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Ho Chi Minh City Private Shore Excursion: Full-Day Tour with Vietnamese Lunch and Coffee Making
4.0
4 Ratings
Ho Chi Minh City
Experience the best of Ho Chi Minh City on a private shore excursion. Explore top attractions, savor a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and learn the art of coffee making.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral - Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, constructed in the late 1880s by French colonists, stands as one of the few remaining bastions of Catholicism in predominantly Buddhist Vietnam. Situated in Paris Square, it was named Notre Dame after the installation of the ‘Peaceful Notre Dame’ statue in 1959. In 1962, the Vatican elevated its status to a basilica, officially naming it Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. The cathedral, nearly 60 meters tall, features distinctive neo-Romanesque architecture, including an all-red brick façade (imported from Marseille), stained glass windows, two bell towers with six bronze bells that still chime today, and a serene garden setting in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.
- Central Post Office - The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh is a beautifully preserved relic of French colonial times and arguably the grandest post office in Southeast Asia. Located adjacent to Notre Dame Cathedral, these two cultural landmarks can be visited together, offering visitors a glimpse into life in Vietnam during the Indochinese Empire. Designed by Alfred Foulhoux, the building features arched windows and wooden shutters, reminiscent of its late 19th-century heyday.
- The Independence Palace - Independence Palace served as the base for Vietnamese General Ngo Dinh Diem until his death in 1963. It gained global recognition in 1975 when a tank from the North Vietnamese Army crashed through its main gate, marking the end of the Vietnam War. Today, it’s a must-see for tourists in Ho Chi Minh City. The palace remains a time capsule from 1975, with two of the original tanks used in its capture still parked on the grounds. Once the residence and workplace of the French Governor of Cochin-China, it features lush gardens, secret rooms, antique furniture, and a command bunker. It continues to host significant events in Ho Chi Minh, including APEC summits.
- War Remnants Museum - The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City opened to the public in 1975. Formerly known as the ‘Museum of American War Crimes,’ it serves as a stark reminder of the long and brutal Vietnam War. The museum displays graphic photographs and American military equipment, including a helicopter with rocket launchers, a tank, a fighter plane, a single-seater attack aircraft, and a 6,800kg conventional bomb. These weapons were used by American troops against the Vietnamese between 1945 and 1975.
- Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater) - The Saigon Opera House in Ho Chi Minh is an elegant colonial building located at the intersection of Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street in District 1, near the famous Notre Dame Cathedral and the classic Central Post Office. The restored three-story, 800-seat Opera House, built in 1897, hosts a variety of performing arts, including opera, ballet, musical concerts, Vietnamese traditional dance, and plays. Performance information is advertised around the building and can also be found at the nearby state-operated tourist information center.
- People’s Committee Building - The People’s Committee Building in central Ho Chi Minh City showcases well-preserved French colonial architecture within a spacious garden landscape. Originally built as a hotel in 1898 by French architect Gardes, it now functions as a city hall and is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Located at the end of the Nguyen Hue walking promenade, it features three buildings adorned with embossed statues of animals and people, intricate bas-reliefs on the walls, and a statue of Ho Chi Minh in front of the main building. The best time to visit is in the evening when these features are beautifully illuminated with LED lights.
- Chinatown (Cho Lon) - District 5 - Ho Chi Minh City’s Cholon is Vietnam’s largest Chinatown, with roots dating back to 1778. Chinese minorities sought refuge here from the Tay Son and had to rebuild the area twice following attacks, with an estimated 70% perishing while attempting to escape by boat. Those who survived settled and began selling various Chinese products. During the Vietnam War, Cholon was a bustling black market for US soldiers trading American Army supplies. Today, it is a popular destination for tourists and attracts many Taiwanese and Chinese visitors. Cholon offers a glimpse of classical Chinese architecture from bygone eras and features numerous Chinese restaurants.
- Ben Thanh Market - Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 is an excellent place to purchase local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art, and other souvenirs. The market also has food stalls where you can sample hawker-style Vietnamese cuisine or cool off with a cold drink when the bargaining becomes overwhelming. The market is large and can be challenging to navigate, especially during the hottest part of the day, but it is well worth a visit. In the evening, restaurants around the market’s perimeter open, creating a vibrant street scene filled with the aromas of wok-fried noodles, barbecued fish, and meats. As one of Saigon’s oldest landmarks, Ben Thanh offers an authentic Vietnamese atmosphere.
- Former U.S. Embassy - Visit Saigon’s historic rooftop, a symbol of the end of the Vietnam War.
What's Included
- Cruise port pickup and drop-off
- Inclusive of bottled water and tissues
- Guidance from a private professional tour guide
- All fees and taxes covered
- Customizable private tour for flexibility
- Savor Vietnamese coffee
- Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch
What's Not Included
- Personal Expenses
Additional Information
Immerse yourself in a comprehensive day-long private tour in the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, where your guide will lead you to the finest attractions provided by this shore excursion. A delightful traditional Vietnamese lunch and fees for entering attractions are encompassed within this tour. The experience includes a must-try Vietnamese coffee brewed using a filter.
Location
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
01 Cong xa Paris, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.0
(4 Ratings)
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Nomad30814715270
Dec 5, 2023
Ho Chi Minh City with extras! - Our tour guide Asher was amazing. He was able to show us some sites that were not part of the tour as we had time and asked for some off-the-beaten-path places. He was fun and gifted us with a fantastic video compilation of our day together. I highly recommend this tour. I feel we got a good, comprehensive tour of Ho Chi Minh City!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Betty_d
Feb 11, 2024
A private guide from Viator is something we will definitely do on future trips! - It was nice to be picked up by car from our port and to have a guide taking us around the city of Saigon. He was energetic and enthusiastic about his city, as well as being knowledgeable. Having a private guide lets you see more in less time, and ask lots of questions.
Review provided by Viator
Annemarieirmaandre
Mar 20, 2024
Few hours in Ho Chi Minh - Interesting place we visited.had few free hours in the city. Just be very careful with the mad motorbike, scooter traffic when crossing the roads! We saw Notre Dame but unable to visit as totally under scaffolding..we went into the post office, interesting building. Walked around a lot.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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