Most of my customers have limited time in Saigon. They are either here at the beginning or at the end of their Vietnam adventure and will have energy to burn or be exhausted depending.
I am often asked what are the best tour combinations to allow people to take in the main sights of Saigon and it’s surrounds.
For visitors with three nights/four days in Saigon my most popular tour combinations are below.
1. City Tour. My City Tour can be taken over a full day and takes in:
Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, 30/4 Park, Saigon Opera House, Dong Khoi Street, Nguyen Hue walking Street, the Saigon River, Ben Thanh Market, Cho Lon Market, the Jade Pagoda and Bitexco Financial Tower.
The commanding views from the Bitexco Financial Tower are a great way to take in a sprawling view of the city while sipping a Ca Phe Sua Da.
2. Nightlife Tour. A three hour tour by taxi or motorbike.
My Nightlife Tour includes a visit to a night market, a stroll along the Saigon River, dinner in an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant or on the street. If you are thirsty at the end of the tour I can recommend some great bars with some of Saigon’s best “happy hours”.
3. Cu Chi Tunnel’s & the War Remnants Museum. A full day tour by private car.
For history buff’s this tour is certainly a must do. A full day tour by private car and driver we visit Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning followed by a visit to the sometimes harrowing War Remnant’s Museum on our return to Saigon in the afternoon.
Alternatively this tour can be altered to include the afternoon at the Cao Dai Temple instead of the War Remnants Museum. This option will allow you a full day out of the city and a look at a fascinating temple.
4. The Mekong Delta. Full day tour by private car and driver.
This tour visits Cai Be town in the Mekong Delta around 2 hours from Saigon. Cai Be is off the tourist trail and is a little visited and authentic Vietnamese Delta town where you can avoid other tourists.
This tour is an excellent way to include a river trip as part of your day in the delta as we can take a boat ride to see a floating market, visit some small islands where you can ride bicycles to visit a local family to experience how local people live. We also visit honey farm, coconut candy and rice paper makers. We listen the traditional folk music and we enjoy a delicious traditional Vietnamese lunch at a restaurant with beautiful river views. The food is amazing and is sure to be one of the highlights of your time in the Delta.
From my experience, all or some combination of these tours will make sure that you get maximum value for your time and money in Saigon while also ensuring that you take in a good selection of the best that the south has to offer.
Of course one of the many benefits of using a private tour guide is that your days can be tailored to suit you and if you have any special interests these can easily be included in our time together. Some clients have had particular interests in shopping for specific things like art works or home wares.
If you choose my tour, I will promise that you will receive professional and knowledgeable service and great value for money.
The happy couple. My client's Clement and Lucy from Canada enjoying the Mekong Delta Tour.