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Private Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursion: Discover City's Best via Cruise Port
4.9
279 Ratings
Ho Chi Minh City
Embark on an exclusive day-long journey in the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, where your tour guide will introduce you to the top sights this shore trip boasts. This tour includes a traditional Vietnamese lunch and admission fees for attractions.
Embark on an exclusive day-long journey in the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, where your tour guide will introduce you to the top sights this shore trip boasts. This tour includes a traditional Vietnamese lunch and admission fees for attractions.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral - Constructed in the late 1880s by French colonists, the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral stands as a prominent symbol of Catholicism in predominantly Buddhist Vietnam. Situated in Paris Square, it was named Notre Dame following the installation of the ‘Peaceful Notre Dame’ statue in 1959. In 1962, the Vatican elevated it to…
- Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral - Constructed in the late 1880s by French colonists, the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral stands as a prominent symbol of Catholicism in predominantly Buddhist Vietnam. Situated in Paris Square, it was named Notre Dame following the installation of the ‘Peaceful Notre Dame’ statue in 1959. In 1962, the Vatican elevated it to a basilica, officially naming it the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. The cathedral, nearly 60 meters tall, showcases neo-Romanesque architecture with its all-red brick façade imported from Marseille, stained glass windows, and two bell towers housing six bronze bells that still chime today. It is nestled in a serene garden in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.
- Central Post Office - The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City is a beautifully preserved relic of French colonial architecture and is considered one of Southeast Asia’s most magnificent post offices. Located adjacent to Notre Dame Cathedral, these two cultural landmarks offer visitors a glimpse into life during the Indochinese Empire. Designed by Alfred Foulhoux, the building features arched windows and wooden shutters, reminiscent of its late 19th-century prime.
- The Independence Palace - Independence Palace served as the headquarters for Vietnamese General Ngo Dinh Diem until his passing in 1963. It gained international recognition in 1975 when a North Vietnamese Army tank breached its main gate, marking the end of the Vietnam War. Today, it is a must-see attraction in Ho Chi Minh City, preserved as a time capsule from 1975. Visitors can view two original tanks used in the palace’s capture, parked on the grounds. The palace, once home to the French Governor of Cochin-China, boasts lush gardens, secret rooms, antique furnishings, and a command bunker. It continues to host significant events in Ho Chi Minh City, including APEC summits.
- War Remnants Museum - Opened to the public in 1975, the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City serves as a poignant reminder of the Vietnam War’s brutality. Formerly known as the ‘Museum of American War Crimes,’ it displays graphic photographs and American military equipment, including a helicopter with rocket launchers, a tank, a fighter plane, and a single-seater attack aircraft. A conventional bomb weighing 6,800kg is also on display, showcasing the weaponry used by American forces against the Vietnamese from 1945 to 1975.
- People’s Committee Building - The People’s Committee Building in central Ho Chi Minh City is a prime example of well-preserved French colonial architecture, set within a spacious garden. 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 Nguyen Hue walking promenade, it comprises three buildings adorned with embossed statues, intricate bas-reliefs, 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.
- Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater) - The Saigon Opera House, an elegant colonial structure, is located at the intersection of Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street in District 1, near the renowned Notre Dame Cathedral and the classic Central Post Office. The restored three-story, 800-seat Opera House, built in 1897, hosts a variety of performances, including opera, ballet, musical concerts, Vietnamese traditional dance, and plays. Performance details are advertised around the building, and additional information is available at the nearby state-operated tourist information center.
- Chinatown (Cho Lon) - District 5 - Ho Chi Minh City’s Cholon is Vietnam’s largest Chinatown, with origins dating back to 1778. It holds significant historical and cultural value. Chinese minorities sought refuge here from the Tay Son and had to rebuild the area twice after attacks, with an estimated 70% perishing while attempting to escape by boat. Survivors 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 tourist destination, attracting many Taiwanese and Chinese visitors. Cholon offers a glimpse of classical Chinese architecture and numerous Chinese restaurants. The bustling Binh Tay market at its center is crowded and lively, with narrow aisles selling a wide range of goods. It’s a fascinating place to explore at night.
- Ba Thien Hau Temple - Ba Thien Hau Temple in Saigon is a Buddhist temple dedicated to Mazu, the Chinese sea goddess. Mazu is believed to protect and rescue ships and people at sea by flying on a mat or cloud. Mazuism incorporates elements of Taoism and Buddhism, forming a unique belief system. The temple is located in ‘Cholon’ (Chinatown) in District 5, approximately a 20-minute drive from the city center.
- Ben Thanh Market - Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 is an excellent spot to purchase local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art, and other souvenirs. Inside the market, visitors can enjoy hawker-style Vietnamese cuisine or cool off with a cold drink when bargaining becomes overwhelming. The market is large and can be challenging to navigate, especially during the hottest part of the day, but it is worth exploring. In the evening, surrounding restaurants 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.
- Emperor Jade Pagoda - The Jade Emperor Pagoda, also known as Phuoc Hai Tu, is a Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian pagoda located at 73 Mai Thi Luu Street, Dakao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Founded by Liu Daoyuan, a Cantonese migrant, it has been known as Phuoc Hai Tu since 1984.
- The Secret Weapons Cellar - Amid the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City, a modest house at 287/70 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3, quietly preserves a significant piece of history — the secret weapon bunker of the Biet Dong Sai Gon, a special force unit of the Vietnam People’s Army that operated during the Vietnam War. This site once concealed over two tons of weapons, prepared for the attack on the Independence Palace during the 1968 Tet Offensive.

What's Included
- Private Professional Tour Guide
- Bottled Water
- Private, Customized and Flexible Tour
- Vietnamese Traditional Lunch
- All Fees and Taxes
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Private transportation by new vehicle
- Private Professional Tour Guide
- Bottled Water
- Private, Customized and Flexible Tour
- Vietnamese Traditional Lunch
- All Fees and Taxes
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Private transportation by new vehicle
What's Not Included
- Personal expenses
- Personal expenses
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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(279 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Jeff_p
Oct 30, 2025
Saigon made easy. - Dorothy was an excellent guide. Her energy and excitement made our day an experience we will not forget and Saigon a city we would love to return to. We saw all the major sites, enjoyed some great food and were very comfortable with the transportation which was simple with a pickup close to the ship.
Review provided by Viator
Jamesmo3179yi
Oct 29, 2025
Great tour of Saigon. - Bao was an excellent guide for this wonderful tour. He was knowledgeable and friendly, as we were chauffeured around Saigon in a late model, air conditioned, and clean SUV visiting the historic sights. He was also very helpful as the wife was shopping for the grandchildren. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R8073vsgracek
Oct 28, 2025
Excellent tour with Bao! - Excellent tour of Ho Chi Min City with Bao.
He took us to many interesting places like the War Remnants Museum, the Post Office, a lacquerware factory, a fabulous market. He even bought us coffee and a delicious lunch.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tia_b
Oct 27, 2025
Great day in Ho Chi Min city. - Arrived on a Viking cruise to a port about an hour from Ho Chi Min city. Took a shuttle to the port entrance and Kai and our driver was waiting for us. We were able to start almost 20 minutes early for our ride into the city which was good due to rush hour. We had a great time exploring the city with Kai and our driver efficiently navigated the busy traffic filled with motor bikes. We had an exceptional bowl of pho in a local restaurant and enjoyed Vietnamese coffee. Kai was friendly and had good English making the day enjoyable while gaining a lot of knowledge of the city. The tour was adjusted to what we wanted to do and even a sudden downpour didn’t dampen the day. Great tour in Ho Chi Min and would recommend it to anyone wanting to see it all in a day.
Review provided by Viator
Bmwgrandma1
Oct 27, 2025
At our guide above all the rest! - Liam was the very best tour guide I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Liam is extremely knowledgeable about all things Vietnamese. He went above and beyond all my hopes. He was so willing to tweak this tour to make it exactly what we wanted. Even to the point of giving us sites and experiences we didn’t even know were available!
I would recommend Liam to anyone interested in touring Vietnam.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Holly_k
Oct 27, 2025
Reviewer - Kai was great guide. English was good. Knew the places to go. Knowledgeable about history and helped us enjoy city.
Review provided by Viator
Glenda_o
Oct 27, 2025
Excellent ship shore excursion - Greatly enjoyed our day with guide, Minh, and driver. Picked up at the ship terminal and safely driven the 90 minutes to town in a lovely new Toyota SUV. Minh was very friendly and proudly shared his local and Vietnamese knowledge with us. Loved our local lunch - was delicious. We greatly enjoyed our first time here and recommend Minh as your guide.
Review provided by Viator
Bonnie_c
Oct 26, 2025
Flawless Full-day tour with Kelvin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My group and I had an absolutely incredible, unforgettable full-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City thanks to our amazing guide, Kelvin. As a cruise passenger, the timing was crucial, and his time management was flawless.
He picked us up promptly at 8:00 AM in a spacious, clean, and comfortable, well air-conditioned 14-person van. The driver was excellent, prioritizing safety and always dropping us off at the main entrance or the closest possible spot to minimize our walking. Despite heavy Sunday traffic, Kelvin managed the schedule so perfectly that he had us back at the port at 3:45 PM—a full hour before the "all aboard" time. This level of efficiency made the entire experience stress-free and truly allowed us to relax and enjoy the city.
Kelvin's knowledge and passion for Ho Chi Minh City were captivating; he brought the history to life with fascinating stories, often supported by well-organized historical pictures on his iPad, especially at the Independence Palace. We were also incredibly impressed by his perfect English, and were astonished to learn he was entirely self-taught—a true testament to his dedication, especially given his young age. His commitment to our group went above and beyond, too: when one of our older members needed to cross the wide, busy main road, Kelvin successfully asked the police stationed nearby to stop traffic so the group member could cross safely against the hectic motorcyclists.
Our favorite parts were the authentic experiences he facilitated, including our time at the ancient Tien Hau Temple in Chinatown, where he even prepared joss sticks for us, giving us a unique look into local customs. His recommendation for the Pandan Leaf Restaurant was also a perfect choice, as he took care of booking the table and ordering lunch for us, making the meal effortless.
We felt so grateful for the personalized experience, the group pictures, and the smooth logistics. We wholeheartedly recommend Kelvin to anyone visiting the city!
Review provided by Viator
Stacyga5333xq
Oct 26, 2025
Loved our guide Evelyn - Evelyn was wonderful. She explained a lot about the city, culture, language and locations we visited. She took us to a wonderful lunch and helped me through the shopping district.
I wasn’t sure I liked Vietnam until Evelyn. I would recommend Evelyn to anyone and everyone visiting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heeseek
Oct 26, 2025
Ho chi minh city tour - Our guide Qui did excellent job. We did look out the most Ho chi minh city in a short period of time because of his excellent plan. I will strongly recommend Mr Qui for anyone looking for travel to Ho chi minh city. Thank you Mr Qui!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor