A Vespa gives you a wonderful means of exploring Ho Chi Minh City! As experienced Saigon dwellers, we know just how to take in the essential sights while avoiding the busy tourist trail. You’ll ride pillion behind our expert drivers (safety helmets are provided).

Your Itinerary

The half-day tour encounters Saigon’s familiar and lesser-known landmarks, revealing the city’s intriguing culture, architecture, religious practices and history. As we explore, your driver gives you a fascinating insight with rich stories of Vietnam’s past and present. You’ll be collected from your hotel in the cool of the early morning, stopping first at the Ernst Thalmann School, an historic building which marks the first US intervention in Southeast Asia which took place in March 1950. Continuing through historic District One we explore the evidence of Saigon’s 300-year architectural and historical heritage, including the Bat Quay Citadel, the declaration of independence in 1945 and colourful wartime stories of the Rex Hotel. Every stop reveals another of the city’s pearls: the little-known Hindu Temple in District One, the remarkable Reunification Palace, the majestic Post Office and the sublime Cathedral of Notre Dame, where we’ll touch on the rituals around Vietnamese weddings and the role played by religious organisations within the State. A drive down Dong Khoi Street (it means ‘people’s revolution’) allows us to correct a modern myth. We reveal the place where, in 1975, during the dying days of the former regime, the iconic photograph of a helicopter lifting people out of Saigon was taken. A stop at the historic Opera House (now the Municipal Theatre) inspires discussion about the square’s dramatic history, much of which has been interpreted by moviemakers over the years. After visiting a rare Muslim Mosque in Dong Du Street, we take a fascinating ferry ride across the river to District Two where we see downtown Saigon from a different perspective. Here you also have the chance to learn about your fully-restored, classic Vespa in a little more detail. After a cooling drink, we head west into the area known locally as Cholon – Saigon’s very own Chinatown. Check out the colourful, surrealistic Cai Dai Temple, the pretty fabric market and more historic gems. Our final stop is the unique and striking Chinese Community Spirit House, dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau, protector of travellers on the sea. After hearing about the Confucianist context,you can join in with the release of finches to fulfil the spirit of ‘Universal Salvation to All Creatures’.

This exciting, uplifting and enlightening tour ends at the hotel.

PRICING: Please contact us for rates

The package price includes the following services:

• Meals (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner) as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Transfer with private A/C Vehicle.
• Sight-seeing with local English Speaking Guide.
• All entrance fees as per itinerary.
• Mineral water and face towels on vehicle on days of tour.

The package price doesn’t include the following services:

• Vietnam Entry Visa arrangement.
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Optional visits.
• Personal expenses (drinks, tips etc..)
• Travel insurance
• Any service not mentioned above.