Ho Chi Minh Metropolis was the fourth cease throughout our whistle-stop two weeks in Vietnam and I’d allowed simply over full two days right here. I used to be already regretting not discovering extra time to tour this unbelievable nation. We might have spent so much longer in our final cease, Hoi An. So was three nights sufficient in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis?
We beloved a variety of issues about our time right here. However I’ll be sincere and say HCMC didn’t seize me like Hanoi did. It’s a contemporary metropolis with a variety of western influences. Historical past has an enormous half to play in that and we had the chance to discover a few of this throughout our keep.
On this publish I’m sharing our Ho Chi Minh Metropolis itinerary and why we predict that three nights was good.
*This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
About Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
Is it Ho Chi Minh Metropolis or Saigon? Once we had been flying from Da Nang our tickets mentioned Ho Chi Minh Metropolis however the airport workers advised us we had been flying to Saigon.
The names are used interchangeably in all places. However why?
Throughout our keep we had been advised the Southern Vietnamese desire the pre-unification identify and solely use HCMC on official paperwork.
Saigon was the capital of French Indonesia within the nineteenth and twentieth Centuries and the hub for western forces throughout what’s identified right here because the American Warfare. The town’s modernisation got here after Vietnam’s reunification however the colonel influences remained.
Instantly noticeable as you stroll round are the pavements. These are few and much between in Hanoi the place everybody shares the identical thoroughfares. Excessive rise workplace blocks and business boulevards dominate the town centre. Should you get pleasure from buying there are department shops and loads of designer manufacturers.
This makes HCMC really feel very acquainted to western guests. Should you’re searching for genuine Vietnam, it’s a little bit tougher to seek out.
What Ho Chi Minh is nice for is being a launch pad for seeing the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mykong Delta in case you’re brief on time.
What to do in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis in three days
Right here’s what we obtained as much as throughout our three days and nights in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis:
Day one in Saigon
After two days in Hoi An we caught a flight from Da Nang and landed at Tan Son Nhat Worldwide Airport early within the afternoon.
We had deliberate to go to the Warfare Remnants Museum, which was only a brief stroll from our resort, however a storm got here in and compelled us to delay going out till the night.
By this time the museum was closed so we determined to delay our schooling in regards to the struggle till one other day.
As an alternative, we booked a Seize taxi to discover the pedestrianised streets round District 1 and located ourselves outdoors the Bitexco Monetary Tower, which has an statement deck. After going up the Lotus Tower in Sri Lanka the summer time earlier than we thought it might be enjoyable to see Saigon from above.
Bitexco Monetary Tower Sky Deck
The tower was inbuilt 2010 and ranks quantity 5 in CNN’s 25 most iconic towers on the earth.
It’s simple to identify on Ho Chi Minh Metropolis’s skyline because it has a round platform suspended three quarters of the best way up. This isn’t the Sky Deck, as I’d mistakenly thought, however a helicopter pad for the worldwide finance firms based mostly right here.
The Sky Deck is on the forty ninth ground, 178 meters up, and has 360 diploma views of the town.
There’s additionally a restaurant, interactive shows, picture props and free telescopes. This made the expertise far more fascinating for the children as they had been in a position to spot landmarks and discover out extra about them.
Tickets to the Sky Deck price 240,000 VND (about £7.50) per grownup and 160,000 VND (about £4.90) per youngster underneath 12. Below 4s are free. This was a 3rd of the worth it price us to go up the Lotus Tower in Columbo and was far more fascinating.
Day two in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
In Hanoi, Prepare Road had been prime of the lady’s Vietnam want listing. Whereas we had been in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis the Cu Chi Tunnels was a non-negotiable for Mr Tin Field.
I wasn’t positive how family-friendly the struggle tunnels could be so determined so as to add a sweetener for the children, and e book a tour that included the Mekong Delta the place there could be boat rides, biking and a yummy lunch included.
We booked our day journey by way of TNK Journey which tour firm masking a variety of South East Asia. We had a greta expertise with them and would e book once more subsequent time we’re within the area.
We selected a small group tour of as much as 10 folks and obtained fortunate that there have been solely seven of us. This made it really feel extra private.
Related excursions for big and small teams can be found by way of Get Your Information*.
It was an extended day trip and regardless of preliminary protests on the 6.30am choose up time, the tour was a success with our women.
They significantly beloved the Horrible Histories-style info our information Khôi offered on the struggle tunnels; man traps and all.
The Cu Chi Tunnels
Vietnam’s well-known struggle tunnel advanced stretches 250km from the Cambodian border to HCMC. Some cafes within the metropolis have hidden entrances put there by the homeowners’ grandparents through the struggle.
It took us two hours to drive from the town to the Ben Dinh tunnels customer centre, which actually introduced dwelling the dimensions of the underground community.
The Ben Dinh tunnels are considered one of two complexes open for guests. Jenny and Jay from Travelynn Household visited the Ben Duoc tunnel advanced a couple of weeks earlier than.
Khôi started by taking us on a stroll across the jungle above the tunnels, displaying us air holes that had been disguised as termite hills, secret hatches and the assets the Vietnamese fighters used, typically recycling bomb shells and discarded American tools.
Outdated tyres had been used to make the ‘Ho Chi Minh sandal’ that tricked enemies into pondering you had been strolling in the other way.
We then had an opportunity to stoop by way of one of many tunnels. In actuality these usually are not precisely like they’d have been within the twentieth Century. Khôi defined which have been made no less than two instances bigger than the originals as a result of guests saved getting caught. There’s additionally a ‘soldier’ guiding you thru to make sure security.
The tunnel at Ben Dinh for vacationers is 100m lengthy with shafts to the floor each 20m. Our 11-year-old made it 40m, I made it to 60m and Mr Tin Field and our nine-year-old adopted the soldier all the best way to the tip.
After the tunnel we visited the sphere kitchen the place we tried tapioca dipped in sugar and chilli. This carbohydrate-rich root was a weight loss plan staple for the troopers because it was simple to reap underground.
We had been glad we had been on a guided tour as there was so much to see hidden alongside the winding jungle paths. We spent two hours wanting round and the place on the street once more at 10.45am simply as a lot of different excursions had been arriving.
From the tunnels we travelled one other two hours to the Mekong Delta for the following a part of our day journey from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
Mykong Delta
A day is on no account the optimum period of time to discover the Mekong Delta however our tour gave us a style of life on the finish of the world’s twelfth longest river.
We took a ferry from My Tho throughout the muddy-looking Mekong River to Bentre Provence.
An enormous darkish cloud chased us over the water and let go of its load in a crash of thunder. At this level I used to be fearing the worst with the ladies because it was previous lunchtime and we had been getting moist, albeit with heat rain.
Fortunately our first cease was a coconut candy manufacturing unit the place we had been in a position to pattern the confectionary. Mr Tin Field additionally braved a shot of snake wine.
Subsequent we hopped on a tuk tuk to a village the place we ate essentially the most huge unfold of fish, rice, noodles and spring rolls.
This was adopted by an perception into the totally different companies within the space, from fishing to breeding crocodiles for export to China.
We needed to forego the standard cycle across the village due to the pouring rain however had been in a position to feed the crocodiles and cat fish (dinner for the crocs) earlier than boarding a sampan boat for a trip across the palm-lined waterways.
Subsequent we hopped on one other sampan to Unicorn Island. The 4 islands on this a part of the Delta are named after important creatures for the Vietnamese. In addition to Unicorn Island there’s Tortoise, Phoenix and Dragon Island.
Unicorn Island is the most important. Right here we tasted tropical fruits whereas listening to people music and visited a honey farm had been the bees had been extremely placid.
The farm additionally breeds boa snakes, which the nine-year-old was eager to satisfy after dealing with one in Sri Lanka the earlier summer time.
I actually thought the tropical storm may need messed with the child’s’ mojo however they solely grumbled the tiniest bit on the finish of the day after they realised they had been soaked by way of.
At the present time journey is touristy with stops at locations the place it’s hoped you’ll purchase one thing. However we by no means felt pressured into doing so.
Day three in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
Day two had been so full on that we determined to deal with ourselves to a slower begin and a few sightseeing within the metropolis.
Warfare Remnants Museum
This museum was only a brief stroll from our resort and, after being rained off on day considered one of our keep in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, I used to be eager that we visited right here first.
We’d all learnt so much in regards to the American Warfare the day earlier than, so it felt like a great place to proceed the historical past lesson.
Nevertheless, we’d been spoilt by Khôi who used humour and fascinating info to elucidate what’s a really sobering topic.
In distinction the museum was dated and disjointed. It didn’t maintain the ladies’ curiosity for lengthy.
Having mentioned that, the pictures exhibition was heart-stopping and the recreated torture chambers outdoors had been brutally practical.
However this isn’t an interactive museum for kids, other than the children space on the highest ground. Adults can take turns entertaining little ones right here whereas their associate takes within the displays elsewhere. There’s dressing up bins and toys.
We had been executed after an hour together with an ice cream break on the cafe.
If you wish to discover out extra about this Saigon attraction I’d advocate studying Travelynn Household’s information to visiting the Warfare Remnants Museum.
Entry to the Warfare Remnants Museum gained’t break the financial institution. It’s 40,000 VND (about £1.20) for adults and 20,000 VND (about 60p) for underneath 16s. Should you’re travelling with teenagers they’ll get extra out of it.
Procuring in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
With two pre-teens we weren’t going to get away with bypassing Ho Chi Minh Metropolis’s retailers.
If you wish to go to a market Ben Thanh in District 3 is essentially the most well-known within the metropolis. There’s garments, souvenirs and meals to be bagged however don’t count on to do a lot haggling such as you may in Hanoi’s business streets. Most stalls have indicators saying ‘fastened value’.
Simply across the nook is a contemporary shopping center – the Saigon Centre.
That is small by Center East requirements however with cheaper costs than in Oman the place we reside. So we didn’t thoughts spending a bit of cash on Zogg swimming goggles, pool toys and a brand new rash vest for the nine-year-old – all helpful to have forward of or subsequent vacation spot, Phu Quoc.
Road meals problem
To mark our final night in HCMC we visited Bến Nghé Road Meals Market, not removed from our resort.
There’s round 30 meals stalls right here promoting numerous road meals. It’s price saying the costs aren’t road meals costs. Principal meals had been between 100,000 and 190,000 VND (£3 to £5.80).
After shopping for spring rolls as starters we sat down and challenged the ladies to purchase the remainder of our meal.
They beloved this and dashed off to seek out fulfil our principal course requests for a pork dish (we had been benefiting from its availability outdoors the Center East) and a ‘bizarre’ dish. The ladies got here again with barbecued pork ribs and rice, and one thing they referred to as a ‘squidy factor’.
They had been significantly enthusiastic about dessert as they’d been eyeing up a stall whereas discovering the opposite programs. I used to be offered with an enormous mango ice cream and the ladies shared an Oreo milkshake and mound of shaved ice.
It’s secure to say Bến Nghé Road Meals was an enormous hit regardless of being comparatively dear.
Need to discover out about extra sights and locations to go to in Saigon? I can advocate studying this information to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis with youngsters by Travelynn Household.
The place we stayed
We spent our three nights in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis at Orchids Saigon Resort* in District 3. It’s strolling distance from the Warfare Remnants Museum, Bến Nghé Road Meals and the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon.
One of many causes I selected this resort was as a result of it had a swimming pool. Our women all the time ask if I’ve booked a resort with a pool, even when we’re staying in a metropolis. So discovering one appeared like a bonus. It was additionally helpful for downtime in-between sightseeing.
If it is a should for you then take a look at Orchids Resort*.
Nevertheless, if you wish to keep someplace with character then this place isn’t for you. It is usually used for enterprise conferences and conferences, so has a company vibe.
Orchids Resort doesn’t have connecting or household rooms however we got rooms subsequent to one another as requested once we booked. The rooms had been comfy and had all the things we wanted.
Breakfast was a big buffet with loads of selection. There was an excursions deck in the principle reception however nobody was pushing excursions.
Test availability for Orchids Resort Saigon*.
Summing up our three nights in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
There’s a part of me that wished we’re reversed our 14 day Vietnam itinerary and began within the south. I believe I’d have loved Ho Chi Minh Metropolis extra this manner spherical.
For me it didn’t really feel totally different sufficient to different cities we’ve got visited world wide, so three nights in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis was sufficient for us.
I don’t suppose our selection of resort helped both. There was nothing unsuitable with it and we loved having the small pool space to calm down in, but it surely was very company and impersonal. As soon as inside, we might have been wherever.
We loved the Sky Deck and our enjoyable dinner at Bến Nghé Road Meals Market. And our day journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mykong Delta was absolutely the spotlight.
We additionally learnt so much from Khôi, not least that the Vietnamese language is advanced. Get your inflection unsuitable and there’s a fantastic line between saying ‘thanks’ and ‘shut up’!
On that notice, I’ll shut up. The ultimate on our two week journey from north to South Vietnam was Phu Quoc.
Extra studying about Vietnam journey
Ho Chi Minh Metropolis was the fourth cease throughout our 14 day Vietnam itinerary which began in Hanoi, together with an tour to the well-known Prepare Road, after which moved on to Ha Lengthy Bay for a two evening cruise and on to Hoi An for 3 nights.
You possibly can meet up with the remainder of our journey by trying out my Instagram account the place there are three Tales about our two weeks in Vietnam.
Often I’d additionally advocate the Lonely Planet’s vacation spot information that can assist you plan your journey, however I purchased the Vietnam 2023 version and was a bit disillusioned. Plenty of the knowledge was generic and I noticed a number of errors.
I’d recommend attempting the Tough Information* or Eyewitness journey information* as a substitute.
Disclosure: this publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks marked with *. Should you click on on considered one of these and make a purchase order I could earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the worth you pay.