The Soul of Saigon
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Port
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$70
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Discover the major highlights of bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly referred to as Saigon. The largest city in Vietnam, Saigon is a harmonious combination of the old and the new. Traveling past an endless stream of bicycles, trishaws, and motorbikes, you'll see colorful markets selling everything from antiquities to French baguettes, and learn about the architectural landmarks of Saigon.
Your first stop is the History Museum, which houses an excellent collection of artifacts showing the evolution of Vietnam's diverse cultures, from the Bronze Age Dong Son civilization to Cham, Khmer, and modern-day Vietnam. Here you'll find Cham art, ceramics and traditional dress.
Next, visit the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City which was the first Presidential Palace in the South of Vietnam before the Unification Palace. It has been a museum since 1999. Beside the two main rooms about American, French War in Vietnam, it has a room showing the timeline about Ho Chi Minh City, and how it has developed until now. You also have the chance to discover a secret air raid shelter that is located under this building.
Continue travelling past Saigon's many landmarks and including Pass Cholon, also known as Chinatown.
Proceed to the 18th-century Thien Hau Temple, where the aroma of incense hangs in the air from burning spirals suspended from the temple's ceiling, and ceramic friezes line the roof of the inner courtyard.
Next, you'll briefly visit the lacquerware workshop.
Your final stop is at the former Presidential Palace, now known as Reunification Hall, made famous when a North Vietnamese tank crashed through its front gates on April 30, 1975 signaling the end of the Vietnam War. Tour the reception and dining rooms of the president's quarters, and the basement with its archaic American-made telecommunications equipment and strategic military maps lining the walls.
Re-board the coach for the drive back to the pier, with plenty to contemplate during the ride.