Backstreets of Saigon

Step beyond the city's famous landmarks and delve into the hidden corners of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), where local life, fascinating history and authentic experiences await.

At 10:00 AM, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and set off to uncover a side of the city few visitors see. Begin at the Secret Weapon Cellar, a discreet underground bunker once used by the Viet Cong, offering a fascinating insight into Ho Chi Minh City's wartime past. Continue to the bustling Ban Co Market and the Nguyen Thien Thuat apartment complex, where daily life unfolds amid a maze of narrow alleyways and characterful ageing buildings.

Pause to savour a traditional Vietnamese coffee, brewed using a cloth filter for its rich, distinctive flavour. Next, explore the vibrant Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, where colourful displays and lively local trade create a feast for the senses. Visit a peaceful Buddhist temple and take part in xin xam, a traditional fortune-telling ritual in which a written prediction or piece of guidance is drawn.

Then unwind with a relaxing massage at a massage centre run by visually impaired therapists, supporting a valued local community initiative. Your tour concludes at the iconic Ben Thanh Market, where stalls overflowing with local produce, handicrafts and street food capture the energy and spirit of modern Ho Chi Minh City.