Ho Chi Minh City History Tours: Our 10 Picks

1.Premium Cu Chi Tunnels Tour with Local Expert by SpeedBoat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,045 reviews · from $89Our pick

Travel from Bach Dang Pier by luxury speedboat to the Cu Chi Tunnels with a guide such as Mr Chi, Moon, Danny, or Tham. Expect river views, breakfast, a documentary, jungle paths, narrow tunnels, wartime exhibits, cassava, and a seven-course Vietnamese lunch. Groups are capped at 15.

“Mr. Chi gave us an informative, fun, and interesting tour. Learned a lot about what life was like during the war and about the area/people in general. Enjoyed getting to watch a propaganda film and shoot a rifle. The speedboat let us beat the crowds! Highly recommend.”

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2.From Ho Chi Minh: Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day History Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 480 reviews · from $14Best value

Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels on a 6 to 7-hour group tour. An English-speaking guide leads you through the command center, bunkers, smoke-less stove, and tunnel displays, with tapioca, tea, bottled water, and entrance fees included. Guides may include Kevin, Kyle, or Thang.

“A great half day trip! We set off on time and the van was very comfortable. Service was excellent from Quyen. Thang was very welcoming and so knowledgeable! We really enjoyed seeing the Cu Chi Tunnels and learning all about the history. Would definitely recommend!”

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3.Saigon Afternoon City Historical Scooter Tour |Opt: Ao Dai Riders

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 466 reviews · from $25

Ride through Ho Chi Minh City with a private local driver-guide, stopping at the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Opera House, Nguyen Hue Street, Jade Emperor Pagoda, and a wartime weapons basement. Request female Ao Dai riders at least six hours ahead.

“Super fun! I love motorbikes, and what a native way to see the city. Flex those abs to stay on! :) I had a short time in HCMC because I was here for work, so Billy was a wonderful guide and took me to places I may not have been able to visit in my short time. Fabulous, super fun way to see the city!”

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4.Saigon Unseen, History, & Hidden Gems Sightseeing Motorbike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 416 reviews · from $33

Ride through Ho Chi Minh City with an English-speaking guide such as Kien, Hani, Harry, or Jasmine. Visit French colonial landmarks, a burning monk memorial, a former Viet Cong weapons cellar, local markets, a flower market, and Chinatown. Coffee, food, fuel, helmets, water, and hotel pickup are handled with some costs extra.

“Tour was a grezt way to see city & learn about the history of Vietnam. Eli & Tracy were great guides. They were very helpful & knowledgable. English was very good. Always felt safe on scooters. Will probably do same when we go to Hanoi. .”

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5.6 Hours Historical Tour in Cu Chi Tunnel with Free Snack

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 312 reviews · from $19

Travel from central Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. You’ll watch a war documentary, inspect booby traps, crawl through a short tunnel, and taste tapioca with pandan tea. Bao and Son have earned particular praise, while AK-47 shooting costs extra.

“Two kids 5 and 9 found it interesting and exhilarating. The traps were a particular high point for the eldest. I loved going through the whole tunnel complex and my claustrophobic partner enjoyed the history and context of the place. The tour guide was brilliant had answers to all our questions as well as great patience.”

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6.Vung Tau Essential: Beach, Christ Statue & Colonial Heritage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 284 reviews · from $41

Spend about 10 hours traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau by air-conditioned vehicle. You’ll climb to the Christ Statue, see Cape Nghinh Phong, visit White Palace and Whale Temple, eat lunch, and get roughly 35 to 40 minutes at the beach. Guides may include Nikki, Heidi, or Thuyen.

“Full day tour with lunch and drinks on the beach organised very effectively, fun to go for sea swim & the top of Jesus Christ Cathedral has amazing view of sea & surrounding landscape”

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7.Full-Day Ho Chi Minh City Tour with Colonial Heritage & Chinatown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 246 reviews · from $47

Start at 7:30 am with an English-speaking guide such as Thuyen, then visit the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Central Post Office, Chinatown, and Binh Tay Market. Lunch, coffee, entrance fees, hotel pickup, and a Saigon River water bus ride are included in this 8 to 9-hour private tour.

“Lovely first day in Vietnam with Thuyen! Picked me up promptly and great communication before the tour even started to coordinate for the day. Sights were exactly as advertised and Thuyen added excellent information and insight.”

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8.Private Cu Chi Tunnels Tour – Explore History & Off-the-path Local Sites

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · from $79

Spend about 7 to 8 hours with a private English-speaking guide such as Chris, Henry, Jadon, or Noo. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a traditional rice-paper village, and lesser-known local areas beyond central Ho Chi Minh City. Hotel pickup, transport, snacks, water, and entrance are included, while lunch and shooting-range fees cost extra.

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9.Heritage & Culture Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 37 reviews · 4 hours · from $26

This small-group or private tour pairs Ho Chi Minh City’s major sights with everyday city life. Choose a morning visit to the Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, and Jade Emperor Pagoda, or an afternoon outing to Cho Lon, Thien Hau Pagoda, and the Saigon River waterbus. English is included, with other languages available for a surcharge.

“Our guide, Kha, was excellent. He is very knowledgeable and friendly and fun! We learned a lot and enjoyed the entire tour. Highly recommended!”

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10.Half-day History And Culture Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $36

Spend four hours touring Ho Chi Minh City with an English-speaking guide and city-center hotel pickup. Visit Thien Hau Temple, Independence Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the War Remnants Museum, and a lacquerware workshop. Guides such as Boa and Hành bring clear historical context, while drivers such as Nam and Quy keep the route moving.

“Our tour guide was very informative and explained the whole history to us. I highly recommend the tour.”

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