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Offered languages
- English
Your expert local guide will show you the city's highlights and hidden gems. On this walking tour you will be able to see a lot of places within a short timeframe. Apart from explaining the sights, your guide can provide insight into the history and culture of the city and the country in general. The focus of this tour is to see the city through the eyes of a local. This private tour can be customized according to your personal preferences. Sightseeing points to visit can be agreed upon in advance or discussed when meeting up. Therefore, the sightseeing points listed below in the itinerary are just an example of what is possible. Your guide can suggest other sightseeing points that better suit your interests. Please note that this is a tour with a local person or expat, not with a tour guide who has detailed historical knowledge. If such knowledge is important to you, you should book another tour.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Please note that the standard way of pickup is by foot, meaning that the guide can come by foot or by public transport to your location.
Meet your guide at Ciao Cafe on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street.
Itinerary
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1Nguyen Hue Street
Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street is the vibrant, modern heart of Ho Chi Minh City's District 1, connecting the historic People's Committee Building to the Saigon River. This spacious boulevard is a favorite gathering spot for locals and tourists, especially in the evenings and on weekends when it becomes a bustling hub for street performances and social activities. Key attractions include the Ho Chi Minh Statue and the unique 42 Nguyen Hue Apartment Building, which houses numerous trendy cafes and boutiques with great city views.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
The 42 Nguyen Hue Apartment Building is a unique, nine-story residential block that has been creatively transformed into a trendy vertical mall, featuring over 30 independent cafes, boutiques, and co-working spaces. As you ascend the old staircase or elevator, each former apartment offers a distinct style, often featuring a balcony with great views overlooking the bustling pedestrian street below. This spot perfectly captures the energetic and creative spirit of modern Ho Chi Minh City.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Central Post Office
The Saigon Central Post Office is the largest post office and one of the oldest colonial structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Its breathtaking architecture, featuring a grand hall and intricate details, makes it a vital part of the city's colonial legacy and a popular photo stop.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral boasts breathtaking architecture, originally featuring stained-glass windows, elaborate stone carvings, and spires reaching heights of over 100 meters. This iconic landmark stands as a testament to the city's colonial past and religious heritage.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is the most famous shopping destination for tourists, offering a wide array of local handicrafts, branded items, Vietnamese art, and other souvenirs. It's a bustling hub where you can experience the vibrant local trade culture.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6The Independence Palace
Independence Palace is a historical monument witnessing significant changes in Saigon’s history. This iconic building served as the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and its preserved rooms offer a fascinating glimpse into the nation's past.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
7War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum is a poignant museum that vividly shows the evolution and brutal realities of the Vietnam War. It displays military equipment, photographic exhibits, and historical artifacts, offering a powerful perspective on the conflict's impact.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
8
Bui Vien Walking Street is the vibrant heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s nightlife, renowned for its dynamic energy and round-the-clock activity. Visitors can experience a mix of inexpensive bars, street food stalls, music venues, and souvenir shops that create a lively, bustling atmosphere. It's the perfect place for tourists to socialize, people-watch, and enjoy a quintessential Saigon street scene, especially after dark when the street is closed to traffic.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
The Saigon Waterbus offers a relaxing boat ride on the Saigon River with excellent panoramic views of the city skyline, especially perfect during sunset. It provides a unique perspective of Ho Chi Minh City's urban landscape and waterways.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
10
Saigon Japan Town, centered on the small alleys between Le Thanh Ton and Thai Van Lung streets, is a charming "Little Tokyo" with a distinctly Japanese feel. This compact neighborhood is characterized by red-and-white lanterns, wooden storefronts, and is a haven for authentic Japanese cuisine, from cozy ramen shops to traditional izakayas. It truly comes alive at night, offering a peaceful, immersive experience that stands out amid the bustle of District 1.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
11Bitexco Financial Tower
Bitexco Financial Tower is an iconic skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City, with a unique design modeled after the image of a lotus bud reaching up to the sky. Its Saigon Skydeck observation platform offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
12
Ho Thi Ky Food Street is a bustling street market known for offering some of the best and most diverse street food in Vietnam, with a strong influence from Cambodian cuisine due to its location near a Cambodian market. It's a vibrant spot for culinary exploration.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
13
Thao Dien is Ho Chi Minh City's lush, cosmopolitan enclave, known for its tranquil, tree-lined streets and position along the Saigon River. It is a popular spot for expats, offering a distinct lifestyle with a wide range of international restaurants, stylish boutiques, and trendy independent cafes. Visitors can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, riverside dining at places like The Deck, and browsing unique art galleries and shops.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free -
14
Cholon is Vietnam’s largest Chinatown, a historical and cultural district bursting with energy. It's characterized by its bustling markets, traditional Chinese temples, ancient assembly halls, and traditional medicine shops, offering a glimpse into the rich heritage of the Chinese-Vietnamese community.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
15
Thien Hau Temple is a beautiful Chinese-style temple in Cholon, holding high cultural and historical significance. Dedicated to Mazu, the Chinese sea goddess, it is renowned for its elaborate porcelain dioramas, intricate woodcarvings, and the pervasive scent of burning incense spirals.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
16Binh Tay Market
Binh Tay Market is the oldest and one of the largest wholesale markets in Ho Chi Minh City's Cholon (Chinatown) district. It's a vibrant hub for local commerce, offering a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and smells, with everything from fresh produce to textiles and household goods.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
17Emperor Jade Pagoda
The Jade Emperor Pagoda (also known as Tortoise Pagoda) is one of the most atmospheric Taoist temples in Ho Chi Minh City, filled with intricately carved statues of divinities and grotesque heroes. Its incense-filled interior and unique artistry create a spiritual and mystical ambiance.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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