Ho Chi Minh City Day Tour: Cyclo Discovery (half day)

Duration: 3 hours Meeting Point: 8:00am District 1 hotel pick-up Finish Point: War Museum or hotel Itinerary: Sit down, lean back and enjoy the wind in your hair on your very own cyclo tour of Ho Chi Minh City's stunning scenery, culture, and history! The first stop is Reunification Palace, the White House of Saigon, where you can capture pictures of the architecture while your guide tells of its history and significance. Next, ride to the Notre Dame Cathedral and admire the stunning French Colonial architecture, twin steeples, and stained glass. Head to Saigon's gigantic, bright yellow Central Post Office with domed ceilings and intricate arches. Be sure to grab a local postcard from one of the vendors and send it to your penpal. Cruise past the Hotel Continental Complex, which housed Newsweek and Time Magazine journalists during the Vietnam War. Snap photos of the intricate architecture at the famous Opera House (hopefully you can catch a show while in the city). Learn the history of the castle-like City Hall during a brief stop, then it's time to enjoy the local side of the city with a 30 minute ride down the beautiful Nquyen Hue Street along the Saigon River. After exploring the bustling Ben Thanh market, pass by ornate temples and spend some time at the peaceful Thich Quang Duc Memorial for the Buddhist monk who committed self-immolation on the busy streets in protest of the Vietnam War. Opt to visit the War Remnants Museum for a $2 entry fee to study exhibits about the first Indochina War with the French colonist and see the juxtaposition of how the Vietnam War is represented from the local perspective. This is where you say goodbye to your cyclo driver, unless you prefer to pass on the museum for a ride back to your hotel. Note that this Day Tour is operated by one of G Adventures' preferred suppliers and will be a shared service with other non-G Adventures travellers.