Private Ho Chi Minh City Tour - Shore Excursions

Visit Local Markets In Style!
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh! Our team will be waiting with name signs, big smiles and a Maika Tour t-shirt at your port to take you to your cool airconditioned transport. Once we reach the city, immerse yourself in local Vietnamese culture with a traditional cyclo ride through the narrow, colourful streets of Ho Chi Minh. As we make our way through this bustling hub, experience the daily life of the locals as they haggle at the countless markets dotted throughout the city. Witness vendors selling colourful materials, fresh fruit, and vegetables, and of course the famed Vietnamese street food! An incredible and exciting way to experience the best of the city in a short time!

Once we’ve had our fill of the sounds, sights, and scents of Ho Chi Minh’s streets, we’ll explore Chinese-influenced Thien Hau Temple. Ho Chi Minh’s temples offer an essential insight into the beliefs and customs of the Vietnamese, and this beautiful temple is no exception! This National Architectural Heritage Site, apart from housing beautiful art pieces and antiquities, gives an important insight into Vietnamese folk religions for locals and tourists alike.

Next up, prepare for the emotional impact of the War Remnants Museum. This breathtaking display is like no other war museum. Offering a rare insight into the civilian impact of the Vietnamese-American war, the multi-layered displays are hard-hitting but a must-see. The Requiem gallery is the gem of this museum, where you can see historic photos taken by famed international war photographers such as Tim Page or Larry Burrows. This poignant display is bound to stay with you long after you leave the museum.

Visit One of Ho Chi Minh’s Most Important Landmarks
Our next stop is the Independence Palace. This important landmark in Ho Chi Minh City acts as a fascinating time capsule. The site of the end of the Vietnam War, Independence Palace houses secret rooms, a war bunker, and even the original tanks that were used to seize the palace!

After the Independence Palace, we’ll go for a tasty Vietnamese lunch. An essential stop on this tour is to make, and of course enjoy, famous Vietnamese dripping coffee. This sweet beverage is a daily essential for many locals and a great insight into the surprising coffee culture in Vietnam.

Soak up HCMC’s Skyline
Enjoy a walking tour through all of Ho Chi Minh’s most important sites! The Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office are stunning architectural feats in the centre of the city. The Neo-Romanesque Notre-Dame church, built by the French, is a striking Catholic meeting point in a largely Buddhist society while the classic Central Post Office, built between 1886 and 1891, is a striking remnant of past times. The halls are lined with historic maps of South Vietnam, Saigon, and Cholon. These two beautiful buildings are popular with tourists as they offer striking insight into the cultural and historical influences at play in Vietnam. From the Post Office, our guide will show you the historic CIA Headquarters and tell you the story of the last US helicopter flying out of Saigon in 1975, as well as the last US Operation in Vietnam – Frequent Wind. We’ll stroll leisurely along Dong Khoi street to visit the very beautiful Opera House and City Hall.