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In this article we are going to share an epic 3 day Ho Chi Minh itinerary for 2026. This itinerary is an independent, fun, low budget itinerary. We have included all of the main sights and attractions to make sure that you don’t miss a thing. In this itinerary we have also included all of the details such as prices, opening times and booking information to take you through your trip step-by-step.
We absolutely love Vietnam and have visited many times. Initially we visited as solo travelers, then as a couple and we have also visited with kids. We are super excited to share this Ho Chi Minh itinerary with you to help you plan your own trip.
Ho Chi Minh is packed with epic culture, heritage, history and plenty of amazing street food. In this Ho Chi Minh itinerary we will recommend some of the best places to eat around town and also some amazing places to stay. We will also share some top tips and advice to help you prepare for your trip and work out what to expect in Vietnam.
Get an awesome hotel booked before your trip – don’t miss our TOP PICK Ho Chi Minh hotels
Ho Chi Minh itinerary summary
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh city tour & street food
Day 2 Cu Chi tunnels & Golden Dragon Water Puppet show
Day 3 Mekong river cruise (day trip)
Map of the best Ho Chi Minh itinerary
Here is a Map of your 3 day Ho Chi Minh itinerary…
Things to know before you visit Ho Chi Minh
You may also be interested in our FULL and EPIC 10 day Vietnam itinerary. Make sure you get to all of the best attractions in Vietnam in only 10 days.
Ho Chi Minh is a bustling city located in the South of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh offers lots of exciting things to do. If possible we recommend spending around 3 days in Ho Chi Minh in order to see all of the main attractions.
One thing to be aware of before you visit Ho Chi Minh is the challenging currency. The currency in Vietnam has very large notes, so you will be paying in hundreds of thousands or even millions. This can make it very challenging to workout prices, conversions and how much change to expect. We would encourage you to check your change carefully and use a calculator if you need. Don’t be rushed and flustered.
To add to the confusion in some cases locals will quote prices in dollars. When they do this they are normally referring to US dollars so you will need to have a good idea of the current exchange rate.
It is acceptable to barter for some things in Ho Chi Minh. For example, you can barter for tours and activities. If you are shopping on markets we also recommend bartering. You can also barter for transportation, especially taxis and you can even barter for accommodation if you are traveling on a low budget.
Learn how to get by in Vietnam with our guide to THE BEST Vietnam travel tips
What is the best way to get around in Ho Chi Minh?
There are different ways to get around in Ho Chi Minh. Firstly you can walk around from place to place. This is a great way to take in the sights and sounds of this unique city. Another way to get around Ho Chi Minh is the local bus system. This can be challenging to work out – but it is cheap and a lot of fun.
The most convenient way to travel around Ho Chi Minh city is to use local taxis. You can go old school and flag taxis at the side of the road and agree on a price. Alternatively, you can use a taxi app. The common taxi apps in Vietnam are Grab and Gojek. Grab is a little bit more expensive, however this depends on the journey. We recommend using both taxi app together to find the best price and quickest response times.
To use a taxi app in Vietnam you will need to get a sim card with data. Download the apps from your app store and register for an account using your local number and email address. Once you’re set up, you can order taxis through the app. The price is fixed and fair and you can also opt to pay in cash. The transparency of these apps makes taxis less stressful and more straightforward. Taxi prices in Ho Chi Minh typically range between 30,000VND – 150,000VND (roughly £1 – £5 or $1.20 – $7). The price depends on availability and distance.
What are prices like in Ho Chi Minh?
Ho Chi Minh is a cheap city. It is very easy to travel on a budget here. Here are some examples to give you an idea of price and help you budget:
Activity prices
Firstly, activities are very cheap in Ho Chi Minh. For example an all inclusive day tour is likely to cost you around $15 – $20 even if you book online in advance. Many attractions are FREE to visit or have a nominal entrance fee.
Food prices
Street food is also very cheap in Ho Chi Minh and readily available. We were very impressed by the price and quality of food in Vietnam. Most street food ranges in price between 30,000 – 50,000VND. The most common street food in Ho Chi Minh is Bahn Mi, a baguette filled with pickled veggies, egg and various meats (they really are tasty!). Pho is another very common street food in Vietnam. This is a super tasty noodle soup served with meat and garnish such as pickles, chilli and lime.
Hotel prices
Hotels in Vietnam are excellent value for money. We were very impressed with the high quality for low prices. You can easily find budget hotels in the £10 – £20 price range. There are also many charming mid-range hotels in the £20 – £60 range. If you are looking to stay in a luxury 5-star hotel they tend to start at around £60 per night. Ho Chi Minh is a great place to splash out on luxury hotels – your money goes a long way here! Don’t miss our dedicated Ho Chi Minh Hotel Guides:
Traveling with kids? Check out THE BEST Family hotels in Ho Chi Minh
Transport prices
Transportation in Vietnam is also very cheap. The best way to get a fair price for a taxi without any stress is to use the taxi apps (Grab and Gojek). Expect to pay in the range of 30,000VND – 150,000VND for taxi journeys around Ho Chi Minh.
So overall this is a very cheap 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary. We recommend that you make the most of your time in Ho Chi Minh by splashing out on some more enjoyable experiences and not sweating it if you pay a little more.
How to plan for your trip
There are 2 main ways to approach this itinerary: You can book tours and trips online in advance (we have included links to enable you to get great tours at great prices – we use affiliate links which means we earn a small commission for every booking – at no extra cost to you). Alternatively, you can save a little bit of money by arranging your tours when you arrive in Ho Chi Min. In order to do this you will need to find a tour operator and negotiate for the best price. Always make sure you check exactly what is included.
Traveling with kids? Don’t miss these amazing things to do in Ho Chi Minh with kids
ALSO don’t miss our guide on THE BEST things to do in Ho Chi Minh at night
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh city tour & street food
The first day of this Ho Chi Minh itinerary start with a city tour of Ho Chi Minh. This is a self-guided independent walking tour around the main sights and attractions in Ho Chi Minh. However, you can also book Ho Chi Minh hop on hop off bus passes on Klook. This is a cheap and fun way to see the city.
Map of the Ho Chi Mihn self-guided city tour
1 Chợ bến thành market (don’t miss the AMAZING breakfast here, pricey but super tasty)
2 Tao Dan Park (lush city park with ponds, vibrant flowers and pagodas)
3 War Remnants museum (Learn more about the Vietnam-US conflict, entrance fee 40,000VND for adults and 20,000VND for children, 7.30am – 5.30pm)
4 Reunification palace (Also known a the Independence Palace, a great place to learn about Vietnamese history and politics, entrance fee 20,000VND, 8am – 3.30pm)
5 Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon (Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception dating back to the French Colonial era)
6 Lunch at Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro
7 Ho Chi Minh city book street (grab a coffee and peruse the shops)
8 History Museum of Ho Chi Minh city (Entrance fee 100,000 – 200,000VND open daily from 8am – 11.30 and 1pm – 5pm)
9 Ho Chi Minh statue at the Nguyen Hue Music Fountain
10 Bui Vien Walking Street (evening – grab a beer and some street food)
Day 2 Cu Chi tunnels & Golden Dragon Water Puppet show
Visit the Ci Chi tunnels
On the second day of this Ho Chi Minh itinerary take a trip to the incredible Cu Chi Tunnels. The Cu Chi tunnels are located approximately 60km to the northwest of Ho Chi Minh.
You can book a Cu Chi tunnel tour on Klook
The Cu Chi tunnels are an extensive network of small underground tunnels that were constructed by the Vietnamese soldiers in the US-Vietnam war. Many of these tunnels are impressively small (large enough for a lean Vietnamese soldier, but too small for a western soldier). It is genuinely mind blowing to learn about the terrifying history of this place.
Local tour guides share stories of local heroes and battles. No details are spared as they describe the chilling traps that were set up for US soldiers. Spikes and venomous snake pits were all used. On the other side, US soldiers attempted to bury soldiers alive by sealing exits and throwing smoke and grenades into the tunnels.
A visit to the Cu Chi tunnels is a great way to learn more about the war, meet local families and be inspired by the creativity and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people. Tours of the Cu Chi tunnels normally run from around 7.30am – 3.30pm. Tours normally cost around $20 if you book in advance online. This includes two-way transfer from Ho Chi Minh and an English speaking tour guide.
Watch a traditional water puppet show
Finish the day with a unique cultural experience. The Golden Dragon Water Puppet show is a great way to watch Vietnamese traditional folk tales performed to traditional live music. Puppets perform over a pool of water with traditional artistic backgrounds. It can be hard to work out what is going on – but let’s be honest – that’s part of the fun of it!
Book the Golden Dragon water puppet show on Klook for around, 6.30pm normally for around £10 – £15
Day 3 Take a Mekong river cruise (day trip)
On the third and final day of this Ho Chi Minh itinerary, take a Mekong river cruise. A Mekong river cruise is a great way of experiencing the beautiful rural village life on the Mekong near Ho Chi Minh.
You can book a Mekong river cruise on Klook
As you sail along the Mekong river you can see wooden stilt houses, fishing villages, palm mangroves, local markets and rice paddies. Mekong river trips normally visit Unicorn island (Ky Lan island) and you can explore this beautiful rural area by bicycle. Tours often include traditional music and dance performances and local food. Most tours also include a visit to the vibrant and historical Vinh trang pagoda. This is a very popular and beautiful temple.
Expect to pay around $15 – $20 for an all inclusive river tour. Tours normally start around 7am and return to Ho Chi Minh by 5pm. They may also include lunch, soft drinks and fruit. Always check what is included when you book. The cheapest way to book a tour is to speak to a local tour agent and barter for the best price. However, if you prefer to have a fixed price and want to arrange your tour in advance – you can book an AMAZING Mekong river cruise on Klook.
TOP TIP: Keep your expectations in check. Mekong river tours are set up for tourists – and they are very popular. This is not a great way to escape the crowds and get off the beaten track. However it is a fun way to get an insight into local life and culture.
What are the best places to stay in Ho Chi Minh?
1 Saigon Cozy House and Coffee
Price range: £5 – £6
One of the best low budget hostels in Ho Chi Minh. Clean, calm and comfortable dorm hostel with good facilities. No private rooms available at this property. This is an ideal option for a solo or couple traveler on a budget.
2 Classy Indochine – The Riverside
Price range: £30
Small stylish boutique hotel packed with character and charm. Spacious family suite available with two double beds – can sleep up to 4 people. Long walk from the main attractions in the Ho Chi Minh downtown.
3 DDA hotel
Price range: £20 – £120
Excellent location – very central, and a great option for families. Spacious, clean stylish rooms, Double rooms, triple rooms and quadruple rooms available. Big price range for different types of rooms and suites.
4 Leiden Homestay & Cafe
Price range: £50 – £150
Clean, vibrant, classy mid-range hotel with spacious comfortable suites. The family suite is very impressive – it can sleep up to 5. Very spacious and well furnished – apartment style. This is the best mid-range hotel. Excellent location in downtown Ho Chi Minh.
5 Fusion Original Saigon Centre
Price range: £130 – £400
Super stylish luxury hotel – with eclectic abstract interior design. This hotel is very luxurious and excellently located in the centre of Ho Chi Minh. Wide range of rooms and suites available. Excellent 5 star facilities and amenities.
6 InterContinental Residences Saigon
Price range: £300 – £800
Stunning 5 star apartment style accommodation in a high rise with sweeping city views. Beautifully decorated and furnished apartments. Great for families – large capacity available. This hotel is excellently located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh.
