Plan 01
1 day in Ho Chi Minh City
- 01
Day 1: Colonial centre and war history
Start at the War Remnants Museum when it opens, while it is cooler, and allow about two hours; the exhibits are graphic, so decide beforehand whether children should go in. Walk or ride to the Reunification Palace for the afternoon. Then see the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and the Central Post Office, which sit next to each other, and finish with a slow loop through Ben Thanh Market and its evening food stalls.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time War Remnants Museum About 2 hours Moderate Opening time on a weekday, before tour groups arrive and before midday heat Reunification Palace 1 to 1.5 hours Moderate Weekday morning or late afternoon Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica 20 to 30 minutes for the square and exterior Easy Early morning or late afternoon, when light on the brick is softer Ben Thanh Market 1 to 1.5 hours Moderate Early morning for browsing; after 6 pm for the night stalls Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at War Remnants Museum: Exhibits are spread across several buildings and floors with stairs between them, and the outdoor yard has little shade. Take breaks on benches in the courtyard and go early. The content, especially the Agent Orange displays, can be upsetting for some older visitors.
With parents at Reunification Palace: There is a lift and ramps in places, but some routes involve stairs, including to the basement bunker area. Grounds are shaded, and the building is partly air-conditioned. Take your time and ask staff about step-free routes.
Plan 02
2 days in Ho Chi Minh City
- 01
Day 1: Colonial centre
Begin with the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and the Central Post Office, walk past the Opera House and have lunch near Ben Thanh Market. Spend the afternoon at the Reunification Palace, which has shaded grounds and indoor rooms.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica 20 to 30 minutes for the square and exterior Easy Early morning or late afternoon, when light on the brick is softer Ben Thanh Market 1 to 1.5 hours Moderate Early morning for browsing; after 6 pm for the night stalls Reunification Palace 1 to 1.5 hours Moderate Weekday morning or late afternoon Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Ben Thanh Market: Aisles are narrow, crowded and warm, with little seating. Older visitors may prefer the cooler early hours or the edge stalls outside. The Metro Line 1 station is next to the market.
With parents at Reunification Palace: There is a lift and ramps in places, but some routes involve stairs, including to the basement bunker area. Grounds are shaded, and the building is partly air-conditioned. Take your time and ask staff about step-free routes.
- 02
Day 2: Museum, temples and Cholon
Visit the War Remnants Museum in the morning, then the Jade Emperor Pagoda. After lunch, take a car or ride-hailing trip to Cholon for the Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market. Finish with a visit to the Mariamman Temple near Ben Thanh if there is time and energy.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time War Remnants Museum About 2 hours Moderate Opening time on a weekday, before tour groups arrive and before midday heat Jade Emperor Pagoda 30 to 45 minutes Easy Morning, before the heat Thien Hau Temple 30 to 45 minutes Easy Morning Binh Tay Market 45 to 60 minutes Moderate Morning Mariamman Temple 20 to 30 minutes Easy Morning Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at War Remnants Museum: Exhibits are spread across several buildings and floors with stairs between them, and the outdoor yard has little shade. Take breaks on benches in the courtyard and go early. The content, especially the Agent Orange displays, can be upsetting for some older visitors.
With parents at Binh Tay Market: The hall is large, crowded and warm, with narrow aisles and uneven floors. Not ideal for older visitors in the heat, but it is flat. Take a break outside.
Plan 03
3 days in Ho Chi Minh City
- 01
Day 1: Colonial centre
Cathedral and Central Post Office in the morning, the Opera House exterior, and the Reunification Palace after lunch. Keep the evening free for Ben Thanh Market's night stalls.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Reunification Palace 1 to 1.5 hours Moderate Weekday morning or late afternoon Ben Thanh Market 1 to 1.5 hours Moderate Early morning for browsing; after 6 pm for the night stalls Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Reunification Palace: There is a lift and ramps in places, but some routes involve stairs, including to the basement bunker area. Grounds are shaded, and the building is partly air-conditioned. Take your time and ask staff about step-free routes.
With parents at Ben Thanh Market: Aisles are narrow, crowded and warm, with little seating. Older visitors may prefer the cooler early hours or the edge stalls outside. The Metro Line 1 station is next to the market.
- 02
Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels or Mekong Delta
Take a half- or full-day guided trip to either the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta (My Tho and Ben Tre). The tunnels suit active travellers who do not mind heat and low passages. The Delta suits slower, boat-based sightseeing. Return in time to rest before dinner.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Cu Chi Tunnels Half a day to a full day including travel Moderate Morning, when it is cooler Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Cu Chi Tunnels: The sites are mostly outdoors with limited shade and some uneven ground. The tunnel crawl is narrow and hot, and best skipped by anyone with mobility or breathing problems. Travelling there takes time by road.
- 03
Day 3: Museum, temples and Cholon
War Remnants Museum when it opens, then the Jade Emperor Pagoda, a late lunch, and an afternoon in Cholon at Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market. End at the Mariamman Temple if you want a Tamil Hindu temple visit.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time War Remnants Museum About 2 hours Moderate Opening time on a weekday, before tour groups arrive and before midday heat Jade Emperor Pagoda 30 to 45 minutes Easy Morning, before the heat Thien Hau Temple 30 to 45 minutes Easy Morning Binh Tay Market 45 to 60 minutes Moderate Morning Mariamman Temple 20 to 30 minutes Easy Morning Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at War Remnants Museum: Exhibits are spread across several buildings and floors with stairs between them, and the outdoor yard has little shade. Take breaks on benches in the courtyard and go early. The content, especially the Agent Orange displays, can be upsetting for some older visitors.
With parents at Binh Tay Market: The hall is large, crowded and warm, with narrow aisles and uneven floors. Not ideal for older visitors in the heat, but it is flat. Take a break outside.
Read before you go
Guides for the stops on these routes
Pacing
Pacing a Ho Chi Minh City trip for parents and children
- Do outdoor sights before about 10 am or after 4 pm; midday heat and humidity are heavy all year.
- Use Grab or another ride-hailing app instead of walking long distances. Pavements are uneven and shared with parked motorbikes.
- Cross roads slowly and steadily; do not stop or run. Motorbike riders steer round pedestrians who keep a predictable pace.
- The War Remnants Museum is emotionally heavy and has stairs between buildings; take breaks in the shaded courtyard.
- Carry travel insurance. Public hospitals are crowded; private hospitals such as FV Hospital are the usual choice for foreigners.
- Keep bags zipped and held on the side away from the road; motorbike snatch theft is a known problem in the central area.
Book the pieces
Stay close to the route
Pick a base near the first day's sights. Our guide to where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City compares the areas.
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