Famously underprepared and overexcited, we were approaching the end of March this year (2026) when Chris and I found ourselves suddenly travel-plan-less with a month stretching out in front of us, with nothing to fill it with. The Australian fuel crisis had us abruptly pausing our lap of Australia adventure.

So late on a Friday night we booked tickets to land in Ho Chi Minh City the following Monday, with 29 days to make it from the south to the north, in time to fly out of Hanoi and head back to Australia for a wedding (not ours).

This left me with only two days to plan a one-month trip through Vietnam.

So plan I did not…

We landed in Ho Chi Minh City without an ounce of knowledge about what was good to eat, see, or experience. Not only that, I landed with a full schedule of work to do. It was chaotic, to say the least.

But nevertheless, here is everything I saw, experienced, and learned over two days exploring Ho Chi Minh City on foot, so you can plan a slightly less chaotic visit to Ho Chi Minh City.

Everywhere I Went in Ho Chi Minh City

How to approach the walk

This is a city that rewards a loose route more than a perfect plan. Start early, save the hottest part of the day for coffee, lunch or air conditioning, then head back out in the late afternoon or evening.

It turns out, Ho Chi Minh City is challenging to plan but very easy to explore. It is a city best seen on foot, so slip on your most comfortable walking shoes, grab your camera, and pound the pavement, preferably in the early morning and late afternoon or early evening when the weather is at its coolest (but it is still hot most of the time - prepare for that!).

This post covers everywhere I went during two days walking the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. For a more structured approach, head to this post covering three excellent walking loops of HCMC, complete with free downloadable Google Maps directions.

Cultural Sites

Saigon Central Post Office

Worth doing here

Photograph the facade from outside

Look up at the vaulted ceiling and central clock

Write and send yourself a postcard

Browse the souvenir stalls if you want easy Vietnam-themed gifts

One of the most photographed buildings in the city, and for good reason. Built by the French in the 1880s, the architecture is beautiful and unmistakably colonial. Inside, the building has a vaulted ceiling, lovely mosaic tile floors, and a large portrait of Ho Chi Minh watching over the main hall. The building is more beautiful from the outside than inside, and it is worth taking time to walk around it and photograph the facade.

Inside, it is actually a functioning post office. There are only a handful of people actually working, which gives it a strangely quiet atmosphere despite the number of visitors passing through. As a tourist you can write and send yourself a postcard from here, which is a nice touch. The souvenir stalls inside are great too, with everything Vietnamese-themed you could possibly imagine - souvenirs in Vietnam are some of the most charming I have come across anywhere!

Best time to visit: Daytime

Worth it? Yes

But you won’t need too much time here.

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon

2026 renovation note

Go if you are already nearby, but do not plan your day around it right now. The cathedral is under long-term renovation and mostly covered in scaffolding, so the statue outside is currently the more worthwhile pause.

The cathedral sits at the top of Đồng Khởi Street and is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city. Built entirely from materials imported from France between 1863 and 1880, it is an impressive piece of colonial architecture and a useful landmark for orienting yourself in District 1.

A word of warning for anyone visiting right now (2026), the cathedral is currently undergoing major renovations and is almost entirely covered in scaffolding. It is significantly less impressive in its current state. The statue of the Virgin Mary outside continues to draw locals and tourists who come to pray. This is a cool and beautiful thing to pause and observe, but the building itself is not worth going out of your way for until the restoration work is complete.

Best time to visit: Daytime

Worth it? Decide for yourself

This place is worth a glance if you are passing, but not worth a special trip while the scaffolding is up.

Loose research suggests the Cathedral is undergoing long-term renovations, which began in 2017 and are expected to continue until at least the end of 2027.

Ho Chi Minh City Book Street

Best for

Vietnamese-language books

Stationery, coasters, artworks and small gifts

A calmer mid-morning wander

Cute souvenirs without the big-market overwhelm

One of my favourite stops in the city. Nguyen Van Binh Street, known locally as Book Street, is a pedestrianised lane lined with bookshops, stationery vendors, and gift stalls. Most of the books are in Vietnamese, with a smaller selection of English titles from around the world.

The gift shops along here are excellent, and include beautiful cup coasters, artworks, journals, and cute magnets, all at reasonable prices. The street is peaceful in the mid-morning and I would expect it gets considerably busier in the afternoon and evening.

Best time to visit: Daytime, earlier the better (but make sure the shops are open)

Worth it? Yes!

Especially if you are looking for Vietnamese-language books, cute photo opportunities, or great souvenirs.

Tân Định Parish Church

A striking pink church in District 3 and one of the more photogenic spots in the city. It was built in 1876 and painted its now-famous shade of pink, though exactly when and why the colour was chosen seems to be a matter of some local debate. It is more of a quick-look-and-photo stop than a long visit, but it anchors a great neighbourhood walk around Tân Định and pairs naturally with the nearby market and side streets.

While this is a HCMC icon, I found this location to be disappointing and hard to get absorbed into. This beautiful church is located on a very busy road, and tour buses in their masses fill the footpath and side road. It is hard to slow down and appreciate this beautiful location with all the hustle and bustle.

Best time to visit Daytime, but go as early as possible (especially if you aren’t planning to go inside).

Worth it? Yes, but time it well.

Try to beat the tour buses in the morning (though be prepared for the church gates to be closed).

Food Stops

Easy food notes

CHAY GARDEN is the strongest vegetarian-friendly dinner pick

Epic Coffee Roaster is the most practical work stop

Ben Nghe Street Food Market is convenient but touristy

Phở Gà 43 Mạc Đĩnh Chi is not for vegetarians or vegans

CHAY GARDEN Võ Văn Tần

A fancier (for our standards) but relaxed vegetarian Vietnamese restaurant that made for a very good first dinner in the country. After landing without a plan, we decided to keep it easy and went somewhere a little more polished than street level for our first night.

We ordered bì cuốn (shredded vegan tofu rolls), diếp cuốn (green veggie wraps), đậu hũ trứng rang muối tam hoa (roasted egg tofu), and phở áp chảo với rau củ Garden (special stir-fry pho noodles with mushroom and tofu). Everything was excellent. The pho noodles in particular were absolutely delicious. For anyone travelling as a vegetarian in Vietnam, you’ll find many great places to eat (Vietnam is surprisingly vegan and vegetarian friendly). This one should absolutely be on your list of places to try (even if you aren’t a vegetarian or vegan!)

Best time to visit: Dinner

Worth it? Yes!

100000%, especially for vegetarians/vegans

Epic Coffee Roaster

Good if you need to work

This is the useful cafe stop rather than the cutest one: reliable Wi‑Fi, plenty of power points, a quiet morning atmosphere and a blended iced coffee that made the work block easier.

A well-run specialty coffee shop with reliable Wi-Fi, plenty of power points, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it very good for a day of remote working. It is generally very quiet here in the morning, with a pleasant crowd building by midday. The blended iced coffee (₫155,000) is excellent.

If you are combining sightseeing with remote work, this is a useful and quiet base around District 3.

Best time to visit: Daytime

Worth it? Yes.

Particularly if you need somewhere to work

Ben Nghe Street Food Market

Expectation check

Think practical lunch stop, not hidden local gem. It is easy, seated, central and refreshing in the heat, but it feels more polished and tourist-facing than the rougher local markets elsewhere in the city.

A covered street food market in District 1 that makes a convenient, easy lunch stop. Plenty of seating, a wide range of vendors, and a cold drink is very welcome after a morning of walking in the heat.

That said, it skews noticeably touristy. It has a similar feel to the more upmarket hawker markets in Singapore, rather than the rougher, more authentic local markets you will find elsewhere in the city. Good for a rest and a meal, not so good for a truly local experience. The bánh mì nấm chay (shredded mushroom bánh mì, ₫55,000) was solid. The peach snow tea (₫75,000) was much needed and very refreshing!

Best time to visit Lunch

Worth it? Decide for yourself

Practical and easy, but not the most authentic food stop in the city.

Little Cam Saigon — Võ Văn Tần

A very small, very calm cafe tucked down a side alley off Võ Văn Tần. The tables are low and small, which makes it a poor choice for working, but the upstairs space is quiet and has a lovely atmosphere. The condensed milk coffee (cà phê sữa, ₫90,000) was sweet, strong, refreshing, and very good.

This place is worth seeking out if you are already in the area (it is near the Turtle Pond). It is a lovely, quiet location to take a break in the air conditioning.

Best time to visit: Daytime

Worth it? Yes

Especially for a break and a caffeine pick-me-up.

Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa

A famous central bánh mì shop with a well-earned reputation. Long queues are common, particularly around lunch, probably because bánh mì are generously filled and well above average. This one is worth keeping pinned on your map as a reliable stop for a quick, easy food break whenever you happen to be hungry and nearby.

Best time to visit: Either

Worth it? Yes!

Aoya Ramen

Not distinctly Saigon-specific, but a good option if you are looking for something different from the classic Vietnamese meals. This place has good ramen, it is easy to find, but vegetarian options are limited.

Best time to visit: Either

Worth it? Decide for yourself

A comfort food option rather than a must-visit.

Phở Gà 43 Mạc Đĩnh Chi

A simple, central chicken pho stop, open for breakfast or an early lunch. This place is a no-frills, sit-on-a-little-chair-and-eat-what-is-served local spot that is very reasonably priced. This spot is great if you are looking for more authentic local food (but vegans and vegetarians beware, this spot is not for you).

Best time to visit: Breakfast or lunch

Worth it? Yes!

Great for a taste of local life.

Nature

Tao Dan Park

A large, shaded public park in District 1 that offers a chance to slow down, rest and relax a little, or absorb more of the local lifestyle. Locals use it throughout the day for exercise, chess, and simply sitting in the shade. However, this spot is best in the late afternoon or early evening when all the aunties are up and about with their dance-ercise classes and Tai Chi workouts. Locals truly flock to the parks in the evening, and these types of places take on a whole new atmosphere in the evenings.

Best time to visit: Daytime for resting and relaxing, or evening for a taste of local nightlife

Worth it? Yes!

I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to visit if I was staying on the other side of town, but if you are staying locally, or passing through on a self-guided walking tour, it is worth visiting!

Hoàng Sa Canal

This stretch of walking path is less of a formal sight and more of a linking section between other good stops. Walking along the canal is good for slowing down, and photographing the men and women hard at work on the small fishing boats that pass by.

Best time to visit: Daytime

Worth it? Decide for yourself

This is a pleasant and quiet connector rather than a destination in itself.

Shopping

Tân Định Market

A local covered market near the Pink Church, good for colour, noise, fabric stalls, fresh produce, and souvenirs. It is more interesting as a neighbourhood stop than as a polished tourist attraction, which is precisely what makes it worthwhile. Go without expectations, and get a little bit lost among the piles and piles of fabric stretching from floor to ceiling - when you speak, the sound gets sucked into the rolls of fabric. It is a very strange experience.

Best time to visit: Morning, when the market opens and is least crowded

Worth it? Yes!

This place is quite unique, and a great way to see a more authentic Vietnamese market.

PIN — Đ. Trương Quyền

A cheap, cosy cafe on Đ. Trương Quyền, a street lined with vintage and second-hand shops. Good for a softer, slower shopping wander rather than a big market or mall experience. Worth including if you enjoy the kind of browsing where you are not quite sure what you are looking for, or are deep in the vintage shopping/thrifting lifestyle.

Best time to visit: Daytime

Worth it? Definitely!

Note: PIN Trương Quyền is actually a homestay and cafe. The homestay is beautiful, and was outside our price range, but the cafe serves up authentic Cà Phê Sữa Đá (a local, sweet iced coffee) and a range of cheap eats. It was one of my favourite cafes in Ho Chi Minh City!

Particularly if vintage shopping is your thing

Nightlife

Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery

A central craft beer bar that works very well at the end of a long walking day, or on your way to (or from) Bui Vien Walking Street. It is home to great beer, local craft beer, a relaxed atmosphere, and is an easy and comfortable place to either gear up for, or wind down from, the evening.

Best time to visit: Evening

Worth it? Yes!

This spot is a very westernised bar. If you are looking for more local-style drinking holes, this one is not for you.

Bui Vien Walking Street

Go in prepared

Best after dark

Extremely loud music

Neon, lasers and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds

Very touristy and not especially peaceful

Probably not ideal for young eyes or sensitive souls

Incredibly loud, super chaotic, very touristy, and absolutely worth walking down even if clubs and bars and thumping bass and drums are not your scene. Bui Vien is HCMC's famous backpacker strip, and at night it is a spectacle in itself, with neon lights, thumping music, dancing girls, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds spilling out of bars and onto the road. It is not a peaceful walk, but it truly is an unmissable experience.

Be warned though, this might not be a place for young eyes or sensitive souls - expect extremely loud music, neon lights and lasers everywhere, locals trying to tempt you into bars, and scantily clad girls dancing on platforms that line the front of all the bars.

Best time to visit: After dark

Worth it? Absolutely

But you have been warned - this might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Street Life

Turtle Pond (Hồ Con Rùa)

Why stop here

This is not a must-cross-town-for-it sight. It works best when you are already nearby and want somewhere odd, leafy and circular to pause while the city moves around you.

A roundabout with a large ornamental pond at its centre, criss-crossed by small bridges. There are not many turtles, but there are loads of fish and lotus flowers, and the spot has a pleasant, slightly eccentric quality to it. It makes a great place to stop and watch the world zoom around you in every direction.

Best time to visit: Daytime

Worth it? Yes

But probably only if you are in the area - I wouldn’t go out of my way to get here.

Đặng Dung Street

A quieter street-life connector that is useful if you are stitching together the Tân Định and District 3 sections of a walk. Smaller shopfronts offer a less curated city style, and a more everyday feel than the main tourist drag. Not a formal attraction, but a good example of how exploring HCMC can sometimes be best without a map or any idea of where you are actually going.

Best time to visit: Daytime

Worth it? Decide for yourself.

This spot is good for people who enjoy wandering more than ticking things off.

For a structured way to see most of these spots in one go, head to this post that covers three walking loops of Ho Chi Minh City, with free downloadable Google Maps routes.