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Ho Chi Minh City Location Map: Where Is Ho Chi Minh City Located?
Finding Ho Chi Minh City on the map. Look at Vietnam's long, skinny shape. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) sits near the southern tip, about 1,760 km (1,094 miles) south of Hanoi.
This mega-city packs 9 million people into a narrow 11-km-wide area, hugging the Saigon River that cuts through its heart.
The heart of HCMC is District 1, where you'll find famous spots like Ben Thanh Market and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Nearby, District 3 has the pretty Pink Church and old pagodas, while District 5 is full of Chinese shops and restaurants. These three districts are where you'll likely spend most of your time exploring.
Beyond the city center, popular day trips include the Cu Chi Tunnels (1.5 hours northwest) and the Mekong Delta (2 hours southwest).
Ho Chi Minh City Tourist Map: Top Ho Chi Minh City Attractions on Map
Looking at the tourist map of Ho Chi Minh City, let me show you these famous spots and where to find them. Most places you'll want to see are in District 1. What's nice is that you can walk from north to south in District 1 to see everything - many tourists enjoy exploring this way on foot.
Ho Chi Minh City Attractions: 11 Famous Places to Visit (2025)
The French Colonial Core (Heart of District 1)
That's where the French built their grandest landmarks:
- The Notre Dame Cathedral, known as "Paris of the East," Its twin red-brick spires are so iconic they appeared on old 20,000 VND notes.
- Right beside it, the Central Post Office, famous for its beautiful Gothic design and high curved ceiling (yes, the same person who built the Eiffel Tower designed it!).
The History Quarter
Walk south for about 10 minutes from the city center, and you'll find two places that history lovers always visit: Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum.
Independence Palace is famous because a tank broke through its gates in 1975, marking the end of the war (you can still see the real tank outside!). Inside, everything looks exactly like it did in the 1960s.
A few blocks away, the War Remnants Museum gets half a million visitors each year. Lonely Planet calls it "Vietnam's most moving war museum".
The Lively Center (At the Bottom Center)
- Ben Thanh Market: At the end of Le Loi Street, you'll see Ben Thanh Market with its big clock tower. It's the biggest market in the city and the best place to try local food, especially after dark.
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street: A walking street in the middle of the city. You'll see the pretty Saigon Opera House, and the "Cafe Apartments" building, which people love because it's full of cool coffee shops and small stores. The 262-meter Bitexco Financial Tower, resembling a lotus bud, dominates the skyline with its 49th-floor Skydeck.
- Saigon River: End your walk by the Saigon River, perfect for sunset boat rides to see the city lights.
Must-See Detours
In District 3, there's a beautiful pink church called Tan Dinh Church. With its pink walls make it Vietnam's most photographed church. And the Cu Chi Tunnels (off-map NW). Where you can squeeze through actual Viet Cong tunnels (they've widened them slightly for tourists!)
Ho Chi Minh City Travel Map: Airport, Railway Station on Map
Let's zoom in on our Ho Chi Minh City travel map, and I'll show you exactly how to get around, where to stay, and where to find great food.
Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) sits on the city's northwest edge in Tan Binh District. From here to District 1, the city center, it's about 7 kilometers north. A taxi ride takes 20-30 minutes and costs about 200,000 VND (around 8-10 dollars).
For trains, you'll find Saigon Railway Station in District 3, just 2 kilometers from the city center. You can get there in 10 minutes by taxi or walk for 20 minutes. This is where most tourists catch their trains to other Vietnamese cities like Nha Trang or Hanoi. There's another station called Tham Luong far in the northwest, but tourists rarely use it.
Find a Accommodation on Map
Now, let's talk about where to stay. District 1 is perfect for first-time visitors - that's where most tourists choose to stay. You'll find all kinds of hotels here for any budget, and all the main sights are nearby.
Many people like staying near Ben Thanh Market because it's so central. If you're traveling on a budget, check out the Bui Vien area - it's known as the backpacker district and has lots of affordable places to stay.
Foodie Hotspots
- District 1: Feast on banh mi, pho, and fresh spring rolls at Ben Thanh Market’s night stalls.
- District 5 (Chinatown): Dive into steamed dumplings and roast duck at Cholon Market.
- District 3: For authentic Vietnamese street food, head to District 3, especially around Vo Van Tan Street.
- District 4 is famous for its seafood restaurants along Vinh Khanh Street.
Ho Chi Minh City Transporation Map: Travel to Ho Chi Minh City from Other Vietnam Cities
Mark all these routes on your Ho Chi Minh City transportation map? It's way easier to plan when you see how everything connects. Especially how to reach Ho Chi Minh City from the country's most popular tourist spots.
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
From the north, Hanoi is about 1,760 kilometers away. Most travelers choose to fly, which takes just over 2 hours. If you want to see the countryside, the Reunification Express train takes about 32 hours.
Da Nang & Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Moving to Central Vietnam, Da Nang is 850 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. A quick flight takes 1 hour 20 minutes, while the train journey along the coast takes 16-18 hours.
If you're in Hoi An, you'll need to travel through Da Nang first. It's a 45-minute ride to Da Nang's airport or train station. From there, you can follow the same routes as from Da Nang.
Nha Thang to Ho Chi Minh City
From the beach city of Nha Trang, 440 kilometers away, you have good options. A short one-hour flight from Cam Ranh Airport, or you can take a scenic train ride for 7-8 hours. You'll cruise along the coast watching fishing villages go by.
Mekong Delta & Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City
The Mekong Delta(from Can Tho)? Easy 4-hour bus ride through rice fields. And if you're island-hopping from Phu Quoc, there's direct flights (about 1 hour) that'll have you in Saigon for lunch.
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Useful Vietnam Travel Guide & Vietnam Travel Tips:
Best Time to Visit North Vietnam, How to Plan a Trip to Vietnam
Hanoi to Halong Bay Transportation, Vietnam Food,
Most Beautiful Places in Vietnam, Vietnam Itinerary
Vietnam Itinerary 7 Days, Vietnam Itinerary 10 Days
Ho Chi Minh City Attractions, Hanoi Attractions, Vietnam Attractions
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