The museums and attractions of Ho Chi Minh City are mostly in the downtown areas of districts 1 and 3. And although the museums are interesting, the bustling city itself is the major attraction here.
Typical 1-Day Itinerary
In the morning, start off at tranquil Giac Lam Pagoda and tour the city's nearby Chinatown and busy Binh Te Market in the historic Cholon area of District 5; there are a number of hidden temples among Chinese shop houses, and this is a great district to have a guide to take you around. From there, hit the large, central Ben Thanh Market (a good place for lunch -- or you might try nearby Don Khoi).
In the afternoon take a walk through the Reunification Hall, where the jig was up for the Saigon government in 1975, then walk through the square flanked by the towering Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon's historic Post Office. From there, head toward the War Museum, which tells the tale of Vietnam at war with the French and Americans. The museum is a bit much for some visitors, and certain groups opt instead for a visit to the Emperor Jade Pagoda, a large Chinese compound in the northeast of the city -- also a good stop if you have time after visiting the War Museum. Afterwards, enjoy a casual stroll down central Don Khoi -- likely near your hotel -- and take a rest (you'll be whipped) or enjoy a coffee or snack at one of the many restaurants or cafes along this busy strip.
Note: This is a lot to do in 1 day, especially if you take motorbike taxis and try to find your own way. If you'd rather take a tour, see the "Visitor Information & Tours" section at the beginning of this chapter. With an additional day, try to catch some of the more out-of-the-way sights, such as the Hoa Binh (Peace) Noodle Shop and nearby Vinh Nghiem Pagoda or the sprawling Vietnamese History Museum or the raggedy old Ho Chi Minh City Museum.
More than 2 full days in Saigon certainly calls for a day trip out to the Cau Dai Temple and/or the Cu Chi Tunnels.
