Ho Chi Minh City formerly known as Saigon is one of the most important commercial and tourist centers in Vietnam. It is 1,730km by land from Ha Noi capital and 50 km from the East-Sea. Saigon was once praised as the “Pearl of the Far East”.
From: $45 USDHo Chi Minh City formerly known as Saigon is one of the most important commercial and tourist centers in Vietnam. It is 1,730km by land from Ha Noi capital and 50 km from the East-Sea. Saigon was once praised as the “Pearl of the Far East”.
7:00 AM: Meet the tour guide and driver at the hotel and head out for a discovery tour of this City.
The first stop is ‘Tao Dan Park’ where locals practice their morning exercises – Tai Chi, aerobics and badminton. Stroll around the park to a small pagoda where you are likely to see locals performing daily prayers. Buddhism in Vietnam has had a symbiotic relationship with Taoism, Chinese spirituality as well as aspects of indigenous Vietnamese religion. You will also have the unique opportunity to enjoy a café sua da “White Coffee” at the birds’ club located at the end of the park. Local people gather here with their birds to relax, talk, enjoy a morning coffee and compare their birds.
Our next stop is the Reunification Palace before visiting a twin set of neighboring landmarks: the Post Office, noting the architecture and in particular the map of Saigon that shows where this modern city has come from, followed by Cathedral of Notre Dame (“Our Lady”).
Travel down Dong Khoi Street, know for its elegant shops, the name actually means “people’s revolution”. Pass by the Opera House, popular backdrop for wedding photos, now used as a Municipal Theatre. This area is rich with history from the times of the French invasion to the filming of Phil Noyce’s “The Quiet American.”
The next stop is the monument of Thich Quang Duc, a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk who burned himself to death on June 11, 1963 to protest against the persecution of Buddhists by South Vietnam’s Ngo Dinh Diem administration.
Then take a quick stop at the colorful Ho Thi Ky flower market before riding to the Funeral Home to get to know about Vietnamese funeral ceremonies & customs.
Roll through Chinatown to Nhi Phu temple built in the end of 17th century by Chinese immigrants from Fujian Province. Although the exact construction date is unknown, an inscription on the pagoda’s ancient bell dates the pagoda to pre-1765. Nhi Phu Temple is built in a unique architectural style with an open yard in the center. Its roof is covered with tubular tiles lined with bas-relief mosaics made from broken ceramics, depicting the eight immortals of Taoism including apricot trees, orchids, bamboo and of course dragons and phoenix.
On the way stop at a Chinese Medicine shops for an explanation about “Thuoc Bac – medicine from herbs” or “Thuoc tàu – medicine from China”. Then we will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch we continue to discover the remains of Saigon including the Jade Emperor Pagoda and Ben Thanh Market and perhaps the War Remnants Museum if you are interested in war’s figures and facts. Kindly note that our tour guide can always assist you to discover other hidden parts of the City that normal tours do not go to.
Tour finishes at the hotel at about 17.00 – 17.30.
Group size | 1 | 2 | 3 – 4 | 5 – 8 | 9 – 15 |
| Price in USD | $123 | $75 | $64 | $55 | $45 |
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