2 days in Ho Chi Minh City: Activities & itineraries

Contents

Explore some must-try experiences in two days in Saigon (Source: Collected)

1. Things you should do in your 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, offers all sorts of activities for you to do, especially around the downtown area. Even if you only have two days in Saigon, you can still enjoy many exciting experiences for a memorable journey.

1.1. Explore iconic landmarks

Ho Chi Minh City is home to many iconic landmarks, which offer a glimpse of historical beauty amidst the vibrant cityscape. Some must-see attractions include:

• Notre Dame Cathedral: This majestic cathedral combines European architecture with Oriental decorations.
• Independence Palace: This impressive architectural work is linked to many significant historical milestones in modern Vietnam.
• Saigon Central Post Office: This charming building showcases classic French architecture, making it a popular photography spot.
• Ho Chi Minh City Opera House: Known for its Gothic style, this architectural marvel combines art and sculpture to amaze visitors.
• Ben Thanh Market: As one of the city’s most popular attractions, this market has thousands of stalls and vendors.

Venturing a bit further to the suburbs, you will find Cu Chi Tunnels, a historical site that must be included in your itinerary for 2 days in Saigon. This underground network of tunnels spans over 200 kilometers, where Vietnamese soldiers and civilians lived and fought during the past war.

The Independence Palace – an iconic landmark in Saigon (Source: Collected)

1.2. Visit spiritual sites

Visiting Ho Chi Minh City in 2 days, you can take the time to explore many pagodas to learn more about the city’s spiritual beliefs. Some notable ones include:

• Jade Emperor Pagoda: This is one of the most sacred pagodas in Saigon, featuring Chinese architectural elements with beautiful wooden sculptures.

• Ong Bon Pagoda: This is the oldest temple of the Chinese community in the city, with wooden plaques and bronze bells that date back hundreds of years.

• Thien Hau Pagoda: With over 200 years of history, this temple boasts unique palace-style architecture, serving as a vital spiritual site for the locals.
• Pho Quang Pagoda: Known for its serene landscape, this ancient pagoda allows visitors to admire large Buddhist statues and find inner peace.

Thien Hau Pagoda is famous for its palace-style architecture (Source: Collected)

1.3. Try the local food and coffee

If you have 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City, don’t miss the chance to dive into the city’s exciting food scene. You can visit food markets, check out food alleys, and sip coffee in long-established cafes. Some highlighted dishes of Ho Chi Minh City food include broken rice, banh mi, com tam, bun mam, banh xeo, bun bo, hu tieu Nam Vang, pha lau, mixed rice paper, and fried fish cakes. Must-visit places for food lovers include Alley 76 of Hai Ba Trung Street, Ben Thanh Market, Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, Turtle Lake, Alley 200 of Xom Chieu Street, and Cho Lon Area. These are all paradises of delicious, affordable dishes in Saigon.

Various delicious dishes are waiting for you in 2 days in Saigon (Source: Collected)

1.4. Visit historical and cultural museums

In two days in Ho Chi Minh City, history and culture enthusiasts should visit the many museums that the city has to offer. Some notable ones include:

• War Remnants Museum: This museum houses over 20,000 documents and artifacts that show the harsh realities of war, particularly about the “tiger cages” in Con Dao and the devastating effects of Agent Orange.

• Ho Chi Minh City Museum: Featuring classic French architecture, this museum introduces visitors to the history and culture of Saigon and Vietnam through historical evidence.

• Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts: This museum boasts over 22,000 artifacts divided into traditional and contemporary art, which were crafted from ceramic, bronze, wood, and stone.
• History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City: Notable for its blend of Eastern and Western architecture, this museum preserves over 40,000 precious artifacts about the history and culture of Vietnam and some Asian countries.

2 days in Ho Chi Minh City are ample for visiting numerous museums (Source: Collected)

1.5. Experience unique tourism activities

Your itinerary for 2 days in Saigon would not be complete without two unique travel experiences: a water bus tour on the Saigon River and a double-decker bus tour around the city.

The water bus tour offers stunning city views when the evening lights are on, passing by major landmarks like Nha Rong Wharf, Bitexco Tower, Landmark 81, and Ba Son Bridge. You can enjoy the fresh breeze and a sense of relaxation. Meanwhile, the double-decker bus tour will take tourists to many historical sites and traditional markets in Districts 1, 5, and 6. Tourists can listen to multilingual commentary to enjoy the cultural space of the city, all while watching the bustling streets and taking in the vibrant life of Saigon.

Take in the majestic cityscape from the Saigon River (Source: Collected)

1.6. Enjoy the bustling nightlife

Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City is vibrant with brilliant lights illuminating architectural landmarks and bustling streets. Here are some spots to immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife during your 2 days in Saigon:

• Landmark 81: As the tallest building in Vietnam, it stands out at night with sparkling LED lights. Here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city from the observation deck.
• Bui Vien Street: Strolling along this street, visitors can enjoy lively performances, including fire dances and violin shows, alongside vibrant bars and pubs.
• Nguyen Hue Street: This bustling pedestrian street, with many restaurants and cafes, hosts music performances and art displays on weekends, offering a lively experience.

Additionally, night markets in Ho Chi Minh City are where visitors can truly experience the vibrant atmosphere. Some notable ones include Ben Thanh Night Market, Hanh Thong Tay Night Market, Tan Dinh Night Market, and Ba Chieu Night Market.

Include Bui Vien Street in your 2-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City (Source: Collected)

Discover 21 bucket list things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam!

2. Recommended itineraries for 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City

2.1. Itinerary 1: District 1 – District 3 – District 5

This itinerary allows you to explore major attractions in the city center.

2.1.1. Day 1

• Morning: Notre Dame Cathedral – Saigon Central Post Office – Ho Chi Minh City Book Street
• Afternoon: Independence Palace – War Remnants Museum – Jade Emperor Pagoda
• Evening: Ben Thanh Market – Ho Chi Minh City Opera House – Bui Vien Street

2.1.2. Day 2

• Morning: Cho Lon – Binh Tay Market
• Afternoon: Thien Hau Pagoda – Ong Bon Pagoda
• Evening: Double-decker bus tour

2.2. Itinerary 2: Cu Chi – District 1

With this itinerary for two days in Ho Chi Minh City, you can spend a day at Cu Chi Tunnels and another day in the city center.

2.1.1. Day 1

• Morning and afternoon: Cu Chi Tunnels
• Evening: Landmark 81 – Water bus tour

2.1.2. Day 2

• Morning: Independence Palace – War Remnants Museum
• Afternoon: Ben Thanh Market – Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts – Ho Chi Minh City Opera House
• Evening: Ho Thi Ky Flower Market – Nguyen Hue Street

These itineraries are just examples. You can freely customize it according to your preferences by adding or replacing the attractions.

Explore Ho Chi Minh City in 2 days for a great trip (Source: Collected)

Check out 20 places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City for your itinerary!

2 days in Ho Chi Minh City are ample for you to explore most of what this metropolis has to offer. From historical sites like the Independence Palace to bustling markets and more, the city is a treasure trove of experiences.

On the topic of itinerary, Grand Park in Thu Duc City will be a great addition. This brand-new entertainment complex features a water park, an amusement park, a scenic lake, and a lively shopping street. 

Book Grand Park ticket now

Beside Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam travel also offers a range of other wonderful destinations, including Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. In these cities, you can visit the modern entertainment complexes of VinWonders, which offer all sorts of thrilling games and vibrant festivals for all ages. For a touch of luxury, you can stay at the hotels and resorts of Vinpearl, which provide high-end accommodation with a variety of sophisticated rooms and top-notch amenities.

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