Saigon Scooter Tour: Ho Chi Minh City Thich Quang Duc, Chinatown
See the city the way locals move through it, on the back of a scooter.
A 4-hour guided scooter tour of Ho Chi Minh City departing at 8:00 AM, riding through District 5 and District 4 to visit the Thich Quang Duc monument, Thien Hau Temple (the oldest in Chinatown), a 1865 church, the city's biggest flower market, a floating market, and local food stops. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, helmet, all food and drinks, motorbike and fuel, accident insurance, and hotel pickup. Female Ao Dai riders require 6 hours' advance notice. Rider gender is random on later or crowded days.
Step-by-step itinerary
Morning Saigon city exploration
- Meet English speaking guide at 8:00 AM
- Visit Thich Quang Duc monument
- Drink coffee and visit 1968 bunker
- See oldest apartment and biggest flower market
- Visit Thien Hau Temple in District 5
- Visit oldest church built in 1865
- Drive to floating market and drink coconut juice
- Enjoy spring roll vermicelli in District 4
- End tour and say goodbye
What’s included
- Hotel pickup at 8:00 AM.
- high-quality open-faced helmet.
- motorbike and fuel.
- coffee at a local shop.
- a visit to a 1968 weapons bunker.
- entry to the oldest apartment complex and the biggest flower market.
- Thien Hau Temple in Chinatown.
- the oldest church (built 1865).
- coconut juice at the floating market.
- spring roll vermicelli in District 4.
- all food and drinks throughout.
- accident insurance.
- rain poncho if needed.
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
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts at 8:00 AM with pickup from your hotel. Your English-speaking guide meets you with a high-quality open-faced helmet and a motorbike. The first stop is the Thich Quang Duc monument, where you'll learn the story of the Buddhist monk who self-immolated in 1963 as an act of protest: a pivotal moment in the city's history. From there, you ride to a local coffee shop for a break, and while you're there, your guide takes you into a bunker that once held weapons for the 1968 attack on the Independence Palace, a tangible piece of the war that shaped the city.
The ride then weaves through alleys to the oldest apartment complex in Ho Chi Minh City, giving you a real sense of how people live in the dense neighborhoods. You'll stop at the biggest flower market in the city (a riot of color and vendors) before heading to District 5. There, you visit Thien Hau Temple, the oldest temple in Chinatown, and the oldest church in the city, built in 1865 by Father Phillippe of the Paris Missionaries Association. These two stops sit blocks apart and show the religious layers of the same neighborhood. A ride to the floating market follows, where you drink fresh coconut juice and watch the market operate on the water.
The final stop is District 4, the smallest district in Saigon, where you eat spring roll vermicelli at a local spot. All food and drinks throughout the tour are included (coffee, coconut juice, and the vermicelli), so you're not hunting for cash or deciding where to eat. The tour wraps at the end of the morning, and your guide drops you back at your hotel. If you want to ride as a passenger with a female Ao Dai rider (a woman in traditional dress on the back), book at least 6 hours ahead. Otherwise, rider gender is assigned based on the day's schedule.
Is this one for you?You ride as a passenger on the back of a scooter with a guide steering, so this suits travelers who want to see the city move but don't want to navigate traffic themselves. If you want a female Ao Dai rider on the back with you, book at least 6 hours ahead. Otherwise, rider gender depends on the day's schedule. A private option is available if you'd rather have your own guide and scooter instead of sharing.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (under 5): free.
What exactly is the Thich Quang Duc monument and why does it matter to Ho Chi Minh City?
The Thich Quang Duc monument marks the site where a Buddhist monk named Thich Quang Duc self-immolated in 1963 as a protest against government persecution of Buddhists. It's a pivotal moment in Vietnamese history and the city's story, and your guide walks you through what happened and why it changed the country.
Do I ride the scooter myself, or do I sit as a passenger?
You sit as a passenger on the back of the scooter while your English-speaking guide drives. The guide navigates the streets and stops, so you can focus on the sights and the ride itself without needing to know the roads.
What's included in the tour price, and do I need to pay for food separately?
All food and drinks are included: coffee at the local shop, coconut juice at the floating market, and spring roll vermicelli in District 4. The motorbike, fuel, helmet, accident insurance, and hotel pickup are also included. You don't need to carry cash for meals or entry fees during the tour.
What is Thien Hau Temple, and where is it?
Thien Hau Temple is the oldest temple in Chinatown (District 5) and reflects the rich Chinese heritage of that neighborhood. Your guide takes you there to see the temple and learn about the history of Chinese settlement in Ho Chi Minh City.
Is this tour private, or will I be riding with other travelers?
A private option is available if you want your own guide and scooter. Otherwise, the standard tour is shared, and you'll ride with other travelers on separate scooters with separate guides, all following the same route and stops.
What happens if it rains?
A rain poncho is provided if needed, so you can stay dry during the ride. The tour runs rain or shine, and the poncho is included in the package.
Saigon Scooter Tour: Ho Chi Minh City Thich Quang Duc, Chinatown
4h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 25 per person
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