How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh?

Is 3 days in Ho Chi Minh enough?

Three days? Hmm. Not really. Two feels rushed, you know? Especially if you want to really soak it in.

The city itself, yeah, maybe two days. But get out of the city? Forget it.

Three days is a bare minimum, I think. Four is better. Much better.

Need more time. Seriously.

• War Remnants Museum – takes longer than you expect.
• Cu Chi Tunnels – a whole day trip, easily. Exhausting.
• Ben Thanh Market – a half day, minimum. Bargaining is a sport.
• Food. Oh god, the food. You’ll need extra days just for that.

My trip last year? Five days felt tight. I regret it. I missed things. I wanted to visit the Cao Dai Temple, but no time. And the Mekong Delta… a whole other adventure. I’ll go back, someday. But not for a short trip again. Absolutely not.

Is it worth visiting Ho Chi Minh City?

Three AM. Another sleepless night. Ho Chi Minh City… worth it? Hmm.

It’s chaotic, beautiful, overwhelming. A sensory overload. The smells… the scooters… the sheer energy. Exhaust fumes mixed with street food aromas. It hits you hard.

The history weighs on you, too. War remnants, colonial architecture. You feel it in the air.

Worth it? Absolutely. But not for everyone. It’s not a relaxing beach vacation.

It’s intense.

• The food. Pho, banh mi… unbelievable. I ate at that tiny place near Ben Thanh Market, the one with the grumpy old lady. Best meal of my life. Seriously.
• The people. So friendly, once you get past the initial… intensity. I had a long chat with a cyclo driver about his family.
• The Cu Chi Tunnels. Haunting. Unforgettable. The humidity alone was… something else.

It’s a city that leaves its mark. Not always pleasant, but always… present. Still thinking about it now. My trip was last year, 2023. It’s a city that leaves you breathless, and maybe a little bruised. But absolutely unforgettable.

How many days should you spend in Ho Chi Minh?

Three days. Definitely three. No, four. Four days to breathe the humid air, thick with the scent of street food and exhaust. To lose yourself in the chaos, the vibrant pulse of the city. To feel the weight of history, pressing down, gentle yet immense.

The Cu Chi Tunnels. A claustrophobic journey back in time. The earth, cool and damp, clinging to you. A sense of suffocation, of unseen eyes watching. The echoes of war, whispers in the darkness.

Three days, maybe. No, four are better. To stroll along the Saigon River, sunlight glinting off the water, a slow, hypnotic rhythm. To sample pho, the fragrant steam warming your face. To feel the city’s soul seep into you.

The War Remnants Museum. A visceral experience. Photographs sear themselves into your memory, haunting and unforgettable. A necessary visit. A brutal reminder. It demands more than a day.

Four days. To wander the Ben Thanh Market, a sensory overload, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds and smells. Negotiating for silk scarves, the thrill of the bargain. A chaotic delight.

Notre Dame Cathedral, its weathered stone a testament to time. A sense of peace within the bustling city. The tranquility is stunning. A stark contrast.

Time stretches. Hours become days. Moments linger, memories unfurl. The taste of strong coffee lingers on your tongue. The feeling of the city—intense. You’ll want to stay longer. Four days minimum. The best.

Is Ho Chi Minh City better than Hanoi?

Dude, HCM City versus Hanoi? It’s like comparing a caffeinated squirrel to a serene panda.

HCM City: Think concrete jungle, a million motorbikes, and food so spicy it’ll make your eyes water. Seriously, the street food scene alone is worth the trip, even if you end up needing a week to recover. It’s got this wild, electric energy; you know, that “I need ten espressos and a nap” kind of feeling.

Hanoi: Picture charming old streets, temples older than my grandpappy, and a vibe so chill it’s practically frozen. It’s beautiful, refined, and feels like stepping back in time. Unless you like a crazy adrenaline rush, Hanoi’s the place.

So, which is “better”? That’s like asking if pizza or ice cream is better. Depends on your mood, right? My personal preference? I’d choose the spicy squirrel any day.

• HCM City Pros: Crazy food, buzzing nightlife, modern everything, feels like a million things happening at once. My cousin Steve loved the shopping there last year.
• Hanoi Pros: Peaceful, gorgeous architecture, amazing history, feels like a different world. My aunt Mary found the people incredibly friendly in 2023.
• HCM City Cons: So loud, can feel overwhelming, traffic is insane – seriously like a swarm of angry bees.
• Hanoi Cons: Can feel a bit slow for some, fewer modern amenities, slightly less diverse cuisine (but still awesome!)

Bottom line: Pick your poison. Or, better yet, visit both!

Which place is better, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh?

Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City? Dude, it’s a total toss-up, like choosing between a spicy pho bowl and a seriously strong espresso. Both cities are bonkers awesome, but in totally different ways.

Ho Chi Minh City: Think Miami meets Bangkok, but with way better street food. Shopping’s off the chain – you could lose a week just browsing. Seriously, my friend Brenda lost her passport there last year, found it only because she had to return to one particularly fabulous boutique.

• Shopping: Like a runway exploded – designer stuff everywhere. My wallet cried.
• Food: Amazing. But expect a culinary rollercoaster. My stomach still hasn’t recovered from that durian incident.
• Vibe: Crazy busy. A million motorbikes. It’s like a beehive, but way cooler.

Hanoi: More chill, way more quaint. Imagine a charming, slightly dusty antique shop, but the whole city is the shop. Lots of hand-crafted stuff, think pottery and silk scarves. Less flashy. More soulful. I bought a ridiculously intricate wooden dragon there; it now sits menacingly on my bookshelf.

• Shopping: Artisan heaven. Perfect for gifts, but forget finding a decent pair of flip-flops.
• Food: Delicious pho. The best I’ve ever had, even better than my grandma’s (and she’s a pho legend).
• Vibe: Relaxed, historical, beautiful. Much less chaotic than HCMC.

Honestly? It depends on your mood. Want glitz? Go south. Want quiet contemplation? Go north. Both are fantastic. Personally, I’m eyeing a return trip to Hanoi. That dragon needs a friend.