Ho Chi Minh City shore excursion from Phu My Port: Private guide

Land at Phu My and see Ho Chi Minh City's colonial landmarks and temples in one guided afternoon

A private shore excursion from Phu My Port to Ho Chi Minh City with an English-speaking guide, private vehicle and driver sized to your group. The itinerary covers the Saigon Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Cholon's Thien Hau Temple and Jade Emperor Pagoda, with lunch, Vietnamese egg coffee, all entrance fees and bottled water included. The guide contacts you before arrival and the schedule flexes to match your interests and pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Saigon Central Post Office30m
2. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral30m
3. War Remnants Museum1h · entry included
4. Reunification Palace1h · entry included
5. Cholon1h
6. Thien Hau Temple30m
7. Jade Emperor Pagoda30m

Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursion Highlights

• Meet guide at port gate
• Visit Saigon Central Post Office
• Explore Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
• Tour War Remnants Museum
• Visit Independence Palace
• See Ho Chi Minh City Hall
• Walk along pedestrian street
• Explore Biet Dong Sai Gon bunker
• Visit Cholon Chinatown and Binh Tay Market
• See Thien Hau Temple
• Stroll Nguyen Hue boulevard
• Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda

The experience

You arrive at Phu My Port with a few hours to spend in Ho Chi Minh City. Your guide meets you at the port gate with your name in hand, having already reached out via phone or WhatsApp to confirm the time. A private vehicle sized for your group takes you into the city, and from there the day unfolds around the sites that matter to you: the guide adjusts the route and timing to fit what you want to see and how long you want to linger.

The tour typically moves through downtown landmarks: the Saigon Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral, both built during French colonial rule in the late 19th century; the War Remnants Museum, which documents the First Indochina War and Vietnam War; and the Reunification Palace, the former home and workplace of the Republic of Vietnam's president. You'll also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, a Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian temple founded by a Chinese merchant, and cross into Cholon, Vietnam's largest Chinatown, where the 18th-century Thien Hau Temple sits among markets and street food stalls. The guide speaks English throughout and provides context for each stop.

Lunch is Vietnamese cuisine, included in the price. You'll also taste the city's famous egg coffee and have bottled water on hand. All entrance fees are covered. The vehicle returns you to Phu My Port in time for your ship's departure, so the timing is built around your schedule, not the other way around.

What’s included

• Private vehicle and driver sized to your group.
• English-speaking professional guide.
• pickup and drop-off at Phu My Port timed to your ship.
• Vietnamese lunch.
• Vietnamese egg coffee.
• all entrance fees and taxes.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Maximus Travel Vietnam

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you'll understand the history and context at each stop without needing to read ahead or rely on translation. The private vehicle and flexible itinerary let you move at your own pace and skip sites that don't interest you, which matters when your time in port is measured in hours, not days.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How does the guide contact me before the tour starts?

Your guide reaches out in advance via your phone number, WhatsApp, iMessage or another method you arrange, so you know exactly when and where to meet at the port gate.

What is the Jade Emperor Pagoda?

The Jade Emperor Pagoda, also called Phuoc Hai Tu, is a Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian temple in District 1 founded by a Chinese merchant named Liu Daoyuan. It's known for its ornate interior and spiritual significance to the city.

What is Cholon and what will I see there?

Cholon is Vietnam's largest Chinatown, home to Binh Tay Market and narrow lanes packed with eateries, street food stalls and traditional herb stores. The Thien Hau Temple, an 18th-century Chinese-style temple dedicated to Mazu, the goddess of the sea, sits at its heart and hosts a yearly festival for Mazu's birth anniversary.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is it?

Yes, lunch is included and features Vietnamese cuisine. You'll also taste Vietnamese egg coffee, a specialty of the city, and have complimentary bottled water throughout the day.

Can I customize which sites we visit?

The itinerary is fully flexible and can be customized to match your interests and pace. Your guide works with you to decide which attractions to prioritize and how much time to spend at each one.