Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursion: War Remnants Museum

See five of Ho Chi Minh City's landmarks in one morning and afternoon without leaving the port.

A full-day guided tour from Phu My Port to Ho Chi Minh City's main historical sites, including the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the French colonial Central Post Office, with an English-speaking guide, lunch, and air-conditioned transport. The nine-hour itinerary is timed to return you to the ship on schedule. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated at booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Reunification Palace1h · entry included
2. War Remnants Museum1h · entry included
3. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral30m · entry included
4. Saigon Central Post Office30m · entry included
5. Thien Hau Temple1h · entry included

Full day Ho Chi Minh City tour

• Travel from Phu My Port to Ho Chi Minh City
• Visit Independence Palace
• Explore War Remnants Museum
• See Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
• Visit Saigon Central Post Office
• Tour Thien Hau Temple in Chinatown
• Return to Phu My Port

The experience

You board an air-conditioned vehicle at Phu My Port and travel to Ho Chi Minh City proper, where the guide leads you through the War Remnants Museum: a sobering, extensive look at the Vietnam War through photographs, artifacts, and documents. The museum sits at the center of the day. The other stops branch out from there. You'll also visit the Reunification Palace, the former residence and workplace of South Vietnam's president during the war, now open as a museum; the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, built in red brick between 1877 and 1883 with twin bell towers and Neo-Romanesque detail; and the Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel and completed in 1891, where you can see the grand façade, ornate tile floors, and vintage telephone booths still in use.

The tour also includes Thien Hau Temple in Chinatown, a pagoda dedicated to the goddess of the sea, with intricate wooden carvings and traditional Chinese architectural style. Lunch is provided partway through the day. You can request vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options when you book. Bottled water is included throughout. The guide speaks English and stays with the group at each stop. The nine-hour total accounts for the round-trip travel time between the port and the city center, so you're back at Phu My Port with time to spare before departure.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport from Phu My Port to Ho Chi Minh City and back.
• entrance fees to the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and Thien Hau Temple.
• an English-speaking guide for the full day.
• lunch with accommodation for dietary restrictions.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00

Guide in English5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Up Travel Vietnam

Is this one for you?Book the private option if you're traveling as a family or small group and want the guide's full attention at each landmark. Choose the join-in option to share the cost and meet other cruise passengers on the same schedule.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the War Remnants Museum like, and how much time do we spend there?

The War Remnants Museum offers an in-depth look at the Vietnam War through extensive exhibits of photographs, artifacts, and documents that show the war's history and its human cost. It's a powerful and sobering place. The museum is a major stop on the itinerary, though the exact time spent there is determined by the guide's route through the day's five attractions.

Does the tour include entry to all the landmarks, or do we just see them from outside?

Entrance fees to the attractions are included in the tour price. You enter the War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace, and the other sites rather than viewing them from the street.

How does the timing work if our ship leaves at a specific time?

The tour is designed for cruise travelers and guarantees an on-time return to Phu My Port. The nine-hour duration includes the round-trip travel time from the port to Ho Chi Minh City, so you have a buffer before your ship departs.

Can we get lunch if we're vegetarian or have other dietary needs?

Lunch is included in the tour, and the operator can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. Mention your dietary requirements in the special requests field when you book.

What is Thien Hau Temple, and where is it located?

Thien Hau Temple, also called the Temple of Thien Hau, is a pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of the sea. It features intricate wooden carvings, vibrant colors, and traditional Chinese architectural style, and offers a look at local religious practices and cultural heritage.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and infants may sit on an adult's lap. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, though it is suitable for all other fitness levels.