Ho Chi Minh City scooter tour: French colonial landmarks
See the colonial heart of Saigon from the seat of a scooter.
A four-hour guided scooter tour of Ho Chi Minh City's central landmarks, departing from your hotel with a live English-speaking guide, motorbike fuel, accident insurance and helmet provided. The route covers the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Opera House, Jade Emperor Pagoda, War Remnants Museum and Nguyen Hue Walking Street, with stops to explore each site on foot.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Ho Chi Minh City landmarks
- Visit Reunification Palace
- See Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Explore Saigon Central Post Office
- View Saigon Opera House
- Walk along Nguyen Hue walking street
- Visit War Remnants Museum
- Explore Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Discover secret weapons bunker
- Return to hotel
- War Remnants Museum Entry included 20m
- Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Entry included 20m
- Saigon Central Post Office Entry included 20m
- Saigon Opera House Entry included 20m
- Jade Emperor Pagoda Entry included 20m
What’s included
- Motorbike fuel and accident insurance.
- high-quality open-faced helmet and rain poncho.
- hotel pickup and return.
- live English-speaking guide throughout the four-hour route.
- entry to the War Remnants Museum.
Times
- Every day 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00
Before you book
Operated by Saigon On Motorbike
Prices and times updated 6 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour starts at your hotel and takes you through downtown Ho Chi Minh City on a motorbike, moving between the city's most significant French colonial buildings and Vietnamese landmarks. You'll begin at the Reunification Palace, one of Vietnam's most historically important structures, then move to the Notre-Dame Cathedral: a Gothic-style basilica built between 1863 and 1880 with two bell towers reaching 190 feet. The Saigon Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel and constructed in the 1880s, sits nearby. You can step inside to see the original post office boxes and phone booths that survive from old Saigon.
From there the route includes the Saigon Opera House, built in 1897 and still one of Vietnam's top venues for classical music, and a stop at Nguyen Hue Walking Street to experience the crowded downtown atmosphere and varied architecture. The Jade Emperor Pagoda, a 100-year-old temple built by the local Chinese Cantonese community, comes next. The tour ends at the War Remnants Museum, which documents the Vietnam War and the earlier French colonial conflict, before returning you to your hotel.
Motorbike fuel and accident insurance are included in the price, along with a high-quality open-faced helmet and a rain poncho if weather turns. A female Ao Dai rider option is available if you book at least six hours ahead. Otherwise rider gender depends on availability. The guide speaks English throughout and can answer questions at each stop.
Is this one for you?Four hours leaves room for breakfast before pickup and lunch after you return, so the tour fits neatly into a morning or early afternoon without consuming your whole day. The scooter pace means you cover more ground than walking would allow, reaching six major landmarks and two museums without the fatigue of a longer excursion.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (under 5): free.
What is the Reunification Palace and why is it the first stop on this tour?
The Reunification Palace is one of Vietnam's most historically significant buildings and the opening landmark of the tour. It represents a pivotal moment in the country's modern history and sits in the heart of central Ho Chi Minh City, making it the natural starting point before moving to the nearby French colonial structures.
Can I ride the scooter myself, or does a guide drive while I sit as a passenger?
A guide drives the motorbike while you ride as a passenger. The guide navigates the city and stops at each landmark so you can explore on foot. You don't need a motorcycle license or riding experience.
What are the French colonial buildings I'll see on this tour?
The main colonial-era sites are the Notre-Dame Cathedral (built 1863–1880), the Saigon Central Post Office (1880s, designed by Gustave Eiffel), and the Saigon Opera House (built 1897). All three are Gothic-style structures in downtown Ho Chi Minh City and represent the architectural legacy of French rule in Saigon.
Is the War Remnants Museum included in the tour, and what will I see there?
Yes, the War Remnants Museum is the final stop before returning to your hotel. The museum, established in 1975, contains exhibits about the Vietnam War and the earlier First Indochina War involving French colonists. Entry is included as part of the tour.
What happens if I want to ride in an Ao Dai traditional dress?
An Ao Dai rider option is available if you request it at least six hours before the tour. On busier days or shorter notice, rider gender is assigned based on availability. This option lets you ride in traditional Vietnamese dress for photos and the experience.
How long is the tour, and what's included in the price?
The tour runs four hours and includes motorbike fuel, accident insurance, a high-quality helmet, a rain poncho if needed, hotel pickup, and a live English-speaking guide. You pay one price. No additional fees for these items.
Ho Chi Minh City scooter tour: French colonial landmarks
4h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 25 per person
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