Essential Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: All Must-see

Walking Tour: The Timeless Stories of Saigon

Starting Point: Vietravel Headquarters, 190 Pasteur Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Your journey begins at 3:30 PM from Vietravel’s Headquarters. Here, your tour guide will share essential information about the route, safety tips, and local customs before departure. Take a few minutes to refill your water bottle and prepare for an unforgettable city walk through the heart of Saigon.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop 1: Turtle Lake – The Symbol of Balance

Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3

Our first stop is Turtle Lake, one of Saigon’s most intriguing architectural landmarks. Blending symbolism and design, this octagonal structure reflects the harmony of yin and yang in Feng Shui. Locals still believe it brings protection and prosperity to the surrounding area—a quiet witness to Saigon’s changing times.

Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Independence Palace – A Witness of History

106 Nguyen Du Street, District 1

As we pass by the Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, imagine the moment on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese tank rolled through its gates—signalling the end of the Vietnam War. Designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu in 1966, this modernist masterpiece blends Eastern philosophy with Western structure. Today, it remains a museum preserving a pivotal chapter of Vietnam’s modern history.

Stop 2: Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral – A Touch of France

01 Cong Xa Paris Street, District 1

Our next highlight is the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, an elegant French colonial relic completed in the late 19th century. Made entirely of imported French materials, it mirrors the grandeur of Paris’s original cathedral and remains a spiritual and cultural icon in the heart of the city.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop 3: Central Post Office – Where Letters Tell Stories

125 Hai Ba Trung Street, District 1

Just a short stroll away lies the Central Post Office, another architectural gem from the French era. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, it’s where East meets West in perfect harmony. Step inside and admire the arched ceiling, vintage maps, and wooden phone booths—a living museum of Saigon’s communication history.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop 4: Saigon Opera House – The City’s Cultural Jewel

07 Lam Son Square, District 1

Facing Lam Son Square, the Saigon Opera House dazzles with French colonial elegance. Once a gathering place for high society, it now hosts concerts, ballets, and traditional performances. Its ornate facade and grand columns tell the story of a city long known as the “Pearl of the Far East.”

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop 5: People’s Committee Building – The City’s Proud Landmark

86 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building, formerly the Hôtel de Ville, stands as one of the city’s most photographed landmarks. Built in the early 1900s, its French colonial charm glows beautifully under the night lights. Though closed to visitors, it remains a proud emblem of Saigon’s governance and resilience.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop 6: The Café Apartment – Saigon’s Creative Playground

42 Nguyen Hue Walking Street, District 1

Next, we explore the Café Apartment, a symbol of Saigon’s modern creativity. Once an old residential block from the 1960s, it’s now transformed into a vertical maze of indie cafés, design studios, and boutique stores. Each floor reveals a new personality—bohemian, minimalistic, or vintage—and the balconies offer some of the best views of Nguyen Hue Boulevard.

Duration: 15 minutes

Final Stop: Bach Dang Quay Park – The Soul of the River

10B Ton Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

Our tour concludes at Bach Dang Quay Park, a tranquil promenade beside the Saigon River. From this spot, you’ll witness the perfect contrast between the old and the new—heritage buildings on one side and a shimmering skyline on the other. As the sun dips below the horizon, you’ll feel the city’s pulse slow down and its stories linger in the air.

This isn’t just the end of the walk—it’s the moment Saigon leaves its mark on you. Take a deep breath, snap your final photo, and carry with you a piece of the city’s charm, resilience, and endless energy.