3-Day City Experience Itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

1. Day 1: Exploring the City's Heritage Sites
   Estimated travel time from arrival: 30 minutes (3.9 miles)
   Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

   The Cathedral is an excellent example of French colonial architecture with a serene atmosphere. Take a walk around its beautiful garden and visit the Saigon Central Post Office just across.

   Reunification Palace: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

   This iconic landmark holds immense historical importance and will give a glimpse of Vietnam's past. It has many exhibition rooms filled with war artefacts, pictures and vignettes, and a communication barracks in the basement.

   Bến Thành Market: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

   Explore the market, shop for souvenirs, taste the local street foods, and bargain to your best. The atmosphere is lively and exciting, and it's the perfect place to wind up the day.

   Estimated distance from the last activity: 6 minutes (1.4 miles)
2. Day 2: Immersing in the Culture and Its People
   Estimated travel time from the hotel: 20 minutes (2.2 miles)
   War Remnants Museum: 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM

   View the exhibits and relics recovered from the Vietnam War. The museum presents an authentic perspective of the war from the Vietnamese stage and gives a glimpse of the country's past and struggles.

   Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

   A preserved ancient house that houses typical Vietnamese life through different times. It's located outside the city and entails a pleasant day trip to the area.

   Nguyen Hue Street: Open All Day

   This broad street is the perfect place to relish the local vibes, walking, shopping, unwinding, and soaking up the local culture. Do not forget to take a ride on the electric car.

   Estimated distance from the last activity: 10 minutes (1.9 miles)
3. Day 3: Eats, Drinks, and Relaxation
   Estimated travel time from the hotel: 25 minutes (3.1 miles)
   Binh Quoi Village: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

   It's a peaceful, verdant escape from the city, presenting a glimpse of what's left of traditional Vietnamese countryside. Have some traditional Vietnamese food and watch the daily life of its inhabitants.

   Bitexco Financial Tower: 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM

   Take a trip to the topmost skydeck in the building to enjoy the sweeping views of the city. It has a cinema, mall and numerous eating joints to hang around with friends and have a good time.

   The Observatory: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM

   One of the trendiest bars in the city, it serves some amazing exotic cocktails and has an inviting dance floor accompanied by some great music. It's an ideal spot to unwind and have some fun.

   Estimated distance from the last activity: 12 minutes (2.8 miles)

Time and Costs Estimates

• Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica (1 hour, Free)
• Reunification Palace (2.5 hours, 40,000 VND)
• Bến Thành Market (3 hours, Free entry)
• War Remnants Museum (3 hours, 40,000 VND)
• Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House (4 hours, 30,000 VND)
• Nguyen Hue Street (2 hours, Free)
• Binh Quoi Village (3 hours, 220,000 VND)
• Bitexco Financial Tower (2 hours, 250,000 VND)
• The Observatory (5 hours, 500,000 VND)
• Total Estimated Costs (22.5 hours, 1,080,000 VND)

Useful Tips

For those who have additional days, the Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels, Cao Dai Temple are an ideal day trip. De-stress with a visit to the Suoi Tien Theme Park, pamper yourself with some spa treatment, or take a cooking class to learn about Vietnamese cuisine. For those with less time, prioritize the visited locations and consider eliminating shopping at the Bến Thành Market. Most importantly, be careful when crossing the streets - there are many motorbikes on the roads.