Things not seen in Ho Chi Minh City

Route can change subject to client interests..

Start the Saigon experience by visiting a local home to learn how true Saigonese live and cook. Embark on an early visit to a suburban Ho Chi Minh City market (whilst it’s still busy) with the host who is more than happy to show around their local neighbourhood and some of their favourite dishes. Continue back to the house to start cooking, eventually enjoying the creations for lunch!

Note: If the group size exceeds 10 people, the cooking class will be separated into another family home.  After, return to the centre of Ho Chi Minh City.  

In the afternoon, visit Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum, the FITO Museum, which displays an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine. Implements used to prepare indigenous herbs, objects commonly found in traditional pharmacies, and ancient books and documents on traditional Vietnamese medicine can all be seen in the galleries.

At the end of the day, watch a traditional music show in a private home where participation is always welcome! Stop by a famous ice cream parlor for a refreshing snack before returning to the hotel late this afternoon to relax.

Dine at the stunningly restored Temple Club; its colonial opulence beckons a 1930’s Indochina.    

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Route can change subject to client interests.

There are many ways to explore the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh (still called Saigon by the locals), however nothing is as exhilarating as on the back of a Vespa scooter!

Begin the morning by heading to Tao Dan Park to catch the bird lovers club (morning only, 06:00 – 09:00). Enjoy a local coffee while the tour guide explains the history and practice of keeping birds in Saigon.

The next stop is the monument of Thich Quang Duc, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who burned himself to death on June 11, 1963 to protest against the persecution of Buddhists by South Vietnam’s Ngo Dinh Diem administration.

Make a quick stop at the colorful Ho Thi Ky flower market 

Roll through Chinatown to the 17th century Nhi Phu temple. Its roof is covered with tubular tiles lined with bas-relief mosaics made from broken ceramics, depicting the eight immortals of Taoism. Leaving China town, drive through the tunnel to District Two to see downtown Saigon from a different perspective.

Heading back to District One, visit a local market and the architecturally stunning Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Move on to the remarkable Reunification Palace and drive down the historic Dong Khoi Street, ending up at the beautiful Opera House.

The final stop is an outside view of HCM City People’s Committee (formerly Hôtel de Ville) which is one of the most photographed buildings in Vietnam - notable for its gardens, ornate facade and elegant interior lit with crystal chandeliers.

End the tour at the hotel.

This afternoon, step off the beaten track and take a stroll to the oldest quarter of the city (a private car is available throughout.) Explore Saigon’s well-kept secret: Antiques Street (Le Cong Kieu), where genuine antiques are mixed in with genuine fakes. Follow a typical street to reach the Beaux-Arts Museum, a superb neo-colonial building home to various modern arts. Explore the art galleries surrounding the museum, where local artists gladly display their talent.

The rest of the day and evening is at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Your chosen hotel to Tan Son Nhat Airport (10 km): 25mins

Full day at leisure until transport (provided) to the airport for the next destination