Ho Chi Minh City Full-Day Tour: Colonial Sites & Saigon River

Walk colonial landmarks and float the river, then lose an afternoon in Chinatown's markets and temples.

A full-day guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City covering six major stops (Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, War Remnants Museum, Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market) with lunch, Vietnamese coffee and a scenic water taxi journey along the Saigon River. Small groups stay under 15 people. An English-speaking guide shares historical narratives and local stories throughout the day. Hotel pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Reunification Palace1h · entry included
2. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral10m
3. Saigon Central Post Office45m
4. War Remnants Museum45m · entry included
5. Thien Hau Temple30m
6. Binh Tay Market30m

Explore Ho Chi Minh City landmarks and culture

• Visit Reunification Palace
• See Notre Dame Cathedral exterior
• Explore Central Post Office and get postcards
• Tour War Remnants Museum
• Enjoy lunch at local eatery
• Drink traditional Vietnamese coffee
• Take Saigon River water taxi ride
• Visit Thien Hau Temple in Chinatown
• Explore Binh Tay Market
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts at Reunification Palace, where the fall of Saigon in 1975 unfolded. The 1960s architecture and meticulously maintained interiors anchor the morning, and your guide walks you through the building's role in Vietnam's unification. From there, you move to Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral: its Neo-Romanesque exterior built with French-imported materials still dominates the historic core, though interior access is currently closed for renovation. Next door stands the Central Post Office, a Gustave Eiffel design with soaring ceilings that blend European grace and Vietnamese influence. You'll receive complimentary TNK TRAVEL postcards here as a keepsake.

The War Remnants Museum comes next, a sobering stop where photographic displays, military hardware and installations document the human cost and ecological damage of the Vietnam War. After that intensity, lunch arrives at a handpicked local eatery serving authentic Vietnamese dishes (pho, spring rolls, tropical fruits), made with locally sourced ingredients and time-honored techniques. A Vietnamese coffee follows at a charming café with views of the city's motorbike streams and architectural blend below. Then comes the river: a scenic water taxi journey along the Saigon River reveals Landmark 81 (Vietnam's tallest structure), the Bitexco Financial Tower and District 2's residential areas, all framed by colonial buildings and ultramodern skyscrapers. This vantage point explains why locals call the city the "Pearl of the Far East."

The afternoon shifts to Cho Lon, Saigon's historic Chinatown, where Vietnamese and Chinese cultures have fused for centuries. Thien Hau Temple (a 19th-century pagoda dedicated to the sea goddess) features elaborate roof designs, intricate porcelain scenes and massive incense coils hanging from the ceiling. It remains an active place of worship for the Chinese community. Binh Tay Market, completed in 1928 and marked by a prominent clock tower and dragon-emblazoned exterior, fills the final stretch: textiles, handicrafts, spices, dried goods and traditional remedies crowd the stalls in a sensory immersion that has shaped Cho Lon's commerce for generations. Your return to the hotel concludes the day, though timing may shift due to traffic and weather.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide sharing historical narratives and local stories.
• hotel pickup and return.
• lunch at a local eatery with authentic Vietnamese dishes.
• Vietnamese coffee at a charming café.
• scenic water taxi journey along the Saigon River.
• complimentary TNK TRAVEL postcards at the Central Post Office.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all ground transport.
• entry to all six attractions (Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market).
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30Last departure this season: 31 Dec

AgesAdult (10 to 65 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TNK Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want colonial landmarks and Chinatown covered in one structured day with a group. Choose a self-guided walk if you'd rather linger at fewer sites or set your own pace.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Reunification Palace and why does it matter to Ho Chi Minh City's history?

Reunification Palace is the site where the fall of Saigon occurred in 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the country's unification. The 1960s building's interiors and architecture are preserved as a historical landmark, and your guide explains its significance throughout the morning stop.

Does the tour include entry to the War Remnants Museum?

Yes, the War Remnants Museum is included as a full stop on the itinerary. The museum houses photographic displays, military hardware and installations documenting the Vietnam War's impact, and you'll have time to walk through the exhibits with your guide's historical context.

What happens during the water taxi ride on the Saigon River?

The water taxi journey offers a scenic perspective of Ho Chi Minh City's skyline, including views of Landmark 81, the Bitexco Financial Tower and the contrast between colonial-era buildings and modern skyscrapers. The afternoon sun illuminates the cityscape and explains the city's nicknames as the "Pearl of the Far East" and "Paris of Indochina."

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will I eat?

Lunch is included at a handpicked local eatery serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. The menu typically features dishes like pho, spring rolls and tropical fruits, prepared using time-honored techniques.

What is Binh Tay Market and what will I find there?

Binh Tay Market is Chinatown's commercial core, completed in 1928 and identifiable by its prominent clock tower and dragon-emblazoned exterior. Inside, stalls sell textiles, handicrafts, spices, dried goods and traditional remedies, reflecting centuries of trade in the district.

How many people typically join this tour?

Groups stay under 15 people, ensuring personalized attention from your English-speaking guide throughout the day.