This post contains 7 sample DIY SAIGON ITINERARIES for 1 DAY (LAYOVER), 2 DAYS (OVERNIGHT), 3 DAYS, 4 DAYS, 5 DAYS, 6 DAYS, and 7 DAYS (1 WEEK). Each DIY HO CHI MINH CITY ITINERARY is presented with cost estimates, breakdown of expenses, and tour recommendations. Enjoy!

As Vietnam’s largest and most vibrant city, Ho Chi Minh City is a tourism powerhouse. Aside from the attractions within its borders, its location ensures it has a steady flow of visitors. Not only is it a compelling destination on its own, it is also an ideal jump off point for other destinations in Vietnam like Mui Ne and Da Lat. Backpackers on a multi-country tour around Southeast Asia can also use it as entry point and then continue their journey to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap in Cambodia.

Whether you’re staying in Saigon for a few days or just passing through, here are some recommended itineraries that you can use to explore the city.

Please note, however, that all these itineraries assume the following:

• You’re a party of two, splitting some of the costs.
• You’re entering the city via Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (aka Saigon Airport). If you’re arriving by bus from another city, just make the necessary adjustments.
• You’re staying in District 1, where most budget hotels and hostels are located. (Not applicable for 1-day itinerary.)
• You’re taking Bus 109 or airport transfer service to the city center. Depends on your budget. If you choose to take the car transfer, Book here.
• Your budget per meal is ₫100,000. That’s way bigger than what you’ll actually spend, but it’s great to have an allowance just in case you decide to splurge..
• You’re skipping breakfast. It’s healthy, at least if you’re a believer of intermittent fasting!

Feel free to adjust the itinerary to match your arrival or departure time, hotel location, tour preferences, or whatever. This is just meant to serve as a guide anyway.

The budget estimates are also rounded off and a bit inflated. It’s for budgeting purposes only, meant to give you a ballpark figure. Actual expenses depends heavily on your spending habits, of course.

Ho Chi Minh City Layover Itinerary: 1 Day

If you’ll be in Saigon just for a layover, you might find this itinerary useful. This will take you to the most iconic structures within the city and, if you have time in the evening, let you sample Vietnamese cuisine via a food tour.

Day 1: CITY TOUR & FOOD TOUR
05:00am – Arrival at SGN Airport
06:00am – Bus to city center, ₫40,000
07:30am – Saigon City Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
12:00nn – End tour
12:30nn – Lunch, ₫100,000
02:00pm – Free time, buy souvenirs
05:00pm – Saigon Food Tour, ₫750,000, Book here
09:00pm – Bus to SGN airport, ₫40,000
10:00pm – Lights out

This itinerary will cost you 1.2 million dong (USD52, EUR45, SGD71, PHP2755), excluding airfare.

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Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary: 2 Days

If you can only stay in Ho Chi Minh City overnight, we suggest that you do three things: a city tour, a food tour, and a tour of Cu Chi Tunnels. All these are covered by this 2-day itinerary.

Day 1: CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR
08:00am – Arrival at SGN Airport
09:00am – Transfer to city center, ₫140,000 (280k/2pax), Book here.
10:00am – Hotel check-in or drop baggage
10:30am – Early lunch, ₫100,000
12:30pm – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
07:00pm – End tour
07:30pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: CITY TOUR & FOOD TOUR
06:00am – Wake-up call
07:30am – Saigon City Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
12:00nn – End tour
12:30nn – Lunch, ₫100,000
02:00pm – Free time, buy souvenirs
05:00pm – Saigon Food Tour, ₫750,000, Book here
09:00pm – Bus to SGN airport, ₫40,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Cost Estimate: 1.8 million dong (USD77, EUR67, SGD106, PHP4130), excluding airfare and hotel.

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Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary: 3 Days

This long weekend itinerary will take you to the best of what Saigon has to offer including: a city tour, a food tour, a Cu Chi Tunnels tour, and a cooking class so you get better appreciation of Vietnamese food! You’ll also be able to visit the Bitexco Skydeck, which crowns the tallest skyscraper in the city.

Day 1: CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR
08:00am – Arrival at SGN Airport
09:00am – Transfer to city center, ₫140,000 (280k/2pax), Book here.
10:00am – Hotel check-in or drop baggage
10:30am – Early lunch, ₫100,000
12:30pm – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
07:00pm – End tour
07:30pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: CITY TOUR & FOOD TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call
07:30am – Saigon City Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
12:00nn – End tour
12:30nn – Lunch, ₫100,000
02:00pm – Free time, rest at hotel
05:00pm – Saigon Food Tour, ₫750,000, Book here
09:00pm – Back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 3: COOKING CLASS & BITEXCO SKYDECK
07:00am – Wake up call, hotel check-out, leave bags
08:20am – Start Cooking Class, ₫820,000
01:30pm – Shopping (souvenirs/pasalubong)
05:00pm – Bitexco Skydeck, ₫200,000, Book here
09:00pm – Pick up bags
09:30pm – Travel to airport, bus ₫40,000
10:30pm – Flight check-in, dinner ₫100,000
01:35am – Flight out

Cost Estimate: 3 million dong (USD129, EUR112, SGD176, PHP6900), excluding hotel and airfare.

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Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary: 4 Days

Staying in Ho Chi Minh City for four days will allow you to see not just the tourist spots within the city but also in the countryside including Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta, which plays an important role to the lives of the locals.

The usual city tour and food tour are also included in this itinerary.

Day 1: CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR
08:00am – Arrival at SGN Airport
09:00am – Transfer to city center, ₫140,000 (280k/2pax), Book here.
10:00am – Hotel check-in or drop baggage
10:30am – Early lunch, ₫100,000
12:30pm – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
07:00pm – End tour
07:30pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: CITY TOUR & FOOD TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call
07:30am – Saigon City Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
12:00nn – End tour
12:30nn – Lunch, ₫100,000
02:00pm – Free time, rest at hotel
05:00pm – Saigon Food Tour, ₫750,000, Book here
09:00pm – Back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 3: MEKONG DELTA TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call
07:30am – Mekong Delta Tour, ₫330,000, Reserve here
05:00pm – Back to hotel
06:00pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
09:00pm – Lights out

Day 4: COOKING CLASS & BITEXCO SKYDECK
07:00am – Wake up call, hotel check-out, leave bags
08:20am – Start Cooking Class, ₫820,000
01:30pm – Shopping (souvenirs/pasalubong)
05:00pm – Bitexco Skydeck, ₫200,000, Book here
09:00pm – Pick up bags
09:30pm – Travel to airport, bus ₫40,000
10:30pm – Flight check-in, dinner ₫100,000
01:35am – Flight out

Cost Estimate: 3.5 million dong (USD150, EUR130, SGD206, PHP8030), excluding hotel and airfare.

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Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary: 5 Days

This itinerary is almost the same as the 4-day itinerary above. The difference is, we added a free day in the middle so you have time to recharge and see the city at a more relaxed pace even just for a day.

Day 1: CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR
08:00am – Arrival at SGN Airport
09:00am – Transfer to city center, ₫140,000 (280k/2pax), Book here.
10:00am – Hotel check-in or drop baggage
10:30am – Early lunch, ₫100,000
12:30pm – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
07:00pm – End tour
07:30pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: CITY TOUR & FOOD TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call
07:30am – Saigon City Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
12:00nn – End tour
12:30nn – Lunch, ₫100,000
02:00pm – Free time, rest at hotel
05:00pm – Saigon Food Tour, ₫750,000, Book here
09:00pm – Back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 3: FREE DAY
11:30am – Lunch, ₫100,000
07:00pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 4: MEKONG DELTA TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call
07:30am – Mekong Delta Tour, ₫330,000, Reserve here
05:00pm – Back to hotel
06:00pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
09:00pm – Lights out

Day 5: COOKING CLASS & BITEXCO SKYDECK
07:00am – Wake up call, hotel check-out, leave bags
08:20am – Start Cooking Class, ₫820,000
01:30pm – Shopping (souvenirs/pasalubong)
05:00pm – Bitexco Skydeck, ₫200,000, Book here
09:00pm – Pick up bags
09:30pm – Travel to airport, bus ₫40,000
10:30pm – Flight check-in, dinner ₫100,000
01:35am – Flight out

Cost Estimate: 3.7 million dong (USD159, EUR138, SGD218, PHP8490), excluding hotel and airfare.

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Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary: 6 Days (with Overnight in Mui Ne)

Did you know that the gorgeous resort town of Mui Ne is just a bus ride away from Saigon? Since you have 6 days to spare, you can allot two days for an overnight stay in Mui Ne so you get to ride its famed sand dunes and trek along the fairy stream!

Day 1: CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR
08:00am – Arrival at SGN Airport
09:00am – Transfer to city center, ₫140,000 (280k/2pax), Book here.
10:00am – Hotel check-in or drop baggage
10:30am – Early lunch, ₫100,000
12:30pm – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
07:00pm – End tour
07:30pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: CITY TOUR & FOOD TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call
07:30am – Saigon City Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
12:00nn – End tour
12:30nn – Lunch, ₫100,000
02:00pm – Free time, rest at hotel
05:00pm – Saigon Food Tour, ₫750,000, Book here
09:00pm – Back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 3: MEKONG DELTA TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call
07:30am – Mekong Delta Tour, ₫330,000, Reserve here
05:00pm – Back to hotel
06:00pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
09:00pm – Lights out

Day 4: COOKING CLASS & BITEXCO SKYDECK
07:00am – Wake up call
08:20am – Start Cooking Class, ₫820,000
01:30pm – Shopping (souvenirs/pasalubong)
05:00pm – Bitexco Skydeck, ₫200,000, Book here
08:00pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 5: MUI NE JEEP TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call, early check out
07:30am – Tourist bus to Mui Ne, ₫150,000 + lunch to go ₫50,000
01:30pm – Hotel check-in
02:30pm – Mui Ne Jeep Tour, ₫225,000
08:00pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 6: PHAN TIET TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call, early check out
07:30am – Phan tiet tour, ₫250,000
11:30am – Lunch, ₫100,000
02:00pm – Tourist bus to Saigon, ₫150,000
08:00pm – Arrival in Saigon
08:30pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
09:30pm – Travel to airport, bus ₫40,000
10:30pm – Flight check-in
01:35am – Flight out

Cost Estimate: 4.7 million dong (USD202, EUR174, SGD277, PHP10800), excluding hotels, airfare, and ATV rental in Mui Ne.

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Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary: 7 Days (with 2 Nights in Mui Ne)

This is more like a Saigon-Mui Ne itinerary because you’ll be spending 2 nights in the latter. Mui Ne is beautiful and is one of my favorite destinations in Vietnam. With this itinerary, you’ll be able to enjoy not just Ho Chi Minh City but also the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta, Pan Thiet, Ta Cu Mountain, and Mui Ne!

Day 1: CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR
08:00am – Arrival at SGN Airport
09:00am – Transfer to city center, ₫140,000 (280k/2pax), Book here.
10:00am – Hotel check-in or drop baggage
10:30am – Early lunch, ₫100,000
12:30pm – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
07:00pm – End tour
07:30pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: CITY TOUR & FOOD TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call
07:30am – Saigon City Tour, ₫250,000, Book here
12:00nn – End tour
12:30nn – Lunch, ₫100,000
02:00pm – Free time, rest at hotel
05:00pm – Saigon Food Tour, ₫750,000, Book here
09:00pm – Back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 3: MEKONG DELTA TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call
07:30am – Mekong Delta Tour, ₫330,000, Reserve here
05:00pm – Back to hotel
06:00pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
09:00pm – Lights out

Day 4: COOKING CLASS & BITEXCO SKYDECK
07:00am – Wake up call
08:20am – Start Cooking Class, ₫820,000
01:30pm – Shopping (souvenirs/pasalubong)
05:00pm – Bitexco Skydeck, ₫200,000, Book here
08:00pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 5: MUI NE JEEP TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call, early check out
07:30am – Tourist bus to Mui Ne, ₫150,000 + lunch to go ₫50,000
01:30pm – Hotel check-in
02:30pm – Mui Ne Jeep Tour, ₫225,000
08:00pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 6: TA CU MOUNTAIN TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call
08:00am – Ta Cu Mountain tour, ₫220,000
12:30pm – Lunch, ₫100,000
02:30pm – Rest, free time, walk along beach
08:00pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 7: PHAN TIET TOUR
06:00am – Wake up call, early check out
07:30am – Phan tiet tour, ₫250,000
11:30am – Lunch, ₫100,000
02:00pm – Tourist bus to Saigon, ₫150,000
08:00pm – Arrival in Saigon
08:30pm – Dinner, ₫100,000
09:30pm – Travel to airport, bus ₫40,000
10:30pm – Flight check-in
01:35am – Flight out

Cost Estimate: 5.1 million dong (USD219, EUR189, SGD300, PHP11,720), excluding hotels, airfare, and ATV rental in Mui Ne.

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*Cover image purchased from Shutterstock
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