Ho Chi Minh Half-Day City Tour
Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City as the city is still frequently referred to be Vietnam’s largest city. It is a fast-paced city full of contrasts as street vendors selling fruit and vegetables can be seen next to glitzy western-style bars and boutiques. Saigon’s history is only 300 years old.
In 1859 the city was captured by the French and became the capital of Indochina. From 1956 until its dramatic demise in April 1975, it was the capital of the US-backed Republic of Vietnam. This half-day city tour unravels Saigon’s turbulent past and also provides a glimpse into the fascinating variety the city has to offer.
Highlights
Morning
- Half-day history and culture tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Learn about the Vietnam War at the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum
- Admire the French colonial architecture of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Small-group tour ensures personalized attention
| Departure | Pickup Time | End Tour |
| Morning | 07:30 – 08:00 | 12:00 |
| Afternoon | 12:30 – 13:00 | 18:00 |
Afternoon
- Visit Cho Lon (Big Market) and Thien Hau Pagoda, which is located in China Town
- Go to Bach Dang Harbor and check in water bus tickets
- Go along the Saigon River and sightsee some most typical commercial buildings
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Small-group tour ensures personalized attention
About this Experience
Itinerary
Morning option
08:00 AM: Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence Palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu.
Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars.
12:00 AM: Transfer back to your hotel or meeting point. Finish the trip.
Afternoon option
1:00 PM: Take the afternoon trip: visit Cho Lon (Big Market) and Thien Hau Pagoda which is located in Chinatown.
Continue to Bach Dang harbor. After checking in the waterbus tickets, and stabilizing your seat, the boat will start to depart.
During the trip, you will have a unique view of the most typical commercial buildings of the city including the Vinhomes Central Park urban area, the magnificent Landmark 81 tower, the Bitexco Financial Tower, and the green peaceful District 2. A lot of stunning moments are waiting for you.
Try to discover the soul of this land – Saigon River by water bus, maybe you will realize many miracles, a more accurate view of the land once called Paris of Indochina or the Pearl of the Far East.
6:00 PM: Transfer back to your hotel or meeting point. Finish the trip.
Please take notes:
**The Notre Dame Cathedral has been being restored, so the guests just visit outside
*** Drop-off time is subject to traffic, weather…so the finished time could be later than expected.
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What's included
- Air-conditional bus
- Vietnamese English-speaking guide
- All admission fees
- Mineral water
- Waterbus ticket for on afternoon option.
What's not included
- Travel insurance
- Beverage and food
- Tips & personal expenses (shooting gun, telephone calls…)
- Other services not mentioned in the inclusion.
- Pick up and transfer just for the centrally located hotel/accommodation in Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- We are not responsible for your lateness.
- Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat and the tour inclusions. Please advise the supplier if you have from 1 infant at time of booking.
Important Information
- This tour requires minimum of 2 participants for the first booking.
- Confirmation will be received within 24 hours of booking, subject to availability
- We pick up guests at several hotels; your hotel might be the first, so please be ready at your hotel lobby by 8am (or 1pm), and we’ll come to your door as soon as we can.
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Only one under-five free admission per family
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Customer Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Took the afternoon tour and it was fantastic. Cho Lon market was lively and full of energy. Thien Hau Pagoda was a peaceful retreat in the middle of Chinatown. The waterbus ride was the highlight – such a relaxing way to see the city. Views of Vinhomes Central Park and the towering Landmark 81 were stunning. District 2 looked so green and peaceful from the river. Finished up by 6 PM, making for a perfect afternoon adventure.
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Spent the afternoon on this tour and it was fantastic! Cho Lon market was vibrant and full of local color. Thien Hau Pagoda was a serene break from the hustle and bustle. The waterbus trip was the highlight – such a relaxing way to see the city. Landmark 81 and Bitexco Tower were impressive from the river, and District 2 was surprisingly green. Finished up around 6 PM, just in time for a relaxed evening.
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Did the afternoon tour and it was perfect. Cho Lon market was bustling and interesting. Thien Hau Pagoda was a peaceful spot in the middle of Chinatown. The waterbus ride from Bach Dang harbor was amazing – seeing the city from the river was a unique experience. Views of Vinhomes Central Park and the city’s tallest buildings were stunning. District 2 looked so green and inviting. Tour wrapped up by 6 PM, perfect timing.
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Chose the afternoon tour and loved every bit. Cho Lon market was full of energy and local color. Thien Hau Pagoda was a serene escape. The waterbus trip was the highlight – cruising down the Saigon River with views of the city’s iconic buildings was fantastic. District 2’s greenery was a nice contrast to the urban landscape. Wrapped up by 6 PM, just in time for a relaxed evening.
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Afternoon tour was a great mix of excitement and relaxation. Cho Lon market was bustling and fun. Thien Hau Pagoda was a nice quiet spot in the middle of Chinatown. The waterbus ride was the highlight – kids loved the boat, and the views were amazing. Seeing the city’s landmarks from the river was a unique perspective, especially the impressive Landmark 81. Finished up by early evening, just in time for dinner.
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Took the afternoon tour and it was fantastic! Cho Lon market was vibrant and full of life. Thien Hau Pagoda offered a peaceful break. The waterbus ride from Bach Dang harbor was the best part – relaxing and scenic. Views of Vinhomes Central Park and the city’s tallest buildings were stunning. District 2 was so green and peaceful from the river. Finished around 6 PM, making for a perfect afternoon adventure.
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Afternoon tour was a great experience for our family. Cho Lon market was busy and exciting, perfect for the kids to experience local culture. Thien Hau Pagoda was a nice, quiet stop. The waterbus ride was the highlight – kids loved the boat and the views were fantastic. Landmark 81 and Bitexco Tower were amazing from the river. Finished up by 6 PM, just in time to get the kids ready for dinner.
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Did the afternoon tour and it was perfect. Cho Lon market was lively and full of interesting finds. Thien Hau Pagoda was beautiful and peaceful. The waterbus ride was the highlight – seeing the city’s skyline from the river was amazing. Landmark 81 and Bitexco Tower looked incredible from the water. District 2 was so green and serene. Finished the tour around 6 PM, just in time for a relaxed evening. Highly recommend for couples!
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Spent the afternoon on this tour and it was awesome! Cho Lon market was bustling with energy. Thien Hau Pagoda in Chinatown was a serene escape. The waterbus ride from Bach Dang harbor was the highlight – such a unique way to see the city. Views of Landmark 81 and Bitexco Tower were stunning. District 2 was surprisingly green and peaceful. Tour wrapped up by 6 PM, perfect for a relaxed evening. Highly recommend!
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This morning tour was awesome! We started at the Independence Palace, which was super interesting. The architecture and history were top-notch. Notre Dame Cathedral was closed inside, but still worth seeing from the outside. The Central Post Office was a quick but lovely stop. The War Remnants Museum was intense but very educational. We finished by noon, which was perfect for grabbing lunch and chilling for the rest of the day. Highly recommend!
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Opted for the afternoon tour with our two kids and had a blast! Cho Lon market was fun and chaotic, perfect for the kids to experience local culture. Thien Hau Pagoda was a nice quiet stop. The highlight was definitely the waterbus ride – kids loved being on the boat and the views were amazing. Seeing the city from the river was a cool perspective, especially the impressive Landmark 81. Finished up around 6 PM, just in time for dinner. Highly recommend for families!
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We did the afternoon tour and loved every bit of it. Cho Lon market was lively and full of interesting finds. Thien Hau Pagoda was a peaceful escape in the middle of bustling Chinatown. The waterbus ride from Bach Dang harbor was a unique way to see the city’s skyline – Landmark 81 and Bitexco Tower looked incredible from the river. The views of District 2 were surprisingly green and scenic. Back at the hotel by early evening, such a lovely way to spend the afternoon!
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Took the morning tour and loved it. The Independence Palace is a must-see with its unique design and history. Although the Notre Dame Cathedral was closed for renovations, the exterior was still worth a look. The Central Post Office is a gem – don’t miss it. The War Remnants Museum was intense and moving. Heads up, it’s quite graphic but very impactful. Back at the hotel just after noon. Definitely recommend if you’re into history and culture!
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This morning tour was a great start to our day. We kicked off at the Independence Palace – it’s like stepping back in time. The guide shared fascinating stories about its past. The quick stops at the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office gave us a taste of French colonial architecture, even though we couldn't go inside the Cathedral. The War Remnants Museum was a powerful experience – it really makes you think. Wrapped up just before lunch and we had the rest of the day to relax. Highly recommend!
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Started my day with the morning tour and it was spot on! The Independence Palace was impressive with its rich history, and I loved learning about the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Notre Dame Cathedral is still under restoration, so we only checked out the exterior, but it’s still beautiful. The Central Post Office was a cool stop – such a charming piece of French colonial architecture. The War Remnants Museum was intense but so important to see. Be prepared, it's heavy stuff. Overall, a solid half-day tour, perfect if you’re short on time. Back at the hotel by noon!
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This tour was fantastic! The Independence Palace was impressive, and the War Remnants Museum provided a profound understanding of Vietnam’s history. Our guide was very informative. A must-do if you’re in the city!
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Great morning tour covering some of the key historical sites in Ho Chi Minh City. The Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum were highlights. The guide was excellent, though it was a bit disappointing not to enter the Notre Dame Cathedral. Overall, a very good experience.
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Absolutely loved the morning tour! The Independence Palace was stunning, and the War Remnants Museum was deeply moving. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly, making the experience even better. Highly recommend this tour!
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This tour was a highlight of my trip! Each stop was engaging and offered a different perspective of Ho Chi Minh City. The waterbus ride was especially memorable, with beautiful views of the city’s landmarks. Highly recommended!
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Great afternoon tour! The market and pagoda were both very interesting. The waterbus ride was a nice way to relax and take in the city’s skyline. The tour was well-paced, though the drop-off took longer than expected due to traffic.
