Water Puppet Show

The Water Puppet Show in Ho Chi Minh City is a captivating traditional Vietnamese performance that takes place on a water stage. Originating from the Red River Delta, this unique art form involves intricately designed puppets that are maneuvered by puppeteers hidden behind a screen, with the water concealing the puppeteers' movements. The shows often depict rural Vietnamese life, folklore, and legends, accompanied by live traditional music and songs. The combination of vivid puppetry, enchanting storytelling, and lively music makes it a memorable cultural experience for visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is a vibrant and bustling metropolis located in southern Vietnam. It is the largest city in the country and serves as the economic, cultural, and educational center of Vietnam. Named after the revered Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, the city is a captivating blend of rich history, modern development, and a dynamic atmosphere.

Ho Chi Minh City has a population of over 9 million people and covers an area of approximately 2,061 square kilometers (796 square miles). The city is situated along the Saigon River, which adds to its scenic beauty and provides an important transportation route.

War Remnants Museum

War Remnants Museum is situated at 28 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3. It displays shocking evidences of atrocity committed by the foreign aggressors during Viet Nam's two national liberation wars. There is a collection of American weapons, and more impressive are a French guillotine sent to Viet Nam in 1911, a model of the notorious tiger cages for keeping Vietnamese revolutionaries.

Visiting the War Remnants Museum can be a sobering and thought-provoking experience. It offers a chance to learn about the war's history, gain insights into the Vietnamese perspective, and reflect on the consequences of armed conflicts. It is an important cultural institution in Vietnam and attracts numerous tourists each year.

Independence Palace

The Independence Palace is situated at 106 Nguyen Du Street, District 1. Originally called Norodom Palace and Palace of Indochina Governor General, it was built in 1868 and inaugurated in 1871

After, Ngo Dinh Diem, South Viet Nam's President, and his family lived and worked in Norodom Palace. He decided to rename it the Independence Palace.

In 1962, this palace was heavily destroyed by bombs. President Diem commanded the remains to be destroyed and to rebuild the palace.

The new palace was built on an area of 120,000m² with a surface area of 4,500m². It included a basement, 3 main floors, 2 mezzanines, one terrace, and one upper floor. There are a total of 95 rooms in the palace, each decorated according to its function. The palace also features two exhibition rooms, a 33-room guest house, and numerous entertainment services such as tennis courts and octagonal house.

On 30 April 1975, the tanks of the liberation army entered The Independence Palace, and the Sai Gon government including 45 members and President Duong Van Minh, surrendered without condition.

After the liberation, The Independence Palace became headquarters of the city's military administration committee. The political consultation for national unification was held in this palace.

Nowadays, The Independence Palace has become a historic, cultural relic attracting domestic as well as international visitors.

Central Post Office

The Central Post Office was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the renowned French architect who also designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Construction of the building began in 1886 and was completed in 1891. It was originally intended to be a post and telegraph office for the French colonial administration.

The architectural style of the Central Post Office is a fusion of Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial influences. The exterior features a beautiful façade with arched windows, ornate decorations, and a large clock tower. Inside, the spacious hall is adorned with high ceilings, intricate ironwork, and a grand arched roof.

The Central Post Office remains fully functional as a post office, serving both locals and tourists. It offers a range of postal services, including sending mail, purchasing stamps, and exchanging currency. Additionally, there are souvenir shops and stalls inside where visitors can buy postcards, stamps, and other memorabilia.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral is a magnificent building situated at Cong Xa Paris Square, Dong Khoi and Han Thuyen streets in the heart of the city. Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the oldest and biggest Catholic churches in Viet Nam. It was built between October 1877 and April 1880 in a French style. With the approval of Vatican, the cathedral was named Notre Dame during ceremonies held in December 1959.

Its neo-Romanesque architecture and two 57.6m-high square towels tipped with iron spires dominate the city's sky line, reminds of the cathedrals in Paris.

In front of the cathedral is a statue of Virgin Mary. Visitors can attend mass held three times on weekdays and six times on Sundays.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is situated at the intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao avenues and Le Lai Road, 700m southwest of Rex Hotel. At first, the market was situated near Ben Nghe River Dike. It was a brick market with a wooden frame and thatched roof, which was partly damaged by a fire in 1870. In 1911, it was demolished for a more spacious one which was completed in March 1914.

After being moved many times, it is now standing in the very Centre of the city where consumers can conveniently find all sorts of products imaginable.

In 1985 the interior as well as the exterior of Ben Thanh Market was completely remodeled except the front with the clock tower, which was kept as it was.

Nowadays, the goods in Ben Thanh Market are abundant, including almost all domestic products - especially those from the Mekong River Delta - and modern industrial products from other countries.

Overall, Ben Thanh Market is a must-visit destination in Ho Chi Minh City, offering a unique shopping and culinary experience while providing insight into the local Vietnamese lifestyle and culture.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels is one of the most famous historical vestiges of Viet Nam's national liberation war during 1945-1975. It is located in Phu My Hung Commune, Cu Chi District, approximately 70km from Ho Chi Minh City - center.

The first parts of short and simple tunnels were established in 1948 in two communes of Tan Phu Trung and Phuoc Vinh An, and then system of tunnels was expanded in 6 communes in north of Cu Chi District. The network consists of approximately 250km of tunnels connected with one another like a cobweb.

Inside the tunnels are food and ammunition storage caches, medic care chambers, meeting chambers, commanding chambers, kitchens, bedrooms, etc.

From this underground village, the revolutionary forces staged 1968 general offensive and Ho Chi Minh Campaign in April 1975 to liberate South Viet Nam.

Those who set foot in the tunnels cannot help admiring the talent, determination and endurance of the communist guerrillas. They dug and removed tens of thousands of tons of soil and stone with rudimentary tools, and then camouflaged the openings so well that nobody could find them

Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Tour 1 Day

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