Holiday in Ho Chi Minh City
City in Vietnam — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇻🇳
Country
Vietnam
Type
City
Best time to travel
December–April (Dry season)
Budget/day
30–60 €
Getting there from Germany
Flights with one stop in 13–16 hours to Tan Son Nhat (SGN). Apply for an e-visa online in advance.
Deals for Ho Chi Minh City:
What makes Ho Chi Minh City special as a destination?
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest and most dynamic metropolis in Vietnam — a bustling melting pot of French colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers, and millions of scooters weaving through the streets like an endless stream. The energy of this 13-million-inhabitant city is both contagious and overwhelming. The heart of the city is District 1, featuring the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral made of red brick, the main post office in Beaux-Arts style, and the Reunification Palace, which brings the history of the Vietnam War to life. The War Remnants Museum is one of the most impressive anti-war museums in the world. For the best panoramic view, the observation deck of the Bitexco Financial Tower is the place to be. Culinarily, Saigon is a paradise: The food stalls at Ben Thanh Market offer Pho, Banh Mi, and fresh spring rolls, while the street kitchens in the Binh Thanh district serve authentic local dishes. The Cu Chi Tunnels, a 250-kilometer-long underground tunnel system from the Vietnam War, are just an hour's drive away. From December to April, the dry season brings pleasant temperatures around 30 degrees — ideal for city explorations.
What are the top highlights in Ho Chi Minh City?
The top highlights in Ho Chi Minh City include Cu Chi Tunnel, War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral & Main Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien Walking Street.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Cu Chi Tunnel
The 250 km long tunnel system of the Viet Cong – you can crawl through the narrow passages and get an unsettling feeling for the Vietnam War.
War Remnants Museum
The most moving museum in Saigon about the Vietnam War – photographs, vehicles, and personal stories that touch the heart.
Notre-Dame Cathedral & Main Post Office
Two masterpieces of French colonial architecture side by side – the main post office designed by Gustave Eiffel, featuring a beautiful ceiling structure.
Ben Thanh Market
Saigon's iconic market in the heart of the city: souvenirs, spices, clothing, and street food under one roof – and in front, the famous night market.
Bui Vien Walking Street
Saigon's backpacker street transforms into a party zone at night: cheap Bia Hoi (fresh beer), live music, and an energy that lasts until dawn.
Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
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Reise-SIM für Ho Chi Minh City
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is December–April (Dry season). Hot and humid, 32–38 °C, heavy monsoon showers in the afternoon (May–November), followed by sunny weather In winter: Warm and dry, 26–34 °C, little rain, perfect travel weather
Recommended travel time
December–April (Dry season)
Summer
Hot and humid, 32–38 °C, heavy monsoon showers in the afternoon (May–November), followed by sunny weather
Winter
Warm and dry, 26–34 °C, little rain, perfect travel weather
How much does a holiday in Ho Chi Minh City cost?
Budget travellers: 12–22 €/day, mid-range: 30–60 €/day, luxury: 80–200 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
12–22 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
30–60 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
80–200 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Ho Chi Minh City?
Flights with one stop in 13–16 hours to Tan Son Nhat (SGN). Apply for an e-visa online in advance.
Book a package holiday to Ho Chi Minh City
Compare thousands of package holidays to Ho Chi Minh City and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Ho Chi Minh City?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Grab (taxi app) is a must – GrabBike for short distances is adventurous and costs almost nothing.
Bia Hoi (freshly brewed beer) is available for 5,000 VND (0.20 €) per glass – the cheapest fresh beer in the world.
Street food on plastic stools is not only more authentic but often better than restaurants – Phở Hòa on Pasteur Street is legendary.
Book the Cu Chi Tunnel as a half-day tour (not full day) – it gets repetitive and the heat in the tunnels is intense.
What should you eat in Ho Chi Minh City?
Typical specialities in Ho Chi Minh City: Pho — Saigon's Pho has more herbs and sprouts than the Hanoi version – the southern variant is sweeter and garnished more lavishly., Banh Xeo — Crispy, yellow rice flour pancakes filled with shrimp, pork, and sprouts – wrapped in lettuce leaves and dipped in Nuoc Cham., Com Tam — Broken rice with grilled pork chop, egg, and fish sauce – Saigon's worker's lunch and available everywhere., Goi Cuon — Fresh spring rolls with rice noodles, herbs, shrimp, and pork, wrapped in rice paper – light and refreshing., Ca Phe Sua Da — Vietnamese iced coffee: strong drip coffee with sweetened condensed milk over ice – addictively good..
These specialties you must try!
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