Heading to Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon)? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
TL;DR
- Perfect for: 3–4 days
- Best for: Adventurous foodies, urban wanderers, history buffs, nightlife seekers
- Why visit: Electric street life, delicious eats, safe chaos for solo adventurers
HCMC AT A GLANCE
- Population: 9+ million; Vietnam’s biggest and busiest city
- History: Began as Prey Nokor fishing village; French & American influence evident
- Famous for: Neon-lit chaos, street food, war history, Parisian architecture
- Nicknames: Pearl of the Far East, Saigon, Big Market
- Solo vibe: Backpacker-friendly, energetic, very safe for independent explorers
ESSENTIAL INFO
- 💰 Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)
- 🗣 Language: Vietnamese (English widely spoken in tourist spots)
- 🌦 Best time to visit: December–February (dry, cooler, festive)
- ✈️ From airport:
- Cheapest: Bus 152, ₫5,000 (add small fee for luggage)
- Taxi: Vinasun/Mai Linh ~₫150,000-180,000 (to District 1)
- App: Grab is safest + cheapest for solo riders
- 🧳 Safety: Pickpockets in crowded spots; otherwise, very safe for solos
- 🎭 Cultural calendar tip: Visit for Tet (Lunar New Year) in Jan/Feb, but book early! It’s epic but busy
- 🎦 What to watch: “The Scent of Green Papaya” (for dreamy Saigon vibes)
WHERE TO STAY (FOR SOLO TRAVELERS)
- 🛏️ Best hostel: Bui Vien Street Hostel – Social rooftop, spotlessly clean, heart of backpacker area (District 1). As good as it gets – competition is fierce here. Book ahead to reserve your spot!
- Best areas for hotels/Airbnb:
- 🏘️ Pham Ngu Lao (District 1): Backpacker HQ—close to bars, markets, and attractions
- 🧭 Le Thanh Ton/Ben Nghe: Trendy cafés, quieter streets, still central
- 💸 Budget option: Dorms and budget hotels everywhere in District 1—easy to meet others, steps from street food
- Tip: Always double-check hostel reviews for safety box access and 24hr staff
TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION
- 🚶♂️ Walkability: Central Saigon (District 1) is walkable—watch the scooters!
- 🚌 Buses: 152 routes; cheap (fare by distance); look for green/blue buses
- 🚋 Metro: Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien line now open! ₫7,000–20,000 rides, day pass ₫40,000
- 🚖 Taxis: Use Grab, Vinasun, or Mai Linh only; never unmarked cars
- 🚲 Bikes: Rentals available, but traffic is wild; best for confident riders near parks/riverside
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO ALONE
- 🏛️ War Remnants Museum: Haunting exhibits, solo-friendly, audio guides in English. Reflect, absorb, go at your own pace.
- 🌿 Công viên 23 Tháng 9: Lush park, perfect for people-watching, morning walks, and mixing with locals
- 🧠 Saigon Skydeck: 360° city views from Bitexco Tower—best at sunset for breathtaking snaps and solo contemplation
- 🧭 District 5 Chinatown walk: Explore temples, street markets, and historic sights—solo, you can wander deep and get lost in culture
- 🎨 Café Apartments: Hop floor to floor, sampling vintage cafés, doing solo journaling, or people-watching over cà phê sữa đá
- 🔀 Wildcard: Cu Chi Tunnels day trip – Climb and crawl through history on a solo-guided group tour, easy to join last-minute!
WHAT TO SKIP
- ❌ Saigon Zoo: Outdated, limited animal care, not the best use of your time
- ❌ Fake Markets for Souvenirs: Ben Thanh Market is fun, but skip the priciest stalls—haggle hard or check smaller markets
- ❌ Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus: Fun idea, but slow in city traffic; you’ll see more on foot or by local bus
EATING & DRINKING
- 🧍♂️ Solo-friendly spot: Bun Cha 145—small, lively, shared plastic tables, delicious Hanoi-style noodles
- 🥃 Quiet bar: The Gin House—craft cocktails, moody local crowd, tucked-away speakeasy vibes
- 🍽️ Try: Pho (pho hoa pasteur), Banh Mi (Huynh Hoa), Com tam (Broken rice)
- 💸 Best cheap eats: Ben Thanh Market, Ton That Thuyet Street—VNĐ 30,000–70,000 for a feast
- 🥦 Veg/vegan: Hum Vegetarian—fresh, bright, stunning veggie Vietnamese
- 🍸 Cocktails: Broma Not A Bar—rooftop, strong drinks, city views, backpacker-approved
BEST OF HO CHI MINH IN 1 DAY – SOLO ITINERARY
- Sunrise: Sip iced coffee at Café Apartments (pick a window seat)
- Morning: Visit War Remnants Museum before crowds
- Lunch: Noodle soup (Pho Hoa Pasteur), join the locals at communal tables
- Afternoon: Explore Ben Thanh Market, then pop into Saigon Notre-Dame and Opera House
- Evening: Sunset on the Skydeck, upload those cityscape pics
- Dinner: Try street food stalls on Ton That Thuyet or in District 1
- Night: Meet travelers at Bui Vien street bars, or chill at The Gin House for a quieter night
LOCAL TIPS & INSIDER WISDOM
- 🎉 Festival tip: Tet (Lunar New Year)—city bursts with flowers, fireworks, and food; magical but crowded
- 📍 Hidden gem: Dam Sen Cultural Park (District 11)—scenic lakes, quirky fun, zero tourists
- 📷 Photo spots: Saigon Skydeck (sunset), Notre-Dame façade, vintage yellow walls in District 1
- 🧠 Etiquette tip: Cross streets steadily—drivers adjust to your rhythm, not the other way around!
- 🚩 Safety reminder: Just watch your bag in crowds; otherwise very safe for solo travelers
- 👀 One last thing: Never skip street coffee—cà phê sữa đá will make you fall in love with Saigon!