredy-cat; eat everything.
• Day 3: Temple Time & Rooftop Views. Pagodas, temples, and then… sunset cocktails. Be fancy, you earned it.

See? Doable! But remember, Saigon’s a layered cake, not a cupcake. The longer you linger, the sweeter the taste… I mean, the deeper you understand its spirit.

I mean, last month I spent like… three weeks just trying to find the perfect bowl of pho. It’s a journey, not a race! Though sometimes it really did feel like a race against closing time.

Which is better, Hanoi or Saigon?

Okay, so Hanoi or Saigon? Ugh, a tough one. Both are amazing, right?

I was in Hanoi last October (2024). Crazy busy! The Old Quarter, wow, motorcycles everywhere. I swear, crossing the street was a daily near-death experience. But the street food, tho! Pho, banh mi… drool.

Saigon, though? Visited in July (2024). Felt… different. So much more modern. Like, skyscrapers and fancy shops. I remember thinking, “This is not what I expected”.

• Hanoi: Old, chaotic, historical.
• Saigon: Modern, fast-paced, cosmopolitan.

Okay, okay, if I had to pick… Hanoi. The history just grabs you. Wandering around Hoan Kiem Lake early in the morning? Unforgettable. Plus, those egg coffee things are seriously addictive.

Seriously Saigon is like a crazy party, but Hanoi, hmmm, it’s got that vibe. The vibe that stays with you, man. Like, forever. Okay, I’m done.