Where to Go and What to Eat in Saigon in One Day ? The Ultimate Itinerary for Food Lovers

Date: 2025.07.04

If you only have one day in Saigon and want to explore both local food and iconic landmarks, here’s your perfect all-day itinerary — check in at must-visit spots while indulging in must-try dishes that define the city!

🌄 Morning: Kick Off with Banh Mi & Iconic Landmarks

✅ Breakfast: Banh Mi with Pâté and Egg

📍 Food cart in front of Saigon Central Post Office (Cong xa Paris, Sai Gon Ward)

💰 VND 20,000 – 30,000

Start your day with Vietnam’s national breakfast: crispy banh mi packed with creamy pâté and hot fried egg.

✅ Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office

📍 Cong xa Paris, Sai Gon Ward

These iconic French colonial buildings are architectural treasures — perfect for sightseeing and instagram-worthy photos.

✅ Explore Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)

📍 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Sai Gon Ward

💰 VND 40,000/person

Formerly the Presidential Palace of South Vietnam, the Independence Palace is historical landmark rich in culture and heritage.

☀️ Midday: Great food – Peaceful break – Energy recharge

After a morning of exploring, it’s time to refuel with some of Saigon’s best eats.

✅ Here are some tasty options in Saigon:

🍴 Ba Ghien Broken Rice (Com Tam)

📍 84 Dang Van Ngu Street, Phu Nhuan Ward

💰 VND 60,000 – 85,000

Juicy grilled pork chop with shredded pork, steamed egg, and scallion oil — a Saigon street food staple.

🍴 Hanoi-Style Bun Cha – Hoang Van Thu

📍 121 Hoang Van Thu Street, Phu Nhuan Ward

💰 VND 50,000 – 65,000

A northern Vietnamese classic — grilled pork and vermicelli with sweet-savory fish sauce.

🍴 Stone Bowl Pho – Pho Ong Hung

📍 242 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Xuan Hoa Ward

💰 VND 65,000 – 90,000

Pho served in a sizzling stone bowl, where broth keeps boiling and beef stays tender.

🍴 Hai Nam Chicken Rice – Com Ga Xoi Mo 007

📍 Lot 007H, Ngo Gia Tu Apartment Complex, Vuon Lai Ward

💰 VND 40,000 – 55,000

Crunchy fried chicken with fragrant rice – simple, satisfying, and wallet-friendly.

✅ Relax at Saigon’s coolest cafés

Recharge in a cozy, quiet café after lunch. Here are a few refreshing picks:

☕️Den Da coffee

📍 90 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Sai Gon Ward

💰 VND 40,000 – 65,000

Green, air-conditioned space with work-friendly and relaxing corners.

☕️ The Coffee House – Signature

📍 19B Pham Ngoc Thach Street, Xuan Hoa Ward

💰 VND 45,000 – 70,000

Modern vibe, strong Wi-Fi, great espresso — perfect for a recharge.

☕️ Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters

📍 92 Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Thanh My Tay Ward (near Landmark 81)

💰 VND 70,000 – 120,000

High-end specialty coffee shop with stunning river views — ideal for a break or photo op.

☕️ Lac Concept

📍 12/2 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Sai Gon Ward

💰 VND 50,000 – 80,000

✨ A peaceful café with classic Indochine vibes — perfect for chilling if you need a quiet, private space.

☕️ Relax at beautiful, cool, and peaceful cafés

After lunch, stop by a café to rest, escape the heat, and recharge for the afternoon. Here are some chill spots ideal for cooling down:

🌇 Afternoon: Explore – Shop – Snap Insta-Worthy photos

After a relaxing break, head out to discover more of Saigon’s culture and character:

✅ Tan Dinh Church – The Iconic Pink Landmark

📍 289 Hai Ba Trung Street Street, Xuan Hoa Ward

A pastel pink church loved by both locals and tourists. Its unique Gothic–Romanesque fusion architecture is highly photogenic.

📸 Photo tip: Snap from the left corner of the main gate to capture the front view and bell tower during golden hour.

✅ Wander Ben Thanh Market

📍 Le Loi Street, Sai Gon Ward

Even if you don’t eat here, the market is a great place to soak in local life and buy souvenirs.

🎁 Recommended souvenirs:

– Fresh roasted coffee

– Mini hand-embroidered art

– Modern ao dai or ethnic-style bags

– Vietnamese spices (dried lemongrass, black pepper, roasted cashews)

💡 Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to bargain — vendors often offer discounts with a little negotiation!

🌌 Evening: Legendary seafood – River views – Chill Waterbus ride

After an afternoon of shopping and snapping photos to your heart’s content, it’s time to enjoy a truly “Saigon-style” evening — with delicious street food and a touch of riverfront romance.

✅ Seafood time – Saigon’s nighttime obsession

🐚 Eating sea snails and grilled seafood is a must-do for any visitor. Here are three famed places:

1. Oc Dao

📍 212/C79 Nguyen Trai Street, Ben Thanh Ward

💰 VND 60,000 – 150,000/dish

2. Oc Khanh

📍 25/5 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Sai Gon Ward

💰 VND 50,000 – 70,000/dish

3. Oc Thao

📍 231/105 To Hien Thanh Street, Hoa Hung Ward

💰 VND 50,000 – 120,000/dish

🌶️ Must-tries: salt-roasted sweet snails, spicy crab claws, grilled scallops with scallion oil, lemongrass-steamed clams.

✅ Waterbus ride – See Saigon from the river

📍 Bach Dang Pier – 10B Ton Duc Thang, Sai Gon Ward

⏰ Suggested ride: 19:15 – 20:00

💰 VND 15,000 – 30,000/ride

📸A peaceful and romantic way to end the day — great for couples, solo travelers, or anyone seeking calm.

✅ Stroll through Bach Dang Park

After your ride, don’t rush back. Sit by the riverside, watch boats drift, enjoy the breeze, and listen to live street music.

✅ End on a sweet note – Che My Dessert

📍 1 Nguyen Phi Khanh, Tan Dinh Ward

⏰ 17:00 – 23:00

💰 VND 15,000 – 25,000/bowl

🌟A chilled bowl of sweet Vietnamese dessert (che) is the perfect finale — refreshing, yet unforgettable.

End your day, But not the journey 🌆✨

Just one day in Saigon is enough to immerse yourself in its energy, flavors, and culture. From a crunchy banh mi breakfast 🥖, peaceful coffee breaks ☕️, vibrant sightseeing 🏰, to a dreamy riverside night 🚤 — it’s a full spectrum of urban life in a city that’s always alive yet never loses its soul.

Stay tuned as we continue uncovering hidden gems in this dynamic city. And don’t forget to share your Saigon stories — every journey is worth remembering! 💬❤️