Ho Chi Minh City Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Ho Chi Minh City tours, the legendary Củ Chi Tunnels, day trips to the Mekong Delta, street-food and motorbike tours through Saigon, city sightseeing past the War Remnants Museum and colonial landmarks, scenic river dinner cruises, and the Cao Đài Temple. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Saigon itinerary.
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Explore Ho Chi Minh City by interest
Whatever brings you to Ho Chi Minh City — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Củ Chi Tunnels
Wartime underground network.
ExploreMekong Delta
Rivers and floating markets.
ExploreStreet food & motorbike
Pho, banh mi and more.
ExploreCity tour & war history
Museum and landmarks.
ExploreRiver cruises
Saigon skyline dinners.
ExploreCao Đài Temple
Colourful Holy See.
ExploreCooking classes
Vietnamese cuisine.
ExploreDay trips
Mekong, Tây Ninh and more.
ExploreTop attractions in Ho Chi Minh City
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Củ Chi Tunnels
Wartime underground network.
War Remnants Museum
Powerful war history.
Saigon Street Food
Pho, banh mi and more.
Mekong Delta
Rivers and floating markets.
Cao Đài Temple
Colourful Holy See.
Reunification Palace
Historic landmark.
Ben Thanh Market
Bustling city market.
Saigon River
Dinner cruises and views.
Ho Chi Minh City in 1 day
- 1Củ Chi Tunnels
- 2City landmarks
- 3War Remnants Museum
- 4Street food evening
Ho Chi Minh City in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Củ Chi & city
- 2Day 2: Mekong Delta
- 3Floating markets
- 4River cruise evening
Ho Chi Minh City in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Củ Chi & city
- 2Day 2: Mekong Delta
- 3Day 3: Cao Đài & food
- 4History, rivers & flavours
Ho Chi Minh City with kids
- 1Mekong Delta
- 2Boat & villages
- 3Street food
- 4River cruise
Cu Chi Tunnels day trip
- 1Morning ride out to Cu Chi
- 2Crawl the underground tunnel network
- 3Fire a rifle at the shooting range
- 4Back for the War Remnants Museum
Saigon street food by night
- 1Hop on the back of a vintage Vespa
- 2Graze District 1 and Chinatown stalls
- 3Sip egg coffee and rice wine
- 4Learn to cook it yourself next day
1.5 hrs awayCủ Chi Tunnels
Wartime underground network.
1.5 hrs awayMekong Delta
Rivers and floating markets.
2.5 hrs awayCao Đài Temple
Colourful Holy See at Tây Ninh.
In the city awaySaigon Street Food
Pho, banh mi and more.
In the city awayWar Remnants Museum
Powerful war history.
In the city awaySaigon River Cruise
Dinner and skyline views.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Ho Chi Minh City visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
The dry season (December–April) brings warm, sunny weather ideal for tours, day trips and the Mekong Delta — the prime time to visit Saigon.
Dry season (Dec–Apr)
Warm and dry, perfect for the Củ Chi Tunnels, the Mekong and city sightseeing; it’s the busiest, most comfortable season.
Wet season (May–Nov)
Hot and humid with short, heavy afternoon downpours; still plenty to do, cheaper and greener, with rain rarely lasting long.
Hot months
March–May are the hottest; start tours early and stay hydrated in the tropical heat.
Mekong in the rains
The wet season brings higher rivers and lush greenery to the Mekong Delta, with floating markets busy year-round.
Tết festival
Vietnamese New Year (Tết, late Jan–Feb) is festive but many businesses close; plan around it.
One day
Enough for Củ Chi and a city tour.
Two days
Add a Mekong Delta day trip.
Three days
The sweet spot: Củ Chi, the Mekong, and the Cao Đài Temple.
Four to five days
Add an overnight Mekong, Vũng Tàu and more food tours.
A week or more
Use Saigon as a base to explore the Mekong and the south.
Travelling with kids
Mix the Mekong, food and river cruises at a gentle pace.
Ride apps
Grab (car and motorbike) is the easiest, cheapest way around Ho Chi Minh City, with set fares in the app.
On foot
District 1’s landmarks and markets are walkable, but cross the busy streets slowly and steadily.
Tour transfers
Most Củ Chi, Mekong and city tours include hotel pickup, saving the hassle of arranging transport.
Cyclos & motorbikes
Cyclo rides and guided motorbike tours are a fun, local way to see the city.
Boats
Speedboats reach the Củ Chi Tunnels along the Saigon River, and river cruises sail in the evenings.
From the airport
Tan Son Nhat Airport is about 30–45 minutes from District 1 by Grab or taxi, depending on traffic.
Vietnamese dong
Vietnam uses the dong; carry cash for street food, markets and small vendors, though cards work in hotels and bigger venues.
Eat the street food
Saigon’s street food is superb and safe at busy stalls; a food tour points you to the best spots.
Cross streets calmly
Walk slowly and steadily across the motorbike-filled streets; the traffic flows around you.
Start tours early
Begin Củ Chi and Mekong trips early to beat the heat and traffic.
Use Grab
Download the Grab app for easy, fair-priced car and motorbike rides around the city.
Dress for temples
Cover shoulders and knees when visiting the Cao Đài Temple and pagodas, as a sign of respect.
Củ Chi Tunnels
Popular small-group and speedboat tours fill up — book ahead.
Mekong Delta
Day trips and overnight Mekong tours are busy — reserve early.
Street-food tours
Small-group motorbike food tours sell out — pre-book.
River dinner cruises
Evening cruises fill up at weekends — book ahead.
Cao Đài tours
Tây Ninh combo tours are popular — reserve early.
Dry season
December–April is busiest — plan and book early.
Củ Chi Tunnels
Around €15–40 for a half-day Củ Chi Tunnels tour.
Mekong Delta
About €20–45 for a full-day Mekong Delta trip with boat and lunch.
Street-food tours
Roughly €25–45 for a motorbike or walking street-food tour.
River dinner cruises
Around €35–60 for a Saigon River dinner cruise.
Cao Đài tours
About €30–55 for a Cao Đài and Củ Chi combo day.
How to save
Saigon is excellent value; share group tours, eat at street stalls, and use Grab for cheap rides.
Ho Chi Minh City through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Tours and day trips.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best weather; book ahead.
- Best for
- Sightseeing early.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Very hot; start early.
- Best for
- Lush Mekong and value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Short afternoon downpours.
- Best for
- Green scenery and deals.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Humid; rain rarely lasts long.