Ho Chi Minh City Day Tour: Hidden Stories & Traditions

Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam



Discover a different side of Ho Chi Minh City through its hidden stories, wartime secrets, and living traditions. Travel by motorbike as your local guide takes you to places few visitors ever see.

Highlights

  • Explore hidden wartime bunkers used during the 1968 Tet Offensive
  • Visit historic buildings and markets that survived two major wars
  • Taste authentic Bún Bò Huế at a decades-old family restaurant
  • Enjoy traditional Vietnamese coffee at one of Saigon’s oldest 'net cafés'
  • Discover Cholon’s rich Chinese heritage: Binh Tay Market & Thien Hau Temple

Description

Your journey begins in an unexpected oasis of old Saigon nestled within the busy modern center. Visit historic buildings that survived the Vietnam War and uncover the fascinating stories behind their resilience. Continue to a beloved family-run restaurant that has been serving Bún Bò Huế for decades. While Pho is known worldwide, this bold, aromatic noodle soup offers a deeper, more complex flavor — a must-try for food lovers seeking authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Take a short walk to a traditional local market that has endured two major wars and still preserves its original character and lively community spirit. From here, step into Cheo Leo Coffee, one of the oldest “net cafés” in the city. Enjoy a cup of traditional Vietnamese coffee while soaking in the nostalgic atmosphere of this Saigon icon. Next, explore a set of secret wartime bunkers hidden in a quiet neighborhood — important operational sites during the Tet Offensive of 1968, one of the most pivotal battles of the Vietnam War. The journey continues to Chợ Lớn, Saigon’s historic Chinatown. Pass through the city’s biggest flower market before visiting St. Francis Xavier Church, where the former President of the Republic of Vietnam prayed before his execution. Then walk through the bustling Binh Tay Market, the largest wholesale market built by the Chinese community. Your guide will also take you to the atmospheric Thien Hau Temple, one of the oldest and most spiritually significant temples in the city. For lunch, enjoy a vibrant and flavorful Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese sizzling pancake) at a famous local restaurant. Crispy, savory, and beloved by locals, Bánh Xèo is increasingly recognized as a must-try dish on the Vietnamese food map. After your meal, relax as your driver takes you back to your hotel — marking the end of an enriching and immersive half-day experience.

Includes

English-speaking local guide Motorbike transportation Hotel pickup and drop-off (within 5 km of District 1) 2 full-meal & 1 traditional coffee Entrance fees Private & group tour options available

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Trusted local guides, read by millions every month

  • 2006 online since
  • 26.4M page views a month across the network
  • 14 languages

180+ destination guides, one network

Every guide covers a single destination on its own website, with events, restaurants, things to do and places to stay chosen from local recommendations.

My Guide Network Locations

Nearby Destinations

Add to your trip

Add your travel dates so we can place this on the right day, or save it for later.

Added to your trip Added to day {[{trip.toast.day}]}, MorningAfternoonEvening Saved to your trip Already in your trip Transfer saved to your trip Save your trip to get fresh suggestions Staying in {[{trip.toast.label}]} Base cleared Trip deleted Link copied Could not save your trip Something went wrong, please try again