Overview

Ancient civilization meets the modern metropolis in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city and the site of the country's fastest progress. Through French colonialism and the upsurge of modernity, Ho Chi Minh City changed from ‘Saigon’ after the American War, and is completely unrecognizable from the city it was 100 years ago. Ancient Chinese temples sit alongside skyscrapers as the city’s many roots mingle in one collective mass.

The Ho Chi Minh City Full Day Tour, operated by Incredible Asia Journeys, shows you the juxtaposition of old and new through the architecture and atmosphere of the new Saigon. We will take a tour through the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, and the Old Post Office to discover Ho Chi Minh City’s modern history, while the Giac Lam Pagoda and Thien Hau Pagoda in Cho Lon best exemplify the ancient roots that survive to this day.

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Places you’ll see

Ho Chi Minh City

Highlights

Seeing sites of incredible historical value, most significantly the Reunification Palace, the place where the American War ended
Driving through the busy streets of this emerging Asian superpower
Enjoying local Saigonese food, a facet of the city that has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years
A trip around the ancient, spiritual area of Cho Lon to visit pagodas and temples

Itinerary

Activities: Taking several tours around the city’s most impressive and historic sites, including the Reunification Palace, Old Post Office, War Remnants Museum and the oriental majesty of Cho Lon.

Await pick-up from your hotel at 08.00 am as we embark on the Ho Chi Minh City Full Day Tour. Our first stop is the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. 30th April 1975 is a date etched into world history, when this became the last stronghold of the South Vietnamese, as well as many American diplomats, as they attempted to flee the incoming North Vietnamese army via helicopter from the roof of the palace.

We take a brief stop at the Old Post Office to admire the French colonial architecture from over 100 years ago. Afterwards, we check out the War Remnants Museum, one of the most comprehensive museums in the country, giving accounts from both Vietnamese and U.S sources and housing many American war vehicles like full-scale tanks and jets.

Lunch and a break will be followed by a drive to the western part of the city and Giac Lam Pagoda, an impressive 6-tier Buddhist pagoda standing since 1774, making it the oldest in the city.

Next, we head south to Cho Lon, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown area, where we will find many interesting facets of a different culture, including Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the Chinese Sea Goddess, Mazu. We will see many small pagodas and temples around Cho Lon dedicated to Chinese deities and built by the Chinese minorities who live here.

We will finish the tour with a stop off at Ben Thanh Market, the site of much activity and haggling as tourists and locals come for the best deals on anything from food to clothes and jewellery to pieces of art.

The Ho Chi Minh City Full Day Tour ends in the late afternoon once we drop you off at your hotel. We would like to extend our thanks for joining us on this conclusive discovery of Ho Chi Minh City’s many attractions. We hope to see you again in the future!

Meals: Lunch