Explore Saigon’s rich history and culture with visits to the War Remnants Museum, Jade Emperor Pagoda, and more. Discover Vietnam’s past and vibrant present.
Explore Saigon’s rich history and culture with visits to the War Remnants Museum, Jade Emperor Pagoda, and more. Discover Vietnam’s past and vibrant present.
- History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City - Established in 1929, this prominent Sino-French museum showcases a rich collection of artifacts that trace the cultural evolution of Vietnam, from the Bronze Age Dong Son civilization (emerging around 2000 BCE) and the Funan civilization (1st to 6th centuries CE) to the Cham, Khmer, and Vietnamese cultures….
- History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City - Established in 1929, this prominent Sino-French museum showcases a rich collection of artifacts that trace the cultural evolution of Vietnam, from the Bronze Age Dong Son civilization (emerging around 2000 BCE) and the Funan civilization (1st to 6th centuries CE) to the Cham, Khmer, and Vietnamese cultures. Noteworthy exhibits include precious relics from Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and an impressive array of Buddha statues. The museum provides good English information, though some sections are currently under renovation.
A perfectly preserved mummy of a local woman who passed away in 1869, discovered in Xom Cai in District 5, is also on display, along with beautifully crafted mother-of-pearl Chinese characters inlaid into panels. The museum is situated next to the Botanical Gardens.
The museum also highlights the diverse cultures of ethnic groups in Southern Vietnam and other Asian countries, featuring their traditional clothing, unique musical instruments, deity statues, and tools used in agriculture, hunting, and fishing.
- The Independence Palace - Encircled by royal palm trees, the striking 1960s architecture of this iconic government building and the eerie atmosphere of its empty halls make it a fascinating sight. The first Communist tanks rolled into Saigon here on April 30, 1975, and it feels as though time has stood still since that moment. The building is closely linked to the fall of the city in 1975, but it’s the kitschy details and period motifs that truly stand out. It is also known as the Independence Palace.
Named Independence Palace, it served as the residence of the South Vietnamese president, Nguyen Van Thieu, until his abrupt departure in 1975. Designed by Paris-trained Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu, it is a prime example of 1960s architecture, characterized by its airy and open design.
The Reunification Palace, also referred to as Independence Palace, is a significant landmark in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and is considered a must-see national monument.
- Museum of Ho Chi Minh City - This grand neoclassical building, constructed in 1885 and formerly known as Gia Long Palace, is a stunning and impressive structure that narrates the city’s history through archaeological artifacts, ceramics, old city maps, and exhibits on the marriage traditions of its various ethnic groups. The struggle for independence is thoroughly documented, with most of the upper floor dedicated to it.
Beneath the building lies a network of reinforced concrete bunkers and fortified corridors, extending all the way to the Reunification Palace. This system included living quarters, a kitchen, and a large meeting hall. In 1963, President Diem and his brother hid here before fleeing to Cha Tam Church. The network is not open to the public as most of the tunnels are flooded.
The gardens feature various pieces of military hardware, including the American-built F-5E jet used by a renegade South Vietnamese pilot to bomb the Reunification Palace on April 8, 1975.
- Central Post Office - This iconic French-era post office, designed by Marie-Alfred Foulhoux (though often attributed to Gustave Eiffel) and built between 1886 and 1891, is a classic example of period architecture. A mosaic of Ho Chi Minh is prominently displayed at the end of its barrel-vaulted hall.
The post office boasts a distinctive bright yellow exterior with white trim. Its curved windows are elegantly framed with green shutters, and a large clock is prominently featured at the main entrance. The stunning interior features tall, domed ceilings with metal arches and a beautifully patterned tile floor. Inside, there are two painted maps – “Lignes télégraphiques du Sud Vietnam et du Cambodge 1892” (Telegraphic lines of southern Vietnam and Cambodia 1892), depicting the postal route from southern Vietnam to Cambodia, and “Saigon et ses environs, 1892” (Saigon and its surroundings), a local map.
- Emperor Jade Pagoda - Built in 1909 to honor the supreme Jade Emperor (King of Heaven), this is one of the most atmospheric temples in Ho Chi Minh City, filled with statues of mystical divinities and grotesque heroes.
The air is thick with the pungent smoke of incense, partially obscuring the intricate woodcarvings. The roof is adorned with elaborate tile work, and the temple’s statues, representing characters from both Buddhist and Taoist traditions, are crafted from reinforced papier-mâché.
The temple’s multifaith nature is reflected in its alternative name, Phuoc Hai Tu, which conveys a clearly Buddhist message. Similarly, the Chinese characters in the main hall mean ‘The light of Buddha shines on all.’
Over the past century, despite many changes, the Jade Emperor Pagoda has retained its timeless charm. Its beauty is a harmonious blend of the three main religions of the Orient: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
Thanks to its impressive and unique beauty, coupled with sacred legends, this is one of the most remarkable destinations.
- Sơn mài Đại Việt - Lacquer is derived from the resin of a tree, mixed with colored pigments and solvents, and applied in multiple layers to an object’s surface, resulting in a shiny and durable finish. Eggshell and mother-of-pearl may be added to the surface before the lacquer is applied, with the final product being sanded down to reveal the decoration beneath.
The high quality of resin from Vietnamese lacquer trees, particularly those in Phu Tho, was a key factor in the rapid development of this art form during the feudal period. Decorated lacquer statues, panels, boxes, and trays (1428-1527) can still be seen in many temples and pagodas.
In later centuries, the use of lacquerware expanded to larger items such as wooden chairs and tables.
Since then, lacquerware has continued to evolve into a cornerstone of the Vietnamese handicraft industry, both domestically and internationally. Today, popular items include vases, jewelry boxes, desk sets, trays, and vertical blinds.
- Entrance fees
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Pickup & drop-off at Saigon Port, No.05 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4
- English-speaking tour guide
- Entrance fees
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Pickup & drop-off at Saigon Port, No.05 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4
- English-speaking tour guide
- Tipping/ Gratuities or personal expenses
- Tipping/ Gratuities or personal expenses
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon and long considered as the Pearl of the Far East, is the most dizzying city of commerce and culture in Vietnam. A visit to Saigon is like an encounter with exotic delicious food, French colonial architecture and memories of Vietnam War.
A state-run handicraft enterprise exports a wide range of products—including…
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon and long considered as the Pearl of the Far East, is the most dizzying city of commerce and culture in Vietnam. A visit to Saigon is like an encounter with exotic delicious food, French colonial architecture and memories of Vietnam War.
A state-run handicraft enterprise exports a wide range of products—including furniture, carpets, lacquer paintings, and other works of art—made largely from local materials and you will be shown a part of this attraction.
There are so many amazing attractions and you will have a chance to discover apart of those such as War Remnants Museum to learn more about Vietnam War, Jade Emperor Pagoda to learn more about a part of Vietnamese culture. Saigon Central Post Office is known as Center of Telegraph in Indochina War or exploration the National Monument of Reunification Palace, Vietnam History Museum to learn more about history of Vietnam; Ho Chi MInh City Museum is to learn about Trading Centre of South Vietnam.
- The remaining hours are allotted for the travel time
- Everyone can join this tour
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.