48 hours in Ho Chi Minh City

This two-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City adds a premium experience, suitable for visitors who have been to the city many times.

The experience was suggested by Hoang Thuan, a tour guide at Vietluxtour Company, and advised by Hien Anh, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City. She has many times taken her acquaintances and friends to visit the city and received high ratings.

Day 1

Morning

Start your day in Ho Chi Minh City with a signature dish of Hu Tieu at Nam Loi restaurant on Ton That Dam street, District 1. This restaurant has been around since before 1975. The restaurant's signature dish is Hu Tieu Ca, in addition to noodles and rice vermicelli. The noodles are handmade, the broth is sweet and clear, and there are no preservatives. Another special thing is that the restaurant has pate chaud made on-site, always hot.

"This is a favorite restaurant of many artists," said Ms. Hien Anh. The average price for a meal at the restaurant is 100,000 VND.

Drink coffee, walk around and take photos in the city center around Notre Dame Cathedral, the city post office, Nguyen Van Binh book street, Independence Palace, and the Zoo. These are all historical destinations, symbols of Ho Chi Minh City. If you do not want to walk, visitors can choose to ride around the center by public bicycle. There are many places to book bicycles in District 1. Or buy a double-decker bus tour (buy tickets by the hour, by the day or by the night tour).

Noon

Lunch with Ms. My's crab noodle soup with flashing squid on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3. This dish has been popular for over a year now, and upon hearing the name, many people wonder about the ingredients and preparation method. Crab noodle soup with flashing squid is a variation of the original crab noodle soup of Binh Dinh people, with the main ingredients being crab (family of crabs) and fresh squid, the skin still flashing, so it is called flashing squid.

"The bowl of noodles is naturally sweet, with fresh ingredients, but a bit small so if you want to eat more, you will have to order more," said Ms. Hien Anh.

Afternoon and evening

Check in at Sheraton Saigon Hotel on Dong Khoi Street at around 2:00 p.m. The hotel is located in the city center, convenient for traveling to famous places. Guests can stroll on Nguyen Hue Street, relax in the afternoon at the hotel, swim and massage, enjoy on-site services.

Deluxe room at Sheraton hotel. Photo: Sheraton hotel.

Dinner with famous snail dishes in Ho Chi Minh City. Snails in Ho Chi Minh City are prepared in many different ways such as salted egg sauce, stir-fried with tamarind, and fried with salt and chili. There are also many types of snails such as fragrant snails, fatty snails, apple snails, and fingernail snails. Ho Chi Minh City people eat snails all day, for lunch or dinner. To fill up, diners often eat with bread.

Oc Dao on Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, is a popular destination. "Note that the restaurant is always crowded, so you can choose to sit outside of peak hours to have a comfortable seat. The restaurant closes at 10 p.m.," said Ms. Hien Anh. Oc Dao is on the Michelin Selected 2023 list.

Some other famous snail restaurants include: Oc Nhu (District 10), Oc Nho (District 4).

Coming to Ho Chi Minh City without experiencing cultural and artistic activities would be a mistake. In addition to the music shows at tea rooms, one of the destinations that tourists should visit is A O Show, performed right at the City Theater, near the hotel.

A scene from Oh A Show. Photo: Oh A Show

The special thing about A O Show is that all the props are made from bamboo. Through the form of storytelling circus, creativity in using props, combined with emotional music to recreate Vietnamese cultural activities. Inspired by the activities of the Southern region. "A O Show shows a vivid picture of Vietnam, a harmony between peaceful countryside and bustling cities", said Mr. Thuan.

Tickets for the show cost 800,000 VND and can be purchased through travel agencies or booked in advance for a discount. Shows start at 6pm every day (except Saturday and Sunday).

Night

Enjoy the cool night air in Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy a cocktail at the Wine Bar on the 23rd floor of the Sheraton Hotel. This is also a beautiful place to watch the sunset. Visitors can choose two different times to experience.

Bar space on the 23rd floor at the hotel. Photo: HA

Day 2

Morning

Breakfast at the hotel is at the Saigon Café restaurant on the first floor with a view of the city center. Breakfast dishes are mostly traditional Vietnamese dishes such as pho, banh cuon, banh mi, com tam, soup, salad and many other dishes.

Visit the War Remnants Museum, a destination that many people recommend when coming to Ho Chi Minh City in recent years. The museum is on the list of 99 most attractive tourist destinations in the world. The museum is open from 7:30 to 17:30 every day, no lunch break, ticket price 40,000 VND/person.

A corner of the War Remnants Museum recreates the image of Con Dao prison. Photo: Quynh Tran

"If tourists buy a 24-hour double-decker bus ticket, they will stop at this museum or the Independence Palace," said Mr. Thuan.

Noon

Ho Chi Minh City is home to many restaurants in the Michelin Guide list published for the first time in Vietnam, June 2023. So choose one of the addresses right in the city center for lunch.

Quan Bom on Nguyen Thi Nghia Street, District 1 is a suggestion. This is a restaurant run by a young chef. The food here is typical Vietnamese and Asian fusion dishes (a blend of traditional and modern), with a quiet and gentle space.

Some other Michelin restaurants visitors can try include: Cuc Gach Quan, Chay Garden (vegetarian food), Dong Pho, Sol Kitchen and Bar.

A corner of space at Cuc Gach restaurant. Photo: Cuc Gach

Afternoon

Shopping is an indispensable experience in Ho Chi Minh City, from popular items to high-end brands are all gathered here. Visitors can visit and combine coffee and food at shopping centers such as Takashimaya, Vincom Dong Khoi, Diamond Plaza in District 1 or Thiso Mall Sala, which has just opened in Thu Duc City.

Alternatives

Cruise on the Saigon River for dinner and sightseeing (there are many options with different prices), enjoy music in tea rooms or bars, the Ao Dai Museum or visit traditional attractions, or go out of the city to Cu Chi or Can Gio for the day.

According to vnexpress.net

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/48-gio-o-tp-hcm-115780.html