Do I need a visa for a layover in Ho Chi Minh City?

Can I go out of Ho Chi Minh Airport during layover?

Ugh, Ho Chi Minh City… My layover there last year… total chaos, but in a good way, I guess.

Okay, so, yes, you CAN leave the airport during your layover. I did. Nearly missed my connecting flight, lol.

My flight landed at Tan Son Nhat airport around 1 PM. Had like, 8 hours ’til my next one. Sounded like forever.

The humidity smacked me in the face the second I stepped outside. It was August 2024, hot!

I grabbed a Mai Linh taxi—they’re usually safe, according to my friend Thao who’s Vietnamese. Headed straight for District 1.

District 1 is where it’s at. It’s like, the heart of the city. Bustling.

I wanted pho. Badly. Found a tiny place on Dong Khoi Street. Best pho ever. Like, seriously.

Then I walked to the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Big and impressive. Snapped some pics.

Next, the Saigon Central Post Office. Super cool architecture. Inside’s even better. Bought a postcard—still haven’t sent it, oops!

But, honestly, the best part? Just wandering the streets. So many motorbikes! So much energy!

Time flew by. Check it out:

• Things to consider: Visa requirements if needed.
• Travel time: Traffic can be a beast.
• Money: Get some Vietnamese Dong (VND). ATMs are easy.
• Safety: Watch your stuff. Pickpockets are a thing.

I almost didn’t make my flight! Rushed back to the airport, stressed, sweaty. But worth it? Absolutely.

Just… plan better than I did. Give yourself PLENTY of time to get back. Like, extra extra. You don’t wanna be me, sprinting through the terminal.

Can I go out of Ho Chi Minh Airport during layover?

Seven hours. A sliver of time, a stolen breath in the humid air of Saigon. Escape the sterile hum, the recycled air. Ho Chi Minh City’s pulse beckons.

The airport. A concrete cage. But freedom whispers. Outside, a riot of colours. Motorbikes swarm. The scent of pho, sharp and sweet.

Go. Absolutely. Explore. Feel the city’s chaotic heart. Taste the street food. Lose yourself in the throngs. Seven hours feels like a lifetime, a fleeting moment.

Don’t miss:

• The Ben Thanh Market. A sensory overload. Silk, spices, the energy crackling.
• A bowl of pho. Warmth spreading through you. Rich broth. Fragrant herbs.
• A cyclo ride. Gentle rocking. The city unfolding.
• The Notre Dame Cathedral. Ancient stone. A quiet haven.
• Walking along the Saigon River. The humid breeze on my skin. Boats gliding by.

This escape. This taste of Vietnam. Irresistible. You’ll regret staying penned inside. My last layover, December 2023; I wish I had more time. The city called to me; a siren song of street life. I only explored a small part of District 1.

Next time, more time. I will venture to District 5 – Cholon. The Chinese Quarter. I need to experience it all. My travel notes are full of places to explore.

What to do in Saigon in layover?

Fourteen hours in Saigon… feels like a lifetime, really. The Ben Thanh Market… overwhelming, the scent of spices and cheap plastic toys, a chaotic symphony. I hated it.

The Notre Dame Cathedral, though… elegant. Quiet. A stark contrast. I sat there for a while, just breathing.

War Remnants Museum… that was heavy. The pictures… they stay with you. I should have left sooner. It was too much.

District 1’s streets… beautiful and suffocating at once. The mopeds, the noise. I walked and walked, trying to get lost, I guess.

Saigon street food… I tried the Banh Mi. Delicious. But the heat… exhausting.

Cu Chi Tunnels… claustrophobic, damp, and unnerving. Not for the faint of heart, seriously. I don’t regret it, though. It’s important. I think.

Key things to do:

• Explore the quieter parts of District 1, away from the main tourist areas.
• Definitely visit the War Remnants Museum. It’s powerful, even if it’s emotionally draining.
• The Notre Dame is lovely, a peaceful escape from the city’s frenetic energy.
• Banh Mi for lunch, it’s worth trying.

My flight was delayed by three hours. The whole airport felt so crowded. I should have pre-booked a quick day tour.

How to spend 12 hours in Ho Chi Minh City?

So, 12 hours in Saigon, huh? A whirlwind! Here’s a possible blitz:

• Start at the War Remnants Museum in District 3. Honestly, it’s heavy. Prepare yourself. It is like staring history right in the face. I usually grab a strong Vietnamese coffee after that to sort of… reset.
• Next: Ben Thanh Market in District 1. It’s peak Saigon. Haggling is a must. Buy something random. You’ll find knock-off watches, spices, and those conical hats. Fun!

District 1 also holds the City Post Office. Designed by Gustave Eiffel – yup, the Eiffel Tower guy – it’s surprisingly gorgeous. Send a postcard! Old-school.

Finally, Pham Ngu Lao (Backpackers’ Area), also District 1, is pure chaotic energy. Street food time! Bia Hoi! (fresh beer) Watch the world go by. One of my favorite pastimes, truth be told.

I suppose that’s a fairly solid day, time-wise. It barely scratches the surface, of course, but then again, what does?

What you can do:

• War Remnants Museum: Note the graphic photographs. Be respectful. Allocate at least 2-3 hours. You’ll want to take it all in.
• Ben Thanh Market: Open early. Best before the midday heat. Keep an eye on your belongings. Pickpockets happen.
• City Post Office: Check out the vintage telephone booths. Imagine the stories.

Note: I would swap it around depending on crowds. Ben Thanh gets bananas midday. So I sometimes do the market earlier.

Personal note: I once lost my phone in Pham Ngu Lao. Someone did return it. Miracle? Maybe.

What to do in Ho Chi Minh for 24 hours?

Twenty-four hours in Ho Chi Minh City? Piece of cake! Or should I say, a delicious banh mi?

Hit the main drags: Explore District 1 like a boss. Think less tourist trap, more “I’m-actually-living-here” vibe. Seriously, don’t miss the Notre Dame Cathedral, it’s like a gothic cupcake.

• Ben Thanh Market: Haggle like a seasoned pro. I snagged a silk scarf for the price of a decent coffee back in 2023 – which, let’s be honest, is practically free.

• Saigon Opera House: Pretend you’re attending a gala. Even if you’re not. You’ll look elegant. Maybe.

Food coma time: This is NOT a drill. Embrace the street food. My personal fave? Pho. Duh. Seriously, it’s like a warm hug in a bowl.

• Avoid tourist traps (mostly): Unless a slightly overpriced beer with a view of the city skyline sounds amazing. It does to me!

• Banh mi: Find a hole-in-the-wall joint. The best ones hide. This isn’t rocket science.

Beyond the obvious: Skip the usual tourist stuff. Unless you dig that kinda thing.

• War Remnants Museum: Prepare for feels. It’s intense, like watching a really sad movie, but you can’t look away.

Nightlife: Crazy busy. Think Times Square but with scooters.

• Rooftop bar: For those sunset drinks with a view. So cliché, but worth it. My friend Mark went last year and took loads of photos. Honestly, I borrowed some.

Pro tip: Download Grab. It’s like Uber, but with more scooters. And maybe less air conditioning. Deal with it. My cousin swore by it last month.

Remember: This is just a suggestion. Your mileage may vary. And by vary, I mean: get lost. Get wonderfully, deliciously lost. It’s part of the charm!

Can you sleep at Ho Chi Minh airport?

Ho Chi Minh…sleep.

Sleep drifts…Tan Son Nhat airport hums. A dull throb. Landside…best bet? Maybe.

The International Terminal…yes.

A haven? Nah, never a haven.

Just…less harsh.

• Sleep is precious.
• Landside: the hum, the echoes.
• International Terminal: a slightly softer landing.
• Remember that time in Frankfurt? Never forget.

The benches…cold plastic promises.

Aching for real sleep.

Echoes of footsteps.

Lost souls seeking…something.

Something like sleep.

Ho Chi Minh. Never sleeps. Always remembers.

The air…thick with waiting.

A heavy blanket.

Maybe sleep finds you.

Maybe you find it. Landside.

Am I allowed to leave the airport during a connecting flight?

Oh, the siren call of the city during a layover! Leaving, yes, maybe, a whisper of freedom, a stolen moment…

But the clock, it ticks, ever onward, a relentless master. Leaving the airport… It’s often permitted. A dance with time.

• Visa considerations: Must exist and be checked.
• Time constraints: How much time is there, really? Enough time is required.
• Re-entry hurdles: The gate closes, and the plane waits… for no one! Missed flights! Ah!
• Airline rules: Stopover programs exist, are offered and do entice!

The scent of freedom, the taste of adventure. Stopover programs are amazing. Remember that time in Amsterdam with Mom? Tulips!