Flights to Ho Chi Minh City

Tips for First-Time Travellers to Ho Chi Minh City

Carry cash with you

Many locally-owned businesses and market stalls in Ho Chi Minh City only accept cash. Larger restaurants and shops accept bank cards, but there is often a surcharge added to the price. You can convert Australian dollars into Vietnamese dong before you depart or when you arrive to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN).

Indulge in the local delicacies

When you book cheap flights to Ho Chi Minh City, there is so much delicious food to experience. Some dishes to try when you have plane tickets to Ho Chi Minh City are pho, banh mi, op la, and bun bo hue.

Australian citizens require a visa to visit Vietnam

You can apply for the tourist visa once you arrive into Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). In order to receive the visa, your passport will need to be valid for at least six months.

Try out your haggling skills in the markets

When you book return flights to Ho Chi Minh City and land in Vietnam ready to shop up a storm, market vendors will expect you to haggle prices while shopping. Most market vendors don’t have fixed prices and will typically mark up prices for tourists, which can then be negotiated down to a more local price.

The Best Time to Visit with Flights to Ho Chi Minh City

Visitors who book flights to Ho Chi Minh City can have very different experiences based on the time of year. The city experiences a monsoon season between May and November when humidity is high and tropical storms are common. There tend to be heavy rain showers almost daily during the wet season, but the rain doesn’t last all day long. If you’re looking for a bargain on accommodation, booking cheap flights to Ho Chi Minh City during the wet season can help you save money on your trip.

Dry season lasts from December to April and is the most popular time to book return flights to Ho Chi Minh City. While there isn’t much humidity, the temperatures are still hot during the dry season, averaging about 28°C. In general, the dry season is a busy time to book flights to Ho Chi Minh City, but the city becomes especially crowded during the Lunar New Year celebrations between late January and early February. If you’ll be visiting during this time, book your accommodations and cheap flights to Ho Chi Minh City early for the best rates.

Top Things to Do and See

Ben Thanh Market

This large market is one of the most popular destinations for visitors with flights to Ho Chi Minh City. The market is based in District 1, which is the city’s most central neighbourhood. Use your haggling skills at the market stalls to shop for souvenirs, local crafts, and art. Ben Thanh Market also has a section with food vendors where you can try some local favourites.

Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are located about an hours’ drive outside of the city and offer a unique experience to visitors with an airfare to Ho Chi Minh City. During the Vietnam War, networks of tunnels were constructed throughout the country. The Cu Chi Tunnels offer insight into that aspect of the war. Visitors with flights to Ho Chi Minh City can crawl through the tunnels the same way soldiers did during the war and see some war-time equipment.

Saigon Skydeck

Head to the top of the Bitexco Tower to experience the Saigon Skydeck observation deck. From there, visitors with flights to Ho Chi Minh City can receive a stunning view over the skyline, which is both modern and traditional.

Take a Day Trip to the Mekong River Delta

The Mekong River Delta is a must-visit for nature-lovers with return flights to Ho Chi Minh City. Cruise through the Delta on a boat tour to experience the vivid green rainforests and tropical plants. While in the Delta, pay a visit to the charming town of Can Tho, which is known for its floating markets.

War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum is often considered to be one of the top attractions for visitors with flights to Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the place to go to learn all about the Vietnam War as well as the country’s time as a French colony. Visitors with cheap flights to Ho Chi Minh City can experience a variety of exhibits and see equipment that was used in the war, including a helicopter, a tank, fighter jets, and various weaponry.