Discover Ho Chi Minh City: My 2N/2D Itinerary and Travel Experience

Carrying my backpack and still somewhat faint-hearted about facing Vietnam’s notorious sea of motorbikes, I was escorted across the street by the kind receptionist of my HCMC hostel. I had stayed there for three nights, pestering him with countless questions, and now he was kindly making sure I safely reached the taxi waiting to take me to the airport. With a wave goodbye and warm wishes exchanged, he crossed back with practiced ease, like the motorbikes didn't even exist. I, on the other hand, was still reeling from the chaos that is Vietnamese traffic.

But let me rewind a little.

Day 1: Crossing Streets and Cultures

I arrived around noon on Pham Ngu Lao Street, the backpackers' hub of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. My hostel was tucked into a small alley opposite a green park in District 1.

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and was formerly the capital of South Vietnam until the country was reunified in 1975. Compared to the cultural charm of Hanoi, HCMC felt faster, louder, and bolder.

Crossing the street in Vietnam is a nightmare, and one should be vigilant; this is what I discovered about the country during my time in Hanoi. Motorbikes whiz by from every direction - left, right, front, and back. I had struggled, but now I was learning: walk slowly and predictably, don’t run, and never stop suddenly.

While in the lobby trying to sort out my bus trip to Cambodia (which was fully booked for the following night), I met a fellow female traveler. She had just arrived from the UK and was dealing with a lost luggage situation. Naturally, she needed to shop for some clothes and toiletries, and I could use a stroll too, so we teamed up.

The famous Ben Thanh Market was just a 10-minute walk away. But getting there? It felt like we were training for the Olympics of street crossing. We tried sticking close to locals, but often found ourselves stranded in the middle of the road. Panicking and laughing. Every time we reached the other side alive, we high-fived like we’d aced an exam.

The market itself was bustling. You could find just about anything. Clothes, souvenirs, spices, bags, coffee, and more. I snagged a pair of harem pants and some shorts after bargaining like a pro.

Across the market, at a roundabout, we spotted a statue of Tran Nguyen Han, a Vietnamese national hero from the 15th century. We strolled further down Le Loi Avenue, which eventually led us to a mall (yes, more shopping, undergarments this time!) before finally deciding we really needed food.

We ended up on Ngo Duc Ke Street, where charming restaurants and cafes line the road. We picked Elle Café, grabbed an outdoor seat, and I decided to splurge a little. I deserved it!

Fueled by dinner and still not quite tired, we kept walking until we found ourselves at the Saigon River dock. What a view! Calm waters, the lights of Khanh Hoi Bridge, glowing buildings, and cruise ships gently bobbing in the marina. 

Wandering Raine and the Khanh Ho Bridge in Ho Chi Minh City.

View from the Saigon River dock.

Locals jogged, biked, and chatted nearby. It was the kind of scene that makes you stop and soak everything in.

Eventually, we made our way back to the hostel. This time, crossing streets with slightly more confidence and a lot less fear.

Cruise ship at the Saigon River dock.

Day 2: Tunnels, Traps, and a Taste of War History

With a packed lunch in my bag (leftovers from last night), my roommate, another guy from the hostel, and I joined a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Our first stop was Handicapped Handicrafts, a shop employing skilled workers with disabilities. Watching them work on lacquerware and embroidery was inspiring, and the finished products were beautiful.

Some of the hardworking handicapped employees are showing us how to do their crafts.

Handicapped Handicrafts in Vietnam

Then came the main attraction: the Cu Chi Tunnels.

This massive 75-mile underground tunnel system was used during the Indochina conflict and later in the Vietnam War by the Viet Cong. We visited the Ben Dinh site, which has been partially enlarged to accommodate tourists (especially non-Vietnamese sizes!).

After watching a 15-minute war documentary in an underground hut, during which I suffered a terrible allergic attack due to the dust, our group began exploring the forested area where the tunnels are located.

Wandering Raine's ticket to Cuchi Tunnel

Weapons Gallery at Ben Dinh Cuchi Tunnel

Despite coughing like a dog and my red, itchy eyes, I listened intently to the veteran’s briefing. It made me think of my late grandfather, who served in Vietnam. I couldn’t help but wonder if he had any connection to these very tunnels or those who fought here.

A short briefing conducted by a Vietnamese war veteran 

Going Underground

We saw different tunnel entrances. Square, round, tiny, and even tourist-sized ones. I squeezed into a small one where my body fit just right. The guide had to help pull me out, which amused the rest of the group.

That's me, getting to hide in a very tiny tunnel hole in Cu Chi Tunnel.

Another tunnel entrance in Ben Dinh Cu Chi Tunnel.

We also got to see a range of booby traps used during the war: the seesaw trap, fish trap, swinging trap, door trap, and many more. It was both ingenious and terrifying.

A booby trap in Cu Chi Tunnel

A booby trap in Cu Chi Tunnel

Further on, we posed with tanks and life-sized human statues showing how weapons and bombs were made. 

Me "having a chat" with the soldiers at Cu Chi Tunnel

Eventually, we entered a dark, narrow tunnel ourselves. We duck-walked through the maze. It was hot, claustrophobic, and completely unforgettable. I gained so much respect for those who had lived and fought in those conditions.

We couldn’t take photos inside the tunnel. No one even tried. Everyone was focused on getting through it, especially the claustrophobic ones, trying to suppress panic. It was intense.

Going down a tunnel in Cu Chi.

Wandering Raine emerging from a tunnel in Cu Chi

By 2 PM, we were back at the hostel. I sat in the lobby chatting with the family who owned the place over tea and cookies, until my roommate invited me for one last trip to the market (her luggage was still missing!). We browsed the shops again, then ended up in the park, watching local teenagers practice martial arts like a live kung fu movie in real time.

Martial arts at a park in Ho Chi Minh City

As night fell, we went to Bui Vien Street, the nightlife epicenter just parallel to Pham Ngu Lao. I picked a café where I could finally smoke shisha and try the famed Hanoi Beer (despite not being a beer drinker). We sat outside under an electric fan, eating, smoking, sipping, and watching the chaotic, fascinating world go by. It was perfect.

My roomie and I at Crazy Buffalo - dinner, shisha, and Hanoi beer. 

My plans had shifted. I didn’t make it to Cambodia that night. But I wouldn’t change a thing.

From the death-defying street crossings, the underground history of the Cu Chi Tunnels, the peaceful riverside views, the hospitality of locals, and new friendships, Ho Chi Minh City gave me so much more than I expected.

Backpacking isn’t always about ticking off countries. Sometimes, it’s about experiencing the moments that make you feel alive.

Saigon, thank you for the kindness and the memories.