7 Days in HCMC (Saigon).

7 Days in HCMC (Saigon).

7 Days in HCMC (Saigon)

A mix of food, coffee culture, art, history, and rooftops, with time to wander and rest

Where to stay? District 3 is a great area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City if you want a quieter, more local experience without feeling disconnected from the main sights.

It’s known for its tree-lined streets, colonial villas, neighbourhood cafés, and local markets, giving you a more authentic, residential feel than busy District 1. The area is calmer and less touristy, especially in the evenings, which makes it ideal for relaxed walks and good sleep after busy days.

Despite the quieter vibe, District 3 is very walkable to District 1 (or a short Grab ride), so you’re still close to major attractions like the War Remnants Museum, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Opera House. It also has excellent local food spots and coffee culture, often at better value than in the tourist core.

Overall, District 3 offers the best of both worlds: peaceful, local atmosphere with easy access to Ho Chi Minh City’s main tourist highlights.

Day 1 – Coffee Crawl and Culture

Morning

  • Breakfast: Bánh Mì Cô Linh - Local Saigon bánh mì (20 minute drive from airpot into North point of the city)

  • Coffee stop #1: Gòn Cà phê

  • Tân Định Catholic Church (Pink Church) - One of the city’s most photogenic landmarks (built 1876)

  • Coffee stop #2: Sturmfrei Haus - Quiet, leafy, hidden vinyl cafe

  • Le Van Tam Park - Local park walking distance from the cafe

  • Galerie Quynh – Contemporary Vietnamese art

  • Jade Emperor Pagoda - Atmospheric Taoist temple filled with incense and carvings

  • Coffee stop 3#: Thái Phiên by 15.22 Café - Minimalist, excellent specialty coffee

Evening

  • Sunset drinks: The View Rooftop - Casual rooftop with skyline views

  • Dinner: Quán Bấc - Northern Vietnamese comfort food: Try the fried tofu & vermicelli noodle salad

Day 2 – Old Saigon & Local Life

Morning/Afternoon

  • Coffee: Cheo Leo Café - Open since 1938; one of the oldest cafes in HCMC

    • If you’re lucky the owners will invite you to the kitchen to demonstrate how the coffee is made (coffee brewed in clay pots over charcoal)

  • Breakfast: Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa - Popular with locals for fillings and bread quality (25,000 banh mi / 71p)

  • District 1 Stroll via Tao Dan Park - Gain your bearings of the City and wonder through the park and key tourists sites

    • Ho Chi Minh statue

    • Opera House

    • Municipal Theatre area

  • Coffee stop at Cộng Cà Phê

  • Late lunch: Bếp Mẹ Ỉn - Vietnamese pancakes and homestyle dishes

Evening

  • Sunset river boat ride/cruise or see HCMC from above at Saigon Skydeck (bookable via GetYourGuide)

  • Saigon Corner and B3 Beer / Acoustic Bar

Day 3 – Củ Chi Tunnels (Half-Day Excursion)

Morning

  • Củ Chi Tunnels Guided Tour (Depart early (usually 7:30–8:00 am pickup) to avoid crowds and heat)

  • Travel time: ~1.5–2 hours each way from central Ho Chi Minh City

  • Includes:

    • Underground tunnel systems used during the Vietnam War

    • Command rooms, kitchens and trap demonstrations

    • Short crawl through widened tunnel sections (optional)

    • Film and guided historical explanation

    • Return to Ho Chi Minh City by early afternoon

Return Late Afternoon: Local dinner

Day 4 – Cafés, Rooftops & Nightlife

Morning

  • Linh Coffee - Cool coffee hangout in District 3

  • Bánh Mì breakfast - Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa

  • COCOA PROJECT - High-quality Vietnamese cacao drinks

Lunch: Hủ Tiếu Hồng Phát (District 3) - Michelin Guided spot

Evening

  • Social Club Rooftop – Sunset drinks/Happy Hour (booking recommended - rooftop of the Hotel Des Arts Saigon)

  • Hoàng’s Kitchen - Popular spot with authentic Vietnamese cuisine

  • Stir - Asia's 50 Best Bars

Late night options: Bodega Saigon, Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street and Thi Bar

Day 5 – Markets & Apartment Cafés

Morning

  • Saigon Central Post Office

  • Nguyễn Văn Bình Book Street

  • Apartment Café Complex (42 Nguyễn Huệ) - Multiple cafés in a single building; explore a few

    • Recommend: Meraki Cafe

Afternoon/Lunch

  • Pre market/shopping lunch at Mẹ Ỉn Noodles (near Ben Thanh)

  • Ben Thanh Market - Souvenirs & “fake” goods (expect bargaining)

Evening in Thao Dien - Leafy riverside neighbourhood with relaxed cafés, international dining, creative spaces and a calm, village-like atmosphere away from central Saigon

  • Mad Wine Bar

  • Quán (casual dinner – local vibe)

  • Dram

  • 86 Proof - Whisky Bar

Day 6 – History & Slow Sunday

Morning Coffee at Tiệm Cà Phê Sài Gòn Xưa

Museums:

  • War Remnants Museum

  • Independence Palace

Lunch: Pizza 4P’s - Book ahead; famous Vietnamese-Japanese fusion pizza (several branches in the City)

Late afternoon/Evening in Thao Dien

  • 28 Thảo Điền - Informal area of the Thảo Điền neighbourhood located down and around an alley that’s known for a cluster of cool cafés, hidden spots, art spaces and relaxed hangouts

  • Huế Coffee (local roadside coffee)

  • Rooftop: Le Café des Stagiaires – Saigon

    • Tip: Go for sunset for views of the river and Landmark 81

Day 7 – Culture & Art District 3

  • Little Cam Saigon - Local neighbourhood cafés perfect for a slow morning

  • Southern Women’s Museum - Insight into women’s roles in Vietnamese history

  • Toong Gallery / Creative Space - Contemporary workspace + art exhibitions

  • Lunch: Phở Nhơn Sài Gòn - Authentic Pho in District 3