Itinerary: 48 Hours in Ho Chi Minh City

by Lily
Dec 22, 06:37
View all of her plans

Ho Chi Minh City has almost everything to offer you, from the laid back vibe, the strong coffee, the cheap local food, really affordable to the delicious French food. If all you want to do is escape for a bit, 48 hours is just about perfect for HCMC or Saigon as most affectionately known it as. So here's the perfect Saigon weekend escapade itinerary. Source: Ms Skinnyfat.

Duration 2.0 days
Estimated cost 174.90 USD
Total travel distance 29.0 km
Number of places 17 places
Intensity Moderate
Personal interests Food Historic Landmark Spa Streets
Rating

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DAY 1 - ITINERARY 9 places

03:00

Tan Son Nhat International Airport Detail Map

Tan Son Nhat Airport , Tan Binh District , Ho Chi Minh , VietNam

International airport of Tan Son Nhat international airport is in the south of Vietnam. It is located just 8 kilometers from the city center.

Source: http://www.ms-skinnyfat.com/2014/01/48-hours-in-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam.html

Pickup a taxi

4.48 USD

30 mins

8.22 km

04:45

Beautiful Saigon Detail Map

62 Bùi Viện, Phạm Ngũ Lão, Hồ Chí Minh, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh 28.00 USD

Beautiful Saigon 1 Hotel belongs to Beautiful Saigon Hotel Group is located in the heart of the city. It is suitable for those who need a relaxation or treatment after a long day of traveling.

Walk

0.00 USD

5 mins

0.47 km

08:30

Pho Quynh Detail Map

322, 1x cư xá Nguyễn cảnh Chân, quận 1, Phạm Ngũ Lão, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh 3.00 USD

Pho Quynh, occupying a bustling corner on Pham Ngu Lao, is regularly packed out. As well as regular pho, it specialises in pho bo kho, a stewlike broth.

Walk

0.00 USD

5 mins

0.41 km

10:00

Five Boys Number One Smoothies Detail Map

84 Bùi Viện Phạm Ngũ Lão Quận 1 Phạm Ngũ Lão Quận 1 Hồ Chí Minh Vietnam, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh 2.00 USD

Five Boys Number One (FBNO), hidden away in an alley with mostly locals, this place serves the best smoothies in Vietnam.

For a post meal dessert, head over to the super cool Five Boy Number One in the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area.
Only fresh fruit juice here, with no water or sweetener used. Each huge cup only costs 20-30k VND (for convenience prices are all in kVND).
Squat on stools along the busy alleyway and be entertained by the many interesting characters (you'll know when you get there).
The Durian and Avocado shake is superbly rich and creamy. Wash it down with the refreshing Mangosteen after.

Walk

0.00 USD

10 mins

0.95 km

10:45

Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum‎ Detail Map

97 Phó Đức Chính, Nguyễn Thái Bình, Hồ Chí Minh, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh 0.44 USD

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is the major art museum of HCM City, Vietnam, and second in the country only to the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi.

As you walk in, there's a map by the guard hut / ticket booth that is good to look at to get your bearings.
On each of the three floors you will see some interesting paintings or sculptures, so worth a visit.
Don't expect more than that: there is not much context given (some painters get a few lines here and there about their accomplishments), but this is fine.
The art are great. Truly. But the lack of English description makes it a little hard for tourists to relate to it.
Note that the museum is closed on Monday.

Pickup a taxi

1.68 USD

15 mins

3.44 km

12:45

Cuc Gach Quan Detail Map

10 Đặng Tất, Tân Định, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam 10.00 USD

Cuc Gach Quan is a nicely decorated restaurant with old colonial style with delicious food that would bring you a unique dining experience.

Time for lunch! Do at least 1 traditional, home cooked Vietnamese meal and there's no where better than Cuc Gach Quan.
Cuc Gach offers fresh countryside cooking in a remodeled French Colonial house, which is a piece of art in itself.
Go with the recommendations (as you will have a headache deciding what to order from the extensive menu).
If you go for dinner, make sure you make a reservation. After the meal, spend some time exploring the house.

Pickup a taxi

1.12 USD

10 mins

2.27 km

14:30

War Remnants Museum Detail Map

26(Bao Tang Chung Tich Chien Tranh) Võ Văn Tần, phường 6, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam 1.00 USD

The War Remnants Museum (Vietnamese: Bảo tàng chứng tích chiến tranh) is a war museum at 28 Vo Van Tan, in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.

Even if you're not a sightseeing person, you have to make time for this one.
The somewhat one sided portrayal of the Vietnam war shows the untold brutal story of the war with the striking collection of photographs.
The prison exhibit also makes you scared, so beware when visit the place.

Pickup a taxi

0.56 USD

10 mins

1.73 km

17:45

Le Jardin Restaurant Detail Map

31 Thái Văn Lung, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam 15.00 USD

Le Jardin is a casual French restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City. It is consistently popular with French expats seeking an escape from the busier boulevards.

Vietnam was colonised by the French before and thus, bloody history aside, they have really decent and affordable French food.

Pickup a taxi

0.00 USD

0.0 km

19:30

The Deck Saigon Detail Map

38 Nguyễn Ư Dĩ, Thảo Điền, 2, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam 30.00 USD

The Deck is situated on the banks of the Saigon River. It is the city’s most modern Pan Asian cuisine where friendships, romance and fine food comes together.

For drinks, head over to The Deck Saigon which is touted as the hottest bar in Saigon.
They even have a boat service from the city centre right to their doorsteps along the Mekong River.

Comments

DAY 2 - ITINERARY 9 places

08:00

Beautiful Saigon Detail Map

62 Bùi Viện, Phạm Ngũ Lão, Hồ Chí Minh, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh 28.00 USD

Beautiful Saigon 1 Hotel belongs to Beautiful Saigon Hotel Group is located in the heart of the city. It is suitable for those who need a relaxation or treatment after a long day of traveling.

Pickup a taxi

0.56 USD

10 mins

1.89 km

09:15

Creperie and Cafe Detail Map

5 Hàn Thuyên, Bến Nghé, 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh 5.00 USD

Creperie & Cafe, situated next to Le Van Tam Park on Han Thuyen Street, is a very stylish and chic restaurant located in the heart of Saigon.

This cafe has a great view of the park in front of it and the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Here is also a crepe cake heaven for those who loves sweet desserts.

Walk

0.00 USD

5 mins

0.21 km

11:15

Notre Dame Cathedral Detail Map

Notre Dame Cathedral Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Notre Dame Cathedral is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City. This place is also one of the largest Catholic church in Vietnam

Check off some sights in the area, which include the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office and Saigon Opera House.
This three French colonial building attracts hundreds of visitors every day.

Walk

0.00 USD

0.09 km

12:15

Central Post Office Detail Map

2 Công xã Paris Bến Nghé, tp. Hồ Chí Minh Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Saigon Central Post Office is a post office in the downtown Ho Chi Minh City, near Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, the city's main church.

You have to take a look inside, it looks like a train station rather than a post office.
You can also buy souvenirs here, postcard, stamps...and send it to your family or friends.

Walk

0.00 USD

10 mins

0.64 km

13:00

Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater) Detail Map

No.7 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City 0.67 USD

Saigon Opera House is famous for the French colonial architecture era. With its unique and magnificent building you will have great time to watching special show and really value.

If you have more time, come back here at night for a show or a view, this building is very stunning at night.

Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater) by

Walk

0.00 USD

0.17 km

13:45

L’Usine Cafe Detail Map

157 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam 5.00 USD

L'Usine is a fashion boutique, café and art gallery. L'Usine has had a big impact on the Saigon boutique and cafe scene since opening in 2010.

Grab a sweet snack at L'Usine (Dong Khoi Street), Dong Khoi St and the surroundings will satisfy your high end shopping needs (think Chanel, Louboutins and the likes).
They have the best cupcake in the world. It's not cheap but it's certainly worth every dong you have.
L'usine also has a retail space within the cafe.
This cafe is tucked away on the 2nd storey above a Vietnamese arts gallery. You have to walk through the alley to find the entrance.

Walk

0.00 USD

10 mins

0.78 km

15:00

Mekong Bliss Spa Detail Map

112 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh 20.00 USD

Mekong Bliss Spa, located in the centre of Saigon, is a top place to enjoy authentic Vietnamese spa treatments.

What's a getaway if you do not get a nice massage/spa. Mekong Bliss Spa will be adequate in providing you with a relaxing experience.
Their 1.5h Mekong Bliss Signature Therapy is only 798V (about US$35). They also have other packages and a la carte services.
They also offers you the hot tea and candied ginger that's served after the treatment.

Walk

0.00 USD

10 mins

0.87 km

16:45

Hoa Tuc Restaurant Detail Map

74 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam 15.00 USD

Hoa Tuc, offering contemporary Vietnamese cuisine, is located in District One and also offers cookery classes. Décor is Parisian inspired and alfresco dining is available.

For a pre flight dinner, have more Vietnamese food!
You get to have Goi Cuon (Salad roll with shrimp and pork), Cha Gio (Fried spring rolls) and Bun Cha (vermicelli with spring rolls or ground pork meatballs, served with fresh herbs and fish sauce) at least.
Hoa Tuc Restaurant is a cheap option and you'll be able to get the regular Viet fare there.

Pickup a taxi

3.36 USD

20 mins

6.59 km

18:30

Parkson CT Plaza Detail Map

60A Trường Sơn, Phường 2, Hồ Chí Minh, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh

The Parkson CT Plaza on Truong Son Street is not far from the airport and is open daily from 09:30 – 22:00. You will find restaurants, a food court and fashion sections on B1 to the 5th floor.

If you don't wish to stay in the city for longer, a great ore flight option is to head to the Parkson CT Plaza, a shopping mall situated 5mins walk away from the airport.
Go to the rooftop restaurant for the best view of the city!
If you have more time for the city, you could also consider the touristy Cu Chi Tunnels (half day will do) and some other sights.