Ho Chi Minh City Half-Day Afternoon Tour: 6 Major Attractions

Explore Saigon’s vibrant streets and historic landmarks in one unforgettable afternoon.

This half-day afternoon tour of Ho Chi Minh City visits six major attractions (the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Jade Emperor Pagoda and Ben Thanh Market) with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup from central districts, all entrance fees and transport by air-conditioned minivan. The tour runs four hours and includes bottled water and wheat cake. Children under 5 are free, and vegetarian meal options are available if requested at booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. War Remnants Museum30m · entry included
2. Reunification Palace30m · entry included
3. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral30m · entry included
4. Saigon Central Post Office30m · entry included
5. Jade Emperor Pagoda30m · entry included
6. Ben Thanh Market30m · entry included

Explore Ho Chi Minh City's major attractions

• Visit War Remnants Museum
• Tour The Reunification Palace
• See Notre Dame Cathedral
• Explore Central Post Office
• Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda
• Shop at Ben Thanh Market

The experience

The afternoon begins with hotel pickup in central Ho Chi Minh City (Districts 1, 3 or 4), then moves through the city's layered history. The War Remnants Museum anchors the first stop, followed by the Reunification Palace, where the guide walks you through the building's role in Vietnam's modern past. From there, the route takes in the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office (both colonial-era landmarks standing side by side) before heading to the Jade Emperor Pagoda, a working temple where incense smoke drifts through narrow rooms lined with gold-painted statues and altars.

Ben Thanh Market closes the tour, a sprawling covered bazaar where vendors sell everything from fresh produce and street-food ingredients to souvenirs and textiles. The guide navigates the stalls, and you move through the controlled chaos at your own pace. Transport between stops happens in an air-conditioned minivan, which matters in the afternoon heat. All entrance fees are covered, so there's no separate payment at each site.

The tour includes bottled water and wheat cake during the stops. If you've booked the Street Food or Dinner on Cruise options, the food experience happens after the main tour ends. Confirmation arrives at the time of booking, and the tour suits all fitness levels. Most of the day is walking at a moderate pace through museums and markets, with some standing in the pagoda and cathedral.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in central Districts 1, 3 and 4.
• entrance fees to all six attractions.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• bottled water and wheat cake.

Options for this experience

4 options

City TourGuide in English · 14:30Deluxe group tour for 2 to 12 guests. Hotel pickup and drop-off in the central area of District 1, 3 and 4. Pickup is included

Private City TourGuide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 14:30Private city tour. Pickup is included

City tour with street foodGuide in English · 14:30Street food included: after sightseeing around the city, we sample local cuisine such as banh xeo and goi cuon (spring rolls), and more. Pickup is included

City tour with dinner on a cruiseGuide in English · 14:30Once the city tour ends, we head to the harbor for a dinner cruise to enjoy the city lights and panoramic views. Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 14:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

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 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by KIM TRAVEL

Is this one for you?Book the standard City Tour if you want the landmarks and market without a meal commitment. Choose City Tour and Street Food to add local dishes like banh xeo and spring rolls after the main tour, or pick City Tour and Dinner on Cruise if you'd rather end the day on the water with a meal. Private City Tour keeps the group to your party alone, which works if you're traveling with family or prefer a flexible pace through the six stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): 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 exactly is inside the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City?

The War Remnants Museum documents Vietnam's war history through photographs, weapons, military vehicles and personal artifacts. It's a substantial collection housed in a multi-story building in central Ho Chi Minh City, and the tour includes entry and time to walk through the exhibits with your guide.

Can I visit Ben Thanh Market on my own after the tour ends, or is it the last stop?

Ben Thanh Market is the final stop on the tour itinerary. After the market, you're dropped back at your hotel. The market itself stays open into the evening, so if you want to return later on your own, it's accessible by local transport or taxi from your accommodation.

Does the tour include lunch or just snacks?

The standard City Tour includes bottled water and wheat cake. If you book the City Tour and Street Food option, you'll experience local dishes like banh xeo, spring rolls, banh mi and hot pot after the main tour. The City Tour and Dinner on Cruise option adds a meal on the water in the evening.

How much walking is involved in this four-hour tour?

You'll walk through the War Remnants Museum, around the Reunification Palace grounds, through the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office area, and spend time browsing Ben Thanh Market. The Jade Emperor Pagoda involves climbing stairs and moving through multiple rooms. Most of the day is on foot at a moderate pace, with transport by minivan between sites.

Is hotel pickup available from all areas of Ho Chi Minh City?

Hotel pickup is included for accommodations in central Ho Chi Minh City: specifically Districts 1, 3 and 4. If your hotel is outside these areas, public transportation options are available nearby to reach the tour starting point.