Excursion Ho chi ming city tour tour at Ho Chi Minh

Enjoy a comprehensive tour of the best landmarks in beautiful Ho Chi Minh City. Begin the day with the visit to the History Museum, set in the Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Built in 1929 by the Societe des Etudes Indochinoises, it was known as 'Musée Blanchard de la Bosse' until 1956, when it was renamed the Saigon National Museum. In 1975, it was expanded, renovated and renamed the Historical Museum. The Museum now houses an excellent collection of artefacts illustrating the evolution of Vietnamese culture from ancient times (approximately 300,000 years ago) up to the 1930s, when Vietnam's Communist Party was founded.

Then visit the Reunification Palace, one of the most historic landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City built on the site of the former Norodom Palace. The building is preserved almost as it was under the old regime with elegant interiors decorated with fine Vietnamese arts and crafts.

Continue to the Notre Dame Cathedral in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City to take photos of its exquisite exterior. Your next stop is a visit to the classic 19th century French colonial Post Office. The largest post office in Vietnam, it is an important communications hub for most of the city's inhabitants. Inside, the building has huge vaulted ceilings with vast maps of Vietnam on both sides of the main hall.

After lunch, explore Cholon, "Chinatown", a bustling area which has been a key trading post since the 17th century. Known for its Chinese delis, ancient quarters, old temples and pagodas, the area reflects original architecture and age-old rituals.

Transfer to visit a Quan Am pagoda built in the 18th century. Unchanged for hundreds of years, the pagoda offers a serene escape from the bustling atmosphere of Chinatown. Meet with Dr. Duong Ngoc Dung, guide for President Obama during the presidents May 2016 visit to Ho Chi Minh. Dr. Duong Ngoc Dung is a doctor of Religious Studies (PhD from Boston University, 2001) who can tell us all about the culture and religions of Vietnam.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Saigon National Museum, Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Cholon (Chinatown), Quan Am pagoda

Note

Please note: This tour requires a lot of walking as well climbing a modest number of steps, both at landmarks and getting in and out of the tour bus; guests with limited mobility may be accommodated by returning early to the tour bus if needed. Most venues are not wheelchair accessible. Comfortable clothing is recommended for walking, as well as attire appropriate to wear in the museum, Palace and Temple. Women should wear skirts to cover the knees and bring a scarf to cover the head; trousers or short are acceptable for men. It is recommended guests bring along sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and flat, comfortable footwear. Order of sites seen or visited may vary. Bring local currency for any purchases; US dollars and credit cards are accepted in many stores.