The Soul of Saigon Shore Excursion from Saigon Port
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The remaining hours (32 minutes) are allotted for the travel time.
What To Expect
Museum of Vietnamese History
Built in 1929, this notable Sino-French museum houses a rewarding collection of artefacts illustrating the evolution of the cultures of Vietnam, from the Bronze Age Dong Son civilization (which emerged in 2000 BCE) and the Funan civilization (1st to 6th centuries CE) to the Cham, Khmer and Vietnamese. Highlights include valuable relics taken from Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and a fine collection of Buddha statues. There's good English information. Parts of the museum are being renovated. There's also a perfectly preserved mummy of a local woman who died in 1869, excavated from Xom Cai in District 5; and some exquisite stylised mother-of-pearl Chinese characters inlaid into panels. It's located beside the Botanical Gardens. The museum also encompasses the diverse cultures of ethnic groups in Southern Vietnam and other Asian countries. Explore their clothing, unique musical instruments, statues of deities, and tools related to agriculture, hunting and fishing.
The Independence Palace
Surrounded by royal palm trees, the dissonant 1960s architecture of this landmark government building and the eerie ambience of its deserted halls make it an intriguing spectacle. The first Communist tanks to arrive in Saigon rumbled here on 30 April 1975 and it’s as if time has stood still since then. The building is deeply associated with the fall of the city in 1975, yet it's the kitsch detailing and period motifs that steal the show. It's also known as the Independence Palace. The building was named Independence Palace and was home to the succeeding South Vietnamese president, Nguyen Van Thieu, until his hasty departure in 1975. Designed by Paris-trained Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu, it is an outstanding example of 1960s architecture, with an airy and open atmosphere. The Reunification Palace, also known as Independence Palace, is a landmark building located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. And it is known as a must see National Monument once you are in Ho Chi Minh City.
Options
The Soul of Saigon Shore Excursion from Saigon Port
Pickup included
What‘s Included
All entrance fees
Bottled water
Air-conditioned car/ van
English speaking tour guide
Picking up & dropping off at Saigon Port No.05 Nguyen Tat Thanh street, district 4
Tipping/ gratuities, personal expenses
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Thorough, informative and insightful exploration of HCMC/SAIGON!
deborahnS1580PO,Jun 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We wanted a substantive tour of Saigon that was history and culture focused, especially about the Vietnam War, and that's what we got. Our guide Luc of Vietnam Tours VIP, is extremely bright, well educated and thoughtful, deeply understanding the incredibly complex history and dynamics of Vietnam and really able to convey that to us. He talked with us about everything we wanted to discuss. Plus he's extremely personable and fun to spend the day with. We laughed alot together despite the seriousness of alot of what we saw. Luc took us to the museums and other sites listed in the itinerary in a really comfortable car, structuring our time but being adaptable and flexible as needed and as we desired; e.g. we wanted to spend more time in the War Remnants Museum and he made that happen. He picked us up at the cruise port. At the end we wanted to eat some really good Vietnamese food and he directed us to a beautiful, delicious and safe restaurant. All in all this was a great way to experience Saigon. Far superior to the cruise ship excursions offered!
Thorough, informative, insightful exploration of HCMC/SAIGON!
dtninmt,Jun 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We wanted a substantive tour of Saigon that was history and culture focused, especially about the Vietnam War, and that's what we got. Our guide Luc of Vietnam Tours VIP, is extremely bright, well educated and thoughtful, deeply understanding the incredibly complex history and dynamics of Vietnam and really able to convey that to us. He talked with us about everything we wanted to discuss. Plus he's extremely personable and fun to spend the day with. We laughed alot together despite the seriousness of alot of what we saw. Luc took us to the museums and other sites listed in the itinerary in a really comfortable car, structuring our time but being adaptable and flexible as needed and as we desired; e.g. we wanted to spend more time in the War Remnants Museum and he made that happen. He picked us up at the cruise port. At the end we wanted to eat some really good Vietnamese food and he directed us to a beautiful, delicious and safe restaurant. All in all this was a great way to experience Saigon. Far superior to the cruise ship excursions offered!
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