Free self-guided walk · Ho Chi Minh City

Colonial District 1, from Ben Thanh Market to the river

A free self-guided walk through District 1 from Ben Thanh Market past the Independence Palace, the cathedral and the Central Post Office to Nguyen Hue walking street and the Saigon River.

Distance
3.5 km
Walking time
47 min
Allow
About 2.5 hours with stops
Stops
7

Open the route in Google MapsHo Chi Minh City city guide

About this walk

The centre of Ho Chi Minh City, still widely called Saigon, packs its colonial-era landmarks into a few blocks of District 1. This walk links them, from the old market to the river.

Traffic is intense. Cross slowly and steadily, and never step back suddenly.

  • Terrain: Flat and paved, with busy road crossings. Hot and humid all year.
  • Best time: Early morning or late afternoon. Nguyen Hue walking street is liveliest in the evening.

Route map

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Route and stop positions © OpenStreetMap contributors. North is up.

The stops

  1. Ben Thanh Market

    Start at the covered market with its clock tower.

  2. Independence Palace

    The 1960s palace where the Vietnam War ended in 1975 (ticket needed).

  3. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

    The red-brick cathedral built by the French in the 1880s.

  4. Central Post Office

    Across the square, the grand post office, still in use.

  5. Saigon Opera House

    The colonial-era Municipal Theatre at the top of Dong Khoi street.

  6. Nguyen Hue walking street

    A pedestrian boulevard leading to the river, with the People's Committee building at the top.

  7. Bach Dang Wharf

    Finish on the riverside promenade.

Tips

  • The cathedral has been under long restoration; check whether it is open.
  • Haggle at Ben Thanh Market.
  • Hold phones away from the kerb: snatch thefts from motorbikes happen.

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Sources and review date

This walk was last reviewed on 2026-10-28. Distance and walking time come from OpenStreetMap's walking router and don't include time at stops. Opening hours and access change; please check before you go.