What Can You Do In Ho Chi Minh City In Two Days (2024)
If you are visiting Vietnam, you will probably also be visiting Ho Chi Minh City which is often called “Saigon” by the locals. As opposed to the scenic transversal of the rest of the country, Ho Chi Minh has the reputation of being a metropolis, with a relatively high population density. This is probably the reason as to why the majority of tourists end up forgetting about this place, and ignore Ho Chi Minh City, and miss out on a lot of things that this city is known for.
So, let’s learn from this and create an itinerary as to “what Can You Do In 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City?”
What Can You Do In Ho Chi Minh City In Two Days?
Day 1 In Ho Chi Minh City
1. What Can You Do In The Mornings in Ho Chi Minh City?
Go visit the local markets!
Saigon has some incredibly fascinating local markets, and you can spend a morning trying to explore some of them. District 1 and District 5 are tourist-friendly locations and have some incredibly exciting places including Ben Thanh. These markets open early in the morning with some local shopkeepers setting up as early as 6:00 am. They sell everything starting from general household needs to handicrafts. Make sure to try out some local cuisine there, as Vietnamese street food is a delight. You could try pho (Vietnamese noodles), Banh bao (pork-filled buns that are steamed), spring rolls and so much more! 
2. What Can You Do In Ho Chi Minh City In The Afternoons?
Contrary to popular beliefs, Ho Chi Minh City has some incredible historical monuments. Vietnam has a rich history combining a variety of struggles that the country has overcome to be where it is now. You can have a glimpse of this, in the afternoon. District 1 is the main location for this purpose. You can take a look at the beautiful French architecture as well as tokens from the Vietnam war. Other places to visit can be the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Reunification Palace. The Notre Dame Cathedral actually allows for a beautiful European feel, and is just a smaller version of the original model. Some of the most famous places remain to be the War Remnants Museum, the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, and the History museum. 
3. What Can You Do In Ho Chi Minh City In The Evenings?
Saigon Opera House is one of the best landmarks and most royal and majestic of architectural structures in Ho Chi Minh City. It is also present in District 1. This is a three-floor opera house, with a capacity of 800 seats. This place holds some incredible shows, traditional to the Vietnamese culture. These programs include traditional dances, musicals, and theatrical performances. You can find the information regarding these in tourist information booths and offices. These should be easy to find, because there are many government supported places, especially for tourism. 
4. Nighttime!
Pham Ngu Lao Street is a popular nighttime destination. It is perfect to enjoy some more local street food. It is also one of the most happening streets of Ho Chi Minh City. There’s the famous Vietnamese beer available, and you’d want to taste some! The nightlife here is quite happening, with pubs and bars lining the road, and lighting up a beautiful scene.
Well, that’s one day! Phew, you can cover so many places in a day in Ho Chi Minh City. They are all exquisite, and completely worth your time. Try looking for places around the ones that are mentioned too! It is plausible that you find more hidden treasures. Let’s move on to day 2 now! You still have 24 hours more, to go around and visit some more beautiful attractions!
Day 2 In Ho Chi Minh City
1. Visit the Chu Chi Tunnels!
The Chu Chi tunnels are one of the greatest things to experience in this city. It is a complete tour of how soldiers lived and worked in their time, around networks and maze-like structures throughout their lives. It is a historical place with some very informative movies. You even get to move inside tunnels, specifically maintained for tourist purposes. You can utilize tour guides as then you can make sure that you don’t have any difficulty navigating through this place. It will also ensure that you don’t miss out on anything.
This expedition might not be over for you as it is a long journey and you would not want to miss out on anything. It might take about half your day, and it will be quite worth it. After being done with the tunnels, you will probably be a little worked off from all the traveling, because of these caves around 45 kilometers from the city. You could either take a little rest or go back to exploring places near it again.
2. As The Night Sets In, Party A Bit!
The rooftop bar is quite a sight, with its aesthetic charm. Have fun, mingling with the people, and seeing a bit of contemporary Vietnamese culture. There are many rooftop bars to choose from, starting from European styles to more urbanized ones. Choose what fits you the most!
There you go! You are set for two beautiful days in Ho Chi Minh city. This qualifies as an answer for “what can you do in two days in Ho Chi Minh city?” It can be a refreshing time for you to understand the Vietnamese city and its people. It is a beautiful place to take pictures, eat amazing food, and buy incredible handicrafts. At the same time, you can see modernity and urbanization creeping in! Ho Chi Minh is not a city that you would want to leave out, as it has so much to offer. You could try doing the mentioned things in an adventurous way, ride your way in a motorbike because they are available in plenty. If you aren’t a bike person, you could still watch other bikers from the pavement as these bikes are constantly maneuvering and dodging each other the whole time!
Ho Chi Minh also has a shooting range that you could visit. You could take this place along with the tunnels. It can be quite an experience! It is an absolute thrill because there is something for everyone to enjoy. You could just go to the historical monuments, if you are more of an indoor person, as they are an absolute pleasure, filled with years and years of happenings and wisdom. If you are the party kind, the nightlife in Ho Chi Minh will not disappoint you. The pubs, bars, clubs, and beer will surely make you remember your time. If you are an early riser, there is all the street food and the hustling markets that make up for a beautiful scene. Hence, it is quite beautiful to see and note the bustling city and make the most of your time in Ho Chi Minh City.
