The area of alleyways, where the true life of Saigonese is shown, is only a short distance from the busy center of Saigon. You will see how residents live as we guide you through these secret labyrinths on our real Saigon walking tour. Join us to explore this city’s backside through its secret passageways and immerse ourselves in a really local experience!
Highlights of Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
- Being a Saigonese for half a day (the magic wears off before midnight)!
- Experiencing Saigon’s nightlife like a local.
- Having a surprise 3-hour walk around Saigon’s alleyways to reach hidden places frequented by local patrons.
- Enjoying sightseeing Saigon and sampling delicious street foods (snacks, dinner & dessert).
- Seeing nighttime Saigon at its best from one of the riverside viewing spots.
- Capturing the most incredible photos of the surrounding scenery.
- Enjoying panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City at Saigon Skydeck.
Must Know about Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
- DURATION 3 hours
- TOUR TYPE/SIZE Private (Minimum group size is 2 people and the maximum is 8 people)
- MEETING/ENDING POINT Fine Arts Museum
- DEPARTURE/ENDING TIME 04:30 PM-7:30 PM
Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
Itinerary of Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
4:30 PM
You will be welcomed at the main entrance of the Fine Arts Museum.
The journey begins by traveling through crowded downtown streets. While we pass by contemporary and historic homes, neighborhood markets, pagodas, secret cafés, street food vendors, and shrines, you will be given an introduction to Saigon’s past and present.
Our first stop is the Fine Arts Museum (outside), which was formerly the residence of one of Saigon’s wealthiest men and is a marvel of Sino-French architecture. Then we will move on to the “mini-Chinatown” street to see a tiny pagoda that serves the Chinese Hokkien neighborhood. The Chinese community contributed to Saigon’s multicultural modernity, along with the Vietnamese majority, as well as the Khmer, Cham, Indian, and European populations.
The tour will continue through the frantic-yet-beautiful Saigon lanes. You will now be enjoying the actual local experience, with street merchants scurrying around, motorcycles riding right next to you, and an open-space living area in very close proximity. Our tour guide will present how urban residents operate small companies from their homes and the never-ending maze of narrow lanes and dead ends. As you drive by residences down the road, you will be able to notice coffee shops, grocery stores, and beauty salons.
We will also pass by a ton of street food vendors where you may sample regional specialties that aren’t available at upscale eateries or popular tourist destinations. You will be able to ask your guide to make a stop at any locations that catch your attention.
6:30 PM
The walk will conclude with a stop at local noodle shops for a local dinner. We will visit one of the oldest churches in town. After that, we will drop you off at the ultra-modern Saigon Skydeck to enjoy 360-degree views of Ho Chi Minh City at night around 7:30 PM.
Price of Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
- Adults (from 10 years old):
- 1 pax: $38 USD
- 2+ pax: $30 USD
- Children:
- 0 – 2 years old: free of charge
- 3 – 6 years old: 50%
- 7 – 9 years old: 70%
Inclusions of Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
- English-speaking guide;
- Food tasting during tours: two light snacks, one main dish (Noodle soup of choice: pho, hu tieu or bun) with a drink (soft drink or bottled water), one dessert;
- Transport by car back to District 1.
Exclusions of Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
- Additional food and drinks,
- Personal expenses,
- Tips/ gratuities for a local guide, insurance.
Confirmation Of Booking
When you send your booking, it does NOT mean your tour is booked. You will get to receive a confirmation email from our booking staff shortly.
If you do not receive a response to your booking request from us within 24 hours, please check your SPAM or JUNK mail folder. You may also get in touch with us again by emailing info@innoviet.com or calling (+84) 83 439 1331. I’m grateful.
Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
Frequently asked questions about Saigon Walking Tour – Hidden Gems
How far is the whole trip?
The walking distance is about 5 km. You will be walking mostly on streets and alleys with flat terrain and regular uneven steps. therefore, it might be not suitable for minors (less than 6) or tourists that need an accessible facility. We will make some stops during the trip to try some local foods, take photos, and communicate with locals.
Children under 7?
Our tour is designed for adults and children from 7. Because it involves intensive walking on streets, it is not suitable for children under 7. The regular uneven terrain along the tour means that it is also not suitable for strollers or baby carriers as well.
Can you cater to my food allergies/ restrictions?
Because we are provided prior notice, we will be able to adapt the dishes on the tour to fit your food restriction which should not be a problem. Therefore, we can cater to vegetarians OR vegan tourists. Could you please inform your local guide about any food allergies you might have?
What happens if it rains before/ during the tour?
During the rainy season, intense and brief downpours typically happen in the middle of the day or late at night. Rainstorms rarely last more than a few minutes and haven’t significantly impacted our trips in recent years. Therefore, we will give you a poncho so that you may continue the trip even in light rain. To ensure the safety of visitors, we have the right to cancel our trips if terrible weather develops right before our scheduled departure. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
If the cancellation is made before the start of the tour (you have not yet received any services), and we are unable to locate another date for you to attend, we will provide a 100% refund. If the trip is informed of the cancellation (you have already used some services). We will charge you for these services and then refund the balance. Here is our cancellation policy in case you decide to cancel the trip at the last minute due to bad weather but still leave with other customers:
Since we must reserve numerous services in advance, there is a 30% cancellation charge for any cancellations made less than 24 hours before the trip date.
Booking cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure will incur a 5% transaction fee to cover transaction processing fees.
If adverse weather occurs during the trip and it must be canceled for safety reasons: If the trip has lasted two hours or more, you can choose to attend it again on the following date, or you can receive a 25% refund. If the trip lasted less than two hours, you had the option of joining it again on the following date, or you might have received a 50% refund.
What should I wear and bring on the tour?
You should dress comfortably and wear walking-friendly shoes because the tour involves a lot of walking and the weather in Saigon is typically hot. Valuables shouldn’t be carried on a tour for safety reasons. A poncho will be given during the rainy season, however, it is recommended that you wear waterproof clothing and footwear.
