Destination
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, still Saigon to locals, is Vietnam's fast-moving commercial capital of war history, street food, rooftop bars and nearby Mekong Delta villages.
Trips to Ho Chi Minh City from every city
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When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | best |
| February | best |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | fine |
| June | fine |
| July | avoid |
| August | avoid |
| September | avoid |
| October | fine |
| November | fine |
| December | best |
- January, February: Tet flower street on Nguyen Hue and a week of closures around Lunar New Year.
- December, January, February, March: Dry season with warm, sunny days.
July, August, September: Heart of the rainy season, with daily downpours and street flooding.
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
- District 1 (Ben Thanh and Dong Khoi): The historic centre with the Opera House, Ben Thanh market and the big hotels.
- District 3: Tree-lined streets of villas, cafes and local restaurants a short walk from the centre.
- Thao Dien (Thu Duc): Riverside expat enclave with international dining and quieter nights.
- Pham Ngu Lao: Backpacker strip with hostels, cheap tours and late bars.
What to do in Ho Chi Minh City
- Cu Chi tunnels half-day trip
- War Remnants Museum
- Banh mi and street-food crawl in District 4
- Rooftop bars along Nguyen Hue walking street
- Mekong Delta day trip to Ben Tre's canals
- Motorbike food tour through the districts
Good to know
| Airports | Tan Son Nhat International (SGN) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | budget-friendly |
| Time zone | Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh |
| Kind of trip | city, food, history, nightlife, culture |
Questions about Ho Chi Minh City
When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
December, January, February, March and April. July, August, September: Heart of the rainy season, with daily downpours and street flooding.
Do US citizens need a passport for Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. Ho Chi Minh City is in Vietnam; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Ho Chi Minh City on the ground?
Ho Chi Minh City is budget-friendly by US standards: plan about $60 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.