Ho Chi Minh City: Private Full Day Tour with Lunch & Top Landmarks

Summary

French colonial echoes, market chaos, war stories and incense haze in Saigon

You’ll move through Saigon’s layers—from the solemn halls of Reunification Palace to smoky incense at Thien Hau Temple—guided by locals who know every shortcut and story. Expect honest flavors at lunch, market chaos you can’t fake, and moments that linger after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We slid out of the hotel lobby just as the city was starting to buzz — scooters already weaving around us like schools of fish. Our guide, Minh, waved us over to a van that felt like a cool bubble in the sticky air. First stop: Reunification Palace. I’d seen photos before, but actually walking through those echoey halls — the 70s furniture still sitting there like someone just stepped out for coffee — hit different. Minh pointed out the tanks outside (“That one really crashed through,” he said, grinning), and I tried to picture the chaos in 1975. The gardens smelled green and damp after last night’s rain. It’s weird how quiet it feels now.

The War Remnants Museum was next, and honestly, I didn’t expect it to get under my skin so much. Some rooms were almost silent except for shuffling feet — people staring at old photos or that hulking helicopter outside. Minh didn’t rush us; he let us wander. I caught myself holding my breath at one point. After that, we walked toward Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office (the yellow building looks straight out of a Wes Anderson film). There was a guy inside writing postcards by hand — something about that felt gentle in all the city noise.

Lunch came just when we needed it — bowls of pho steaming up my glasses while Minh explained how his grandmother used to make broth for hours (“You have to taste with your nose first,” he joked). Then Cholon: Chinatown’s alleys twisting around us, red lanterns overhead and shopkeepers calling out prices I couldn’t quite catch. The Thien Hau Temple was thick with incense; I watched an old woman light three sticks, eyes closed tight in prayer. The air tasted smoky-sweet. Ben Thanh Market was our last big stop; it’s loud, messy, smells like grilled meat and chili oil — I got lost for five minutes trying to find the exit and ended up buying dried mango from a lady who laughed when I tried bargaining in Vietnamese (I probably paid double). So yeah… not everything went smoothly but honestly that’s what made it feel real.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Ho Chi Minh City landmarks and culture

• Visit Reunification Palace
• Tour War Remnants Museum
• See Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
• Explore Saigon Central Post Office
• Pass by Saigon Opera House
• Discover Cholon Chinatown
• Visit Ba Thien Hau Temple
• Shop at Ben Thanh Market

Top questions

What landmarks are included on this Ho Chi Minh City day tour?

The tour covers Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House, Cholon (Chinatown), Thien Hau Temple, and Ben Thanh Market.

Is lunch provided during the private full day tour?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour package.

How long does it take to reach Cholon from central Ho Chi Minh City?

Cholon is roughly a twenty-minute drive from the city centre.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup is included for your convenience.

Are entrance fees covered in this private day trip?

All sightseeing and entrance fees are included in the price of the tour.

Is this Ho Chi Minh City tour suitable for families?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What should I expect at Ben Thanh Market?

You’ll find handicrafts, souvenirs, food stalls with Vietnamese cuisine—and a lively atmosphere best avoided during midday heat.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated for lunch?

Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking so arrangements can be made.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle, entry fees to all major sites like Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum, two bottles of mineral water per person to keep you going in the heat, an English-speaking guide who knows their way around every corner of Ho Chi Minh City—and a traditional lunch at a local restaurant before heading back in comfort.