Overview
On this guided PRIVATE tour you’ll experience Vietnam’s rich tapestry of history, culture and lifestyles with a local guide. We’ll venture to ‘every corner’ of Ho Chi Minh City, soaking up the city’s iconic French colonial architecture and its bustling local markets. This tour includes visits to... • The City’s Biggest Flower Market • The Beautiful Thien Hau Temple • The Former CIA Building • The War Remnants Museum • The Independence Palace • Notre-Dame Cathedral • Opera House and City Hall • Vietnamese Coffee
Why travelers book this
What's Included
- Local English-speaking guide
- Centrally-located hotel pick-up & drop-off
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch ( Vietnamese Set Menu)
- Vietnamese Coffee
- Entrance Fee
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Personal Expenses
Meeting & Pickup
Meeting point, pickup options and start time are confirmed on Viator before checkout.
Itinerary
Stop 1
Lets Go! We start our great day by heading for a beautiful stroll through the pretty Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, the biggest in Ho Chi Minh City! You’ll get to view the daily life of the city’s local traders as you are dazzled by the scents and kaleidoscope of colors while we navigate through the narrow winding streets of the market before we explore the Saigon Chinatown.
Stop 2
Gaze At Cholon - Chinatown Saigon Cholon, which directly translates to “Big Market”, was first established in the late 1700’s when a large number of Hoa, an ethnic Chinese minority residing in Vietnam. Thien Hau is widely considered the most beautiful temple in the area and really worth paying a visit! After visiting this legendary temple, we will head to Secret Weapon Cellar.
Stop 3
Secret Saigon Underground The NLF dug numerous secret cellars in the heart of Saigon to store weapons and explosives brought from rural bases such as Cu Chi for fighting against the South Government, particularly the 1968 Tet Offensive. Early in 1967 the house’s owner, Trần Văn Lai, dug two cellars underneath the house to store pistols, rifles, grenades and over 350kg of TNT were transported there in hollowed-out boxes and specially-adapted wickerwork baskets and plant pots. After visiting this historic place, we will head to the memorial of Thich Quang Duc who shocked the world by burning himself to death in 1963.
Stop 4
Next we will head back to the city center to visit the fascinating War Remnants Museum. This will be an emotionally hard-hitting experience given the graphic content of the museum. Yet, it will be a valuable stop for anybody wishing to learn more about different perspectives surrounding the Vietnam War and its continuing effects today.
Stop 5
Stop For A Tasty Local Lunch After the museum, we’ll take a well earned rest and enjoy a tasty Vietnamese Set Menu Lunch at an authentic restaurant. After we’ve fueled up on these delicious local dishes, it’s off to our first stop of the afternoon which will be the Reunification Palace. Here you’ll learn all about its important place in Vietnamese history.
Stop 6
An Afternoon Of Amazing Architecture Our next stop will be the famous Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. Your knowledgeable guide will explain all the history behind these two incredible buildings. Your guide will show you the historic CIA building where one of the last U.S Helicopters flew out of Saigon in 1975. Next, we’ll walk you to visit more HCMC highlights including the Opera House, Hotel Continental, Rex Hotel and City Hall as well as viewing the mighty Bitexco. In order to wrap up a wonderful day, we recommend you to come up to Rex Hotel rooftop for the legendary “Five O’clock Follies” cocktail or simply have a cup of coffee or tea at the Coffee Apartment. After the last stop we will get you safely back to your hotel in the comfort of our private vehicle. Don’t forget to give a hug to your lovely guide and ask for recommendations from our local expert!
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair access is available with a surcharge. Please contact us in advance before booking.
- Infant seat is available with a surcharge. Please contact us in advance before booking.