This post offers suggestions for exploring Ho Chi Minh City in one day, including what to do, where to visit, and what to eat. It hopes to make your vacation in Saigon more valuable.
Let’s go!
1. Explore the well-known destinations in this city
1.1. Skip your breakfast in the hotel to taste bread at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
Address: 26 Le Thi Rieng Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Start your short holiday in this busy city by visiting a Vietnamese bread shop to try Banh Mi. Your hotel may offer breakfast included, but let’s skip it today when you do not try the same food at almost all stayings.
Sop at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa to buy a bread load of 400 grams at the price of nearly 60,000 VND. This can give you a full stomach for an energic morning to begin exploring the other famous attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.
Please pay attention that this bread shop opens at 9:00 am, which is a little late for breakfast but normal in this city. Local life is more active at night, and people go to bed late.
Vietnamdrive’s team chose this shop to introduce you to because the bread here covers all of Saigon’s tastes, including pate, meat pie, well-cooked pork, ham, pickle, cucumber, and various Vietnamese herbs such as spring onion and coriander.
1.2. The Norte Dame Church
Address: 1 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Your one-day Saigon trip cannot skip this famous destination, the Norte Dame Church, which owns the architectural style of Europe and Gothic.
The highlight of this building is the red brick wall, creating an impressive look. Besides, the tall bell towers and a big clock paint more beautiful features of the church.
An airy space is in front of the church. To enter this cathedral, you must wear polite clothes and not carry food and drinks inside.
1.3. Take a rest in Co Ba Saigon Rooftop Cafe
Address: 27 Ngo Duc Ke Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Besides plenty of cafes in Ho Chi Minh City, Co Ba Saigon Rooftop still attracts many young people who come to explore the ancient style of Saigon.
The simple design gives a good feeling of classic atmosphere and elegant style, which pulls you back to Saigon in the 1980s.
Tasting a cup of Vietnamese coffee is suitable for recovering your energy and exploring more of the local life here. You can also choose other drinks, such as tea or fruit shakes.
1.4. Stop at the Fine Art Museum
Address: 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Now we move to Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, which has become a must-visit place in Saigon for a one-day trip. The museum building combines European and Asian architecture, with the yellow color becoming a highlight.
This museum displays a large collection of art, from ancient works to modern ones. It includes Vietnamese paintings, porcelains, clocks, and other artistic styles.
Besides seeing art, you can find a peaceful space to escape from the busy streets in Saigon.
The price to enter this art museum is 30,000 VND/guest. It is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day.
2. Taste the local food for lunch
Now it is time to choose to try Saigon local food for lunchtime before you continue exploring the city again.
2.1. Stop at Ba Ghien broken rice shop
Address: 84 Dang Van Ngu, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City.
After lunch, you take a short walk to digest in Tao Dan Park. This park becomes a green lung in the busy city, right in front of Independence Palace.
It’s wonderful to spend lunchtime in the fresh air and green space with many big trees. Taking a walk, reading a book, or chatting with each other here gives you a great moment.
Typically, during the Lunar New Year – often in February every year – the park holds a flower festival. It displays many beautiful flowers. You can take pictures or participate in a few Vietnamese games.
2.2. Take a short walk in Tao Dan Park
Address: Truong Dinh Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
After having lunch, you take a short walk for digestion in Tao Dan Park. This park becomes a green lung in the busy city, right in front of Independence Palace.
That’s wonderful to spend time at lunchtime in the fresh air and green space with a lot of big trees. Taking a walk, reading a book, or chatting with each other here gives you a great moment.
Typically, during the time of Lunar New Year – often in Feb every year, the park holds a flower festival. It displays a lot of beautiful flowers. You will get a good chance to take pictures or join a few Vietnamese games.
2.3. Wander at Ben Thanh Market
Address: Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
When you have time after lunch and want to escape from the strong heat, you can find a place with a roof, such as Ben Thanh Market, to wander.
This market, established in 1914, has lovely architecture. Ben Thanh Market is one of the busy shopping centers in Saigon for tourists. Here, you can see many products and various local dishes. You may also check out Ao Dai, coffee beans, shoes, or jewelry.
However, Ben Thanh Market sells medium-quality products. When you want to buy higher-quality products, please check or change to Saigon Square at 81 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1.
3. Play at an amusement park in the afternoon and eat again
3.1. Spend time at Suoi Tien Park
Address: 120 Xa Lo Ha Noi Street, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.
Continue a one-day tour in Ho Chi Minh City to explore Suoi Tien Park, where you can find plenty of fun activities suitable for young and old tourists.
Additionally, you can swim in a specific area called Suoi Tien Water Park. It’s exciting to refresh during hot days in Saigon.
3.2. Eat at Pha Lau Co Thao
Address: 234/29G Ton Dan Street, Ward 15, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City.
Exploring food is an interesting method of learning about local life. Now is the time to try a tasty local dish called “Pha Lau” – a typical dish that uses a fifth quarter of a cow as the main ingredient.
Vietnamdrive selected Pha Lau Co Thao Shop to try this food. The dish tastes special, with a fifth quarter of cow, coconut, and herbs. The broth is light yellow, so it’s eye-catching. To taste this food, you use bread, dip it in the soup, and catch a few pieces of food. All are tasty.
4. In the evening, join the exciting life of walking the streets
4.1. Take pictures at Nguyen Hue walking street
Address: 82 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
When the night comes around 6 pm, you move to Nguyen Hue Walking Street to take pictures. Typically, a few buildings with many coffee shops turn on lights, creating impressive views.
This walking area is only 670 meters, but right in the city center. You come and try a cup of drink, coffee, or fruit juice to watch the night covering the city slowly.
4.2. Chill out at Bui Vien Street
Address: Bui Vien Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Bui Vien Street shows exciting nightlife in Saigon, where many domestic and international tourists come to spend time. Many bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and spa salons are available to serve various needs.
When night comes, the bustle of this street turns on. The noise of talking mixed with music gives an active feeling in this modern city.
You can enjoy various food and drink local Vietnamese beers until late at night.
You can spend one day in Ho Chi Minh City in a different way, but our suggestion is helpful for your reference if you come to this city for the first time.
There are so many places and exciting activities in Ho Chi Minh that can be covered in only 24 hours. Vietnamdrive’s team just selected a few interesting things.
If you have more time, stop at the beautiful coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh or try to taste more food. It can give you a fantastic moment here.
