2 Days in Ho Chi Minh City: Why I skipped the day tours

Hey Friends, if you only have 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), you face a massive choice. Should you spend your precious, limited hours in long day tours to the Mekong Delta or the Cu Chi Tunnels? On my recent trip, I decided to take a bold leap: I skipped those iconic attractions entirely to spend a full 48 hours soaking in the local rhythm, market chaos, and soulful charm of this beautiful city!

From flying with a brand-new airline to writing letters in a historic landmark, my brief time in Saigon turned into the best part of my Vietnamese adventure. Grab a cup of coffee, and let me walk you through my ultimate slow-travel itinerary!

Ditching VietJet: My honest VietTravel Airlines review

My journey to Ho Chi Minh City started with a little travel gamble. Instead of booking the usual VietJet Air flight from Da Nang, I decided to test out a completely new option: VietTravel Airlines. Everyone knows VietJet, but is this new competitor actually better?

From checking out of my apartment to boarding, the experience was pleasantly smooth. Stepping inside the aircraft, the cabin felt beautifully clean and well-maintained. The overhead luggage compartments were quite spacious, and the leg space was surprisingly comfortable—giving you plenty of room to stretch out.

They provide a neat in-flight menu packed with coffee and diverse drinks. Best of all? The flight was completely on time, making it an incredibly reliable and comfortable alternative to budget airlines.

Finding a taste of home: The Indian food scene in Saigon

After checking into my accommodation, my first mission was to find some comfort food. If you think finding authentic vegetarian food in Vietnam is tough, Saigon will completely surprise you!

I headed straight to a premium spot called Tanishq Pure Veg Indian Restaurant. The ambience here is incredibly luxurious and high-end, yet the menu prices are remarkably pocket-friendly. They offer a massive range of regional dishes, from North Indian specialties to classic Gujarati and Rajsthani plates.

Sitting thousands of miles away from home while eating an authentic, comforting Gujarati Thali, North Indian Thali, and even steaming Gujarati Khichdi was pure bliss! It is safe to say that the Indian food scene here is absolute top-tier.

Braving the traffic & exploring local wholesale markets

Stepping outside after lunch, I was greeted by the legendary Saigon traffic. Trust me, crossing the streets here is a sport that is even more challenging than back home in India! Once I mastered the art of walking through the sea of motorbikes, I made my way to An Dong Market.

An Dong is famous as a massive local wholesale market. Inside, the lanes are packed with an overwhelming collection of high-quality clothes (especially gorgeous linen items), bags, shoes, and kids’ wear. I even saw stores filled with trendy Labubu toys!

A quick tip: Because it is a true wholesale hub, some vendors are deeply focused on bulk orders, and the language barrier can make casual bargaining a bit tough. However, the entire complex is completely air-conditioned! If you go during off-peak hours, you can avoid the heavy crowds and easily shop for hours. Just make sure to set aside at least 3 to 4 hours to explore it properly.

Catching peaceful morning vibes at Saigon Riverside Park

On my second morning, a light rain began to fall, giving the city a beautiful, misty atmosphere. I started my day with a gentle stroll through the Saigon Riverside Park.

The park features a beautifully clean walkway right up against the water. Standing there, watching small local boats glide under the bridges while modern skyscrapers tower in the distance, was incredibly peaceful. While the park completely lights up at night with evening dinner cruises, visiting in the quiet morning hours meant I had the entire view almost entirely to myself. This quiet, unfiltered city vibe was exactly the reason why I chose to skip those long day tours!

Mailing a Saigon Central Post Office postcard

Next, I walked over to the world-famous Saigon Central Post Office. This stunning, European-style building features high gothic ceilings and an elegant ancient charm that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

The best part? It is a fully functional post office where you can mail souvenirs to your loved ones anywhere in the world. Here is the simple process to create a lasting memory:

• Pick a Card: Head to the vibrant stalls in the centre of the hall to select your favourite postcards or unique local souvenirs.
• Get Stamps: Approach the stamp counter to check postal rates. For my two envelopes sent back home to India, the total postage cost was just 65,000 VND.
• Write and Seal: The helpful staff will use clear tape to neatly seal your envelopes. You can then sit down at the wooden benches inside the hall to write out your addresses and carefully stick on your stamps.
• Post It: Drop your finished letters right into the counter baskets or central mailing boxes!

Right outside the entrance, you will also find tiny, charming gift shop selling reasonably priced local artifacts, magnets, and cute handmade jute bags for your friends back home.

Getting lost in a fairy tale on Book Street

Just a short walking distance from the post office lies Book Street. Walking down this road honestly feels like stepping straight into a fairy tale.

The entire street is shaded by lush green trees and lined with beautiful, artistic book stalls. You will see locals and travellers alike sitting outside, sipping Vietnamese iced coffee, and quietly reading. The stores have massive collections—including classics like Sherlock Holmes —and many offer sweet 10% discounts and cute keychains. It is the ultimate spot to slow down, snap photos, and enjoy the artistic side of Saigon.

Final verdict: Is 48 hours enough for Saigon?

As I headed to the airport to catch my Air India flight back home via Delhi, I reflected on my trip. Important tip: The traffic leading to the airport can get quite heavy, and the immigration lines are often deeply crowded, so make sure you give yourself plenty of extra time to clear security!

Spending 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City without rushing off to distant attractions was the best travel decision I could have made. It allowed me to actually feel the pulse of the city, eat incredible food, and make memories that a rushed tour could never match.

Are you ready to plan your own short city escape? Let me know if you would like me to check out hotel recommendations near District 1, or if you need help finding flight options for your upcoming dates!