One day itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My Port: Ho Chi Minh City is described as the “Pearl of the Far East” and known as the largest city in Vietnam. It has become one of the top travel destinations in the country thanks to the vibrant mix of traditional and modern influences, Ho Chi Minh City. Cruise ship passengers from Phu My Port – the first deep sea port in Southern Vietnam have a great chance to explore this amazing city. If your cruise ships stay in port for more than 6 hours, you can do a Ho Chi Minh shore excursion or book a transfer service to the city. It is your choice to book with your cruise line or a travel agent. Whatever your decision, I would like to share with you some sample itineraries in Ho Chi Minh City.
You might like:
- The ultimate Phu My Port Travel Guide
- Shore Excursions from Phu My (list of tours)
- Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursions (list of tours and travel guide)
Ho Chi Minh City has a prominent history going back hundreds of years, the vibrant blend of cultures, unique lifestyle, dynamic business center, charmingly chaotic atmosphere, beautiful French buildings, and many other amazing things to see. There are many travel route options and tourist attractions for you to choose.
Table of Contents
Top activities in Ho Chi Minh City (for tourists)
- Visit historical sites such as Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels.
- Admire the architecture of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office.
- Go shopping at souvenir stores, Ben Thanh Market, local markets, and shopping centers.
- Visit pagodas, temples, mosques such as Jade Emperor Pagoda, Thien Hau Temple, Mariamman Hindu Temple, Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda,…
- Explore Saigon China Town – the largest China Town in Vietnam with wholesale markets and special shopping streets.
- Enjoy authentic Vietnamese dishes and Saigon specialty dishes.
- Join a motorbike tour to explore back alleys and see hidden places.
One day itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My Port
Option 1 – Ho Chi Minh City full day trip from Phu My Port by car/motorbike
One day itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My Port – Saigon Central Post Office
This is one of the most popular choice of international tourists from Phu My cruise port because the tour route consists of must-see tourist attractions in the city.
At 7:30 AM, you will be picked up at the gate of Phu My Port or at the cruise ship. On the way from the sea port to Ho Chi Minh City, you will see many districts, residential areas, quiet villages, gardens, local houses, local markets, factories, industrial zones, street vendors, and many other interesting things.
Upon your arrival at the center of Ho Chi Minh City, you will visit the War Remnants Museum which displays thousands of artifacts relating to recent wars in Vietnam. This is one of the most famous war museums in Southeast Asia. You will spend about 1 hour at the museum.
Next, you will be transferred to the Independence Palace which remembered vividly as a marked end to the war, similar to the Berlin Wall’s fall. In addition, you will walk in a large garden with a total area of 12 ha, green grass and big old trees before reaching the gate of a very beautiful building. It served as home and workplace of President Nguyen Van Thieu from 1967 to 1975. You will wander the 3 main floors, 1 ground floor, 1 terrace, 2 mezzanines, 1 basement, see luxurious furniture and documents in some of the 100 rooms in the palace.
After that, you will walk on beautiful streets under the shade of green trees to reach Notre Dame Cathedral – one of the most beautiful churches in Vietnam and the iconic site of Ho Chi Minh. Constructed between 1863 and 1880, the cathedral reaches a height of up to 60m, retains a unique architecture harmoniously combined Gothic and Roman architectural style.
Constructed from 1886-1891 and conveniently located adjacent to the Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office is also an iconic site of Saigon thanks to its beautiful architecture, especially the impressive interior which is elaborately decorated steel columns and steel-framed arches. The building was designed by architect Alfred Foulhoux but it is often erroneously credited as being a Gustave Eiffel’s work. The building still functions as Ho Chi Minh City’s central post office so you will see tourists, postal workers and local people coming to this place to sightsee and send something to their home.
Built in 1909, Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most holiest places in Ho Chi Minh City. Local people usually come there to wish for prosperity, success, happiness, and children. The pagoda impresses visitors with pink walls, dedicated carved wooden panels illustrating the varied torments, statues on colorful altars, lucky wooden horses for crawling under,… You will visit this cozy and mysterious pagoda, spend your time calming and relaxing.
At noon, we will stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch with Vietnamese dishes. The tour guide will share with you the ingredients, directions of cooking, and the right way to eat Vietnamese foods using chopsticks, rolls after wrap fillings in rice papers.
After lunch, we will have a stop at Ben Thanh Market for sightseeing, see the old buildings and its unique architecture, walk around the market, see how they sell and buy fresh products, clothing, dried foods, flowers, and eat at food kiosks.
Next, you will continue your journey in Ho Chi Minh City. Leaving District 1, we will head to Saigon China Town and see China-Vietnamese people, shops with Chinese signboards, Chinese medicine streets, Binh Tay wholesale market, decorating item streets,… We also visit Thien Hau Temple which dedicated to the Sea Lady – Mazu to learn more about religion of China Vietnamese in Saigon, listen to interesting stories, and admire the beautiful architecture of the small temple.
At 3:30 PM, you will hop on the car and be transferred back to Phu My Port. You will be dropped off at the port gate at about 5:00 – 5:30 PM.
The itinerary depends on the arrival time and departure time of your cruise ship. You can visit more places in Ho Chi Minh City if you have more time.
If book a group transfer from your cruise line or a private transfer from a travel agent, you will pay the entrance fees of 40,000 VND at Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum. It is free to visit other tourist attractions listed above.
You can do the Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursion from Phu My Port by car, motorbike, or jeep. Car is the most popular means of transportation for international tourists, including cruise ship tourists. Motorbike is the most effective means of transportation in Vietnam and it offers a chance to explore the hidden city in narrow alleys where you can not visit by car. Open air jeep vehicle is one of the unique means of transportation for tourists to sightsee the city.
Please Call/SMS/Viber/Whatsapp Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84 938 3143 86 for more information and reserve a tour or a transfer. You can read more about and book the best services at the following links:
One day itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My Port – War Remnants Museum
Option 2 – Cu Chi Tunnels full day trip from Phu My Port by car
Located in Cu Chi District, Cu Chi Tunnels is about 70 km from District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Instead of seeing tourist attractions in the city center, you can choose to go to the countryside, get lost in green forests and admire the beauty of bamboo clumps, and learn more about the history of Vietnam as well as the wars against the French colonials, Republic of Vietnam, and the U.S. troops. Here is a sample itinerary for Cu Chi Tunnels from Phu My Port:
At 7:30 AM, you will be picked up by the driver and tour guide. On the way to Cu Chi District, you will enjoy the beautiful sights and the real local life. Rubber plantations, sheets of rice papers on the grounds of local houses, local markets, gardens, rice fields,…
Upon your arrival at Ben Dinh – one of the two sites of Cu Chi Tunnels, you will get acquainted with the legendary 250km long network of underground tunnels by watching a valuable documentary film about Cu Chi region, history facts of Vietnam wars, and the important role of the tunnels.
You will also learn more about Cu Chi Tunnels through the map of Ben Dinh and the 3D model of the tunnels. There are some weapons such as tanks, bullets, cannons,… for you to see, touch, and take nice photos,…
After that, you will move around the area to see various dangerous traps invented and produced by Vietcong soldiers and learn how they terrify, injure, and kill the enemies. Hoang Cam soldiers invented the smokeless stove diffused and dissipated smoke from cooking so Vietcong soldiers were not detected by the U.S. troops as well as the air crafts. Combat bunkers, secret hide-outs, and bomb craters are also worth seeing at the tunnels.
The underground tunnel area consists of many function rooms such as dining rooms, first-aid rooms, meeting rooms, film screening rooms, kitchens, sewing rooms, weapon factories,… You will be free to explore these functional areas.
You can try climbing down a secret entrance to the tunnels and crawl though safe areas of the tunnels and feel like soldiers and villagers in Cu Chi Tunnels in the past.
Finally, you can try firing a gun at the shooting range with the help of an instructor and your tour guide.
And there’s one more thing, you should not miss buying amazing souvenirs made of weapon pieces at the store.
Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc are two sites of Cu Chi Tunnels, the first one is 10 km closer, smaller, and more popular than the second. Cruise travelers tend to visit Ben Dinh to make sure that they return to Phu My Port on time.
In case you book a transfer to Cu Chi Tunnels, you must buy the entrance tickets for your group at the ticket office, then explore Ben Dinh (or Ben Duoc) by yourself. Do not worry because there are many signs in the visiting area.
Please Call/SMS/Viber/Whatsapp Tracy Do & Bill Bui at +84 938 3143 86 for more information and reserve a tour or a transfer. You can read more about and book the best services at the following links:
One day itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My Port – Cu Chi Tunnels
Option 3 – Ho Chi Minh City motorbike tour from Phu My Port
Classic Ho Chi Minh City tours include must-see tourist attractions in District 1 – the center of Saigon and Saigon China Town. If you would like to see something different and hidden from other tourists, you should choose to explore the city by motorbike. Here is a sample itinerary for must-see and less-known Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My Port:
Option 3a – Saigon sightseeing and unseen tour from Phu My Port by motorbike
At 7:30 AM, pick up at Phu My Port and transfer to District 1 by car.
After about 1 hour, you will arrive at the city center, then be picked up by a motorbike driver. He/she will be also your informative and talented tour guide. You will visit War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Central Post Office of Saigon, Ben Thanh Market,… in District 1.
Later, you will be taken to a local restaurant that is less known by tourists but a favorite place of local people and enjoy a delicious lunch.
You will visit hidden places in the city in the afternoon. We have chosen extraordinary places in back alleys so you can see the second Ho Chi Minh City that is different totally from the luxurious center.
Located in District 3, Thich Quang Duc Memorial is a hidden historical site, tells you the story about the brave monk who self-immolate to protest against the persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government lead by President Ngo Dinh Diem – a Roman Catholic. Being at the busy intersection where Thich Quang Duc died, you will see a beautiful statue of a monk in fire and a relief illustrating the story.
If you are a history lover, we will take you to an old secret weapon bunker that functions as a coffee shop in the recent. You can climb down and get into the bunker through a very small entrance on the floor. In addition, this is also a nice local coffee shop is a must-stop place for you to learn more about Vietnamese coffee culture, experience “đi cà phê” (go to coffee shop).
Next, you will weave Saigon streets and alleys to reach Ho Thi Ky Wholesale Flower Market to see tens of flower shops, hundreds of colorful and sweet smelling flowers, floral tools, artificial flowers,… Trolling in the narrow alleys lined with flower shops, you will learn more about the real local life. Continuing the journey, you will reach a small local market and one of the oldest apartment buildings with lots of interesting things.
If we have enough time, the tour guide will be pleased to take you to Saigon China Town and show you hidden parts in the alleys. Especially, you will have a chance to visit Van Phat Pagoda with ten thousands of Buddha statues.
After finishing the motorbike trip, you will say good bye to your motorbike driver – driver and get in the car. You will spend your time relaxing on the way back to Phu My Port. You will arrive at Phu My Port a half hour or one hour before the departing time of the cruise ship.
You can book the Ho Chi Minh City Motorbike Tour from Phu My Port HERE. Any change to the tour program is accepted.
One day itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My Port – hidden places
Option 3b – Saigon sightseeing and food tour from Phu My Port by motorbike
On this perfect mix of sights and foods of Ho Chi Minh City, you will visit top tourist attractions in District 1 and enjoy specialty dishes of Saigon. In comparison to Option 3a, you will skip Saigon China Town and be taken to many local restaurants serving various Saigon specialties. The best in a short itinerary is as follow:
- Pick up at Phu My Port and transfer to District 1, Ho Chi Minh City by car.
- Hop on a motorbike and start the journey in Saigon.
- Visit War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Central Post Office of Saigon, Ben Thanh Market,… in District 1.
- Visit Ho Thi Ky Wholesale Flower Market, local market, old apartment buildings, Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda (if we have enough time).
- Stop at many non-touristy local restaurants hidden in small streets and narrow alleys to enjoy different Vietnamese dishes and Saigon specialty foods: Vietnamese pancake, Grilled pork and noodle salad, Vietnamese sandwich, Grilled banana in sticky rice.
- In addition, a nice local coffee shop is a must-stop place for you to learn more about Vietnamese coffee culture, experience “đi cà phê” (go to coffee shop).
- Say good bye to your motorbike driver and your tour guide, be transferred back to Phu My by car.
- Drop off at Phu My Port.
Option 3c – Saigon unseen and food tour from Phu My Port by motorbike
- Pick up at Phu My Port and transfer by car to District 1, Ho Chi Minh City by car.
- Hop on a motorbike and start the journey in Saigon.
- Visit Thich Quang Duc Memorial, see a very nice and dedicated bronze statue and relief telling the story about the patriotic monk.
- Be surprised at the secret weapon bunker, try getting into the bunker and discover a large number of weapons including guns, bullets,… Learn more about Vietnamese coffee culture, experience “đi cà phê” (go to coffee shop) at this place.
- Visit Ho Thi Ky Wholesale Flower Market, local market, old apartment buildings, Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda. We will see some special markets such as vegetable market, motorbike accessory market, pet market,… in Saigon China Town if we have enough time.
- Stop at many non-touristy local restaurants hidden in small streets and narrow alleys to enjoy different Vietnamese dishes and Saigon specialty foods: Vietnamese pancake, Grilled pork and noodle salad, Vietnamese sandwich, Grilled banana in sticky rice.
- Say good bye to your motorbike driver and your tour guide, be transferred back to Phu My by car.
- Drop off at Phu My Port.
One day itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My Port – Van Phat Pagoda
Option 3d – Saigon food tour from Phu My Port by motorbike
Ho Chi Minh City is a food paradise and there are dozens of great Vietnamese dishes for you to sample. The tour focuses on Vietnamese authentic cuisine and Saigon street food culture. So there are a small sightseeing part and a big part of foods.
- Pick up at Phu My Port and transfer by car to District 1, Ho Chi Minh City by car.
- Hop on a motorbike and start the food journey in Saigon.
- You will be taken to different districts, local markets, food areas, hidden back alleys to enjoy amazing Vietnamese dishes as well as Saigon specialty dishes. There are more than 10 dishes and drinks at about 5 stops:
- Vietnamese pancake
- Vietnamese spring roll
- Grilled pork and noodle salad
- Vietnamese sandwich
- Grilled banana in sticky rice
- Hue noodle soup (or Crab soup cake)
- Grilled beef in wild betel
- Broken rice with grilled pork
- Vietnamese iced sugarcane juice
- Vietnamese coffee
- Note: Menu is flexible and you can customize it.
- Say good bye to your motorbike driver and your tour guide, be transferred back to Phu My by car.
- Drop off at Phu My Port.
One day itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My Port – Vietnamese Banh xeo
Option 4 – Saigon shopping tour from Phu My Port by car/motorbike
- Pick up at Phu My Port and transfer by car to District 1, Ho Chi Minh City by car.
- You will go shopping at many local markets and shopping centers:
- Ben Thanh Market – one of the most famous market in the city thanks to its long history, unique history, large area, hustle and bustle places, central location, lots of items for international tourists to buy. Souvenirs, dried foods, coffee, tea, clothing, fashion accessories, Ao Dai, Ao Ba Ba, conical hat, brocade items, Vietnam and Saigon printing T-shirt,…
- An Dong Market – the wholesale market to buy clothes, fashion accessories, and dried foods at good prices.
- Tan Dinh Market – a great place to buy Ao Dai fabrics and Ao Dai set of long dress and pants.
- The wholesale Binh Tay Market in Saigon China Town.
- Drop off at Phu My Port.
Option 5 – Saigon pagoda tour from Phu My Port by car/motorbike
- Pick up at Phu My Port and transfer by car to District 1, Ho Chi Minh City by car.
- You will visit the top pagodas and temples in the city:
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
- Vietnamese National Pagoda
- An Quang Pagoda
- Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda
- Thien Hau Temple
- Saigon Central Mosque
- At noon, we will have lunch with vegetarian Vietnamese foods.
- Drop off at Phu My Port.
One day itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My Port – Thien Hau Temple
Option 6 – Saigon pagoda tour from Phu My Port by car/motorbike
- Pick up at Phu My Port and transfer by car to District 1, Ho Chi Minh City by car.
- Enjoy at good spas such as The Privé Spa, The Privé Spa, Euphorea Salon And Spa – Bason, Mido Luxury Spa,…
- At noon, we will have lunch with amazing Vietnamese foods.
- Go shopping at Ben Thanh Market, An Dong Market,…
- Drop off at Phu My Port.
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