On this page (5)
Three days is enough for central Saigon, one trip out of the city, and a good amount of eating. This plan assumes you land on day one and fly out on day three. Each stop links to the full guide.
Before you go
- International flights use Terminal 2 at Tan Son Nhat. Terminal 3, opened in April 2025, is domestic only.
- Long Thanh, the new airport east of the city, starts opening in phases from late 2026. Airlines move international routes at different times, so check which airport is printed on your ticket.
- A Grab from the airport to former District 1 costs 100,000–180,000 VND (airport guide).
- Sort out cash (money exchange) and a SIM or eSIM (SIM and Grab) early.
Day 1: arrive, central Saigon
- Stay in former District 1 if you can; everything on this plan is close (where to stay).
- Afternoon: the second half of the one-day central Saigon route: War Remnants Museum, Bến Thành Market, Nguyễn Huệ walking street.
- Evening: a rooftop bar for the skyline, or Bùi Viện if you want noise.
Day 2: Cu Chi tunnels and Chợ Lớn
- Morning: half-day Cu Chi tunnels trip, leaving around 7am and back by 1–2pm (day trips).
- Afternoon: rest, or a massage.
- Evening: Chợ Lớn (former District 5). The Chợ Lớn night quarter opened in April 2026, 6pm–midnight . For what to order, see what to eat.
Prefer the river? Swap Day 2 for a Mekong Delta trip (about 9 hours). Tours that do Cu Chi and the Mekong in one day take close to 11 hours; it's too much.
Day 3: catch-up, shopping, airport
- Morning: what you missed on Day 1: Independence Palace, Notre-Dame (outside only), the Central Post Office. Coffee somewhere good (coffee guide).
- Late morning: supermarket shopping for gifts (what to buy).
- After checkout: ask for a late checkout, or leave your bags at your hotel.
- To the airport: 30–45 minutes from former District 1, much longer in the 4–7pm rush. Aim to be at the airport 3 hours before an international flight, which means leaving the centre 3.5–4 hours ahead.
- Claiming a VAT refund? Go to customs before you check your bags.
If it rains (May–November)
Afternoon storms usually pass within an hour. Keep outdoor sights for the morning and put museums, cafés and massages in the afternoon.
Sources: Tuoi Tre (Feb 2026, Terminal 3), Tuoi Tre News (domestic flights to T3), VnExpress International (Long Thanh), VietnamPlus (Long Thanh international shift), Tuoi Tre News (Chợ Lớn night quarter), Local Vietnam (Tan Son Nhat)