Discover a perfect blend of historic landmarks and colonial architecture—ideal for both social media photography and deep cultural exploration.
⛪️ Dive Deep into Local Culture | Saigon Chinatown Tour & Traditional Market Treasure Hunting
Visit Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market to experience the daily lives of residents and their religious traditions.
🚤 Travel Through the Golden Hours of the Saigon River | Capture a Unique View of Ho Chi Minh City by Water Bus
Enjoy a comfortable water bus ride to photograph the city skyline and discover hidden viewpoints from the water.
Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is the largest city in Southern Vietnam and serves as a major national center for economy, culture, and tourism. This vibrant metropolis seamlessly blends French colonial charm with a modern urban pulse, making it an essential destination for independent travelers and culture enthusiasts alike.
In the heart of the city, you can visit the Independence Palace, which symbolizes a historic turning point for Vietnam, the War Remnants Museum, which documents the history of the Vietnam War, and the European-styled Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. At the same time, exploring Thien Hau Temple provides a deep look into the religious culture of the Vietnamese-Chinese community, while Binh Tay Market and Ben Thanh Market immerse you in an authentic local market atmosphere. Finally, don't miss the Saigon River Water Bus trip to gaze at the city skyline from the water and capture your own unique Vietnam travel memories.
🏛️ Step into the Independence Palace and Revisit History
Visit the former residence of the South Vietnamese president to witness the significant moment when the Vietnam War ended and gain a deeper understanding of the city's historical and political background.
⛪️ Stroll Through French Colonial Landmarks
Explore iconic buildings like the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office to admire 19th-century French colonial architectural art, making you feel as if you are walking through the streets of Europe.
🇻🇳 Experience Vietnamese-Chinese Religious Culture at Thien Hau Temple
Travel to the bustling Chinatown (Chợ Lớn) to visit the historic Thien Hau Temple and feel the religious and traditional atmosphere of the local Chinese community.
🛍️ Discover Local Daily Life at Binh Tay Market
Navigate through Binh Tay Market, a favorite among locals, to taste street food and shop for handmade goods while experiencing the authentic rhythm of life in Vietnam.
🚤 Gain a New Perspective of the City via the Water Bus
Enjoy a relaxing ride on the water bus to view the skyline where modern and traditional Ho Chi Minh City intertwine—a popular photo spot for social media.
✅ Inclusions
❌ Exclusions
| Time | Activity & Description |
| 07:30 - 08:00 | 🏨 Hotel pickup and departure; private transfer to begin the iconic landmark tour. |
| 08:00 | 🏛️ Visit the Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Central Post Office to learn about the history of the Vietnam War and French colonial architecture. |
| 09:00 | 🚶♀️ Walking tour of the French Colonial architectural cluster (Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office). |
| 10:00 | 🙏 Visit Thien Hau Temple in Chinatown to experience traditional Chinese religious culture. |
| 10:30 | 🛍️ Visit the traditional Binh Tay Market to experience local life and find authentic souvenirs. |
| 12:00 | 🍽️ Lunch time (self-paid); you may freely decide your lunch content and timing. |
| 13:30 | 🪖 Visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the background of the Vietnam War and the journey toward peace. |
| 14:30 | 🛒 Free time at Ben Thanh Market to shop for souvenirs or taste local street snacks. |
| 15:30 | 🛥️ Take the Water Bus across the Saigon River to admire the city skyline and landscapes. |
| 16:30 | 🔚 Return to the departure point, ending the cultural day tour. |
Note: The itinerary may be slightly adjusted due to weather or traffic conditions.
🎒 Recommended Items
To make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable, we recommend bringing the following:
To ensure you receive quality service during peak travel periods, an additional fee applies on the following dates. Please read and accept the terms before booking:
| Year | Date | Holiday / Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
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| 2026 |
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| 2026 | Feb 12–20 | Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) |
| 2026 | Apr 26–30, May 1–2 | National Reunification / Labor Day Long Holiday |
| 2026 |
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Vietnam National Day |
| 2026 |
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New Year's Eve |
Lunch is self-paid, allowing you to freely decide your meal timing and content. For vegetarian requirements, please inform customer service (LINE: @lanytrip or WhatsApp: +84 333 708 807) in advance so we can assist with arrangements.
The itinerary is subject to flexible adjustments based on weather or traffic conditions. We may shorten the stay at certain attractions to ensure your safety and comfort.
The Saigon Water Bus is a popular local mode of transport with complete safety measures in place. The trip takes approximately 15 minutes on relatively stable waters, so passengers usually do not experience motion sickness.
Participation on designated holidays requires an additional on-site payment. The Surcharge Amount is VND 500,000 per day (excluding Lunar New Year; please contact customer service in advance for holiday pricing). Please prepare cash to pay the driver directly.
Yes, you will be sent back to your hotel after the tour concludes at approximately 16:30.
Yes, free time is arranged at markets such as Ben Thanh Market, making it convenient to purchase souvenirs or enjoy local street snacks.
"As a media creator, I particularly loved the in-depth tours of the Independence Palace and the Central Post Office; I captured many photos filled with storytelling. The water bus experience was an unexpected surprise, providing a unique perspective of the city skyline for my content creation. Highly recommended for all travelers who love exploring!"
— Ryan, Professional Media Writer
"I was extremely satisfied with the shooting locations on this trip. The majesty of the Independence Palace, the elegance of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the French romance of the Central Post Office, and the Oriental charm of Thien Hau Temple provided rich material. It offered excellent opportunities for panoramic city shots with stunning light and composition. Definitely the best choice for capturing the many faces of Ho Chi Minh City."
— Ken Suzuki, Japanese Photographer based in Taiwan
Full refund: Cancel 2 or more days before departure.
No refund: Cancel less than 2 days before departure.
Please make sure to book at least 2 days before your tour. Last-minute bookings cannot be accepted.
Tickets, passes, visas, and fast-track services cannot be canceled, refunded, or rescheduled once purchased.
Contact our Customer Service with your order number via:
LINE: @lanytrip
WhatsApp: +84 333 708 807
Waiting time is limited to 1 hour. If the driver waits longer than 1 hour, the order will be automatically canceled and not refundable.
💡 Tip: Please be ready on time to ensure a smooth start to your trip!
Need Assistance?
If you have any questions or need support, please contact us through the following channels:
Taiwan Customer Service
LINE: Add @Lanytrip (don't forget the @)
Provides real-time support in Chinese / English to help ensure a smooth start to your trip.
Vietnam Customer Service
WhatsApp: +84333708807
After entering Vietnam, customer service mainly communicates via WhatsApp.
We recommend downloading and registering WhatsApp before departure for easier communication.