48 hours in Ho Chi Minh City

A two-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City enhances the premium experience, suitable for travelers who have visited the city many times before.

This experience was suggested by Hoang Thuan, a tour guide at Vietluxtour Company, with advice from Hien Anh, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City. She has led many acquaintances and friends on tours of the city and has received high praise.

Day 1

Morning

Start your day in Ho Chi Minh City with a signature dish: noodle soup (hủ tiếu) at Nam Lợi restaurant on Ton That Dam Street, District 1. This eatery has been around since before 1975. Their signature dish is fish noodle soup (hủ tiếu cá), but they also offer other noodle and rice vermicelli dishes. The noodles are handmade, the broth is light and sweet, and contains no preservatives. Another special feature is their freshly made, hot pate chaud (paños).

"This is a favorite restaurant of many artists," said Ms. Hien Anh. The average price per person at the restaurant is 100,000 VND.

Enjoy coffee, stroll around, and take photos in the city center around Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Post Office , Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, the Independence Palace, and the Saigon Zoo. These are all historical landmarks and symbols of Ho Chi Minh City. If you don't want to walk, you can explore the city center by public bicycle. There are many bike rental points in District 1. Or you can buy a double-decker bus tour (tickets are available by the hour, day, or night).

Noon

I had lunch at Cô Mỹ's crab and squid noodle soup on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu street, District 3. This dish has only become popular in the last year or so, and many people wonder about its ingredients and preparation. The crab and squid noodle soup is a variation of the original crab noodle soup from Bình Định, with the main ingredients being crabs (a type of crab) and freshly caught squid, whose skin still twitches, hence the name "twitching squid."

"The noodle soup has a naturally sweet flavor and fresh ingredients, but the portion is a bit small, so if you want a lot, you'll have to order more," said Ms. Hien Anh.

Afternoon and evening

Check in at the Sheraton Saigon Hotel on Dong Khoi Street around 2 PM. The hotel is located in the city center, making it convenient to travel to popular attractions. Guests can stroll along Nguyen Hue Street, relax in the afternoon at the hotel, swim and get a massage, and enjoy the on-site services.

Deluxe room at the Sheraton Hotel. Photo: Sheraton Hotel.

Enjoy dinner with famous snail dishes in Ho Chi Minh City. Snails in Ho Chi Minh City are prepared in many different ways, such as with salted egg sauce, stir-fried with tamarind, or roasted with salt and chili. The types of snails are also diverse, including fragrant snails, fat snails, apple snails, and razor clams. People in Ho Chi Minh City eat snails all day long, for lunch or dinner. To feel full, diners often eat them with bread.

Oc Dao on Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, is a popular spot. "Note that the restaurant is always crowded, so you might want to choose a table outside of peak hours to get a comfortable seat. The restaurant closes at 10 PM," said Ms. Hien Anh. Oc Dao is on the Michelin Selected 2023 list.

Other famous snail restaurants include: Oc Nhu (District 10), Oc Nho (District 4).

Visiting Ho Chi Minh City without experiencing its cultural and artistic activities would be a missed opportunity. Besides the live music shows in tea rooms, one of the must-see destinations is the À Ố Show, performed right at the City Theater, near your hotel.

A scene from the Oh Ah Show. Photo: Oh Ah Show

What makes À Ố Show special is that all the props are made from bamboo. Through storytelling circus acts, creative use of props, and emotionally rich music , the show recreates Vietnamese cultural activities, inspired by life in the Southern region. "À Ố Show presents a vibrant and harmonious picture of Vietnam, blending peaceful villages with bustling cities," Thuận said.

Tickets for the show cost 800,000 VND and can be purchased through travel agencies or booked in advance for a discount. The show starts at 6 PM every day (except Saturdays and Sundays).

Night

Enjoy the cool evening air in Ho Chi Minh City while sipping a cocktail at the Wine Bar on the 23rd floor of the Sheraton Hotel. This is also a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. Guests can choose two different times to experience it.

The bar area on the 23rd floor of the hotel. Photo: HA

Day 2

Morning

Have breakfast at the hotel's Saigon Café restaurant on the first floor, offering city center views. Breakfast options mostly consist of traditional Vietnamese dishes such as pho, banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), banh mi (Vietnamese baguette), com tam (broken rice), soup, salad, and many more.

Visit the War Remnants Museum, a destination that has been recommended by many when visiting Ho Chi Minh City in recent years. The museum is on the list of the 99 most popular tourist destinations in the world. The museum is open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM every day, without a lunch break, and the entrance fee is 40,000 VND per person.

A corner of the War Remnants Museum recreates the image of Con Dao prison. Photo: Quynh Tran.

"If tourists buy a 24-hour double-decker bus ticket, there will be stops at this museum or the Independence Palace," Mr. Thuan said.

Noon

Ho Chi Minh City is home to many restaurants on the Michelin Guide, which was first published in Vietnam in June 2023. So, choose one of these centrally located establishments for lunch.

Bom Restaurant on Nguyen Thi Nghia Street, District 1, is a good suggestion. It's a restaurant run by a young chef. The food features authentic Vietnamese and Asian fusion cuisine, and the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing.

Other Michelin-starred restaurants that tourists can try include: Cục Gạch Quán, Chay Garden (vegetarian), Đông Phở, Sol Kitchen and Bar.

A corner of the space at Cục Gạch restaurant. Photo: Cục Gạch

Afternoon

Shopping is an essential experience in Ho Chi Minh City, with everything from everyday items to high-end luxury brands available here. Visitors can combine shopping with coffee and dining at shopping malls such as Takashimaya, Vincom Dong Khoi, Diamond Plaza in District 1, or the newly opened Thiso Mall Sala in Thu Duc City.

Alternatives

Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Saigon River (with many options at various price points), listen to live music at tea rooms or bars, visit the Ao Dai Museum or traditional attractions, or travel outside the city to Cu Chi or Can Gio for a day trip.

According to vnexpress.net

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/48-gio-o-tp-hcm-115780.html