Lonely Planet Experiences: Ho Chi Minh Discovery
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
From USD 52.00
Office phone number: +84 (0) 909 904 100
Lonely Planet Experiences: Ho Chi Minh Discovery
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Got a spare day in Ho Chi Minh City up your sleeve? Fill it with this full day tour that covers a lot of ground. Museums, monuments, a temple, and the every day mayhem of the busy city streets all converge on this unforgettable Urban Adventure.
Experience the best travel stories for yourself. Join a local expert and uncover hidden gems on this city adventure hand-picked by the world's leading travel publisher. Lonely Planet Experiences powered by Urban Adventures bring stories to life in the best-loved cities around the globe.
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Highlights
- Check out all the major Ho Chi Minh City sights like Saigon Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, and Reunification Palace
- See war relics at the War Remnants Museum
- Experience authentic local life in Ho Chi Minh City as you explore ancient pagodas and beautiful colonial architecture
- Wander the lively streets of HCMC's Chinatown and visit Thien Hau Temple
- Feast on a delicious and traditional local lunch of Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup)
- Each Lonely Planet Experience comes with six-months free access to Lonely Planet’s Guides App which includes over 8,000 destinations guides and unbeatable discounts to Lonely Planet Guidebooks
Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- By visiting and paying an entrance fee to the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace, this tour helps preserve local cultural heritage.
- The lunch you will enjoy as part of the tour will a bowl of traditional pho (noodle soup), provided at a local restaurant.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 6 hours
- Meeting point:
Front entrance of the Saigon Opera House, Dong Khoi St, District 1 (intersection of Le Loi St).
- Starting time: 8.30 AM
- Ending point:
You will be dropped off at the central hotel in District 1, Saigon or your guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, entrance fees at War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace, local "Pho" lunch (noodle soup), one local tea, return transportation as indicated.
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for drivers or guide.
This mesmerizing full day Ho Chi Minh City walking tour gives you a fun and fascinating insight into the history, culture, and the daily life of the locals in this busy, buzzing city.
We'll start the tour by checking out some of the major Ho Chi Minh sights like the Opera House, the General Post Office (an icon of Saigon), and Notre Dame Cathedral, built by the French during the colonial era.
Our HCMC tour then takes us to Reunification Palace, previously referred to as the Presidential Palace, and the site of the official South Vietnamese surrender on April 30th, 1975.
The War Remnants Museum is next on the agenda. The museum was originally opened on September 1975 and displays old military equipment and other items from the Vietnam War. In the courtyard, we will find some larger exhibits including an F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter.
We’ll then enjoy a traditional local Vietnamese lunch of Pho, or noodle soup – a must when you’re in Vietnam!
After our delicious lunch, we head to Chinatown and pass through the fascinating back streets near Cho Lon. This area is one of the busiest commercial districts of Ho Chi Minh City and its atmospheric streets are home to some of the city’s most interesting sites.
From there, we'll pay a visit to Thien Hau Temple, which was built in the early 19th century and dedicated to the goddess of seafarers. And you'll also get to see downtown Saigon and get a real feel for local life in the past and present.
At the end of your HCMC tour, your guide will assist you in getting back to your hotel or will provide you with tips and suggestions if you'd like to continue exploring the area.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, entrance fees at War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace, local "Pho" lunch (noodle soup), one local tea, return transportation as indicated.
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for drivers or guide.
Dress standard: Dress standards are conservative throughout Asia, especially outside major cities. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate.
Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +84 (0) 909 904 100
Email address: info@hochiminhcityurbanadventures.com
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