• History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City - Established in 1929, this distinguished Sino-French museum boasts an impressive collection of artifacts that showcase the cultural evolution of Vietnam. From the Bronze Age Dong Son civilization (emerging in 2000 BCE) and the Funan civilization (1st to 6th centuries CE) to the Cham, Khmer, and Vietnamese cultures, the museum offers a rich historical journey. Notable exhibits include precious relics from Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and an exquisite collection of Buddha statues. The museum provides excellent English information, although some sections are currently under renovation.

Visitors can also view a perfectly preserved mummy of a local woman who passed away in 1869, discovered in Xom Cai in District 5, along with beautifully crafted mother-of-pearl Chinese characters inlaid into panels. The museum is conveniently located next to the Botanical Gardens.

The museum also highlights the diverse cultures of ethnic groups in Southern Vietnam and other Asian countries, featuring their traditional clothing, unique musical instruments, deity statues, and tools related to agriculture, hunting, and fishing.

• The Independence Palace - Encircled by royal palm trees, the striking 1960s architecture of this iconic government building, along with the eerie atmosphere of its empty halls, creates a captivating experience. The first Communist tanks arrived here on 30 April 1975, and it feels as though time has stood still since that moment. The building is closely linked to the fall of the city in 1975, yet it is the kitsch details and period motifs that truly capture attention. Also known as the Independence Palace, it served as the residence of the South Vietnamese president, Nguyen Van Thieu, until his abrupt departure in 1975. Designed by Paris-trained Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu, it exemplifies 1960s architecture with its airy and open design.

The Reunification Palace, also referred to as Independence Palace, is a prominent landmark in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and is considered a must-see national monument when visiting the city.

• Museum of Ho Chi Minh City - This grand neoclassical building, constructed in 1885 and formerly known as Gia Long Palace, is a stunning and impressive structure. It narrates the story of the city through archaeological artifacts, ceramics, old city maps, and exhibits on the marriage traditions of its various ethnic groups. The struggle for independence is thoroughly explored, with much of the upper floor dedicated to it.

Beneath the building lies a network of reinforced concrete bunkers and fortified corridors, extending all the way to the Reunification Palace. This system included living quarters, a kitchen, and a large meeting hall. In 1963, President Diem and his brother sought refuge here before fleeing to Cha Tam Church. The network is not open to the public as most of the tunnels are flooded.

In the gardens, visitors can find various pieces of military hardware, including the American-built F-5E jet used by a renegade South Vietnamese pilot to bomb the Reunification Palace on 8 April 1975.

• Central Post Office - This iconic French-era post office is a classic example of period architecture, designed by Marie-Alfred Foulhoux (though often attributed to Gustave Eiffel) and constructed between 1886 and 1891. A mosaic of Ho Chi Minh is prominently displayed at the end of its barrel-vaulted hall.

The post office features a distinctive, bright yellow exterior with white trim. Curved windows are elegantly framed with green shutters, and a large clock is prominently positioned at the building’s main entrance. The stunning, spacious interior boasts tall, domed ceilings with metal arches and a beautiful patterned tile floor. Inside, there are two painted maps – “Lignes télégraphiques du Sud Vietnam et du Cambodge 1892” (Telegraphic lines of southern Vietnam and Cambodia 1892) depicting the postal route from southern Vietnam to Cambodia, and “Saigon et ses environs, 1892” (Saigon and its surroundings), a local map.

• Emperor Jade Pagoda - Constructed in 1909 in honor of the supreme Jade Emperor (King of Heaven), this is one of the most atmospheric temples in Ho Chi Minh City, filled with statues of mystical divinities and heroic figures.

The air is thick with the scent of incense, obscuring the intricate woodcarvings. The temple’s roof is adorned with elaborate tile work, and its statues, representing characters from both Buddhist and Taoist traditions, are crafted from reinforced papier-mâché.

The temple’s multifaith nature is reflected in its alternative name, Phuoc Hai Tu, which conveys a Buddhist message. Similarly, the Chinese characters in the main temple hall mean ‘The light of Buddha shines on all.’

Over a century has passed, yet the Jade Emperor Pagoda retains its timeless charm. Its beauty is a harmonious blend of the three main religions of the Orient: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

Thanks to its impressive and unique beauty, along with its sacred legend, this is one of the most remarkable destinations.

• Sơn mài Đại Việt - Lacquer is derived from the resin of a tree, mixed with colored pigments and solvents, and applied in layers to an object’s surface, resulting in a shiny and durable finish. Eggshell and mother of pearl may be added to the surface before the lacquer is applied, with the finished product sanded down to reveal the decoration beneath.

The high quality of resin from Vietnamese lacquer trees, particularly those in Phu Tho, played a crucial role in the rapid development of this art form during the feudal period. Decorated lacquer statues, panels, boxes, and trays (1428-1527) can still be seen in many temples and pagodas.

In later centuries, the use of lacquerware expanded to larger items such as wooden chairs and tables.

Since then, lacquerware has continued to evolve into a cornerstone of the Vietnamese handicraft industry, both domestically and internationally. Today’s most popular items include vases, jewelry boxes, desk sets, trays, and vertical blinds.

• Entrance fees
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled water
• Pickup & drop-off at Saigon Port, No.05 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4
• English-speaking tour guide

• Tipping/ Gratuities or personal expenses

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon and long considered as the Pearl of the Far East, is the most dizzying city of commerce and culture in Vietnam. A visit to Saigon is like an encounter with exotic delicious food, French colonial architecture and memories of Vietnam War.

A state-run handicraft enterprise exports a wide range of products—including furniture, carpets, lacquer paintings, and other works of art—made largely from local materials and you will be shown a part of this attraction.

There are so many amazing attractions and you will have a chance to discover apart of those such as War Remnants Museum to learn more about Vietnam War, Jade Emperor Pagoda to learn more about a part of Vietnamese culture. Saigon Central Post Office is known as Center of Telegraph in Indochina War or exploration the National Monument of Reunification Palace, Vietnam History Museum to learn more about history of Vietnam; Ho Chi MInh City Museum is to learn about Trading Centre of South Vietnam.

• The remaining hours are allotted for the travel time
• Everyone can join this tour

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.