Afternoon Half-Day Introduction to Saigon Tour

After meeting your guide in your hotel lobby in central Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) at 1:30pm, you will begin your guided tour of the most significant points of interest in the largest city in Vietnam.

First, begin your tour with a visit of Reunification Palace which witnessed the most significant moment in Vietnam's history on April 30, 1975. This was the site the marked the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. Although the architectural design may not be as significant as the historical events which took place here, walking through will remind you of important moments in Vietnam's history. See the war command room which contains old communication equipment and large maps and the F5E fighter plane that bombed the palace on April 8, 1975 and the tank the crashed through the gates.

After the palace visit, continue the tour through the tranquil French colonial area for great views of the architecture. Here, you will see Notre-Dame Basilica and the old Central Post Office which has maintained their charm even through the War and have become two romantic symbols of Ho Chi Minh. Visit Ben Thanh Market, an incredible local market where you will have time to shop for souvenirs for yourself or loved ones.

Finally, you will tour the War Remnants Museum and Jade Emperor Pagoda. At the War Remnants Museum, see artifacts on the exterior of the building which contain military hardware that was captured or abandoned. Inside you will find that it reflects particular themes including the effects of the use of Agent Orange, American weaponry, war photographs and more. The Jade Emperor Pagoda, built 1892-1909, features intricately carved figures of men and gods on the door and several other items of architectural and visual interest.

Upon completion of the tour, you will transfer back to your hotel.