Saigon city tour by car: Ben Thanh Market and War Remnants Museum

See five landmarks in one morning without arranging the route yourself

A private half-day Saigon city tour by car with a local English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, and bottled water included. You choose the start time and pick between the War Remnants Museum (for Vietnam's modern history) or the Reunification Palace (for architecture and symbolism). The tour covers Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Notre Dame Basilica, the Central Post Office, your choice of museum or palace, and Jade Emperor Pagoda: about four hours total, suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ho Chi Minh City highlights

• Visit Ben Thanh Market
• See Saigon Notre Dame Basilica
• Explore Saigon Central Post Office
• Tour War Remnants Museum or Reunification Palace
• Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda

The experience

What's the fastest way to see the real Saigon without renting a car or navigating the traffic yourself? This private tour puts you and your guide in one vehicle, moving through the city's most recognizable stops on a route that holds together in a single morning. You set the departure time, the guide speaks English, and the driver knows where to go, so the day unfolds without you building it.

Ben Thanh Market opens the tour. Built in 1914, it's where locals buy kitchen equipment, garments, souvenirs and food, and where the light and the crowd give you the texture of everyday Saigon in one place. From there the car moves to Saigon Notre Dame Basilica, designed in the 1870s by French architect J. Bourad with materials shipped from France and neo-Romanesque details that still draw couples for pre-wedding photos. The Central Post Office comes next: built in 1891 and often mistaken for a Gustave Eiffel design, though Alfred Foulhoux actually drew it. Its architecture stops most visitors on first sight.

Then you choose: the War Remnants Museum if you want to understand Vietnam's modern history and the American war, or the Reunification Palace if you're drawn to architecture and the building's symbolic weight in the city. The tour closes at Jade Emperor Pagoda, built in 1909 by the Chinese community and still the place where locals pray for career, love and children. It's where you see how worship actually works in the city, not in a photograph.

What’s included

• Private transportation by car.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Saigon.
• bottled water.
• all entry fees and taxes.
• English-speaking local guide for the full four hours.

Options for this experience

9 options

Private 8Up to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 14:00Pickup is included

Private 7Up to 7 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 14:00Pickup is included

Small Group OptionGuide in English · 07:30 and 13:30Pickup is included

See 6 more options

Private 6Up to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 14:00Pickup is included

Private 5Up to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 14:00Pickup is included

Private 4Up to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 14:00Pickup is included

Private 3Up to 3 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 14:00Pickup is included

Private 2Up to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 14:00Pickup is included

Private 1Up to 1 per booking · Guide in English · No fixed timePickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 14:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by VN Bike Tour Shore Excursion

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're arriving mid-morning or want to move through landmarks at your own pace: your guide adjusts stops to match you, and you choose the start time.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

How long does the Saigon city tour actually take?

The tour runs about four hours total, starting whenever you choose in the morning and including all five stops plus travel time between them.

What's the difference between the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace on this tour?

The War Remnants Museum focuses on Vietnam's modern history and the American war. Reunification Palace is a landmark building valued for its architecture and historical significance to the city. You pick one at checkout based on what interests you more.

Does the tour include entry fees to the museums and pagoda?

All fees and taxes are included in the price, so you don't pay again at the door.

Can I bring my infant on this tour?

Yes, children from age 5 are welcome, and infants aged 0–4 ride free.

What happens if I want to spend more time at one stop?

This is a private tour, so you and your guide can adjust the pace at any stop. The four-hour window is the total time, so lingering at one place means moving faster at another or skipping a stop entirely. Your guide will work with you on it.

Is the guide fluent in English?

Yes, your guide speaks English and can answer questions about the history and daily life in Saigon throughout the tour.