15/06/2026
Vietnam Through a Founder’s Eye
Building Destiny, Building Vietnam | Saigon: The Final Leg
The final leg of Vietnam, for me, has to be Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh City.
From a product-design point of view, I would not position Saigon as a complete standalone holiday. It works best as a stopover, city-hop, or final exit point in a Vietnam itinerary.
Two to three nights are ideal to capture the city’s essence the energy, the food, the shopping, the nightlife, and that final urban flavour before flying back with a complete Vietnam memory.
Saigon is a city of movement.
It is busy, fast, bright, commercial, and always alive. This is where you feel the urban pulse of Vietnam. It may not have the romance of Hoi An, the dramatic landscapes of Ha Long Bay, or the cool mountain charm of the north, but Saigon has its own personality.
One thing I would strongly recommend here is shopping. Saigon is genuinely worth it, whether travellers are looking for local markets, malls, souvenirs, fashion, or lifestyle finds. For Indian travellers, there is also good food comfort, with Indian restaurants available, which makes the city easier to position for families, groups, and mixed-age travellers.
The usual excursions like the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta are available, and yes, they are experiences. But I would use them carefully. For travellers who have already experienced nature, rivers, villages, and cultural pockets across Vietnam, the Mekong Delta can feel a little repetitive.
So instead of overloading Saigon with the same excursion formula, I would position the city more around its evening vibe.
And this is where Saigon really surprised me the evening cruises on the Saigon River.
If you are in Saigon, do not miss an evening cruise. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the city. You sail through the river, the skyline lights up, the reflections fall beautifully on the water, the breeze feels good, and the whole experience gives a premium, relaxed, and memorable vibe.
There are medium to high-end cruise options available. Cruises such as Indochina Queen and Elite of Saigon offer an upscale feel with good food, music, open-deck moments, and excellent photo opportunities.
The quality of the cruise experience is impressive, and it fits almost every traveller segment — honeymooners, families, small groups, incentive groups, MICE movements, and GITs.
Keep it for two to three nights. Let travellers enjoy the city energy, nightlife, shopping, Indian food comfort, and a beautiful evening cruise before they exit Vietnam.
Saigon may not be the emotional heart of a Vietnam holiday, but it is definitely a strong finishing note.
For city lovers, nightlife lovers, shopping lovers, and travellers who enjoy a lively urban vibe — Saigon delivers.
