Ho Chi Minh City: Private Shore Excursion with Pagodas & Market Lunch

Summary

Saigon’s tangled streets, French relics and market scents with local lunch

You’ll walk beneath French-era arches at Notre Dame Cathedral, taste street food at Ben Thanh Market, breathe incense in Cholon’s temples and hear stories that linger long after you leave. With pickup from your cruise port and a traditional Vietnamese lunch included, this private shore excursion lets you see Saigon through local eyes—messy, moving and full of surprises.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound — scooters everywhere, a constant hum that never really stops in Ho Chi Minh City. Our guide, Hanh, met us right at the port with this big grin and a bottle of water (needed it; it was already sticky-warm). We drove straight into the city’s heart, past tangled wires and bursts of pink bougainvillea. At Notre Dame Cathedral, I almost missed Hanh’s story about the red bricks coming all the way from Marseille because I was too busy watching an old man feeding pigeons in the square. There’s something about that mix — French spires against tropical sky — that sticks with you.

I didn’t expect to get emotional at the War Remnants Museum. Some of those photos are hard to look at, honestly. Hanh let us wander at our own pace; she just waited outside and didn’t rush anyone. Afterward, we needed something lighter, so we ducked into Ben Thanh Market. The air inside is thick with grilled pork and incense — not always pleasant but definitely memorable. I tried to order iced coffee in Vietnamese (Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin — probably butchered it). Lunch was simple: rice, caramelized fish, fresh herbs. It tasted better than any hotel buffet ever could.

Cholon’s Chinatown felt like another city altogether — narrow alleys lined with lanterns and shopkeepers waving us in. Thien Hau Temple smelled like sandalwood and old stone; there were women lighting coils of incense for luck. The Jade Emperor Pagoda was quieter than I thought it’d be; turtles bobbed in a murky pool out front while locals prayed inside. Sometimes you just have to stand back and watch how people move through their day here.

I still think about that moment outside the Opera House — light bouncing off white columns, teenagers practicing dance routines on the steps while our guide pointed out bullet holes from decades ago. It’s strange how much history sits right next to everyday life in Saigon. By late afternoon my head was spinning (so many stories), but as we drove back toward the ship I realized how much more real this city felt after just one day trip from Ho Chi Minh City cruise port.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Ho Chi Minh City highlights

• Visit Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
• Tour Central Post Office nearby
• Explore Independence Palace grounds
• Visit War Remnants Museum
• See People’s Committee Building
• View Saigon Opera House exterior
• Explore Cholon Chinatown area
• Visit Ba Thien Hau Temple
• Shop at Ben Thanh Market
• Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda
• See secret weapon bunker site

Top questions

How long is the private Ho Chi Minh City shore excursion?

This is a full-day tour starting from your cruise port and returning by evening.

Does this tour include pickup from my cruise ship?

Yes, port pickup and drop-off are included in your day trip from Ho Chi Minh City cruise port.

What attractions are visited on this private tour?

You’ll visit Jade Emperor Pagoda, Ben Thanh Market, Thien Hau Temple in Chinatown (Cholon), Saigon Opera House, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, a traditional Vietnamese lunch is included during your private shore excursion.

Are entrance fees covered?

All attraction entrance fees are included as part of your booking.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The itinerary is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Will there be a local guide throughout?

A professional local guide accompanies you for the entire day trip Machu Picchu Cusco style—personalized and flexible.

How do I get around during the tour?

You’ll travel by private vehicle between sites within Ho Chi Minh City.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup right from your cruise port by private vehicle with a professional guide leading you through Saigon’s highlights—Notre Dame Cathedral, Chinatown temples and more—with all entry fees covered plus bottled water along the way and a traditional Vietnamese lunch before returning comfortably to your ship by evening.