Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), still called Saigon by most locals, is Vietnam’s largest city, with about 14 million people. It is the main southern gateway from India: nonstop flights arrive from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. The city also has the widest choice of Indian restaurants in Vietnam and is the base for day trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.
Ho Chi Minh City has two seasons and no winter. A few things have changed recently:
- Since 1 July 2025, the city centre has been made up of Saigon Ward and Ben Thanh Ward rather than “District 1”.
- Metro Line 1 has been running since December 2024.
- The new Long Thanh Airport is expected to open for commercial flights on 24 December 2026.
This Ho Chi Minh City travel guide covers where the city is in Vietnam, what it is known for, when to go, how to fly in from India and get around, where to stay, what to eat, how many days to plan and what a trip costs.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Country | Vietnam |
| Also called | Saigon, HCMC |
| Population | About 14 million after merging with Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau on 1 July 2025 |
| Location | Southern Vietnam, on the Saigon River, about 1,700 km south of Hanoi by road |
| City centre | Saigon Ward and Ben Thanh Ward, the former District 1 |
| Airport | Tan Son Nhat (SGN), 7–8 km from the centre; Long Thanh (about 40 km east) expected to open on 24 December 2026 |
| Nonstop flights from India | Delhi and Mumbai (Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines); Delhi (Air India); Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru (Vietjet) |
| Flight time | About 5 hr 20 min to 5 hr 45 min from Mumbai or Delhi |
| Climate | Dry from December to April; rainy from May to November; 26–35°C all year |
| Days needed | 2 nights, or 3 with a Mekong Delta day |
| Currency | Vietnamese dong (VND); ₹1 ≈ 273 VND |
Where Is Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is in southern Vietnam, on the Saigon River, about 1,700 km south of Hanoi by road. It is a 2-hour flight from Hanoi, about an hour’s flight from Da Lat or Phu Quoc, and about 70 km from the start of the Mekong Delta.
| From | Distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | About 1,700 km by road | About 2 hours by flight |
| Da Lat | About 300 km | About 55 minutes by flight, or 6–8 hours by road |
| Phu Quoc | About 300 km | About 1 hour by flight |
| Da Nang (for Hoi An) | About 950 km by road | About 1 hr 20 min by flight |
| Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh) | About 45–50 km | 1.5–2 hours by car |
| Mekong Delta (My Tho / Ben Tre) | About 70–90 km | About 1.5–2 hours by car |
| Can Tho | About 170 km | About 3 hours by expressway |
Since 1 July 2025, Ho Chi Minh City has included the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau provinces. It no longer has districts; instead it has 168 wards, communes and one special zone (Con Dao). The new names in the city centre are:
- Saigon Ward: Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue, the Opera House and the Central Post Office.
- Ben Thanh Ward: Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien and the Independence Palace. Both these wards were part of the old District 1.
- Tan Dinh and Cau Ong Lanh wards: next to the centre.
- An Khanh Ward: Thao Dien, across the river.
- Cho Lon Ward: the old Chinatown, to the west.
Hotel listings and maps still show “District 1” addresses, and these point to the same streets.
What Ho Chi Minh City Is Known For
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is known for three things:
- War history: the War Remnants Museum, the Independence Palace and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
- French-era landmarks: around Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Opera House.
- Markets and street food: from Ben Thanh to Cho Lon.
The table compares the landmarks that fill a first visit.
| Landmark | What it is | Fee (2026, adults) | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| War Remnants Museum | A museum of the Vietnam War, with photography and military hardware; open 7:30 AM–5:30 PM | 40,000 VND (₹145) | 1.5–2 hours |
| Independence Palace | The 1960s presidential palace where the war ended in 1975; open 7:00 AM–6:00 PM | 80,000 VND (₹295) for the palace and exhibition | 1–1.5 hours |
| Cu Chi Tunnels | About 250 km of wartime tunnels, 45–60 km north-west of the city | About 90,000–125,000 VND (₹330–460) for foreigners | Half a day |
| Notre-Dame Cathedral | A red-brick cathedral from 1880, under restoration until about 2027 | Free to view from outside | 15 minutes |
| Saigon Central Post Office | A working post office from 1891 with a grand vaulted hall | Free | 20–30 minutes |
| Ben Thanh Market | The city’s best-known market, built in 1914; open about 7:00 AM–10:00 PM | Free | 1 hour |
| Cho Lon (Chinatown) | Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple | Free | 2–3 hours |
| Jade Emperor Pagoda | A Taoist pagoda from 1909, now in Tan Dinh Ward | Free (donations welcome) | 30 minutes |
| Saigon Skydeck (Bitexco) | A 49th-floor viewing deck; open 9:30 AM–9:30 PM | 240,000 VND (₹880) | 45 minutes |
| Landmark 81 SkyView | The tallest building in Vietnam at 461 m, with a deck on floors 79–81 | About 300,000–500,000 VND (₹1,100–1,830) | 1 hour |
Cu Chi ticket prices vary between sources and between the Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc sites, so confirm the price on the day. Children usually pay less.
When to Go to Ho Chi Minh City
December to April is the dry season in Ho Chi Minh City, with days of 26–35°C and almost no rain. May to November brings a short afternoon downpour on most days. The city has no cold months at all.
| Period | Months | Weather | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry and pleasant | December–February | 26–32°C, sunny with lower humidity | Best overall; hotels fill up around Christmas and Tet |
| Dry and hot | March–April | Up to about 35°C; April is the hottest month | Good, but plan indoor stops at midday |
| Rainy season | May–November | A 1–2 hour afternoon storm on most days; wettest from July to September | Fine for a city trip, with good hotel deals |
Around Tet (6 February 2027), many small restaurants and market stalls close for 3–5 days, while flights and hotels are at their most expensive. Diwali falls at the end of the rainy season, and Indian winter holidays and Christmas fall in the dry season, when prices rise. For month-by-month temperatures, rainfall and festival dates, read the guide to the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City.
How to Get to Ho Chi Minh City from India
Ho Chi Minh City has nonstop flights from five Indian cities, all landing at Tan Son Nhat Airport, 7–8 km from the centre. The new Long Thanh Airport, about 40 km east, is expected to start commercial flights on 24 December 2026. Under the current plan, flights to South Asia, including India, would move there from the summer 2027 schedule.
| From India | Airlines (nonstop) | Flight time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Vietjet, Vietnam Airlines, Air India | About 5 hr 30 min – 5 hr 45 min | The most flights a week |
| Mumbai | Vietjet, Vietnam Airlines | About 5 hr 20 min | Daily options |
| Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru | Vietjet | About 4–5 hours | A few flights a week; check the current schedule |
| Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi | No nonstop flights to Ho Chi Minh City now | One stop | Connect via Delhi, Mumbai, Hanoi or a Southeast Asian hub |
From Tan Son Nhat, Grab or a metered taxi (Vinasun, Mai Linh) to Saigon Ward takes 20–40 minutes and costs about 120,000–200,000 VND (₹440–735). Airport bus 109 to Ben Thanh is the cheapest option.
Indian passport holders need a Vietnam e-visa (US$25, ₹2,375) and should complete the Digital Arrival Card before landing. Once Long Thanh opens, check the airport code on your ticket: SGN is Tan Son Nhat and LTH is Long Thanh.
Ho Chi Minh City is also the springboard to the beach. The flight to Phu Quoc takes about an hour, which makes the island the most common next stop after the city.
Getting Around Ho Chi Minh City
The main sights are within about 2 km of each other in Saigon Ward and Ben Thanh Ward. Indian travellers usually walk around the centre, take Grab for anything further, and use Metro Line 1 for Thao Dien and the river.
| Option | Cost (2026) | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Nguyen Hue, the Opera House, the Post Office, Notre-Dame, Ben Thanh | Hot at midday; cross roads slowly and steadily |
| Grab (car or bike) or a metered taxi | About 30,000–80,000 VND (₹110–295) across the centre; 120,000–200,000 VND (₹440–735) to the airport | Cho Lon, the War Remnants Museum, Landmark 81, evenings out | The fare is shown upfront, just like Ola or Uber |
| Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) | 7,000–20,000 VND (₹25–75) per ride; 1-day pass 40,000 VND (₹145) | Opera House, Ba Son, Thao Dien, Suoi Tien | 19.7 km and 14 stations; about 5:00 AM–10:00 PM, every 8–12 minutes |
| Private car with driver | About 1,200,000–1,800,000 VND (₹4,395–6,595) per day | Families, grandparents, Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta | Air-conditioned; the driver waits at each stop |
| City bus | About 5,000–15,000 VND (₹20–55) | Budget travellers | Crowded and hard to follow without Vietnamese |
| Motorbike rental | About 120,000–200,000 VND (₹440–735) per day | Experienced riders only | Heavy traffic; not advised for first-time visitors |
Approximate distances from Ben Thanh Market:
- Bui Vien: 0.5 km
- Independence Palace: 1 km
- Notre-Dame Cathedral: 1.2 km
- War Remnants Museum: 1.5 km
- Cho Lon: 5 km
- Landmark 81: 5 km
- Thao Dien: 7 km
The metro saves time only along the Ben Thanh–Thao Dien–Suoi Tien line. For Cho Lon, the museum and Landmark 81, Grab is faster door to door. Between May and November, the late-afternoon rain floods some streets for about an hour, so plan the War Remnants Museum or a mall for 4:00–6:00 PM.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City: 4 Areas Compared
Most Indian travellers stay in Saigon Ward or Ben Thanh Ward. Saigon Ward puts the landmarks within walking distance, while Ben Thanh Ward has budget hotels and the Indian restaurants around Bui Vien. Thao Dien is a quieter base across the river.
| Area | Best for | Price per room per night (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saigon Ward (Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue) | First-timers, honeymooners, landmarks on foot | US$80–300 (₹7,600–28,500) for 4–5 star | The Opera House, rooftop bars and riverside hotels |
| Ben Thanh Ward (Ben Thanh, Bui Vien) | Budget stays, Indian restaurants, nightlife | US$20–80 (₹1,900–7,600) | Lively and noisy around Bui Vien at night |
| An Khanh Ward (Thao Dien) | Families staying 4 nights or more | US$50–150 (₹4,750–14,250) | Leafy and quiet, with serviced apartments; on Metro Line 1 |
| Cho Lon and Tan Dinh | Value, local markets, temples | US$30–80 (₹2,850–7,600) | Further from the landmarks, so use Grab |
Room rates rise over Tet and Christmas. For a 2-night stay, Saigon or Ben Thanh Ward keeps the main sights and Indian restaurants within walking distance. Families staying longer may prefer the space and slower pace of Thao Dien. For hotel-by-hotel comparisons, see our guide to hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City Experiences: Sights, Food, Nightlife and Shopping
No other Vietnamese city matches Ho Chi Minh City for three things:
- Street food, plus the country’s largest choice of Indian restaurants
- Nightlife, from Bui Vien to rooftop bars 50 floors up
- Shopping, from Ben Thanh Market to Takashimaya
To rank the sights for a 2- or 3-day stay, read our guide to places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City.
Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City
Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City comes in four kinds:
- Bui Vien for crowds and music
- Rooftop bars for the view
- Dinner cruises on the Saigon River
- Cultural shows for families
Bui Vien Walking Street is closed to traffic in the evenings, especially from Friday to Sunday, and stays loud from about 7:00 PM until late.
The rooftop bars at Bitexco (around the 50th floor) and Landmark 81 (floors 75–76) serve drinks for about 200,000–350,000 VND (₹735–1,280). Dinner cruises such as Saigon Princess and Indochina Queen cost about 500,000–700,000 VND (₹1,830–2,565) and leave Saigon Port in the early evening.
For families, two evening shows each run about 50–60 minutes:
- The AO Show at the Opera House: bamboo acrobatics, from about 890,000 VND (₹3,260).
- The Golden Dragon water puppet show: daily at 6:30 PM, about 300,000–350,000 VND (₹1,100–1,280).
For more comparisons, see the guide to Ho Chi Minh City nightlife.
Food in Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon’s street food is built on a handful of classics, and a meal costs about 50,000–150,000 VND (₹185–550):
- Banh mi: Vietnamese baguette sandwiches
- Pho: noodle soup
- Com tam: broken rice with grilled pork chop
- Banh xeo: crispy pancakes
- Bun thit nuong: noodles with grilled pork
- Hu tieu: a southern noodle soup
- Iced coffee with condensed milk
Vinh Khanh and Nguyen Thuong Hien are the two streets where locals eat out at night.
Ho Chi Minh City has more Indian restaurants than anywhere else in Vietnam. They cluster around Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao in Ben Thanh Ward and along Hai Ba Trung and Dong Du in Saigon Ward. Long-running names include Ganesh (Hai Ba Trung), Tandoor (Ngo Duc Ke) and Baba’s Kitchen (Bui Vien and Thao Dien), and some places, such as Dalcheeni, offer a Jain menu.
Vegetarian buffets and Buddhist kitchens can be found in every ward. Jain travellers should give notice before the meal. For thalis, biryani and Jain dishes compared restaurant by restaurant, see the guide to Indian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.
Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City
Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City comes in three kinds:
- Markets for souvenirs and bargaining. Ben Thanh Market starts high, so bargain hard. Binh Tay in Cho Lon is the wholesale market.
- Malls for brands: Takashimaya and Saigon Centre on Le Loi, Vincom Dong Khoi and Vincom Landmark 81.
- Specialist streets: Saigon Square for clothes and Le Cong Kieu Street for antiques.
Popular buys include coffee, cashew nuts, silk, lacquerware, sports shoes and a tailored ao dai, which is usually ready in 2–3 days.
Market mornings work best before 10:00 AM. Our list of must-visit markets in Ho Chi Minh City shows what each one sells best, and malls and brand stores are covered in our guide to Ho Chi Minh shopping.
How Many Days Do You Need in Ho Chi Minh City?
Two nights are enough for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Day 1: a walking circuit of the Independence Palace, Notre-Dame, the Post Office and the War Remnants Museum, then Ben Thanh and a skyline view at sunset.
- Day 2: Cu Chi in the morning and Cho Lon in the afternoon.
- A third night: adds a Mekong Delta day.
| Stay | What fits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 nights | The city landmarks, Ben Thanh, the Cu Chi Tunnels, Cho Lon | Most Indian itineraries |
| 3 nights | Adds a Mekong Delta boat day, or Vung Tau beach | Families, a relaxed pace |
| 5+ nights | Combines the city with Phu Quoc, Da Lat or Cambodia | A full southern route |
Ho Chi Minh City links easily to the rest of the south:
- Mekong Delta: a day trip by road. See the Mekong Delta travel guide for boat trips and floating markets.
- Vung Tau: now part of the city, about 2 hours away on the new expressway. Our guide to beaches in Vung Tau covers the options.
- Da Lat: about 55 minutes by air.
- Phu Quoc: about 1 hour by air.
- Cambodia: Phnom Penh is about 6 hours by road, and Siem Reap is a short flight away.
Grandparents travel best by private car. They can skip crawling into the Cu Chi tunnels and keep the museum and Cho Lon.
For ready-made Ho Chi Minh City travel packages, compare the itineraries below:
- A Vietnam 9 days tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
- A Vietnam and Cambodia tour package that adds Angkor Wat
- The Phu Quoc tour packages from Vietnamtour.in for a beach finish
- All the best tour packages for Vietnam from India, which can be compared by length and hotel level
Hanoi · Halong Bay · Da Nang · Hoi An · Phu Quoc · Ho Chi Minh City
Hanoi · Ninh Binh · Halong Bay · Da Nang · Hoi An · Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta · Phu Quoc · Da Nang · Hoi An · Hanoi · Halong Bay
Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta · Da Nang · Hoi An · Hanoi · Halong Bay
Hanoi · Halong Bay · Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta
Hanoi · Halong Bay · Phu Quoc · Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta · Da Nang · Hoi An · Hue · Hanoi · Halong Bay
Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta · Phu Quoc · Da Nang · Hanoi · Halong Bay
Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta · Da Nang · Hoi An · Hanoi · Halong Bay · Ninh Binh
Hanoi · Ninh Binh · Halong Bay · Da Nang · Hoi An · Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta · Da Nang · Hoi An · Hanoi · Halong Bay · Ninh Binh
Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta · Da Nang · Hoi An · Hanoi · Sapa · Halong Bay
How Much Does a Ho Chi Minh City Trip Cost?
A 3-day, 2-night Ho Chi Minh City stay costs about ₹9,650 per person on a budget, ₹19,550 mid-range and ₹46,300 in a 5-star hotel. These figures exclude international flights and the e-visa. With them, a Ho Chi Minh City trip from India costs about ₹32,000–88,650 per person. The table is per person, for 2 adults sharing a room.
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 nights, per person | 3-star in Ben Thanh Ward, 900,000 VND (₹3,295) | 4-star in Saigon Ward, 2,200,000 VND (₹8,060) | 5-star riverside, 6,000,000 VND (₹21,980) |
| Entry fees | War Remnants, Independence Palace, Cu Chi, Skydeck: 485,000 VND (₹1,775) | 485,000 VND (₹1,775) | Adds Landmark 81 SkyView: 935,000 VND (₹3,425) |
| Cu Chi half-day tour | Group tour, 500,000 VND (₹1,830) | Small group, 1,000,000 VND (₹3,665) | Private car and guide, shared by 2, 2,000,000 VND (₹7,325) |
| Airport transfers and local transport | Grab and metro, 300,000 VND (₹1,100) | Private transfers and Grab, 600,000 VND (₹2,200) | Private car, 1,200,000 VND (₹4,395) |
| Meals for 3 days | Street food and Indian thalis, 450,000 VND (₹1,650) | 1,050,000 VND (₹3,845) | Including a dinner cruise, 2,500,000 VND (₹9,160) |
| Ho Chi Minh City subtotal | 2,635,000 VND (₹9,650) | 5,335,000 VND (₹19,540) | 12,635,000 VND (₹46,280) |
| Return flight India – Ho Chi Minh City | ₹20,000 | ₹28,000 | ₹40,000 |
| Vietnam e-visa | US$25 (₹2,375) | US$25 (₹2,375) | US$25 (₹2,375) |
| Total from India | About ₹32,000 | About ₹49,900 | About ₹88,650 |
Figures are per person for 3 days and 2 nights, based on two people sharing a room. Entry fees are published adult rates; hotels, tours and food are estimates. International return fares usually run ₹18,000–40,000 depending on the season, and a Mekong Delta day adds about US$40–80 (₹3,800–7,600) per person. Conversions use ₹1 ≈ 273 VND and US$1 ≈ ₹95, and prices were checked in November 2026. Travel insurance, tips, SIM cards and shopping are not included.
The same cost model for Hanoi, Phu Quoc and the rest of the country is in our full Vietnam trip cost from India breakdown.
FAQs about Ho Chi Minh City
Is Ho Chi Minh City the same as Saigon?
Yes. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976, but locals still use “Saigon”, especially for the city centre. Since July 2025, the heart of the old District 1 has been called Saigon Ward.
Is Ho Chi Minh City safe for Indian travellers?
Yes, the city is safe for tourists. The real risks are bag snatching from passing motorbikes and traffic when crossing roads. Keep your phone away from the kerb side and use Grab at night.
Which airport will I land at, Tan Son Nhat or Long Thanh?
Tan Son Nhat (SGN) for now. All flights from India use it, and it is 7–8 km from the centre. Long Thanh (LTH), about 40 km away, is expected to open for commercial flights on 24 December 2026. Under the current plan, routes from South Asia move there from the summer 2027 schedule, so check the airport code on any ticket for 2027.
Is there Indian food in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes, more than anywhere else in Vietnam. There are dozens of Indian restaurants, mostly around Bui Vien in Ben Thanh Ward and along Hai Ba Trung in Saigon Ward, and vegetarian and Jain dishes are available on request.
Saigon or Hanoi for a first trip?
Ho Chi Minh City suits food, nightlife and the Mekong Delta. Hanoi suits the Old Quarter, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. Most Indian itineraries fly into one city and out of the other, with Da Nang and Hoi An in between.
Can I visit Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta on the same day?
Yes. Several tours combine Cu Chi in the morning with a Mekong boat ride in the afternoon, in about 12 hours. Two separate half-days are less tiring for families, especially with grandparents.
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Vietnam e-visa, which costs US$25 and is applied for online before travel. They should also fill in the Digital Arrival Card. Documents, photo rules and each step are explained in our guide to the Vietnam visa for Indians.
Plan a Ho Chi Minh City Trip
Ho Chi Minh City is where most Indian trips to southern Vietnam start and end. It offers nonstop flights, familiar food and 2 full days of sights before the Mekong, Phu Quoc or Da Lat. It works best as the first and last stop of a southern route, with the river, the island and the highlands in between.
The part that takes work is the order of the days: which morning goes to Cu Chi, which day to the Mekong, and which domestic flight carries the trip on, with the airport code checked once Long Thanh opens. Vietnamtour.in, part of Seni World Travel, has arranged trips for more than 428,000 travellers from India since 2015. We run private Ho Chi Minh City days with a guide, entrance tickets and Indian or vegetarian meals, and we arrange airport pickups. To plan flights, the e-visa and the wider route, start with the guide to Vietnam from India, then share your travel dates in the form below.
