Seven-Day Solo Adventure Itinerary in Saigon for an Immersive Cultural Experience

Day 1: Historic City Centre

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 14, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Pho Hoa

Start your day with a traditional bowl of Pho at Pho Hoa, one of Saigon’s oldest and most revered pho restaurants, renowned for its rich broth and fresh ingredients.
VND60000, 1h

9:30am

Bhenthanh Market Visitation

Explore the bustling Ben Thanh Market, perfect for shopping local handicrafts, textiles, and sampling street food. A great spot to grasp the local vibe and purchase souvenirs.
Free entry, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Hum Vegetarian, Cafe & Restaurant

Enjoy a delicious and serene vegetarian lunch at Hum, known for blending traditional Vietnamese flavors in a modern setting.
VND120000, 1h 30m

2:00pm

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

Visit the iconic red-brick Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica to admire its neo-Romanesque architecture and peaceful surroundings. Open until 5:00 pm.
Free entry, 45m

3:00pm

Saigon Central Post Office

Just a short walk away, explore this historic French colonial building with beautiful arches and maps decorating the interior.
Free entry, 30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Quan An Ngon

Dine at Quan An Ngon to savor an extensive menu of traditional Vietnamese dishes, in a lively atmosphere with both locals and tourists.
VND150000, 1h 30m
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Day 2: History & Culture

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 15, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at The Vintage Emporium

Begin with specialty coffee and breakfast in a quaint café that merges vintage decor with modern Vietnamese cuisine.
VND90000, 1h

9:30am

Independence Palace

Tour the historic Independence Palace, pivotal in Vietnam’s history, open from 7:30 am to 11:00 am and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
VND40000, 1h 30m

11:30am

War Remnants Museum

Visit the museum to learn about the Vietnam War from various perspectives through exhibits and photographs. Open 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.
VND40000, 1h 30m

1:30pm

Lunch at Pho 2000

Enjoy a quick yet delicious bowl of pho at Pho 2000, famously visited by Bill Clinton during his visit.
VND60000, 1h

3:00pm

Walking around Dong Khoi Street

Explore the vibrant Dong Khoi Street with its boutiques, galleries, and colonial architecture, ideal for leisurely walking and photography.
Free, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Secret Garden Restaurant

Dine upstairs in a traditional Vietnamese setting with a menu featuring authentic southern Vietnamese cuisine.
VND180000, 1h 30m
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Day 3: Chinatown Exploration

Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 16, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Banh Mi Hong Hoa

Grab a flavorful banh mi sandwich – a perfect on-the-go breakfast in Chinatown.
VND20000, 30m

8:30am

Thien Hau Temple Visit

Admire the intricate architecture and incense coils of this historic Chinese temple, open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Free entry, 45m

9:30am

Quan Am Pagoda

Visit another beautiful pagoda known for its lively atmosphere and religious significance.
Free, 1h

11:00am

Binh Tay Market

Explore this bustling wholesale market famous for local goods, spices, and textiles.
Free entry, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at Lau De 404

Enjoy a hearty traditional Vietnamese hotpot known locally as 'lau' in a popular spot within Chinatown.
VND150000, 1h 30m

3:00pm

Street Art & Café Hopping

Spend the afternoon discovering quirky street art and relaxing in unique cafes in District 5.
Variable, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Nha Hang Ngon

Savor a variety of Vietnamese dishes in an open-air setting with a friendly vibe popular among locals.
VND150000, 1h 30m
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Day 4: Cu Chi Tunnel Excursion

Cu Chi, Vietnam on May 17, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel or nearby café

Start early with a light breakfast to fuel up for your morning tour to Cu Chi tunnels.
VND70000, 45m

8:00am

Travel to Cu Chi Tunnels

Take a guided day trip from Saigon to the Cu Chi Tunnels, approximately 1.5 hours each way.
VND350000 including entrance and guide, 3h

11:00am

Cu Chi Tunnel Exploration

Explore the underground tunnel network used during the Vietnam War, with good walking paths and informative exhibits. Open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Included in tour, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at restaurant near Cu Chi

Have a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant near Cu Chi, offering specialties like grilled pork and fresh herbs.
VND120000, 1h

3:00pm

Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Travel back to the city to rest or explore further on your own in the evening.
Included in tour, 1.5h

7:30pm

Dinner at Pizza 4P's

Enjoy a fusion of Vietnamese flavors in Italian dishes at Pizza 4P's, popular for homemade cheese and fresh toppings.
VND200000, 1h 30m
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Day 5: Spiritual & Leisure

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 18, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at L’usine

Delight in a stylish café experience with great coffee and brunch options in this art gallery-cum-boutique.
VND100000, 1h

9:30am

Jade Emperor Pagoda

Visit this vibrant and atmospheric Taoist pagoda adorned with statues and intricate carvings, open from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Free entry, 1h

11:00am

Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Enjoy a leisurely stroll along this wide, pedestrian-only street with shops, street performers, and cafes.
Free, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at Secret Garden Restaurant

Return for another feast of southern Vietnamese cuisine in an authentic rooftop garden setting.
VND180000, 1h 30m

2:30pm

Relax at Tao Dan Park

Relax amidst lush greenery and local activity in one of Saigon’s central urban parks.
Free, 1h 30m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Deck Saigon

Dine riverside with a sophisticated menu featuring local and international dishes in a serene setting.
VND250000, 2h
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Day 6: River & Skyline

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 19, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at The Workshop Coffee

Enjoy expertly brewed coffee and light breakfast in a stylish industrial café.
VND90000, 1h

10:00am

Visit Bitexco Financial Tower & Skydeck

Get panoramic views of Saigon from the 49th-floor Skydeck of the Bitexco Tower. Open from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm.
VND200000, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch at Hoa Tuc

Discover modern Vietnamese cuisine with a creative twist in a chic colonial mansion setting.
VND200000, 1h 30m

2:30pm

Saigon River Cruise

Relax on a 1.5-hour cruise along the Saigon River, providing a different perspective of the cityscape and nearby historic sites.
VND350000, 1h 30m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Refinery

Enjoy French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine in a classy setting housed in a former opium refinery.
VND220000, 1h 30m
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Day 7: Relax & Shop

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 20, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Cafe Apartment on Nguyen Hue

Visit the iconic Cafe Apartment building with multiple cafes for a morning coffee and light bites while enjoying city views.
VND100000, 1h

9:30am

Shopping at Vincom Center and Saigon Square

Shop for fashion, souvenirs, and electronics in these popular malls and markets.
Free entry, 2h 30m

12:30pm

Lunch at Bún Chả 145 Bùi Viện

Taste the famous northern-style grilled pork with vermicelli noodles in a casual, local spot.
VND70000, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City

Explore Vietnamese art in a historical colonial building, open from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.
VND30000, 1h 30m

4:00pm

Relax at a nearby café

Spend your last afternoon in Saigon enjoying the local café culture with a refreshing tea or coffee.
VND50000, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Cuc Gach Quan

Celebrate your final night with traditional Vietnamese home-style cooking in a charming, cozy venue.
VND180000, 1h 30m
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