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Planning a one-day trip in Ho Chi Minh City becomes a challenging question due to busy schedules and limited time for relaxation. Many wonder where to go for a day trip in TPHCM or explore Saigon in just one day.
Apart from being the largest cultural and economic center in the country, Ho Chi Minh City offers fascinating and renowned tourist destinations. Discover the most beautiful and enticing spots to explore in TPHCM within a day.
Wondering where to go for a captivating and affordable day trip in Ho Chi Minh City? Explore the best and most appealing destinations that TPHCM has to offer within a single day.
What's the ideal mode of travel for a getaway?
Motorbike Journey near Saigon (Photo collection)
As mentioned earlier, Ho Chi Minh City is the economic and cultural hub of the country, making transportation here incredibly convenient. Almost every province has passenger buses heading this way. However, many travelers opt for the adventurous style of backpacking. You can embrace your trip by using your own motorbike. This is a great suggestion to answer the question, 'What is the best mode of transportation for traveling in Ho Chi Minh City?' often posed by many tourists.
Places to visit
1. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is a must-visit when you are in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo collection)
Also known as the aristocratic title “Royal Sanctuary” when bestowed by the Vatican in 1962. Situated in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. It is one of the surviving relics of the period when French colonialism occupied this city. The French brought Catholicism during their military expedition to Vietnam, and as an inevitable result, they needed a church to serve the faithful in the expeditionary force.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is a beautiful symbol of the city through generations (Photo collection)
The official consecration of the cathedral took place in 1880, after years of construction using all materials transported from France. The classical architecture of the cathedral exudes a sense of reverence. When visiting, take the time to stroll around the cathedral grounds to admire the colors that have remained intact over time.
Standing in front of the main entrance of the cathedral, it looks like a small square. It's one of the ideal spots to capture the panoramic view of the cathedral with its 60m-high bell towers measured from base to the top of the cross. The statue of the Virgin Mary is placed in the square – said to have shed tears of blood for several days in 2005.
From a distance, we can clearly see Notre-Dame Cathedral looking truly magnificent (Photo collection)
The cathedral is a beautiful symbol of the city and attracts much attention from tourists. It's a completely contrasting space amid the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City.
Located 10km from the city center, it only takes 30 minutes to visit and admire one of the ancient beauties of Ho Chi Minh City.
2. Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is a favorite destination for shopping enthusiasts (Photo collection)
Similar to Notre-Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market is also considered a symbol of Saigon but on the commercial side. Recently, the U.S. news outlet USA Today ranked Vietnam's Ben Thanh Market 15th among the top 45 best food markets in the world.
Your trip to Ho Chi Minh City would be incomplete without a visit to Ben Thanh Market, a significant omission.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Thanh Market is considered one of the oldest and most attractive markets, a must-visit in this over 300-year-old city.
You can indulge in shopping at Ben Thanh Market in Saigon (Photo collection)
Visiting this bustling market, you can enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes, buy souvenirs, fabrics, clothes, and handmade crafts. The market has up to 3,000 stalls, retail, and wholesale, offering all kinds of goods from daily necessities to luxurious items. Wandering through the stalls in the market area, tourists can find everything they need here, from traditional costumes to small souvenirs.
Haggling (or bargaining, as locals in Saigon call it) is an intriguing experience for foreign tourists shopping in Vietnam. If you visit Ben Thanh Market, be ready to negotiate when making purchases. The market is open year-round, but the covered section closes in the evening. However, tourists can still explore Ben Thanh Night Market with stalls open from late afternoon until late at night.
It only takes 30 minutes from the city center to Ben Thanh Market, where you can buy anything you desire.
3. Independence Palace
Independence Palace (also known as Reunification Palace) is one of the most famous historical landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country since the victory day on April 30, 1975. Situated on a vast 15-hectare plot right in the city center. Despite bearing the marks of time and history, the structure still exudes a timeless and romantic beauty.
Initiated by the then President of the Republic of Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, construction of the Independence Palace began on July 1, 1962, on the site of the Norodom Palace (Governor's Palace) built by the French colonialists in 1868. Designed by the first Vietnamese architect to win the international Khoi Nguyen La Ma award, Ngo Viet Thu, it features Eastern architecture and modern Feng Shui principles.
Today, Independence Palace serves as the government meeting place, hosting heads of state and stands as a National Historical and Cultural Monument attracting numerous domestic and international tourists.
Independence Palace houses and exhibits precious artifacts from the war era. Visitors can check-in with war relics such as tanks, airplanes, or explore the working office of President Nguyen Van Thieu.
4. Nguyen Hue Boulevard
Nguyen Hue Boulevard is a vibrant street in Saigon with various entertainment activities (Photo collection)
When people hear about Nguyen Hue Boulevard, they often think of it as a street for leisurely strolls, cooling down, and enjoying the scenery in Saigon. However, the reality is quite different; Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street has many interesting experiences beyond just walking and sightseeing.
Experience luxury check-ins at Saigon Garden:
When on Nguyen Hue Boulevard, make sure to visit Saigon Garden for stunning photos (Photo collection)
This place is considered the most beautiful and luxurious complex in present-day Saigon. Saigon Garden, situated along Nguyen Hue Street, is adorned with greenery resembling a royal garden. Inside, it comprises a blend of fashion shops, restaurants, cafes, stalls, flower shops, covering every type you can imagine.
Especially, once you're here, make sure to capture a stunning photo with the Western-style street and countless 'so deep' perspectives.
Enjoy free live music and dance performances:
People often gather on Nguyen Hue Boulevard to enjoy music events (Photo collection)
During the evenings on the street, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, everywhere you look, groups of passionate young artists gather to perform and exchange ideas. Witness an impressive hip-hop performance or enjoy an outstanding live music piece right on the street. This form of street art performance is popular abroad and has recently emerged in Vietnam.
Hunt for the quirkiest, trendiest street snacks:
There are plenty of unique street snacks on Nguyen Hue Boulevard for you to enjoy (Photo collection)
The street is filled with delicious snacks like grilled rice paper, peach tea, mixed rice paper, animal-shaped ice cream, matcha, bingsu, and more. Most of Saigon's street snacks can be found concentrated along this path. Just take a stroll through a few blocks, and you'll discover these tempting treats without having to go too far.
Here are the most beautiful and enticing tourist spots in Ho Chi Minh City that you can explore in a single day for your reference. Surely, you now have an answer to the question, 'Where to go in Saigon for a day trip?' Wishing you an enjoyable journey!
