10 exciting sightseeing programs in Ho Chi Minh City

Visitors to Ho Chi Minh City have many ways to explore the city, such as participating in historical tours or sightseeing tours on the Saigon River.

The following 10 sightseeing programs are included in the list of 100 interesting things to do in Ho Chi Minh City published by the Department of Tourism . Tourists can refer to them to add to their city exploration itinerary when visiting Saigon.

Saigon Commando Museum

The Saigon-Gia Dinh Commando Museum is located in a three-story house built in 1963 on Tran Quang Khai Street, District 1. The house was once a secret operational base for the commandos under the management of Mr. Tran Van Lai (also known as Nam Lai). After 1975, the owner divided the house into three parts and sold them to other people. Currently, Mr. Tran Van Lai's family has purchased the ground floor and the remaining two floors to build the museum.

The museum began construction and collection of artifacts in late 2019, officially opening to visitors on August 27, 2023. It displays over 300 artifacts including weapons, correspondence, and vehicles used by the Saigon Special Forces. The building has been preserved in its original architecture. During the war, this location served as a secret base for the Saigon Special Forces, including meetings, correspondence, document exchange, and the supply of gold and money to the war zone. Access to the museum is via an old elevator, dating back to the building's construction. The first and second floors house the exhibits, while the third floor is a seating area for visitors to relax and enjoy coffee.

The museum is open to visitors from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM throughout the week.

Explore Ho Chi Minh City on a double-decker bus.

The Ho Chi Minh City tour by double-decker bus has been operating since January 15, 2020. This type of tour is popular in many countries around the world. In Ho Chi Minh City, the city tour covers a distance of over 13 km, passing through District 1 and District 3 with 30 attractions such as the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Post Office , and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum. There are approximately 20 trips per day, with a 30-minute interval between daytime trips. The journey time is about 60 minutes.

The new double-decker bus service now includes a nighttime schedule, running from 11 PM to 7 AM the following morning. The biggest difference between the daytime and nighttime services is that the nighttime service runs continuously without stopping at tourist attractions like the daytime service, as most attractions are closed at night.

The price for a double-decker bus ride in Ho Chi Minh City ranges from 150,000 to 500,000 VND per person, depending on the time slot.

Watching the sunset over the Saigon River.

The journey down the Saigon River begins from Saigon Port, District 4, and heads towards the Ho Chi Minh Museum (Nha Rong Wharf). Visitors can enjoy culinary delights amidst the picturesque city scenery as the sun sets. Sunset tours usually depart at 5 PM; visitors should arrive 30-60 minutes beforehand to avoid missing the boat. The tour lasts one hour. Visitors should check the weather forecast before booking, as beautiful sunsets aren't always available; some evenings may rain, affecting the trip.

Many travel companies in Ho Chi Minh City are offering this tour, with prices ranging from 200,000 VND per person.

*Saigon River at sunset. Photo: Bich Phuong*

Saigon - A Mark of Time

The "Saigon – A Mark of Time" program takes visitors on a journey filled with memories and the ups and downs of Ho Chi Minh City over more than 300 years of history. Visitors will hear legendary stories about the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal, and observe and listen to each glorious chapter of the city's history.

The journey begins at Co Ba Dong Khoi Cafe, where visitors can enjoy coffee and admire the city view. Afterwards, visitors continue to explore historical architectural landmarks such as the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, the Majestic Saigon Hotel, and the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office. The tour also takes visitors across the Rainbow Bridge, where they can admire the historic "State Bank of Vietnam" building – a bank founded by one of Saigon's "Four Great Tycoons" of the past. Throughout the journey, visitors will travel by boat on the Nhieu Loc Canal combined with a double-decker bus.

The tour lasts 9 hours and costs approximately 600,000 VND per person.

Saigon - A place of tranquility

This tour explores historically significant temples and offers visitors a chance to learn about the diverse and rich culture of Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors can tour and pay respects at the Phu Day Holy Mother Temple, offering incense to commemorate the national heroines Trung Trac and Trung Nhi. The journey continues to Giac Lam Pagoda, the city's first pagoda, boasting ancient architecture and a history spanning over 300 years. The tour also includes a visit to Ngoc Hoang Pagoda and a study of the Khất Sĩ (mendicant) sect at Minh Dang Quang Buddhist Institute, one of the nine major sects of the Vietnam Buddhist Association.

Saigon's Saturday afternoon street music

This tour combines a double-decker bus and a river bus, taking visitors to the city's famous landmarks in 4 hours. The melodious double-decker buses, with their acoustic tunes, take visitors past the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, Dong Khoi Street, the Tran Hung Dao Monument, the History Museum and the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, the Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Visitors stop at Ben Bach Dang Park before continuing their experience on the river bus. The river bus takes visitors to Thanh Da Village. Along this route, visitors can admire the Saigon River with its high-rise buildings on both banks. Upon arrival, the river bus will take visitors to Binh Quoi Tourist Village where they will enjoy a buffet meal.

The tour costs approximately 800,000 VND per person.

History - Green Tour

The "History - Green" tour program combines historical exploration with meaningful activities that contribute to environmental protection. In 90 minutes, visitors will cruise along the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal, admiring bridges associated with Ho Chi Minh City's historical journey, such as Hoang Hoa Tham Bridge, Bui Huu Nghia Bridge, and Kieu Bridge. A special highlight of the tour is the experience of making lanterns from bamboo pulp paper (a type of biodegradable paper used as fish food) and releasing fish, contributing to the rich ecosystem of the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal.

The tour is priced from 199,000 VND per person.

Thu Duc - The city by the green river

Departing from Bach Dang Wharf in District 1, visitors travel by river bus to Linh Dong Wharf in Thu Duc. From there, the tour begins, taking visitors to the Ao Dai Museum, which preserves and recreates the traditional beauty of Vietnamese national costume. Here, visitors can experience wearing an Ao Dai, listen to stories related to the Vietnamese Ao Dai, and engage in discussions about lullabies from the three regions of Vietnam. The tour also takes visitors to the National Historical and Cultural Park, the Hung Kings Memorial Area, and Buu Long Pagoda – a religious structure selected by National Geographic as one of the 10 most beautifully designed Buddhist structures in the world. In addition, Thu Duc City has many other must-see destinations such as Hoi Son Ancient Pagoda, Minh Dang Quang Zen Monastery, Long Truong ecological garden area, and Tam Da lotus lake.

*Architecture of Buu Long Pagoda, Thu Duc City. Photo: Quynh Tran*

Tour from Old Saigon to Modern Ho Chi Minh City

The tour program offers a diverse experience, combining walking, cycling, and bus travel. The trip begins at Ho Chi Minh City's Book Street, where visitors can stroll, read, and take photos. Visitors continue walking to Notre Dame Cathedral, located opposite the Book Street, and visit the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, just a few steps away. During the tour, visitors also have the opportunity to try their hand at brewing various signature Vietnamese coffees and experience the city's unique cafes. Afterwards, they continue strolling along the famous Dong Khoi Street, lined with shopping malls such as Vincom Center, Parkson Plaza, and Union Square.

The tour also takes visitors past historical landmarks such as the Continental Saigon Hotel, the People's Council and People's Committee Headquarters, the President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park, and Bach Dang Wharf. At the final stop, visitors will enjoy panoramic views of the city from above at the Saigon Skydeck observation deck inside the Bitexco building.

The tour usually departs on Sundays, lasts half a day, and costs approximately 400,000 VND per person.

Bicycles - A peaceful day in the land of steel

This is the only suburban tour on the list of 10 exciting sightseeing programs in Ho Chi Minh City. Tourists gather on Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, then board a bus to the "steel land" of Cu Chi. Upon reaching Tam Tan Road in Cu Chi District, tourists receive bicycles and begin their cycling journey along the Tam Tan road and the Thầy Cai canal. Continuing cycling to the Provincial Road 7 station, from there a vehicle will take tourists to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Site and Ben Duoc Temple. Other activities on the tour include cycling to visit the Pham Van Coi rubber plantation, the fruit orchards of Trung An commune, and enjoying traditional Vietnamese folk music performances.

The tour lasts one day and costs approximately 1.9 million VND per person.

Bich Phuong

Source : Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism

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