a row of palm trees in front of a building
a black and white photo of a very tall bridge
a tall white building with balconies and palm trees
a tall building with lots of windows and balconies
Trains parked in front of city buildings

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.

About Ho Chi Minh City

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.

Food
95
Urban
85
Nightlife
80
Culture
75
Adventure
70

Top 5 highlights in Ho Chi Minh City

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

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.

2

War Remnants Museum

The most moving museum in Saigon about the Vietnam War – photographs, vehicles, and personal stories that touch the heart.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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

Best time to travel for Ho Chi Minh City

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?

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

Book a package holiday to Ho Chi Minh City

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4 travel tips 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.

Food & drink in Ho Chi Minh City

These specialties you must try!

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.
Suitable for:Street FoodHistoryScootersNightlifeColonialBudgetEnergy

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