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Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam

5 days in Ho Chi Minh City

Frenetic energy, war history and incredible street eats. Here's how to spend 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City: a realistic day-by-day plan you can copy and tweak. The best time for this 5 days Ho Chi Minh City trip is January, February and March. Budget roughly $130/person/day before flights.

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Length
5 days
Best time
January, February, March
~Cost/day
$130
Currency
USD
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Your 5 days Ho Chi Minh City itinerary, day by day

1

Day 1

09:00
Tân Sơn, Ho Chi Minh City~$5
Tân Sơn is a ward of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the 168 new wards, communes and special zones of the city following the reorganization in 2025.
12:30
Quang Trung Software City
Quang Trung Software City, also known as Quang Trung Software Park, and abbreviated as QTSC, is a tech hub and business park in Trung Mỹ Tây, Ho Chi Minh City. It is approximately
16:00
Central market & street-food lunch~$12
Grab lunch where locals do.
2

Day 2

09:00
Tet Offensive attack on Tan Son Nhut Air Base~$5
The attack on Tan Son Nhut Air Base, headquarters of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) 7th Air Force, occurred during the early hours
12:30
Tây Thạnh~$5
Tây Thạnh is a ward of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the 168 new wards, communes and special zones of the city following the reorganization in 2025.
16:00
An Hội Tây~$5
An Hội Tây is a ward of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the 168 new wards, communes and special zones of the city following the reorganization in 2025.
3

Day 3

09:00
Đông Hưng Thuận~$5
Đông Hưng Thuận is a ward of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the 168 new wards, communes and special zones of the city following the reorganization in 2025.
12:30
Tan Son Nhat International Airport~$5
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is an international airport serving Ho Chi Minh City, the most populous city in Vietnam. It is located in the former Tân Bình district within the
16:00
Tân Bình, Ho Chi Minh City~$5
Tân Bình is a ward of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the 168 new wards, communes and special zones of the city following the reorganization in 2025.
4

Day 4

09:00
Tân Sơn Nhì~$5
Tân Sơn Nhì is a ward of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the 168 new wards, communes and special zones of the city following the reorganization in 2025.
12:30
Nguyễn Công Trứ High School~$5
Nguyen Cong Tru High School is a high school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is named after the Vietnamese general Nguyễn Công Trứ.
16:00
Thông Tây Hội~$5
Thông Tây Hội is a ward of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the 168 new wards, communes and special zones of the city following the reorganization in 2025.
5

Day 5

09:00
Bình Hưng Hòa~$5
Bình Hưng Hòa is a ward of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the 168 new wards, communes and special zones of the city following the reorganization in 2025.
12:30
State of Vietnam~$5
The State of Vietnam was a state in Southeast Asia that existed from 1949 until 1955, initially as an associated state in the French Union and later as a fully independent state. T
16:00
Bình Hưng Hòa Cemetery~$5
Binh Hung Hoa Cemetery was formerly the largest cemetery in the urban area of Ho Chi Minh City. It was located in the suburban outskirts of the city but due to the rapid urbanizati

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What 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City costs

What this trip costs

$1,191
Flights$45038%
Stay$23420%
Activities$11710%
Food$19516%
Local transport$787%
Shopping$524%
Buffer$655%
$238/day

Estimates for planning, so check live prices before you book.

Have more or less time in Ho Chi Minh City?

2 days in Ho Chi Minh City 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City 4 days in Ho Chi Minh City 1 week in Ho Chi Minh City Full Ho Chi Minh City guide

5 days in Ho Chi Minh City: FAQ

Is 5 days enough for Ho Chi Minh City?+

5 days is a comfortable amount of time to explore Ho Chi Minh City, with room for day trips and a slower pace. The plan above balances the must-sees with time to wander.

What should I do on day 1 in Ho Chi Minh City?+

Start with Tân Sơn, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Trung Software City and Central market & street-food lunch. The full first day is mapped out above.

How much does 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City cost?+

Budget around $130 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and activities), before flights, so roughly $650 per person for 5 days. The cost breakdown above splits it by category.

When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?+

The best months to visit Ho Chi Minh City are January, February, March and April, when the weather suits sightseeing best.

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