Saigon City Tour

1 day

Duration

7/10

physicality

Saigon

location

2, 3, 4, 5, 6

group-size

Year-round

dates

Join a full day tour of Saigon and discover iconic sights such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Reunification Hall, War Remnants Museum, Cho Lon Market, China Town and Thien Hau Temple

ARRIVAL LOCATION

Ho Chi Minh

DEPARTURE LOCATION

Ho Chi Minh

INCLUDED

Private transfers
Professional guide	Meals (Lunch)
Boat cruises	Entrance fees

NOT INCLUDED

Internal and external flights

Personal expenses

Visa fee

Travel insurance

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It was once known as Prey Nokor, an important Khmer sea port prior to annexation by the Vietnamese in the 17th century. Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochin china and later of the independent republic of South Vietnam 1955–75. Ho Chi Minh City now is Vietnam at its most dizzying: a high-octane city of commerce and culture that has driven the whole country forward with its pulsating energy. A chaotic whirl, the city breathes life and vitality into all who settle here – visitors cannot help but be hauled along for the ride.

Our guide and driver will come to meet you at your hotel in Saigon around 8:30am and start your day with a visit two iconic architectural landmarks the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office built between 1877 and 1883 by renowned designer Gustav Eiffel. The cathedral still remains an active church with services each day and is favored backdrop for Vietnamese wedding photographs. From the cathedral, you will take a short stroll along Dong Khoi Street to Opera House. From a bomb shelter to housing the parliamentary Lower House, the Opera House has had an interesting history. Restored in 1995 the Opera House has returned to its roots and is once again a theatre.
Afterward, you will continue to visit Reunification Hall, once a symbol of the South Vietnamese Government. It was here on 30 April 1975, that the war ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. See the war room, the banquet hall and the presidential office with the unusual gifts which have been received, followed by War Remnants Museum. You will hear about the story of the city’s darkest and most tragic hours during the Vietnam War. The museum contains displays of military aircraft, weaponry and many photographs – some that are quite graphic in nature. After lunch, you will move to Cholon the city’s Chinatown and Thien Hau Pagoda which is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. With intricate friezes, carved tableau and impressive incense coils make for some great photos. Then observe street life with a cyclo ride through the narrow streets to Binh Tay market that sells everything from hats to dried squid! If time permits, you will also visit Ben Thanh Market on your return to hotel around 5.00pm. End of your Saigon city tour.