Overview

Sài Gòn, well known as the biggest city in Việt Nam, plays an indispensable role in modern history. The fall of the Khmer Kingdom in the 15th Century almost turned today’s South Việt Nam into a no-name land, until the late 17th century, when Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh – a general of Lord Nguyễn – founded Gia Định garrison and ordered building of roads, canals, markets.

From that time Gia Định has been turned into a busy port city, and when French stepped into Việt Nam in 19th Century, the name of the city eventually became Sài Gòn and soon developed to be one of Việt Nam’s two most important cities. In 1949, Sài Gòn became the capital of the State of Việt Nam, where a government was created after the French reoccupied Việt Nam; and became the capital of the Republic of Việt Nam after the 1954 Geneva Conference, lasting until the Việt Nam War ended on April 30, 1975. Over the years, with different turns of history, it still retains many attractive heritages and stories.

We designed this package and hope to deliver an overview of city history, culture, architecture, religion… and its beloved people just in a few delightful hours.

Highlights

• Get an overview of the city highlights in just a few delightful hours
• Learn about the Việt Nam War at the Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum
• Admire the French colonial architecture of Sài Gòn Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office
• Understand the culture of praying and offering at Jade Emperor Pagoda

What To Expect

Your guide will pick you up and give an introduction about the city. Your visits today include, in no specific order:

Independence Palace was rebuilt after an unsuccessful coup by bombing in 1962 that destroyed almost the entire old building, which had been built by the French colonial government in 1871. During the Việt Nam War (1955 – 1975), this was also well known as The Presidential Palace, the most powerful symbol of South Việt Nam until April 30, 1975.

War Remnants Museum a must-see attraction for most visitors, was founded on September 4, 1975. It was first named “Exhibition House for U.S. and Puppet Crimes”. In 1990, the name was changed to “Exhibition House for Crimes of War and Aggression”. In 1995, a week before an announcement by the U.S. President, Bill Clinton, for the normalization of diplomatic relations, the name was changed to War Remnants Museum, as we all know it now.

Central Post Office built between 1886 and 1891, is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture mixing with Eastern decoration style. There are two painted maps that were created just after the Post Office was built, one map is titled “Telegraphic lines of Southern Việt Nam and Cambodia 1892” and the other is titled “Sài Gòn and its surroundings 1892”.

Notre Dame Cathedral of Sài Gòn constructed between 1863 and 1880, has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet). Most of the original building materials were imported from France. After nearly 140 years in use, the building has been in renovations since July 2017, which will continue until the end of 2023. During this time, we are not able to go inside, but a beautiful view from outside is also worth paying a visit.

Jade Emperor Pagoda built in 1909 in honor of the supreme Taoist God, is one of the most spectacularly atmospheric temples in Sài Gòn. There are many ancient works of art for worship, such as paintings, statues, panels, exquisite carvings… made from wood, pottery and pasteboard.

Enjoy your city view on the Xích Lô around one hour before the tour ends at Bến Thành Market or drive back to pickup point as you request.