Join us on an exciting journey to explore the city of bright lights and motorbikes; the energetic and ever-changing Saigon. From the towering skyscrapers and French-Colonial architecture of district one, to the secret spots far outside the tourist districts, you will experience all aspects of Saigon life on our full day tour. Learn what the average day is like for a local, with cultural insights from our native, English-speaking guides, as we explore local markets and parks while meandering through historic landmarks in between.

Our day begins among the Saigonese at 8:00am, along the shaded sections of Tao Dan Park where songbird hobbyists gather to show off their feathered friends. We will sit with a ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee) on little red stools, learning how traditional Vietnamese drip coffee is made, while the songbirds practice their morning chorus. Photo opportunities abound here and at a local market, far away from the hectic tourist areas. Here you’ll walk in among the women making deals along the corridors of weird and wonderful food. Your expert guide will teach and translate, narrating the scenes with insightful tales as the country’s culture unfolds around you.

Our trail will take us to the street-stalls and food-joints the city has become famous for. Hear about how four generations of women have sold the same family recipe in the same spot for 30 years as you eat the delicious results of their dedication. Fill your stomach with the kind of food most outside Vietnam never get to try – we won’t take you to eat the typical tourist offerings like Pho and Banh Mi sandwiches, just locally-loved meals you won’t find at home. History’s on the menu too with visits to the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, as well as to some lesser-known historical sites, such as the location where the last US helicopter left Saigon, and the memorial of the “Burning Monk”. Before our tour comes to an end at around 4:00pm, we will breathe in the incense at Chinatown’s Thien Hau Pagoda to experience the more spiritual side of Vietnamese life.

At Drive Vietnam, we believe Saigon to be the one of the most culturally interesting cities in all of Asia, and deserving of more than just a fleeting look at the typical hotspots. This is why our full day, private tour is designed to be in-depth and diverse; a tourist-route alternative for those who are truly curious. Sit back and enjoy the journey as we venture from district one to district ten, and many areas in between. Let us show you the many and varied reasons we are so passionate about this vibrant city.