Ho Chi Minh Tour: 3-Days of City Culture

Highlights of the Trip

Enjoy an unforgettable 3-day Ho Chi Minh City tour in the heart of Vietnam! Immerse yourself in the bustling streets of Saigon and Chinatown, where bustling local life unfolds before your eyes. Set off on an exhilarating scooter ride through the city’s winding alleys and visit the bustling local markets. Dive into the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine as you learn to make crispy banana crackers, and gain insight into daily life from our knowledgeable tour guide. Embark on a speedboat tour of the historic Cu Chi tunnels, and for those seeking extra excitement, enjoy the mesmerising A O Show (optional).

A Vietnam trip in Ho Chi Minh City is the perfect addition to your Vietnam itinerary, offering a condensed yet enriching experience of this dynamic metropolis, and well-rounded glimpse into Vietnamese culture.

Destinations and the Landmarks / Sights to Visit

Ho Chi Minh City

• Chinatown: Explore a local evening market.
• Nguyen Thien Thuat: Visit this area with a considerable diversity in the style of the cuisine and local culture.

Cultural Experiences & Activities of this Holiday

Ho Thi Ky Wholesale Flower Market: With over 500 stalls selling a variety of flowers, plants, and traditional Vietnamese handicrafts, this market is a paradise for any flower enthusiast.

Learn to make Crispy Banana Cracker: During your Vietnam trip, learn to make this delicious and addictive snack. This is made from simple ingredients and is surprisingly easy to make. Not only will you impress your friends and family with your cooking skills, but you’ll also get to enjoy a unique and cultural snack that is loved by many in Vietnam.

Scooter Ride around Ho Chi Minh: During your Ho Chi Minh tour, explore the winding streets and hidden corners of Saigon with a knowledgeable Vietnamese guide. Journey through various districts and alleys, including a stop at Chinatown and an evening market. Visit the bustling Ho Thi Ky wholesale flower market and take a stroll to learn the art of making crispy banana crackers. Then, hop on a scooter and ride through the lively alleyways for 30 minutes, passing by fashion stores, street food vendors, and local parks where residents exercise in the evenings.

Cu Chi Tunnels: These tunnels played a crucial role in the resistance against American forces. Spanning over 250 kilometers, the tunnel system was a symbol of the ingenuity and determination of the Vietnamese people in their fight for independence.

A O Show: This show presents Vietnam’s uniqueness in a contemporary circus style, blending dance, acrobatics, and live music to tell the story of the country’s transformation from a rural village to a modern and urbanised society.

Local Cuisine and Traditional Dishes to try while in Vietnam

During this Ho Chi Minh tour, numerous opportunities will arise for you to savour the authentic local cuisine, whether from the menus of included meals or from your own culinary exploration during your free time in the itinerary. Indulge in traditional dishes that showcase the rich flavours of the region, including pho, a flavourful noodle soup made with a rich broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat (usually beef or chicken). This dish can be found at street food stalls, local restaurants, and even high-end establishments. Another iconic dish is banh mi, a French-inspired sandwich filled with different types of meats, cilantro, pickled carrots, and cucumber. It is a perfect blend of crispy bread and savoury fillings that will leave your taste buds satisfied.

Water-based Activities and Cruises

Speedboat Ride to Cu Chi Tunnels.

Accommodation of this Tour

Ho Chi Minh: Eden Star Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Ho Chi Minh City, scooter city tour & evening street food

Upon arriving in Ho Chi Minh City via morning or noon flight, your guide will welcome and take you around the city. At 6 pm, you will start your Ho Chi Minh city tour by exploring the streets of Saigon on the back of a scooter. A Vietnamese rider will guide you to the narrow streets and alleys of Saigon, located in different districts and hidden corners. You will ride to Chinatown and visit an evening local market before heading to Ho Thi Ky wholesale flower market. You will take a walk and learn how to make Crispy banana cracker. Then, hop on the scooter and take a 30-minute ride through alleyways while seeing cloth shops on fashion streets, food vendors, and local parks where people exercise in the evenings.

After a great view from the scooter, you will stop for Pho (Beef Noodle Soup) and Banh My (the most famous street food in Vietnam). Afterwards, we will take you to Nguyen Thien Thuat area, an area with a considerable diversity in the style of the cuisine and local culture. Lastly, you will be taken to a local’s favourite drinking spot for some beer and soft drinks. After a great chat with our tour guide, learning more about the ingredients of our cuisine and local life, you will return to your hotel around 10 pm and spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

 ✓ Breakfast, Dinner

Day 2: Speedboat Tour of Cu Chi Tunnels & (optional) À O Show

At 7:15am, your guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby and take you to the central pier in Ho Chi Minh City to board your speedboat. In only 15 minutes, you will witness the shift from the city buildings to the lush jungle on the riverbanks. While you enjoy freshly baked pastries, local fruits, and Vietnamese coffee aboard the boat, your guide will tell you about the rural customs and unique features of life near the river. You will have plenty of time to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, arriving earlier than those travelling by car, and be able to explore its underground passages, chambers, rooms, and booby traps in peace.

The evening is yours to explore the city as you wish, and you may even like to purchase tickets for the A O Show. This show presents Vietnam’s uniqueness in a contemporary circus style, blending dance, acrobatics, and live music to tell the story of the country’s transformation from a rural village to a modern and urbanised society.

 ✓ Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Departure from Ho Chi Minh City

Today you will be free to explore or relax until your transfer to the airport for your next destination. End of tour. We hope you have had an excellent Vietnam trip!

 ✓ Breakfast

Price

£263

– Price per person based on two-people group size.

– The price is subject to availability, based on twin or double room sharing.

– Peak season surcharges may apply during local public holidays.

Please note, this package is an example of our many exciting daily offers. We are happy to check up-to-date prices for the dates and times that suit you for your perfect package holiday, or to tailor or upgrade elements of any package. Please feel free to contact us at enquiry@asiara-holidays.com or call us on 01473 356 000.

Tour Map

Tour Summary

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, embark on a thrilling scooter tour exploring Chinatown, local markets, and fashion streets, indulging in authentic Vietnamese cuisine along the way.

Day 2: Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels via speedboat, gaining early access to the fascinating underground network, followed by an evening at leisure, with the option to attend the captivating À O Show.

Day 3: Enjoy free time in the city before departing for your next destination, marking the end of your memorable Vietnam journey.

FAQs

1. What is included in the scooter city tour on Day 1?
   • The scooter city tour includes visits to Chinatown, Ho Thi Ky wholesale flower market, fashion streets, local parks, and various food vendors. Additionally, guests will learn to make Crispy banana crackers and enjoy Pho and Banh My, among other experiences.
2. Can I opt-out of the scooter tour on Day 1?
   • Yes, if you prefer not to join the scooter tour, alternative arrangements can be made for exploring the city by other means.
3. What is the duration of the speedboat tour to Cu Chi Tunnels on Day 2?
   • The speedboat tour to Cu Chi Tunnels typically lasts around 15 minutes, providing a scenic journey along the riverbanks.
4. Is the À O Show included in the tour package on Day 2?
   • No, the À O Show is an optional activity. Guests can purchase tickets separately if they wish to attend the show.
5. What are the options for activities on Day 3 before departure?
   • On Day 3, guests have free time to explore or relax before their departure. They can choose to visit local attractions, do some shopping, or simply unwind at their hotel before the transfer to the airport.