Getting to Ho Chi Minh City and Around by Metro, Bus and Boat

Ho Chi Minh City is southern Vietnam's primary international gateway. Because the airport sits right inside the urban perimeter and the new metro line links the historic centre to the eastern riverside districts, getting in and moving around is remarkably quick once you know the best routes.

From Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) to District 1

Tan Son Nhat Airport lies just 7 kilometres north-west of central District 1, with domestic and international terminals standing side by side:

• Airport Bus 109 and Bus 152: air-conditioned city buses depart outside the terminals and run straight south via Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street and Pasteur Street to the central bus station beside Ben Thanh Market and Pham Ngu Lao in roughly 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic; pay the conductor on board in small dong notes.
• Grab, Xanh SM and official metered taxis: follow signs to the designated ride-hailing pick-up lane or the official Vinasun and Mai Linh taxi dispatcher stands outside arrivals for a direct 25- to 35-minute drive to your District 1 or District 3 hotel. Avoid accepting rides from touts inside the terminal building.

Saigon Metro Line 1, Saigon Waterbus and Grab

Opened across the city's eastern corridor, Saigon Metro Line 1 runs underground from Ben Thanh Station past the Opera House and Ba Son shipyard before rising onto an elevated viaduct across the Saigon River through Thao Dien to Suoi Tien; you can pay with contactless bank cards or station ticket tokens. For a scenic river perspective, walk to Bach Dang Pier on Ton Duc Thang riverfront in District 1 and board the yellow Saigon Waterbus (book seats at the pier kiosk ahead of departure for sunset sailings). For trips west to Cholon (District 5) or north to the Jade Emperor Pagoda, book cars or motorbike taxis via the Grab or electric Xanh SM apps.

Arriving by train and reaching Cu Chi or the Mekong Delta

North-south Reunification Express trains from Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue and Hanoi arrive at Ga Sai Gon (Saigon Railway Station) in District 3, a ten-minute taxi ride from District 1. To visit the Cu Chi Tunnels (60 to 70 kilometres north-west), go by morning speedboat up the Saigon River from Bach Dang Pier or by road to the quieter Ben Duoc site. High-speed hydrofoils also link Ho Chi Minh City to the seaside peninsula of Vung Tau.