Three days in Ho Chi Minh city – where to stay, eat, do

Introduction

I went to Saigon in early 2018 for a quick 3 day trip.  I’ve been there now over 10 times, but the last time I was in Saigon was about 5 years ago and so much has changed since then.  They now have Starbucks and bubble tea, and a Japanese company is now building a subway tunnel system (CRAZY!)  Anyway, I’ll give you some touristy things that you can do, but for me, it was all about the food.

 

Visa

I suggest you get the full visa (where you have to upload a pic of passport) versus a visa on arrival because I had to wait an hour to get my visa once I landed.  It’s a mess.  Just deal with the hassle of the full visa application because you’ll have to apply for the full visa with the visa on arrival anyway.

 

Cell Service

T-Mobile no longer gives you free 3G data in Vietnam.  So bring an unlocked phone and buy a data only Mobiphone sim card right outside baggage claim.  I don’t know cost, but it’s fairly cheap.  The LTE data is pretty fast and you can tether as well.

 

Where to stay

I’ve stayed at the Park Hyatt, the Sheraton, the Le Meridien, the Caravelle, and the Marriott all in quan 1 (district 1.)  Any of those places are fine.  I need to note that the Le Meridien is along a VERY BUSY STREET, so getting an Uber or taxi at 5PM on a weekday will take you a LOOOOONG TIME. You may want to consider walking away from it for a bit to catch a car.  The other hotels are more accessible to taxis during traffic.

My buddy who goes to Saigon a lot actually doesn’t stay at those hotels.  He stays at the Hotel Nikko in quan 5.  The reason for that is because quan 1 is where all the tourists and big named restaurants are.  The good local food which I’m going to recommend is closer to quan 5.  Plus, you don’t have to deal with the traffic in quan 1.  However, if it’s your first time to Saigon, stay in quan 1.  For me personally, I’ll probably stay at the Nikko the next time I go just because it’s a) closer to food and b) closer to my aunt’s house.

Also be careful with the taxi drivers in Vietnam.  I haven’t had an issue, but my buddy had an issue with one and the GM at the Conrad Koh Samui also had an issue.  I would try to Uber as much as you can.

 

Itinerary

Day 1

• AM – Cu Chi tunnels – Sort of the biggest ‘must-see’ thing to do in Saigon.  Seems you can take a half day tour.  Make sure you take the obligatory picture of you in one of the holes.
• PM – War Remnants Museum – Hey may as well bang out all the war history out in one day right?

Day 2

• I would do a Mekong Delta tour.  This is an all day tour.  It’s part floating market and part riding in a canoe.  Bring mosquito repellent.

Day 3

• City tour – I would check out Cho Ben Thanh.  There’s food, groceries, fake LV purses, etc.  After that, walk around and check out the post office and cathedral.  There’s a shopping center in quan 1 as well.  You can try the street food.  I haven’t gotten sick, but half of my friends have gotten issues with the food in Vietnam, so YMMV.

 

Food

I actually asked my buddy who goes 1-2 times a year.  The last time I went was 5 years ago and things have changed.

• For pho, my buddy says both Pho Le Nguyen Trai (meatballs) and Pho Hua Pastuer (chopped beef tai) are the best in town.  However, my family took me to Pho Hung.  They have many branches, but I guess we went to the original one.  Also, Esther says she went to Pho Pastuer a few months back and said it was bad.  She liked Pho Le better.  She did NOT try Pho Hung.
• Hu Tieu – Hủ tiếu Nam Vang Nhân Quán.  It’s funny because I had forgotten what my buddy recommended, and so my aunt took me here cuz I was wanting some hu tieu.  I then pull out my phone wanting to tell my buddy and realized that he also recommended the EXACT RESTAURANT.
• Bun Thit Nuong – Chị Thông Bún Thịt Nướng Address: 195 Cô Giang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Com Tam –  Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền Address: 84 Đặng Văn Ngữ, P. 10, Quận Phú Nhuận, Ho Chi Minh City
• “Of course, the lunch lady on a Monday for that BUN VIET!”   I’ve been to the Lunch Lady a few times, but I don’t see the fascination in her food, but my buddy raves about her.
• For seafood, I would go to Viet Pho Address: 47-49 Le Quy Don Str, Ward 7, Distr 3.  I went here with my family; it’s one of those places you pick out your own live seafood and they cook it for you.  I highly recommend the huge prawns.  I tried the lobster with the cheese, but wasn’t a fan.  My buddy likes the grilled oysters with the cheese.  Snails are good as well.  Drink some beer in ice and just eat until you’re stuffed.  I leave you with this picture: