Can you really experience Saigon in just 24 hours?

Definitely yes…

I only had one day in Ho Chi Minh City before continuing my journey across the border to Cambodia.

Obviously, one day isn’t enough to experience everything Saigon has to offer. So instead of trying to squeeze too much into my itinerary, I decided to stay within the city center, walk as much as I could, drink Vietnamese coffee, visit a few landmarks, and simply get a feel for the city.

Most of my day was spent around District 1, which turned out to be perfect for a short stay. Many of Ho Chi Minh City’s famous attractions are relatively close to one another, making this part of the city easy to explore on foot. 

If you also have limited time, here’s how I spent one day in Ho Chi Minh City before crossing the border to Cambodia.

Start at Ben Thanh Market

My day started around Ben Thanh Market.

If it’s your first time in Ho Chi Minh City, this is probably one of the places you’ll hear about immediately. Inside you’ll find souvenirs, clothes, bags, local products, Vietnamese coffee, food, and plenty of things to bring home.

It’s busy, colorful, and very touristy—but that’s also part of the experience.

If you’re shopping, don’t immediately accept the first price you’re given. Bargaining is common at stalls without fixed prices. And as with any crowded market, keep an eye on your belongings.

But even if you’re not planning to buy much, I think it’s still worth walking around.

For me, Ben Thanh was less about shopping and more about experiencing a little bit of Saigon’s energy before heading out to explore the rest of the city.

Stay Around District 1 If You Only Have One Day

One thing that made my short stay easier was staying within walking distance of Ben Thanh Market.

I couldn’t remember the district when I first started writing this article, but after checking my route, it was District 1.

And if you only have one day in Ho Chi Minh City, this is a very convenient area to base yourself.

Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, coffee shops, restaurants, and several other attractions are concentrated around central District 1. 

Instead of spending my only day constantly taking transportation across the city, I could simply walk, look around, stop for coffee, and continue exploring.

Sometimes that’s my favorite way to discover a new place anyway.

Walk to Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon

From the Ben Thanh area, continue toward Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon.

When I visited, the cathedral was undergoing renovation, so I wasn’t able to experience it the way I had originally imagined.

As of 2026, restoration is still ongoing, with current reports saying work is expected to continue into 2027. Visitor access can therefore be limited. 

Even with the renovation, it’s worth stopping by if you’re already exploring District 1.

And you don’t have to travel far for your next stop.

Cross Over to Saigon Central Post Office

Right across from the cathedral is the beautiful Saigon Central Post Office.

This was one place I made sure to reach before late afternoon because I didn’t want to arrive after it closed.

The post office is still functioning, but the building itself is also an attraction. Its grand interior, arched ceiling, historic details, and colonial architecture make it worth stepping inside rather than just photographing it from the street. 

Current listed hours are generally 7:30 AM–6:00 PM Monday to Saturday and 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Sunday, but check again before your visit because opening hours can change.

If you’re following this one-day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary, I’d recommend putting the post office earlier in your afternoon rather than leaving it until evening.

Find the Famous Pink Church

Next on my list was one of the places I’d seen many times online—the famous Pink Church.

Its actual name is Nhà Thờ Giáo Xứ Tân Định, or Tan Dinh Church.

And yes, it really is pink. 💗

The color and Gothic-inspired architecture make it stand out immediately from the surrounding streets, so it’s easy to understand why it has become such a popular photo spot in Ho Chi Minh City.

If you’re exploring everything on foot, this is one of the longer stretches of the day. If you’re already tired—or trying to maximize your limited time—I’d simply take a Grab for this part and return to District 1 afterward.

You only have one day. There’s no award for exhausting yourself. 😂

Make Time for Vietnamese Coffee

One thing I wouldn’t rush in Vietnam?

Coffee.

Vietnam’s coffee culture is honestly one of my favorite parts of traveling around the country.

And Ho Chi Minh City gives you plenty of opportunities to experience it.

Instead of planning every hour around tourist attractions, leave room to simply walk into a coffee shop that catches your attention.

Order a cà phê sữa đá, try an egg coffee if you haven’t had one before, or just sit somewhere with your drink and watch the city outside.

Vietnam taught me that coffee doesn’t always have to be something you grab while rushing somewhere else.

Sometimes the coffee shop is the destination.

Visit the Cafe Apartment on Nguyen Hue

Toward evening, head back toward District 1 and visit The Cafe Apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue.

This is probably one of the most interesting coffee spots you’ll see in the city.

From outside, it looks like an old apartment building. Look more closely, though, and you’ll see balconies filled with lights, signs, cafés, boutiques, and little businesses stacked on top of one another.

You can go inside, explore the different floors, and choose whichever café catches your attention.

The building sits directly along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, making it a perfect stop toward the end of your day. 

Experience Nguyen Hue Walking Street at Night

This was one of my favorite ways to finish my short time in Ho Chi Minh City.

Once evening arrives, the area around Nguyen Hue Walking Street becomes much livelier.

The lights come on, people gather outside, cafés fill up, and the whole area starts feeling festive.

You don’t really need an activity here.

Just walk.

Take photos. Find something to eat. Grab another coffee if you haven’t already had too many. 😂 Sit somewhere and watch the city around you.

Nguyen Hue is particularly lively in the evening, when locals, families, performers, and visitors gather around the pedestrian boulevard. 

After spending most of the day moving from one place to another, it felt good to end the night without another attraction to chase.

My One-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary

If you want to follow roughly the same route I took, I’d keep it simple:

Morning: Start at Ben Thanh Market → breakfast or Vietnamese coffee → explore the surrounding streets of District 1.

Afternoon: Notre-Dame Cathedral → Saigon Central Post Office → Tan Dinh Pink Church → coffee break.

Late afternoon to evening: Return toward Nguyen Hue → explore the Cafe Apartment → walk around Nguyen Hue Walking Street → dinner → enjoy the city lights.

Then head back to your accommodation, rest, and prepare for your next destination.

For me, that meant getting ready to cross the border from Vietnam into Cambodia.

Can You Explore Ho Chi Minh City in One Day?

Yes—but don’t try to see everything.

There are plenty of major Ho Chi Minh City attractions I didn’t visit on this trip. I didn’t go to the Cu Chi Tunnels. I didn’t explore the museums. I didn’t try to squeeze a Mekong Delta tour into my schedule.

And that’s okay.

My goal wasn’t to create the ultimate Ho Chi Minh City itinerary.

I only had one day.

So I stayed around the center, explored what I could on foot, visited a few landmarks, drank Vietnamese coffee, watched the city come alive at night, and continued my journey the following day.

Sometimes a short visit doesn’t have to feel incomplete.

It can simply be an introduction.

And perhaps that’s what Ho Chi Minh City was for me—a quick taste of Saigon before the road took me somewhere else.

Cambodia was next. 🇻🇳 → 🇰🇭