• Binh Tay Market - Situated in Chinatown (Cho Lon), Binh Tay Market is a lively and historic marketplace in Ho Chi Minh City. With origins tracing back to the late 19th century, it serves as a dynamic center for commerce and cultural interaction. Within its bustling halls, visitors can discover a variety of products including fresh produce, spices, textiles, handicrafts, and more, fully experiencing the vibrant ambiance of this iconic market.
  The market was built by the French colonial administration to replace the older and smaller Cho Lon Market, which was destroyed by fire. Binh Tay Market quickly evolved into a thriving commercial hub, serving as a crucial trading center for Chinese merchants and the local Vietnamese community.

Over the years, the market has undergone significant changes. However, it was reconstructed and continues to flourish today, drawing both locals and tourists. It remains a vital part of the city’s cultural heritage, offering a diverse range of products.

• Ba Thien Hau Temple - This beautiful 19th-century temple is dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau and consistently attracts a blend of worshippers and visitors, who gather beneath the large coils of incense hanging overhead. It is believed that Thien Hau can traverse the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to rescue people in distress on the high seas.

Intricate ceramic friezes adorn the roofline of the interior courtyard, while the pagoda’s protectors are said to be two land turtles residing here. Near the large braziers stand two miniature wooden structures where a small figure of Thien Hau is paraded around nearby streets on the 23rd day of the third lunar month.

On the main dais are three figures of Thien Hau, one behind the other, all flanked by two servants or guardians. To the right is a scale-model boat and on the far right is the Goddess Long Mau, Protector of Mothers and Newborns. Visiting this temple offers an opportunity to explore a part of the local culture of an ethnic minority.

• The Independence Palace - Encircled by royal palm trees, the distinctive 1960s architecture of this landmark government building and the eerie atmosphere of its empty halls make it a fascinating sight. The first Communist tanks to reach Saigon arrived here on 30 April 1975, and it seems as though time has stood still since then. The building is closely linked with the fall of the city in 1975, yet it’s the kitsch detailing and period motifs that captivate visitors. It’s also known as the Independence Palace.
  The building was named Independence Palace and served as the residence of the succeeding South Vietnamese president, Nguyen Van Thieu, until his hurried departure in 1975. Designed by Paris-trained Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu, it is an exemplary piece of 1960s architecture, with an airy and open feel.
  The Reunification Palace, also referred to as Independence Palace, is a landmark building located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. It is recognized as a must-see National Monument when visiting Ho Chi Minh City.
• Khách sạn Bông Sen Sài Gòn - First introduced in Vietnam over a decade ago in 1998, Ganh Bong Sen Buffet offers the perfect blend of traditional Vietnamese cuisine and a Western-style buffet.
  A hand-painted mural features images of many popular dishes typically found at the corners of open marketplaces in provincial towns, such as banh canh, banh xeo, banh khot, bun rieu, bun mam, among others.

At the Ganh Bong Sen Buffet, the creative, talented, and experienced chefs elevate these common traditional dishes into symbols of culinary excellence with a taste that is both distinctive and yet equally familiar to a connoisseur of Vietnamese delicacies.

It is no surprise that many visit Ganh Bong Sen Buffet to savor the characteristic flavors of the three regions. Experience the culture of Vietnam and be satisfied. At Ganh Bong Sen Buffet, every meal is a feast for the gods.

• Sơn mài Đại Việt - The lacquer itself is actually the resin of a tree, mixed with colored pigments and solvents, and applied layer after layer to the object’s surface, producing a shiny and durable finish. Eggshell and mother of pearl may be applied 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, notably those of Phu Tho, was a crucial factor 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 at many temples and pagodas.

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

Since then, lacquerware has continued to develop into one of the mainstays of the Vietnamese handicraft industry, both domestically and internationally. Today’s most popular items include vases, jewel cases, desk sets, trays, and vertical blinds.

• Central Post Office - The city’s iconic French-era post office is a period classic, designed by Marie-Alfred Foulhoux (though often attributed to Gustave Eiffel) and constructed between 1886 and 1891. A mosaic of Ho Chi Minh takes pride of place at the end of its barrel-vaulted hall.

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

• History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City - Built in 1929, this notable Sino-French museum houses a rewarding collection of artifacts 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 stylized 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.

• All entrance fees
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Traditional lunch & bottled waters
• English-speaking tour guide

• Tips/ gratuities or personal expenses…

Our adventure begins at Binh Tay Market, a bustling hub of activity. From there, we’ll discover the serenity of the Holy Lady Temple, a hidden gem nestled amidst the city’s chaos, offering a peaceful retreat and insight into Vietnamese religious practices. Continuously, we’ll step back in time at the historic Renunification Palace, a symbol of Vietnam’s tumultuous past and the site of significant historical events. Marveling at the architectural beauty of the Saigon Central Post Office, we’ll admire its elegant French-inspired design before delving into the spiritual realm at the Jade Emperor Pagoda, where intricate sculptures and incense-filled halls create an atmosphere of reverence. A visit to a local Lacquerware factory offers a glimpse into traditional craftsmanship before we delve into the poignant history of the Vietnam War at the War Remnants Museum & Vietnam History Museum, where a vast collection of artifacts and exhibits chronicle the rich tapestry of Vietnam’s past.

• Everyone can join this tour

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