Travel guide · Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide 2026: when to go, which Cu Chi site to pick and what it costs
Saigon at blue hour, seen across the Saigon River Photo: Radek Kucharski, CC BY 2.0
Ho Chi Minh City, still Saigon to most people, is Vietnam's largest city and the base for the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta and the Cao Dai Holy See. A few decisions matter more than your hotel: visiting between December and April rather than in the September–October deluge, choosing the right Cu Chi site, and not trying to squeeze a floating market into a day trip. This guide gives official prices and rules checked in October 2026, explains the 2025 map changes that retired 'District 1', and compares live prices from 1,440 bookable tours.
Ho Chi Minh City at a glance
Ho Chi Minh City had about 14 million residents in 2025 and covers some 6,781 km², because on 1 July 2025 it absorbed the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. That merger roughly tripled its area: the beach town of Vung Tau is now technically part of the city.
The city was renamed from Saigon in July 1976, but the old name never went away. Since 2025 it is even official again, as the name of the central Saigon ward around the cathedral and the Opera House. The city's tourism department estimated about 8.5 million international visitors in 2025.
| What it is | Vietnam's largest city; about 14 million people after the 2025 merger |
|---|---|
| Old name | Saigon (renamed July 1976); the central ward is called Saigon ward |
| Dry season | December to April (8–57 mm of rain a month) |
| Wettest months | September (490 mm) and October (340 mm) |
| Main airport | Tan Son Nhat, 7–8 km from the centre; Long Thanh due to open in December 2026 |
| Metro | Line 1, Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien, opened 22 December 2024; VND 7,000–20,000 a ride |
| Big day trips | Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, Cao Dai Holy See, Can Gio mangroves |
Ho Chi Minh City in pictures
Tap a photo to enlarge it. Photos: Radek Kucharski, Suicasmo, Balon Greyjoy, Diego Delso, Phương Huy ( thảo luận ) — Wikimedia Commons.
Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc: which Cu Chi Tunnels site should you visit?
Ben Duoc for original tunnels and fewer coaches; Ben Dinh if time is short
The Cu Chi tunnel network once ran for about 121 km under the farmland north-west of the city. Two sections are open to visitors, and they are not the same experience. Ben Duoc contains part of the original tunnel system. Ben Dinh, the site closer to the city, shows reconstructions, and some of its tunnels were enlarged so that tourists fit through.
Distances quoted by operators vary, but Ben Dinh is roughly 45–50 km from the centre and Ben Duoc about 12 km further. Both sites show booby traps and have low lighting in the tunnels; above ground you will find souvenir stalls and a shooting range. The range is optional, and nothing about the history requires it.
| Ben Dinh | Ben Duoc | |
|---|---|---|
| Tunnels | Reconstructed; some enlarged for visitors | Includes part of the original system |
| Distance from centre | About 45–50 km | About 12 km further (55–70 km quoted) |
| Best for | Half-day trips, claustrophobic visitors | History, a less staged feel |
| Entry fee | Reported VND 90,000–125,000 for foreigners; usually included in tours | Reported VND 90,000–125,000 for foreigners; usually included in tours |
We could not find an official 2026 price list for either site, so treat the entry fee as approximate. In practice almost everyone goes on a tour: our catalogue lists 137 half-day Cu Chi tours, typically $39, from $7, and the fee is usually included.
Verdict: Choose Ben Duoc if you care about what is original and can spare a longer drive; choose Ben Dinh if you have a morning only, travel with children or dislike tight spaces. Either way, a half-day small-group tour is the simplest way to go.
137 Top-rated Cu Chi Tunnels tours tours on Excurgo · from $7, typical $39 per person · rated 4.9 across 60,481 reviews
Cu Chi and the Mekong in one day is possible, but it is mostly driving
Combined tours are popular: 80 in our catalogue, typically $65. They work because Cu Chi lies north-west and My Tho, the nearest Mekong gateway, about 70 km south-west (roughly 1.5 hours via the Trung Luong Expressway). The price is a long day in a minibus. If you have three days or more, do them separately.
80 Cu Chi and Mekong Delta in one day tours on Excurgo · from $16, typical $65 per person · rated 4.9 across 41,793 reviews
Does District 1 still exist, and where should you stay?
The district tier was abolished in July 2025; the old District 1 is still the best first base
On 1 July 2025 Ho Chi Minh City dropped districts altogether. The old District 1 was split into four wards, Sai Gon, Ben Thanh, Tan Dinh and Cau Ong Lanh; District 3 became Ban Co, Xuan Hoa and Nhieu Loc; District 2 is now An Khanh ward. Hotels, booking sites and older guides still use the old district names, so you will see both on the same street.
| Area (old name) | New ward names | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| District 1, around the cathedral and Opera House | Sai Gon, Ben Thanh | First visit; walking to the main sights and Metro Line 1 |
| District 1, Da Kao and Tan Dinh | Sai Gon, Tan Dinh | Near the Jade Emperor Pagoda in Da Kao |
| District 3 | Ban Co, Xuan Hoa, Nhieu Loc | The War Remnants Museum is in Xuan Hoa ward |
| District 2, Thao Dien | An Khanh | Longer stays away from the centre; waterbus pier |
| Cho Lon (Chinatown) | Cho Lon and neighbouring wards | Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple |
The cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Opera House, the Independence Palace and Ben Thanh Market are all in the old District 1 core, within walking distance of each other, and Metro Line 1 starts at Ben Thanh. Staying here saves you a ride every time you go out. Thao Dien is a neighbourhood name that survives inside An Khanh ward, and the Saigon Waterbus has a pier there.
Verdict: First visit: stay in the old District 1, in Saigon or Ben Thanh ward, and walk. Longer stay away from the centre: Thao Dien. When you book, check the street address rather than the district label, because both naming systems are in use.
When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
December to April is the best time; September and October are the wettest
Ho Chi Minh City is hot all year: average daily highs at Tan Son Nhat run from 31.6 °C in December to 34.9 °C in May, and nights rarely drop below 23 °C. What changes is the rain. From December to April it is mostly dry, with 8–57 mm a month; from May the wet season sets in, peaking at 490 mm in September.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32.0 | 23.4 | 12 | Excellent; check Tet dates |
| February | 32.7 | 23.1 | 8 | Driest; Tet 2027 on 6 February |
| March | 33.6 | 24.9 | 18 | Excellent, getting hotter |
| April | 34.5 | 26.4 | 57 | Good, very hot |
| May | 34.9 | 26.4 | 202 | Rains begin; hottest month |
| June | 33.5 | 25.5 | 224 | Wet season |
| July | 33.0 | 25.2 | 231 | Wet season |
| August | 32.9 | 25.1 | 219 | Wet season |
| September | 32.6 | 25.0 | 490 | Wettest month |
| October | 32.3 | 25.0 | 340 | Very wet; high-tide flooding |
| November | 32.4 | 24.9 | 128 | Shoulder; rain easing |
| December | 31.6 | 23.9 | 41 | Excellent; busy at Christmas |
October brings flooding as well as rain. In October 2026 the city put mobile pumps at flood-prone spots and stepped up traffic control for heavy rain combined with high tides. Short downpours do not stop a city break, but they slow traffic and can wreck a tight airport transfer.
Tet, the Lunar New Year, falls on 6 February 2027, and the government has backed a seven-day public holiday from 4 to 10 February (not final when we checked). UK travel advice notes that petty theft rises around Christmas and Tet, so plan around the dates.
Verdict: Come between December and April, and avoid the week of Tet unless you specifically want to see it. If you can only travel in the wet season, May to August is easier than September and October.
How do you get from Tan Son Nhat airport to the centre and around the city?
Take Grab or Xanh SM from the airport; use the metro and walking in the centre
Tan Son Nhat handled almost 40 million passengers in 2024 and sits only 7–8 km from the old District 1. International flights use Terminal 2; the new domestic Terminal 3 opened in April 2025. Off-peak the ride takes 25–45 minutes, but rain or rush hour can stretch it to an hour.
| Option | Price | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grab or Xanh SM car | About VND 150,000–250,000 | 25–45 min | Book the whole trip in the app; surcharges in rain and late at night |
| Metered taxi (Vinasun, Mai Linh) | About VND 170,000–280,000 | 25–45 min | Use the large firms only |
| Bus 109 | VND 15,000–20,000, cash | 45–60 min | Every 20–30 min from about 5:30 am to the Ben Thanh area |
| Metro Line 1 | VND 7,000–20,000 (1-day pass VND 40,000) | — | Not to the airport; Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien |
| Saigon Waterbus | VND 15,000 flat | — | Bach Dang pier upriver; few boats to the outer piers |
UK advice is to use metered taxis from larger firms or official apps such as Grab or Xanh SM, to book the full journey in the app and to check that the driver and plate match. Be wary of 'free' transfers offered at the airport that you did not arrange yourself.
Metro Line 1 opened on 22 December 2024: 19.7 km and 14 stations from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien in the east, with a stop at the Opera House. Single rides cost VND 7,000–20,000 in cash, a little less cashless, and travel is free for people over 60 and children under six with an adult. It carried about 20.6 million riders in 2025. It does not reach the airport.
Long Thanh International Airport is due to begin commercial flights in December 2026: the operator proposed 1 December, and later reports mention 24 December. Tan Son Nhat keeps its existing international routes until 27 March 2027, so check your ticket for the airport code.
Verdict: From the airport, a Grab or Xanh SM car is worth the few dollars over the bus unless you travel light in daylight. In the centre, walk between the colonial sights and use the metro or app cars for anything further; do not rent a motorbike unless you are an experienced rider with the right licence.
What are the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
Visit the War Remnants Museum Must do· Morning, 1.5–2 hours
The museum, second only to one other site among the city's 444 attractions with over 1.4 million visitors in 2025, occupies the former United States Information Agency building at 28 Vo Van Tan Street. The yard holds a Huey helicopter, an F-5A fighter and an M48 tank; inside are reproductions of the 'tiger cage' prison cells and photographs of Agent Orange, napalm and the My Lai massacre. Some images are very graphic, so think about younger children.
Tickets cost VND 40,000, students pay half and children under six enter free. It is open daily 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and since February 2026 you can buy tickets online.
Walk through the Independence Palace Must do· Morning or late afternoon, 1–1.5 hours
The palace is open daily from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Under the price list valid from 1 May 2026, general admission (palace plus the exhibition on its history) costs VND 80,000 for adults, VND 40,000 for over-60s and VND 20,000 for children aged 6 to 15; the palace alone is VND 40,000. The main ticket gate is at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia; the Nguyen Du gate sells tickets only from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Take an evening street-food tour by motorbike Must do· Evening, 3–4 hours
Food tours are one of the largest categories in the city: 82 motorbike and scooter food tours in our catalogue, typically $39, with a guide driving you between stalls. If you prefer not to ride pillion, 23 walking food tours cost about the same, typically $39. Always wear the helmet you are given.
82 Top-rated motorbike food tours tours on Excurgo · from $16, typical $39 per person · rated 5.0 across 35,472 reviews
23 Walking food tours tours on Excurgo · from $25, typical $39 per person · rated 5.0 across 7,513 reviews
See the Central Post Office and the cathedral outside Must do· Any time, 45 minutes
The Central Post Office was built in 1886–1891 to a design by Alfred Foulhoux, not Gustave Eiffel as is often claimed. Inside, look for two painted maps from 1892. Next door, Notre-Dame Cathedral (1877–1880) has been under restoration since July 2017; new gold-plated crosses went back on its towers on 19 March 2026, but completion is expected around 2027 or later. Services have continued, so expect to see it mostly from outside.
Browse Ben Thanh Market, then its night market Worth it· Late afternoon into evening
The market building dates from 1912–1914 and was freshened up in January 2026, its roof repainted red. Stalls open from about 6 am to 6 pm; after that a night market of food stalls sets up on Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chau Trinh streets until about 10 pm. Ben Thanh metro station is right beside it.
Spend half a day in Cho Lon, the Chinatown Worth it· Morning, 3 hours
Cho Lon was a separate city until the mid-20th century. Its Binh Tay Market was built in 1928–1930 by the merchant Quach Dam and is protected as architectural heritage since 2015, and Thien Hau Temple at 710 Nguyen Trai is a national relic.
Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda Worth it· Morning, 30–45 minutes
Completed in 1909 and also known as Phuoc Hai Tu, this Taoist-Buddhist pagoda at 73 Mai Thi Luu Street in Da Kao was visited by Barack Obama in May 2016. Cover shoulders and knees, as at every religious site.
Watch a show: the AO Show or water puppets Worth it· Evening, about 1 hour
The Opera House opened on 1 January 1900 and now seats 500. Lune Production stages the AO Show and other shows there, usually at 6 pm, with seats reported at about VND 700,000–1,600,000; the calendar is published month by month. The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai plays daily at 6:30 pm for 45–50 minutes, at about VND 300,000–350,000, cash only at the box office.
31 Show tickets tours on Excurgo · from $17, typical $60 per person · rated 4.8 across 1,485 reviews
Take a cooking or coffee class Worth it· Morning or afternoon, 1–4 hours
A cooking class with a market visit is a good rainy-season plan: 35 classes in our catalogue, typically $59. Shorter coffee workshops, including the egg-coffee kind, are cheaper, typically $25.
35 Cooking classes tours on Excurgo · from $20, typical $59 per person · rated 4.9 across 1,602 reviews
17 Coffee workshops tours on Excurgo · from $6, typical $25 per person · rated 5.0 across 950 reviews
See the city from above: Saigon Skydeck or Landmark 81 Worth it· Sunset
The Saigon Skydeck is on the 49th floor of the 262.5 m Bitexco Financial Tower, about 178 m up, right in the centre. Landmark 81, Vietnam's tallest building at 461.3 m, has its SkyView deck on floors 79–81; standard adult tickets are reported at about VND 300,000 on weekdays and VND 500,000 at weekends, and the basement ticket desk does not take cash. Prices change, so check before you go.
Ride the Saigon Waterbus upriver Worth it· Late afternoon, 1–2 hours
For VND 15,000 a trip, the waterbus runs up the Saigon River from Bach Dang pier past Thao Dien. Only a handful of boats a day go all the way to the outer piers, so ride out and back from the inner stops rather than risk a long wait. A Saigon River dinner cruise is the more comfortable version: 35 in our catalogue, typically $65.
Worth skipping
- The shooting range at Cu Chi, unless you specifically want it: it is an optional extra and adds nothing to understanding the tunnels.
- Trying to tour the inside of Notre-Dame: the restoration is not finished; see it from the square and go into the Post Office instead.
- A floating-market 'day trip' from Saigon: Cai Rang is 3.5–4 hours away by road and at its best around 6–7 am. Take the two-day version or skip it.
- A motorbike rental for your first days: without a 1968-convention driving permit and insurance you are riding illegally, and the traffic is far harder than it looks.
What are the best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City?
Every classic trip from the city is a road trip, and the distance decides how good a day it is. Cu Chi and the nearer Mekong towns work as half or full days; Cai Rang and Mui Ne are really overnight trips.
| Trip | Distance | What you see | Typical tour price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cu Chi Tunnels | About 45–70 km depending on site | War-era tunnels, Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc | $39 |
| Mekong Delta: My Tho, Ben Tre, Cai Be | About 70–85 km, 1.5 h+ | River boats, coconut country, orchards | $69 |
| Cai Rang floating market (Can Tho) | 3.5–4 h by road | Floating market, best 6–7 am | $128 |
| Cao Dai Holy See and Ba Den Mountain | About 100 km, 2–2.5 h | Noon service; 996 m peak with cableway | $96 |
| Can Gio mangroves | South-east of the city | UNESCO biosphere reserve, mangroves | $65 |
| Vung Tau, Long Tan, Nui Dat | About 95 km; ferry 1 h 45 min–2 h | Beach town; Australian battlefield | $109 |
| Mui Ne | Long day; better overnight | Red and white dunes, Fairy Stream | $85 |
Mekong Delta. The biggest category of day trips: 190 day trips to My Tho, Ben Tre and Cai Be in our catalogue, typically $69. My Tho is about 70 km away and Ben Tre, known for its coconut palms, about 85 km.
190 Mekong Delta day trips tours on Excurgo · from $10, typical $69 per person · rated 4.9 across 38,307 reviews
Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho is listed as National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and it is best seen around 6–7 am before the heat and the tour boats. With 3.5–4 hours on the road each way, a same-day trip from Saigon arrives late; most visitors stay a night in Can Tho. That is why floating-market tours cost more, typically $128.
69 Two-day floating market trips tours on Excurgo · from $47, typical $128 per person · rated 4.8 across 5,838 reviews
Cao Dai Holy See at Tay Ninh, about 100 km north-west, was completed in 1947 for Vietnam's home-grown Cao Dai faith. Services are held four times a day, and visitors aim for the noon one, so tours leave early. Many add Ba Den Mountain (996 m), about 10 km from Tay Ninh, where a cableway climbs to the summit pagodas.
Can Gio is the city's green escape: a mangrove biosphere reserve of 75,740 ha, nominated to UNESCO's network in 2000, home to saltwater crocodiles, fishing cats and spot-billed pelicans. Tours typically cost $65.
Vung Tau and Long Tan suit Australian and New Zealand visitors in particular. The Battle of Long Tan was fought on 18 August 1966 in a rubber plantation near Nui Dat, the 1st Australian Task Force base; 108 men of D Company, 6RAR, fought there, and 18 Australians were killed. Vung Tau, about 95 km south-east and now part of Ho Chi Minh City, is reached by Greenlines fast ferry from Bach Dang pier in about 1 h 45 min to 2 hours.
Verdict: With one spare day, go to Cu Chi in the morning and keep the afternoon free; with two, add a Mekong day to My Tho or Ben Tre. Choose Cao Dai only if the noon service interests you, and leave Cai Rang and Mui Ne for an overnight trip.
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
The central sights fit into a single long day on foot. What adds days is the trips out: each of Cu Chi, the Mekong and Cao Dai takes a half to a full day. In the wet season keep a spare half day for rain.
2 days
Day 1: War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, evening food tour. Day 2: Cu Chi in the morning, Cho Lon or the Jade Emperor Pagoda in the afternoon.
Tickets ≈ VND 120,000 · tours ≈ $39 + $39
3–4 days
Add a Mekong Delta day and an evening at the AO Show or the water puppets; on day 4, a cooking class or the Can Gio mangroves.
Tickets ≈ VND 120,000 · tours ≈ $69 + $59
5 days or more
Add a night in Can Tho for the Cai Rang floating market, or the Cao Dai Holy See and Ba Den Mountain; Australians may prefer Long Tan and Vung Tau.
Tours ≈ $128 + $96
How much do tours and tickets in Ho Chi Minh City cost?
These are live prices from our catalogue of 1,440 Ho Chi Minh City tours: the lowest, the typical (median) and the upper end (90th percentile) for each type. Official ticket prices follow in the second table.
| Activity | Tours | From | Typical | Top end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cu Chi Tunnels half day | 137 | $7 | $39 | $120 |
| Cu Chi + Mekong in one day | 80 | $16 | $65 | $168 |
| Mekong Delta day trip | 190 | $10 | $69 | $179 |
| Cai Rang floating market | 69 | $47 | $128 | $282 |
| Motorbike street-food tour | 82 | $16 | $39 | $70 |
| Walking food tour | 23 | $25 | $39 | $49 |
| Cooking class | 35 | $20 | $59 | $90 |
| Coffee or cocktail workshop | 17 | $6 | $25 | $34 |
| City sightseeing tour | 172 | $1 | $43 | $105 |
| Cao Dai and Ba Den Mountain | 36 | $35 | $96 | $145 |
| Long Tan, Nui Dat, Vung Tau | 39 | $33 | $109 | $159 |
| Can Gio mangroves | 27 | $30 | $65 | $165 |
| Saigon River cruise | 35 | $13 | $65 | $90 |
| Water puppets and AO Show | 31 | $17 | $60 | $99 |
| Ticket | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| War Remnants Museum | VND 40,000 | Students half price; under 6 free; online sales since Feb 2026 |
| Independence Palace, palace + exhibit | VND 80,000 adult | From 1 May 2026; VND 40,000 over-60s, VND 20,000 children 6–15 |
| Independence Palace, palace only | VND 40,000 adult | VND 10,000 children 6–15 |
| Cu Chi Tunnels entry | About VND 90,000–125,000 (reported) | Usually included in tour prices |
| Metro Line 1 | VND 7,000–20,000 per ride | 1-day pass VND 40,000; 3-day VND 90,000 |
| Landmark 81 SkyView | About VND 300,000 weekdays, 500,000 weekends (reported) | No cash at the desk |
| Golden Dragon water puppets | About VND 300,000–350,000 (reported) | Cash only at the box office |
91% of Ho Chi Minh City tours in our catalogue offer free cancellation, which is worth having in the wet season, when a storm or flooding can wipe out a boat day.
What should you know about entry, rules, safety and money?
45 days visa-free for UK passports; US citizens need an e-visa
British passport holders can stay up to 45 days without a visa; check the exit date stamped on arrival. The e-visa allows up to 90 days with multiple entries but only through the entry and exit points you named when applying. US citizens need a visa for any stay outside Phu Quoc island; the US Embassy quotes USD 25 for a single-entry e-visa and USD 50 for multiple entries, and warns to use only the official government website. Your passport needs six months' validity, two blank pages and no damage.
Since 15 April 2026 arrivals at Tan Son Nhat have a free online pre-arrival declaration that produces a QR code. Sources disagree on whether it is mandatory: GOV.UK calls it encouraged, while travel news reports it as required within 72 hours before landing. Filling it in costs nothing, so do it. An e-visa cannot be extended inside Vietnam, and overstaying brings fines.
Vapes are banned, and traffic fines are now steep
- Vapes and heated tobacco: banned since 1 January 2025; since 31 December 2025 users can be fined VND 3–5 million, and you cannot bring devices into the country.
- Traffic: under Decree 168 (from 1 January 2025) a motorbike rider running a red light faces up to VND 6 million, and riding after drinking VND 6–10 million.
- Driving: you need a 1968-convention International Driving Permit plus your licence, and third-party insurance is compulsory.
- Drugs: penalties are severe, up to the death penalty, and police may drug-test at nightlife venues.
- Temples and ID: cover shoulders and knees at religious sites; carry photo ID (a printed copy of your passport and visa is accepted); do not photograph near military bases.
Watch your bag and your drink
Bag-snatching by thieves on motorbikes is common. Carry your bag on the side away from the traffic, keep phones away from the kerb, and hand things over rather than resist. UK advice also warns that methanol in drinks has killed people in tourist areas, including at licensed venues; it cannot be tasted, so avoid street-vendor spirits and keep your glass in sight.
| Currency | Vietnamese dong (VND); change money only at counters with a clear sign |
|---|---|
| ATMs | Low limits, around VND 2–3 million per withdrawal, plus each bank's fee |
| Tipping | Not mandatory; increasingly expected by guides and drivers; carry VND 10,000–50,000 notes |
| Passport | Never leave it as a deposit with motorbike rental shops or landlords |
What mistakes do visitors to Ho Chi Minh City regret?
- Booking a hotel by its 'District 1' label. Districts were abolished in July 2025; check the street address and ward (Sai Gon or Ben Thanh for the centre).
- Planning a tight schedule in September or October. These are the wettest months (490 mm and 340 mm), and high tides add flooding.
- Expecting to tour Notre-Dame inside. It has been under restoration since 2017, with completion expected around 2027 or later.
- Doing Cai Rang as a day trip. The market is best at 6–7 am and 3.5–4 hours away; stay a night in Can Tho.
- Bringing a vape. Banned, with fines of VND 3–5 million for users.
- Renting a motorbike without the right permit. You need a 1968-convention IDP and insurance; ride as a passenger on a food tour instead.
- Holding a phone at the kerb. Motorbike bag-snatching is common; walk with valuables on the side away from traffic.
- Skipping the pre-arrival declaration. It is free and takes minutes, and at Tan Son Nhat it may be required.
- Not checking the Tet dates. Tet falls on 6 February 2027, with a seven-day public holiday backed for 4–10 February.
Ho Chi Minh City FAQ
When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
December to April, when rainfall is 8–57 mm a month. The wet season runs from May, peaking in September (490 mm) and October (340 mm). Highs stay between about 32 and 35 °C all year.
Which Cu Chi Tunnels site is better, Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc?
Ben Duoc, if you want original tunnels: it contains part of the original system. Ben Dinh is closer to the city and shows reconstructions, some enlarged for tourists, which makes it easier for children and nervous visitors.
How much does the War Remnants Museum cost?
VND 40,000 per person, half price for students and free for children under six. It is open daily from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and tickets have been sold online since February 2026. Some photographs are very graphic.
How much is the Independence Palace ticket?
From 1 May 2026, general admission (palace and exhibition) is VND 80,000 for adults, VND 40,000 for over-60s and VND 20,000 for children aged 6 to 15. Palace-only tickets cost VND 40,000. It is open daily 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Is Notre-Dame Cathedral in Saigon open?
It is still under restoration, which began in July 2017. New crosses were installed on the towers on 19 March 2026, but completion is expected around 2027 or later. Services have continued during the work; check locally before planning a visit inside.
Does District 1 still exist?
Not officially. On 1 July 2025 the city abolished districts; the old District 1 became Sai Gon, Ben Thanh, Tan Dinh and Cau Ong Lanh wards. Hotels and guides still use the old names, so you will see both.
How do I get from Tan Son Nhat airport to the centre?
The centre is 7–8 km away. A Grab or Xanh SM car costs about VND 150,000–250,000 and takes 25–45 minutes; bus 109 costs VND 15,000–20,000 in cash and takes 45–60 minutes to the Ben Thanh area.
Is there a metro in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. Metro Line 1 opened on 22 December 2024 and runs 19.7 km from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien with 14 stations. Rides cost VND 7,000–20,000, and a one-day pass VND 40,000. It does not serve the airport.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
British passport holders can stay up to 45 days visa-free. US citizens need a visa; the e-visa is valid for up to 90 days and costs USD 25 single entry or USD 50 multiple entry. At Tan Son Nhat, fill in the free online pre-arrival declaration before landing.
Are vapes legal in Vietnam?
No. E-cigarettes and heated tobacco have been banned since 1 January 2025, and since 31 December 2025 users face fines of VND 3–5 million. You cannot bring vapes into the country.
Sources and how this guide is made
Written by the Excurgo editorial team with AI assistance. We are a tour comparison site, not a tour operator, and we have not personally tested every tour. Every fact was researched in official and specialist sources and checked against them before publication; prices, ratings and tour counts come from our live catalogue of 1,440 Ho Chi Minh City tours. Ratings and review counts are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor. Tours are picked by rating weighted by number of reviews (at least 20); we earn a commission from Viator when you book, and it does not affect the order.
- Independence Palace (official) — 2026 ticket prices and opening hours (May 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) — Vietnam entry requirements: 45-day visa-free stay, e-visa, passport, arrival card (Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) — Vietnam safety: bag-snatching, methanol, vapes, driving rules, dress (Oct 2026)
- US Department of State — Vietnam visa requirement for US citizens (2026)
- U.S. Embassy in Vietnam — e-visa validity and fees (2026)
- UNESCO — Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve (Oct 2026)
- Vietnam News Agency — Notre-Dame restoration milestone and timeline (Mar 2026)
- Tuoi Tre News — War Remnants Museum online tickets, price and hours (Feb 2026)
- Tuoi Tre News — fines for e-cigarette use under Decree 371 (Jan 2026)
- Viet Nam News — Long Thanh airport commercial opening plan (Jul 2026)
- VnEconomy — Metro Line 1 fares and passes (Nov 2024)
- Vietcetera — the 2025 merger and the new ward names (Jul 2025)
- Wikipedia — Ho Chi Minh City climate normals (Tan Son Nhat; VIBST and WMO data) (Oct 2026)
- Vietnam Tourism guide (private site) — airport transfer prices and bus 109 (Oct 2026)
- Local Vietnam — AO Show, water puppets and Landmark 81 prices (Jul 2026)
Photos come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences (CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC0 or public domain); the author and licence are shown under each one. They show the places described, not the exact tours listed.
Changelog. 16 October 2026: guide published.
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