Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursion: Private Tour & Local Lunch

Summary

Explore Saigon’s Highlights on a Guided Shore Excursion

You’ll get an insider’s look at Ho Chi Minh City—from French colonial landmarks to buzzing markets and hidden temples—with stories only locals know. This tour packs history, food, culture, and real-life moments into one easy day.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me stepping off the van was the thick, warm air—Saigon always feels alive, even before 9am. Our guide, Minh, greeted us with a grin and a bottle of cold water (trust me, you’ll need it). We started at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Square. The red bricks looked almost orange in the morning sun, and there were locals selling postcards by the garden fence. Minh shared how the bricks came all the way from Marseille—never would’ve guessed. The bells chimed as we wandered around, echoing through District 1’s busy streets.

Right next door is the Central Post Office. It’s hard not to stare up at those arched windows and green shutters—inside, old ceiling fans spin lazily above wooden counters where people still send real letters. There’s even a little souvenir stall tucked in one corner; I picked up a vintage stamp for my nephew. Minh pointed out the map of old Saigon painted on the wall—easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.

We moved on to Independence Palace (locals still call it Reunification Palace). Walking past those tanks parked out front gave me goosebumps—Minh explained how they crashed through the gates back in ’75, ending the war. Inside felt like stepping into a time warp: avocado-green phones, heavy curtains, secret rooms behind bookcases. The gardens outside were full of school kids taking group photos under shady trees.

The War Remnants Museum was tough but important. The courtyard’s packed with old helicopters and tanks; inside, some of the photos are hard to look at but really put things in perspective. Minh didn’t rush us—he let everyone take their time or step outside if it got too heavy.

Lunch was at a small spot near Ben Thanh Market—plastic stools, bowls of steaming pho, and iced tea sweating on the table. You could smell grilled pork from two streets away. Afterward, we ducked into Ben Thanh itself: total sensory overload! Vendors calling out prices, piles of dragonfruit and lychees stacked high, someone frying something crispy nearby. I haggled for a silk scarf (probably overpaid but had fun trying).

Cholon (Saigon’s Chinatown) was next—a maze of narrow alleys and shopfronts with faded Chinese characters above them. We stopped at Ba Thien Hau Temple; incense smoke curled up toward painted beams while old men played chess outside. Minh told us stories about Mazu, the sea goddess—he grew up nearby so he knew all sorts of little details you won’t find in guidebooks.

The last stops were quick but memorable: Saigon Opera House gleaming white against Le Loi Street traffic (there was a poster for a ballet show taped to the door), then finally People’s Committee Building glowing gold as dusk crept in. By then my feet were tired but I didn’t want it to end—the city just keeps going long after sunset.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ho Chi Minh City Highlights

• Visit Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
• Explore Central Post Office
• Tour Independence Palace
• Visit War Remnants Museum
• See People’s Committee Building
• View Saigon Opera House
• Discover Cholon Chinatown
• Visit Ba Thien Hau Temple
• Shop at Ben Thanh Market

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for people who don’t walk much?

Yes! The pace is relaxed and there are plenty of chances to sit or rest along the way.

Are entrance fees included?

All entrance tickets are covered—you won’t need extra cash for attractions.

What kind of lunch is provided?

You’ll enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes at a local restaurant near Ben Thanh Market.

Can we customize parts of the itinerary?

The tour is private and flexible; just let your guide know your interests or needs.

Will we have free time at any stops?

You’ll have some free moments at markets or temples to explore or shop on your own if you like.

What’s included

Your day includes a friendly local guide just for your group, private transport from port to city and back again, all entry fees to sites listed above, bottled water and tissues (you’ll be glad for these!), plus an authentic Vietnamese lunch in town.