Private Saigon City Historical Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. You will be picked up at your hotel (or other appointments discussed such as cruise or airport) and dropped here as the first point of the tour. Our guide will tell you general information of what you're going to experience during the trip. From here, you will walk to explore the next 5 nearby sites. Then we will use our vehicles to keep bringing you to explore other places as followed in the itinerary.

   30 min

2. We're spending a short time to learn about this place and its role during the first Indochina war. The People's Committee Building is a famous example of French colonial architecture. It was built in the early 20th century and has typical French features like columns and detailed decorations. Originally called the Hôtel de Ville, it was a government office during the time when Vietnam was under French rule. Today, it still serves as a government building for the city. Visitors can see its beautiful old design and learn about its history during French times and after Vietnam became independent. It's located in a central part of Ho Chi Minh City, so it's easy to visit and see other nearby places like Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and the Central Post Office. Visiting the People's Committee Building is a great way to understand both the city's history and its government today.

   20 min

3. We will pass by this building. Our tour guide will introduce about its important value to current Vietnamese history & art. After exploring its beauty & having some pictures taken, we'll keep moving to the next site. Please kindly note that we really want to show you its interior design but it's open only 30' before shows often arranged in the afternoon.

   20 min

4. before moving to the Central post office, we'll pass by a historical building which witnessed the last escape of Southern Vietnamese on April 30, 1975. Then we will go ahead to reach the post office. Upon arrival at the Central Post Office, you'll encounter a charming example of French colonial architecture. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower, the building features a grand hall with a high ceiling, ornate ironwork, and old maps on the walls showing Saigon from long ago. It's not just a historic building; it's still a working post office today. You can see how people use it for sending letters and packages, which gives you a glimpse into daily life in the city. Outside, the post office is famous for its green domes and detailed decorations, making it a popular spot for photos. Located in District 1, the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, it's close to other famous places like Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon.

   40 min

5. When visiting Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, you can delve into several facets of its history and significance. Built between 1863 and 1880, the cathedral is a striking example of French colonial architecture, characterized by its twin bell towers and red-brick façade. Inside, intricate stained glass windows and religious artworks offer insights into Catholicism's role in Vietnamese culture. The cathedral's construction with materials imported from France underscores its historical ties to the colonial period. Visiting Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral provides not only a glimpse into Vietnam's colonial past but also an appreciation of its enduring religious and cultural heritage.

   20 min

6. Visiting the Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City gives you a close look at Vietnam's past. Originally called Norodom Palace under French time, it later became the center of South Vietnam's government. In 1975, at the moments when the Vietnam War's end, a North Vietnamese tank broke through its gates, marking the country's reunification. Inside, you can see well-preserved rooms that show the palace's grand design and how past leaders lived. Exhibits explain the key events that led to Vietnam gaining independence and how the palace became a museum. The Independence Palace is an important place to explore Vietnam's history and its journey to becoming a unified nation. This is a highlight of the trip. And you will gain a lot about which you cannot within one day via our guide's stories sharing.

   2 hAdmission included

7. When you visit the War Remnants Museum, you'll explore a poignant collection documenting the Vietnam War and its aftermath. Inside, exhibits display photographs, artifacts, and documents that provide a comprehensive view of the conflict from the Vietnamese perspective. Outside, you can see military vehicles and equipment used during the war. The museum also offers documentary films and photography exhibitions that deepen your understanding of the war's impact and historical context. It serves as an important educational resource, fostering reflection on the human cost of war and efforts towards reconciliation.

   1 hAdmission included

8. When you visit Chùa Ngọc Hoàng (Phước Hải Tự), you'll discover a beautifully adorned temple blending Vietnamese and Chinese architectural styles. Marvel at its intricate decorations, statues of deities, and colorful motifs that reflect centuries-old traditions of the local Chinese-Vietnamese community. Inside, explore stunning artwork, Buddhist sculptures, and detailed carvings depicting spiritual stories. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere for quiet reflection or meditation amid the bustling city. The temple offers a cultural oasis and a glimpse into the vibrant diversity of the city.

   1 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 4 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Ho Chi Minh City

• Its from-price is 13% below the median of the 2927 experiences we list in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 948 of 2927.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, still widely called Saigon, is Vietnam's buzzing commercial hub of French colonial landmarks, war history and superb street food.

District 1 holds the main sights within walking distance: the red-brick Notre-Dame Cathedral, the elegant Central Post Office with its vaulted hall, the colonial Opera House and the ornate City Hall. The Independence Palace preserves its rooms as they were at the end of the war, and the War Remnants Museum tells the story of the conflict with sobering directness.

Top-ranked sights in Ho Chi Minh City: Cu Chi Tunnels, Saigon Opera House (Opéra de Saïgon), Saigon Central Post Office.

See all 2927 experiences in Ho Chi Minh City