Ho Chi Minh City: Afternoon Scooter Tour & Historical Sights

Summary

Ho Chi Minh’s stories by scooter from palaces to pagodas

You’ll ride through Ho Chi Minh City’s wild streets by scooter with a local guide, stopping at landmarks like Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Feel history at the War Remnants Museum and catch your breath inside Jade Emperor Pagoda. Expect laughter, unexpected details, and a real taste of Saigon’s pulse—plus hotel pickup and helmets included.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to laugh so much in Ho Chi Minh City traffic, but there I was—helmet slightly crooked, clutching my camera as our guide Linh weaved us through a river of scooters. The city’s energy is a real thing you can feel (and hear—so many horns). We zipped past the Reunification Palace, its gates looking almost sleepy compared to the chaos outside. Linh pointed out some old bullet marks near the entrance—tiny scars you’d miss if you weren’t looking. I tried to imagine what it must’ve sounded like here decades ago.

Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Central Post Office are just around the corner, but they feel a world apart from each other. The cathedral’s red bricks looked faded in the late afternoon sun, and I caught a whiff of incense from somewhere nearby—maybe someone praying for luck before rush hour? Inside the post office, it was all cool tiles and echoes; Linh showed us an old phone booth and told us how people used to queue for hours just to call relatives overseas. I still think about that kind of patience.

We rolled down Nguyen Hue Walking Street, dodging kids on rollerblades and couples taking selfies with City Hall glowing at one end. The War Remnants Museum hit me harder than I expected—some photos there just stick with you. After that, Jade Emperor Pagoda felt like stepping into another world entirely: smoky air, soft chanting, and this odd peace despite all the scooters honking outside. Linh taught me how to bow properly (I probably messed it up), but she smiled anyway. We ended up back at my hotel, hair windblown and grinning for no good reason except maybe just being part of Saigon for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Ho Chi Minh City landmarks

• Visit War Remnants Museum
• See Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Explore Saigon Central Post Office
• View Saigon Opera House
• Walk along Nguyen Hue Walking Street
• Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda
• Return to hotel and conclude tour

Top questions

How long does the Ho Chi Minh City scooter tour last?

The afternoon city historical scooter tour typically lasts several hours, depending on traffic and stops.

Are helmets provided during the scooter tour?

Yes, high-quality open-faced helmets are included for all participants.

Which landmarks are visited on this scooter tour?

The tour includes Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Opera House, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, War Remnants Museum, and Jade Emperor Pagoda.

Is hotel pickup included in the Ho Chi Minh City scooter tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included as part of your booking.

Can vegetarians join this scooter tour?

Yes, there is a vegetarian option available upon request.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers?

No, it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

Are female Ao Dai riders guaranteed on every tour?

No, female Ao Dai riders require 6 hours advance notice; otherwise rider gender is random depending on availability.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hotel pickup by friendly local guides (sometimes in Ao Dai if requested ahead), all motorbike fuel and accident insurance covered, high-quality open-faced helmet plus rain poncho if needed—and you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel when it’s over.