Key Takeaways:
|
With this 5-day Vietnam itinerary, you will cover war history and colonial landmarks, as well as floating markets and sampan boat rides.
This guide tells you exactly what to do each day in Ho Chi Minh City. By the end, you’ll have a trip that balances history, food, culture, and Instagram-worthy spots.
A Quick Overview of the Vietnam Itinerary for 5-Days
| Days | Activities |
| Day 1 | Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City → Hotel check-in in District 1 → City tour (Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market) → Bui Vien Walking Street for dinner |
| Day 2 | Cu Chi Tunnels tour → Cholon (Chinatown) → Water puppet show at Golden Dragon Theatre |
| Day 3 | Full-day Mekong Delta tour |
| Day 4 | The Cafe Apartment → Ben Thanh Market shopping → Saigon River dinner cruise |
| Day 5 | Last-minute shopping (Vietnamese coffee beans, dried fruits, souvenirs) → Check-out → Departure from Tan Son Nhat Airport |
Important Information for Your Vietnam Travel Itinerary
| Visa | Apply for a Vietnam e-visa, valid for 90 days or get an approval letter for an on-arrival visa. |
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (VND) 1 INR = 286.67 VND (exchange rate fluctuates) Most restaurants and hotels accept cards, but take cash in local markets and in rural areas. |
| Language | Learn common Vietnamese phrases like ‘how much’, ‘where is the toilet’, and ‘vegetarian’. Download Google Translate to help you anytime. |
| Sim Card | Buy a Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone SIM card, as they offer better coverage. |
| Best Time | December – April (Dry Season) |
| Transport | Use Grab to book your cab and bike rides |
| Budget | Approx. 65,000 INR – 75,000 INR per person (incl flights) |
Day-Wise Vietnam Itinerary for 5 Days
With a clear plan for the 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City, you can enjoy your vacation with no trouble. In this section, get an idea of what your day looks like in Vietnam.
Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City & City Tour
Morning:
-
- Land at Tan Son Nhat Airport and buy a SIM card.
- Book a Grab to your hotel.
- Check in and refresh.
Note: Choose to stay in District 1 for nightlife and easy access to multiple restaurants. If you are on a budget, stay near Bui Vien Street.
Afternoon:
Book a city tour to see the culture and history of Ho Chi Minh City. The tour guide will explain what these places are and the impact they have on the country.
Night: Visit Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro for the best Vietnamese food in a good ambience, or walk to Bui Vien Walking Street for street food.
Ho Chi Minh City Guided Tours Cover
- Ben Thanh Market
- Independence Palace
- War Remnants Museum
- Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
- Central Post Office
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels + Chinatown
Morning: Wake up early between 6 and 7 am for a full-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour. Your guide will pick you up around 8 am and drive to Cu Chi Tunnels, so have breakfast soon.
Afternoon: Rest at your hotel to save energy for the Ho Chi Minh City nightlife.
Evening: Visit Cholon (Chinatown) for shopping and street food. Then you can end the night with a water puppet show at Golden Dragon Theatre.
Highlights of Cu Chi Tunnels
- The tunnel is a 250-km underground network where soldiers lived during the Vietnam War.
- See trap doors, underground hospitals, and crawl through the narrow tunnels yourself.
- There is also a shooting range, so try firing an AK-47 or an M16.
Day 3: Full-Day Mekong Delta Tour
Book a Mekong Delta tour. Most tours leave around 7 – 8 AM and return by 5 – 6 PM.
You’ll return to your hotel around 6 PM. Rest and have dinner nearby, or explore the streets if you still have energy.
Activities for Mekong Delta Tour
- Motorboat cruise along the Mekong River.
- Visit a coconut candy factory, taste fresh samples, and learn about candy-making.
- Row a sampan through narrow canals.
- Have traditional Vietnamese food.
- Visit Buddhist temples.
- Some tours include cycling through villages.
Day 4: Cafe Apartment Culture + Ben Thanh Market + River Cruise
- Morning: For coffee lovers and aesthetic Instagram pictures, visit Saigon’s cafe apartment. This old residential building has been converted into several cafes on each floor, each with a unique theme.
- Afternoon: Return to your hotel and relax. Then find a good restaurant for lunch.
- Night: Book a river cruise in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy live band performances with dinner.
Day 5: Departure
Based on your flight timings, plan your day. Most people do last-minute shopping.
A few shopping places include Vincom Centre or Takashimaya for branded goods, and Saigon Square is perfect for budget shopping for shoes, souvenirs, clothes, and bags.
Then, travel to the airport to board your flight to India.
Optional Activities to Add in Your Vietnam Itinerary for 5 Days
- Saigon street food tour
- Cooking class
- Coffee-making workshop
- Ho Chi Minh City Book Street
Budget Estimate for Vietnam Itinerary 5 Days
| Spends | Approx. Cost in INR |
|---|---|
| Flights (round trip from India) | 24,000 – 40,000 |
| Visa | 6,000 |
| SIM Card | 600 |
| City transport | 2,000 |
| Restaurant food (per meal) | 750 |
| Street Food (per meal) | 350 |
| Accommodations (per night) | 4,500 |
| Mekong Delta tour | 2,500 |
| Ho Chi Minh City tour | 1,700 |
| Saigon River dinner cruise | 4,000 |
| Shopping | 5,000 |
Note: Flight costs vary by season and the time you book.
Conclusion
This 5-day Vietnam itinerary focuses on Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, offering the perfect balance of city life and natural scenery.
When you plan your trip, contact Dimaak Tours. We help with itineraries, flights, visas, accommodations, and any questions during your trip.
FAQs on Vietnam Itinerary for 5 Days
1. How can you get from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta?
There are three main options to reach the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City:
- Organised tour: Easiest option, with transport and an English-speaking guide.
- Private car with driver: Flexible timing and stops, suitable for families or small groups.
- Local bus: Cheapest option, but time-consuming and confusing for first-timers due to limited English signage.
2. What famous food should you try?
- Pho: Beef or chicken noodle soup.
- Banh Mi: Vietnamese baguette sandwich.
- Bun Thit Nuong: Grilled pork with rice noodles and fresh herbs.
- Com Tam: Broken rice with grilled pork chop, egg, and pickles.
- Banh Xeo: Crispy turmeric pancakes stuffed with shrimp and bean sprouts.
- Ca Phe Trung (Egg coffee): A Hanoi speciality that you can also find in cafés across Saigon.
- Fresh spring rolls: Rice paper rolls with shrimp, vegetables, and peanut sauce.
3. What should you buy as souvenirs?
Vietnam offers unique souvenirs that make perfect gifts:
- Vietnamese coffee beans (Trung Nguyen and Highlands Coffee are popular brands)
- Dried fruits like mango, jackfruit, and dragon fruit chips
- Lacquerware (Bowls, trays, and decorative items)
- Silk scarves and clothing
- Conical hats
- Coconut candy
- Handmade bags
4. Is 5 days enough for Vietnam?
Yes, 5 days is enough if you focus on one region of Vietnam.
Here’s what you get in 5 days:
- Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City arrival and city tour to famous landmarks
- Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels tour and at night visit Chinatown
- Day 3: Full-day Mekong Delta tour
- Day 4: Cafe apartment culture and river cruise
- Day 5: Last-minute shopping and departure
