Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by most) is Southeast Asia's most dynamic city. Vietnam's commercial capital is a sensory overload in the best possible way — millions of motorbikes weaving through French colonial streets, steaming bowls of pho served from pavement stools at 6am, rooftop bars with views across a glittering megacity, and war history that every traveller should experience at least once.
Top highlights
✓War Remnants Museum — powerful and essential
✓Cu Chi Tunnels day trip
✓Ben Thanh Market and Bui Vien backpacker street
✓Mekong Delta day trip
✓Reunification Palace
✓Rooftop bars — Chill Skybar, Shri Restaurant
Best time to visit
Best season
Dec–Apr
Dry season — clear skies, low humidity, perfect for exploring
Wet season
May–Nov
Afternoon showers (usually short), lush greenery, cheapest rates
Sample flight routes
Prices last checked: July 2026 — see live prices in the planner below for current rates
Vietnam Airlines
Melbourne via Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh · ~9h
from AUD $700 return
Scoot
via Singapore · ~10h
from AUD $500 return
Singapore Airlines
via Singapore · ~10h
from AUD $800 return
💡 Prices are indicative and vary by season and booking time. Use our planner to find live prices for your specific dates.
Where to stay
District 1
Tourist hub, backpacker street, rooftop bars, best location for first-timers
District 3
Local residential, great cafes, less touristy, good value hotels
Binh Thanh
Emerging neighbourhood, expat favourite, creative spaces
District 7 (Phu My Hung)
Expat suburb, quieter, modern — good for longer stays
Visa requirements
Last checked: July 2026 — always verify current requirements with the official portal before booking
Example shown for Australian passport holders — Wanderior's planner checks the exact requirements for your own passport automatically.
Duration
90 days, single or multiple entry
ℹ️ Apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — official Vietnamese government site. Processing takes 3 business days. Single entry AUD $38, multiple entry AUD $50. Visa on arrival also available.
Local tips for travellers
💡Grab is the dominant rideshare — set up before arrival, much cheaper than taxis
💡Pho for breakfast, bánh mì for lunch, bun bo hue for dinner — eat Vietnamese only
💡Always cross roads slowly and steadily — motorbikes will flow around you
💡Cu Chi Tunnels worth paying for the better American company vs overcrowded standard tour
💡Negotiate aggressively in markets — starting price often 4x the realistic price
💱 Money & currency
Vietnamese Dong (VND). Heavily cash-based — small denomination notes everywhere. ATMs charge fees, withdraw large amounts.
🚆 Getting around
Grab app essential. Motorbike taxis (xe om) for short trips. Walking fine in District 1. Buses cheap but complex.
Ready to plan your Ho Chi Minh City trip?
Tell us your budget and travel dates. Get complete trip options with live flight prices, hotel recommendations, and visa requirements — all compared side by side.
✈️ Plan my Ho Chi Minh City trip →