Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
• See gravity-defying stunts and inventive stagecraft using bamboo props to bring Vietnam’s cultural stories to life.
• Follow a poetic contrast between rural village life and fast-changing urban Vietnam, told through humor, movement, and live music.
• Enjoy a globally acclaimed show that has toured Europe, Australia, Japan, and more since 2015.
• Experience a cultural show at the historic Saigon Opera House, a stunning architectural landmark with over a century of heritage.
New to Ho Chi Minh City? This is the tour most travelers book first.
In just one walk, you’ll see the city’s main highlights, uncover hidden details you’d walk past alone, and understand how local life really works today.
Led by a friendly local guide and rated highly by international travelers, this tour is relaxed, easy to follow, and designed especially for first-time visitors. No rushing. No scripts. Just clear stories, local insight, and time to enjoy the city.
⭐ Why Travelers Choose This Tour
- Easy, central route — no transport needed
- Small groups — you can hear, ask, and interact
- Clear storytelling — not a history lecture
- Free to join — tip only if you enjoy it
- Perfect on Day 1 or Day 2 in the city
If you want to feel oriented and confident in Saigon, this tour is for you.
✨ What You’ll See and Do
📍 Bitexco Financial Tower – Meeting point & modern city icon
🌊 Saigon River – Stories of trade and transformation
☕ Local Cafés – Vietnamese coffee culture explained
🚶♂️ Nguyen Hue Walking Street – Saigon’s most vibrant public space
🏛️ Government City Hall – French colonial architecture
🎭 Saigon Opera House – History and elegance
🕵️♂️ Former CIA Building – Vietnam War stories (outside)
✉️ Central Post Office – One of the city’s most beautiful interiors
⛪ Notre-Dame Cathedral – A Saigon landmark
📚 Central Book Street – A quiet local favorite
📍 Meeting Point
Outside the main entrance of Starbucks Coffee at Bitexco Financial Tower
(Extremely easy to find — we’ll be waiting there)
🎯 This Tour Is Ideal If You Want To:
- See Saigon’s highlights without feeling rushed
- Learn the stories behind what you’re seeing
- Discover small details and hidden corners
- Get local tips you can use immediately
🎁 Extra Value
After the tour, we’ll send you a local insider guide with:
- Best street food nearby
- Rooftop bars locals actually go to
- Tips to avoid common tourist mistakes
Free to book. No upfront cost. Tip what you feel it’s worth.
👉 Spots fill quickly — book now to secure your place.
• Enjoy a generous buffet featuring fresh fruit, hot dishes & standard alcoholic drinks, alongside amenities like plush seating and luggage storage services.
• Stay productive and connected with high-speed Wi-Fi, flight information screens, and a fully equipped business center with computers and printers.
• Feeling a little too tired? Head to the dedicated private nap room for a pre-flight rest, so you can board feeling refreshed.
Welcome to Saigon — a city of stories, memories, and endless motion.
This isn’t your average city tour. It’s a walk through time, guided by locals who live the stories they share. With Momo Travel, you’ll go beyond the guidebooks — hearing tales of old Saigon, the echoes of the colonial past, secret missions, and the quiet resilience of people who shaped the city.
We’re here not just to show you places, but to invite you into conversations, personal memories, and the heartbeats behind historic walls.
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🌟 Why Join This Tour?
You’ll gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam through stories rarely told — from hidden corners of resistance to reflections on modern life. It’s not a history lesson; it’s a shared journey, where you’re invited to listen, ask, and connect.
And as a thank-you, we’ll gift you a special PDF guide at the end, full of local tips, food recommendations, rooftop bars, and discount codes to enjoy during your stay. 💎
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🗺️ Highlights of This Small-Group Experience:
🍃 Former Manufacturer of Opium
🏛️ Saigon Opera House
🚶 Nguyen Hue Walking Street
🏨The Coffee Apartment
🗽 Ho Chi Minh Statue
🕵️ The Secret Landing Zone
☕ A relaxing break with a local drink, snack, and clean bathroom!
📮 Saigon Post Office
🍃 The Book Street
⛪ Notre Dame Cathedral
🏰 Independence Palace
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💬 Come as a traveler, leave as a friend.
This tour is 100% free, led by passionate local hosts from Momo Travel, who believe the best experiences begin with kindness and curiosity. If you enjoy the walk, feel free to leave a tip — but your presence is already a gift.
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📍 Meeting Point:
74 Hai Ba Trung St. (The Manufacture Courtyard Gate)
Look for our guide with the blue paper fan — your passcode is: Momo
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Let us show you the city we love. Book now — your Saigon story begins here. ❤️
• Explore the Ben Dinh site, featuring original tunnel segments, hidden trapdoors, field hospitals, and wartime relics.
• Watch live demonstrations of booby traps and learn about guerrilla tactics from your English-speaking guide.
• Try boiled cassava and Vietnamese tea—simple staples that sustained soldiers during the war.
• Choose from a value-friendly big group tour or a small group experience with fewer people and more guide interaction (up to 25 or 12 guests, respectively).
Start Your Free Saigon Adventure!
Are you ready to explore the heart of Saigon without spending a dime? Join our Free Walking Tour of Saigon, where history, culture, and street food come together to create an unforgettable experience. Book your spot now and embark on an adventure that will leave you with incredible memories!
A Journey Full of Stories and Surprises
Picture this: You arrive in Saigon, eager to explore but overwhelmed by the countless landmarks and bustling streets. Where should you go? What’s worth seeing? How can you experience the city's authentic culture without joining overpriced, crowded tours?
That’s where we come in. As you walk down the lively Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the scent of Vietnamese coffee drifts through the air. You hear the echoes of the past as we stand before the CIA Building, a site of historical significance. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, we take you underground into a Secret Weapon Bunker, revealing a hidden chapter of Saigon’s history.
Our tour is not just about seeing the sights—it’s about feeling the heartbeat of the city. Whether you’re sipping on Salted Coffee or standing in front of the Opera House, every stop holds a story waiting to be told.
Why Is This Tour Special?
This is the only walking tour on GuruWalk that takes you to the Secret Weapon Bunker, a hidden historical site filled with stories from the Vietnam War.
· There’s no financial pressure: You’re not required to pay upfront. Tips are optional, based on your satisfaction (usually €10–50).
· It’s exclusive: Each tour is limited to 10 participants to ensure privacy and quality.
· It’s born from passion: Created by locals who want visitors to experience the best of Saigon without breaking the bank.
· Unmatched value: Similar tours typically cost $30–$50 on platforms like Tripadvisor, Viator, GetYourGuide, and Klook. However, with our free walking tour, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable experience at no upfront cost.
Explore 12 Amazing Landmarks
1️⃣ Bitexco Financial Tower (outside)
2️⃣ Nguyen Hue Walking Street (inside)
3️⃣ Cà Phê Apartment (inside) – A hidden gem of Vietnamese coffee culture.
4️⃣ Cà Phê Muối Chú Long (inside) – Famous for its Salted Coffee.
5️⃣ City Hall (outside)
6️⃣ Ho Chi Minh Statue (outside)
7️⃣ Opera House (outside)
8️⃣ CIA Building (outside) – The rooftop of the famous 1975 evacuation photo.
9️⃣ Notre Dame Cathedral (outside)
🔟 Book Street (inside) – A paradise for book lovers.
1️⃣1️⃣ Saigon Central Post Office (inside) – A stunning 19th-century French colonial post office with remarkable architecture and a fascinating history, designed by Alfred Foulhoux. A great place to take photos, admire the historic interior, and even send a postcard home!
1️⃣2️⃣ Independence Palace (outside)
1️⃣3️⃣ Secret Weapon Bunker (inside) – A hidden wartime site, reached by a short GrabCar ride (20,000 VND contribution per guest).
The tour ends at the Secret Weapon Bunker, where you’ll uncover hidden tunnels and learn about their role in the Vietnam War.
Don't Miss Out on Experiencing Saigon Like a Local!
Nearly 1,000 travelers have joined our tour, with many leaving 5-star reviews. We've built a vibrant community of explorers who love our personal touch. The best part? There’s no upfront cost—you tip only if you love the experience!
🕒 Tours available daily – limited spaces!
🎟 Join for free – tip only if you love the experience!
Explore Saigon your way – completely free! See you soon!
• At the top, enjoy 360-degree views that stretch across the city, where the bustling streets of Saigon meet the calm waters of the Mekong Delta in the distance.
• In the immersive VR game “Top of Vietnam”, skydive from 461 meters atop Landmark 81, racing against the clock for a chance to earn a spot on the leaderboard.
• Visit the interactive photo station to capture unique moments with futuristic effects and quirky backgrounds, making your sky-high adventure more fun.
Hidden just west of central Ho Chi Minh City lies Cholon, a district where past and present collide in a whirlwind of color, flavor, and culture. This is Saigon’s Chinatown — and it's a place unlike any other in the city. More than just a neighborhood, Cholon is a living museum of Vietnamese-Chinese heritage, with deep spiritual roots, age-old architecture, and a culinary scene that pulls no punches.
On this immersive walking tour, we’ll take you beyond the tourist trail and into the real heart of District 5, where Chinese medicine shops, incense-filled temples, and bustling wet markets tell stories older than modern Vietnam itself.
🗺️ Your Journey Includes:
- 🏘️ Hao Sy Phuong Alleyway
Start your journey in one of Cholon’s most photogenic alleys. Once home to generations of Chinese immigrants, this narrow passageway is rich with local history and everyday life. - 🛕 Ba Thien Hau Temple
Visit one of Saigon’s oldest and most important Chinese temples, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu. Intricate carvings, curling incense, and spiritual silence offer a peek into traditional beliefs. - 🕌 Cho Lon Masjid (Mosque)
Discover Cholon’s multicultural side with a stop at this historic mosque — a reminder of the area’s diverse roots. - 🍲 Khu ăn uống chợ Thủ Đô
Sample street food classics at this buzzing local market: from savory noodles and dumplings to sweet Chinese desserts. A true food lover’s playground. - 🧵 Soai Kinh Lam Market
Marvel at endless rows of vibrant fabrics and watch the local fashion business in motion at this textile-focused bazaar. - ⛪ St. Francis Xavier Church
A surprising colonial-era gem tucked into Chinatown, this church showcases the religious blend that defines the area. - 🛍️ Binh Tay Market
The commercial heart of Cholon, this vast wholesale market is packed with spices, dried goods, souvenirs, and daily necessities — a must-see for any visitor. - 🏤 District 5 Post Office (Bưu điện Quận 5)
A lesser-known architectural beauty, this building tells its own story of the city’s colonial and cultural evolution. - 🍛 Final Stop: A Hidden Local Eatery
End the day like a true Saigoneer — over a shared table of comforting local dishes in a tucked-away restaurant known only to neighborhood regulars.
✨ Why You’ll Love This Tour:
This isn’t just a walk — it’s a journey through time, taste, and tradition. From hidden alleyways to sacred temples, from vibrant markets to unforgettable street eats, you’ll see a side of Saigon that most travelers miss. Whether you're a curious explorer, a foodie, or a culture lover, Cholon will steal your heart.
Come for the history. Stay for the stories. Leave with a full heart (and stomach).
• Learn about wartime survival as you explore underground tunnels and see live demonstrations of booby traps, followed by cassava and tea tasting.
• Cruise the Tien River on motorized and rowing boats, visiting local workshops, tropical orchards, and villages along the way.
• Enjoy a live Vietnamese folk music performance and a traditional lunch at a riverside restaurant.
• Choose between a shared tour (up to 22 guests) or a private one for a more exclusive, flexible experience.
🏆 Officially Awarded at the GuruWalk Awards 2026
🌍 Ranked Among the Top 2% of Experiences Worldwide
🍜 Winner – The Best Gastronomic Free Walking Tour 2026
Discover the award-winning food tour that travelers consistently rank among the very best on GuruWalk. Recognized for outstanding ratings, high traveler satisfaction, and authentic local storytelling, this experience was officially honored as The Best Gastronomic Free Walking Tour of 2026. This award celebrates guides who truly make a difference through passion, knowledge, and meaningful human connection. If you're looking for a highly rated, trusted, and locally loved experience in Saigon — this is it.
Saigon doesn’t sleep — it sizzles. Behind its glowing skyline and rivers of motorbikes lies a hidden world of wartime secrets, smoky street grills, vibrant night markets, and alleyways bursting with life. This is the only GuruWalk experience combining authentic Vietnamese street food, a real hidden Vietnam War bunker, and a lively Beer Street finale — all in one unforgettable evening.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Tour
✅ Exclusive: The only GuruWalk food tour featuring a real hidden war bunker!
✅ Authentic & Cultural: Eat like a local, learn like a historian.
✅ 9 + iconic street dishes handpicked from beloved Saigon vendors.
✅ Small group only — max 12 guests/guide for a personal experience.
✅ Free Walking Tour Concept: Join free, just pay for food (~ 8 USD = 200 000 VND) + tip what you feel (€10 – €50 at the end).
🚶♂️ Your Evening Adventure
📍 Secret Weapon Bunker – Meeting Point: Kick off the night at Saigon’s best-kept wartime secret — an underground armory from the Vietnam War.
📍 Bò lá lốt Cô Liêng – Juicy grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves over charcoal 🔥 — smoky, herbal, unforgettable!
📍 Grilled Banana Sticky Rice – Sweet, coconut-rich and irresistibly local.
📍 Nguyen Thien Thuat Apartments – Step back to old-school Saigon and choose between a crispy bánh mì or a hearty bún bò Huế in one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods.
📍 Ho Thi Ky Flower Market & Street Food Market – A colorful maze of snacks and smiles. Cool down with sugarcane juice and get ready to feast!
🍽️ Sample Menu
🍕 Bánh tráng nướng (Vietnamese pizza)
🥞 Bánh xèo crispy pancake + Saigon Beer
🍢 Grilled meat skewers
🦪 Steamed oysters with lemongrass
🐚 Stuffed snails
🍮 Salted cheese flan
🍺 Saigon Beer or soft drink
✨ Menu flexible – choose freely based on your taste and appetite!
At Ho Thi Ky Market — Saigon’s street-food paradise with 300 + vendors — follow your nose and discover what locals love most.
📍 Taxi to Beer Street (Bùi Viện) – only 20 000 VND/pax
📍 Beer Street Finale 🍻 – End the night with cold beer, good company and cheers to a perfect Saigon experience!
🕕 Daily Departures: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎟️ Join Free — Pay Only for Food (≈ 200 000 VND for 9 + dishes) + Tip What You Feel
👉 Book Now — Join Saigon’s Top Rated Night Tour!
Let Saigon surprise you with its flavors, stories and soul.
Discover why this tour ranks in the top 2 % of GuruWalk experiences worldwide!
• With buses arriving every 30 to 45 minutes, this tour whisks you away to 18 top spots in the city across two unique routes.
• Climb to the upper deck for scenic views and tune into a 9-language audio guide to uncover more of Saigon’s past and culture.
• Head to the Museum of Vietnamese History & learn about the country’s history, or the Van Phat Pagoda for a moment of peace among the bustle.
Saigon: 50 Years of Reunification Tour ✨
Step into history as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification. This exclusive tour takes you through Ho Chi Minh City’s most significant sites, uncovering key moments before, during, and after 1975. From the struggle for independence to the day Vietnam was reunified, you’ll gain a comprehensive view of the war’s impact and its lasting legacy.
🔍 What You’ll Experience:
📍 The Burning Monk Monument – Hear the powerful story behind one of the most striking acts of protest during the war.
📍 War Remnants Museum – A moving collection of artifacts and stories that highlight the realities of the conflict.
📍 Independence Palace – Stand at the very site where history changed on April 30, 1975.
📍 Former Diem’s President Palace & Former Radar Bunker – Learn about the rise and fall of South Vietnam’s government and how the country was divided before reunification.
🚀 Why Join This Tour?
✔ A full journey through history – Understand not just the final days of the war, but the decades leading up to it.
✔ Local perspectives & hidden stories beyond what’s in the history books.
✔ Bonus PDF Guide – Insider tips on food, rooftop bars, and must-visit spots in Saigon.
🎟 Limited Edition Tour – Only in 2025!
Book now and be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience! 🔥
• Step into the Ao Dai Museum on the 49th floor to explore exquisite traditional Vietnamese attire, a tribute to timeless elegance and local culture.
• Learn about the city’s key sights through interactive screens and use binoculars on the Skydeck to explore Saigon’s streets and skyline in detail.
• Fun fact: The Bitexco Financial Tower, where the Saigon Skydeck is located, is designed to resemble a lotus flower, which is a significant symbol in Vietnamese culture.
SOS: This walking tour involves around 4 km of walking. Please consider before you book 😉
🏴☠️WARNING: The weather in HCMC is HOT and SUPER HOT (very humid). IF you have problem with the HEAT, this walking ISN'T for you !!!
Xin chào! Welcome to Saigon 😊
Most tourists come to HCMC (Saigon), they will definitely visit some famous destination as Notre Dame, War Museum, Independent Place,.....Why don't do walking sightseeing different from them to see what hidden beauty Saigon is? I would tell you history and show you Saigon hidden gem and real local life in Saigon.
I gonna pick you up from FamilyMart convenience store (199 Cach Mang Thang Tam street, District 3). Then we gonna walk around there. At the end of the tour, I will help you take a cab to get back to your hotel.
Where would we visit?
1. The story of Thích Quảng Đức, the Burning Monk.
2. Visit the secret weapon bunker.
=> We will learn about history in my beloved city in 2 first stops.
3. Enjoy coffee in the local coffee shop (optional) .
4. Visit one of the old apartments in HCMC to see real local life.
5. Visit a fresh flower market.
*Other things to note:
- This is a joined group tour so we will leave ON TIME and I will do the tour at least from 3 people in the schedule.
- One of our destinations in our tour is a monument. Please note that NO revealing clothes allowed in that place: no pyjama, no sleeveless attire.
-Pick up at FamilyMart convenience store (199 Cach Mang Thang Tam street, District 3).
- During the tour, we could enjoy some street foods, snacks, drinks. So you could enjoy it and pay it by yourself :).
-When you booked the walking tour with me, i gonna share you stories under looks as a local, who live in Saigon. Please don't expect me like a tour guide in tourist company. I'm just your local friend.
• Take a seat on the upper deck, get a bird’s-eye-view of the city, and keep your phone at the ready for when the right photo op comes your way.
• Pass by the street performances and mouth-watering flavors of Nguyen Hue, the opulent Saigon Opera House & more on your tour.
Hop on the back of our motorbikes like a true local, and let us guide you through the heart and soul of Ho Chi Minh City. This immersive tour takes you beyond the tourist trail—exploring iconic landmarks, hidden wartime relics, colorful markets, and authentic neighborhoods.
As we weave through multiple districts, you’ll experience the shift from historic downtown to lively local areas, taste Vietnamese specialties, and engage in real conversations about the country’s past, present, and future.
Highlights:
1. Notre Dame Cathedral
Marvel at this stunning French colonial church, an architectural gem in the city center.
2. Saigon Central Post Office
Step into a beautifully preserved landmark designed by Gustave Eiffel.
3. The Independence Palace (outside visit)
Hear stories of the Fall of Saigon while viewing this powerful symbol of Vietnam’s reunification
4. The Burning Monk Memorial
Learn about the iconic self-immolation protest that shocked the world.
5. Secret Weapon Bunker
Step into a hidden Saigon basement once used by the Viet Cong during the war
6. Spy House Coffee Stop (Only ~$1.50)
Savor a Vietnamese coffee in a historic café once used for covert meetings.
7. Flower Market & Cambodian Wet Market
Witness the colors, chaos, and charm of Saigon’s most vibrant local markets.
8. Try a Local Delicacy (Only ~$1.50)
Sample a delicious street dish loved by locals—don’t worry, we’ll guide you!
9. Oldest Temple & Chinatown (Chợ Lớn)
Explore the spiritual and cultural richness of Saigon’s Chinese district.
10. Saigon River Ride ( If we still have time)
End with a peaceful drive along the river, soaking in panoramic views of the city skylin
Tour inclusions:
1. Transportation:
Private Motorbikes
Free hotel pick-up & drop-off in Districts 1, 3, and 4
2. Equipment & Safety
Rain ponchos, high-quality helmets, and accident insurance
3. Guides & Drivers
Local licensed English-speaking guide, Professional drivers
4. A lovely gift
A lovely gift to remember Saigon with us
Note: You can customize the tour if you have already visited the main historical sites. We can change some local sites to substitute for you
1. Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda
2. The old quarter
3. The biggest market in Chinatown.
4. Jade Emperor Pagoda
5. Slum Areas Life
6. The Pink Church
7. Saigon Rivers
8. A maze of alleys in gangster town.
