Add dates

Independence Palace

Independence Palace: Our most recommended tours and activities

Ho Chi Minh City: Hop-On Hop-Off Vietnam Bus Tour

1. Ho Chi Minh City: Hop-On Hop-Off Vietnam Bus Tour

Experience the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City from atop a double-decker bus. Ride through the city with a live guide or pop on a headset and learn about its triumphs, tragedies, and thriving culture. With a flexible hop-on hop-off tour schedule, fit this trip in whatever your plans may be. Choose your ideal time of day and enjoy different atmospheres whether you go in the morning or later on. Pick daytime slots and zoom around the busy streets or an evening slot to watch the storefronts light up as the sun goes down. See the multicultural influences on architecture as you pass by the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the Central Post Office, Independence Palace, and City Hall. Learn about how each building came into being and how the city transformed from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City. Weave through the streets of Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao, and Nguyen Hue Street, and witness the lively and diverse atmospheres around each corner. The Bach Dang Pier is a beautiful stop for admiring the Saigon River, even more so in the evening when the city lights up.  You’ll pass by museums, the zoo, and more, giving you plenty of ideas for what to do on the rest of your trip in this unique city. If you'd like maps, brochures, or more information, your guide will be happy to help.

HCM: War Remnants Museum & Independence Palace Walking Tour

2. HCM: War Remnants Museum & Independence Palace Walking Tour

Ever wanted to spontaneously book a tour on the same day you take it? This short walking tour will have you visiting the historical landmarks known as the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification or Independence Palace in just two hours! This is perfect if you only have a couple of hours to spare. You can also choose from multiple start times for a time that suits you. Want to learn about the history of Vietnam and the impact the Vietnam War had on the Vietnamese? The War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace are two significant structures that tell a comprehensive side of history from the Vietnamese perspective. Spend an hour in the War Remnants Museum and walk through the numerous exhibits that contextualize the varied war atrocities. Then you’ll head over to the Independence Palace, a landmark government building that is associated with the fall of Saigon in 1975. Go on a guided tour with a friendly and knowledgeable guide who will help you explore these two historic spots in Ho Chi Minh. Understand the Vietnamese perspective on the Vietnam War as you wander through the deeply moving yet grisly exhibits in the War Remnants Museum and marvel at the interiors and structure of the Independence Palace.

Ho Chi Minh City: Saigon City Half-Day Tour

3. Ho Chi Minh City: Saigon City Half-Day Tour

Brief Itinerary Perfect way to discover the most bustling Saigon and their culture as well as history. •Notre Dame Cathedral (The repair work has not been completed, you cannot go inside) •Saigon Post Office •Reunification Palace •War museum •Local market (it's flexible, can be skipped if there is not enough time).

Ho Chi Minh City: Guided Private Tour by Open Air Jeep

4. Ho Chi Minh City: Guided Private Tour by Open Air Jeep

Choose from a morning or afternoon departure to explore Ho Chi Minh City from the comfort of a Jeep. Visit the main monuments of the city once known as Saigon to get a better understanding of its history at sites such as the symbolic Reunification Palace. Hear stories about the Vietnam War and the Fall of Saigon, where a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through the gates of what was at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. Continue to the War Remnants Museum, where weapons, photos, documents and other relics tell the story of Vietnam’s wars. Admire the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office to get a feel for the typical architecture of Saigon. Venture down local streets such as Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue before making your way to Ben Thanh Market, where your guide can help you barter for goods.

Saigon: Private Half-Day Car Tour of Ho Chi Minh City

5. Saigon: Private Half-Day Car Tour of Ho Chi Minh City

Explore the fascinating city of Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, on this half-day tour. Travel in comfort in your private, air-conditioned car, and learn about the city's landmarks with your helpful guide. Meet your guide at your hotel, and head first to the Ban Thanh Market. Snap photos of the lively market's activities, or take the opportunity to buy kitchen equipment, souvenirs, garments, fruit, and many other foods. Next, pay a visit to the neo-Romanesque Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, which dates from the 19th century. Keep an eye out for local couples taking their pre-wedding shots at this beautiful basilica, officially known as the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception. Admire the surprising architecture at your next stop, the Saigon Central Post Office. Hear how the building is often mistakenly attributed to Gustave Eiffel, even though it was designed by Alfred Foulhoux. Then, it's decision time. Choose between the War Remnants Museum to learn more about the American War in Vietnam, or the Reunification Palace. Also known as the Independence Palace, the latter site is a landmark of Saigon history and architecture, which once served as the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Finally, end your tour at the Jade Emperor Pagoda. See the local worshippers in prayer for their careers, love, and fertility. Enjoy this taste of Taoist worship culture, before being dropped off back at your hotel.

Ho Chi Minh: Guided Walking Tour with War Remnants Museum

6. Ho Chi Minh: Guided Walking Tour with War Remnants Museum

See the top sights of Ho Chi Minh on a guided tour through the central area. Stop at hidden favorite spots of locals, hear fascinating and tragic stories from the Vietnam War, and get some basic Vietnamese language lessons. Meet your guide and head out into town. Stop at the War Remnants Museum and head inside alone to learn about the tragic history of the Vietnam War. Continue to the Reunification Palace, known as the Vietnam White House. Next, stop at the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, 2 of the most famous buildings from the French occupation in the 19th century. Continue to stroll down the peaceful City Book Street, popular among the young people of the city. Stop to taste the sweet and popular Vietnamese coffee.

Ho Chi Minh City: War Remnants Museum & Cu Chi Tunnels Tour

7. Ho Chi Minh City: War Remnants Museum & Cu Chi Tunnels Tour

Take a tour of the historic center of Ho Chi Minh City and visit the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and War Remnants Museum, where you can see historic artifacts from the Vietnam War and first Indochina War with the colonial French. Then, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. **The Notre Dame Cathedral has been restored, so the guests just visit outside. Next, journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels and watch an introductory video about the history of the tunnels and life during the Vietnam War. Crawl through the tunnels to experience the Viet Cong's underground village firsthand. Sample some of the tea and cassava that the guerrillas used to survive, and get the chance to fire some guns at the rifle range. Then take the bus back to Ho Chi Minh City, where the tour will end between about 19:00 PM - 19:30 PM (time is subject to traffic).

Ho Chi Minh: War History Tour with Tunnel and Museum Visits

8. Ho Chi Minh: War History Tour with Tunnel and Museum Visits

Transport yourself to the times of Ho Chi Minh's many historic events on an eye-opening journey with a local guide. Travel to several major war sites and visit a war history museum, as well as a couple of cultural landmarks, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Enjoy pickup from your accommodation then head over to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a famous network of underground passageways used during the Vietnam War and the Tet Offensive. Learn what the locals used to engage in guerilla warfare and meet a war veteran, with the option to fire a rifle at an extra cost. Head back to the city and stop for a delicious local lunch before visiting the War Remnants Museum. Walk through the exhibits that showcase paraphernalia relating to the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War, and take in the rich history of the nation. Up next is the striking Independence Palace. Discover this iconic landmark, once the home and office of Vietnam's presidents, explore the grand hall and admire the stunning architecture. Afterward, marvel at the beautiful design of the 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral, built by French colonists. Your last stop of the day is just across the cathedral at the Central Post Office. Stroll through another building with a heavy French influence and enjoy its striking structure and sweeping ceilings. Take some time to browse through the local vendors' stalls before driving back to your hotel.

Ho Chi Minh: Half-day City Tour

9. Ho Chi Minh: Half-day City Tour

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest, busiest and most exciting city in Vietnam. It is filled with intrigue and culture and is a cultural melting pot. There's so much to discover here. Founded over 300 years, today Ho Chi Minh remains a fascinating place to visit. Choose from a shared or private tour and visit some of the most interesting sights that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer. Such as: • The War Remnants Museum, an intriguing exhibition that highlights the futility of the war. • The Reunification Palace, a beautifully preserved palace that was the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam during the 1960-1970s. • Notre Dame Cathedral, built in 1880. • The Old Post Office, built between 1886 – 1891. • Thien Hau Pagoda in Cho Lon, a Chinese style temple located on Nguyen Trai Street in Cho Lon (China Town). It is dedicated to Thien Hau, the Lady of the Sea, also known as 'Mazu' or 'Tian Hou' in Chinese. • The lacquerware factory, the last stop on the tour. Here you can observe the manufacture of traditional Vietnamese products

2-Day Authentic Mekong Delta With Floating Market Tour

10. 2-Day Authentic Mekong Delta With Floating Market Tour

DAY 1: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho 7.30 am: The car and tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. One the way, you can stop for taking a photo and enjoying the nice scenery of green rice fields, the peaceful Vam Co Dong river. 9.30 am: Visit Vinh Trang pagoda – the biggest pagoda in Mekong Delta. It best reflects the soul of Mekong River Delta with a unique structural style. After that, we take a leisurely boat ride along the river to enjoy fresh air and escape the busy town. See the typical stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Go to Tortoise islet for lunch in the orchard garden with local fresh specialties. Then, the cruise through the shadows of the water coconut trees will take you to Ben Tre. Come to visit the traditional house: enjoy seasonal fruit and honey tea with lemon when listening to the Southern Vietnamese folk music (performed by the locals). Visit a family business to learn how to make coconut candy. Go for a walk through the fruit plantation and villages to enjoy the natural scenery, observe the pastoral life and take nice photos. Arrive to Can Tho. Overnight in the hotel. Free time to visit Ninh Kieu Wharf, Can Tho Market or taste the delicious local dishes. DAY 2: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City 7.00 am: pick you up in hotel in Can Tho after breakfast. You will take the boat trip to along on the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River and visit the amazing Cai Rang floating market. You get to experience water commerce from the large cargo vessels to smaller sampans weave. Try some of the amazing, unique local food and to take a closer look at life on a boat. After exploring the floating market, you will wander around the village, see the orchard garden and try your best to cross a Monkey bridge which is built by only one bamboo tree. Besides that, you have a chance to experience how to they make rice vermicelli noodle. Stop for lunch before the return journey to Ho Chi Minh City. 5.00 pm: Arrive to Ho Chi Minh City. End of the tour. Say goodbye and see you again.

Available activities

37 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 3

Other Sightseeing Options in Independence Palace

Want to discover all there is to do in Independence Palace? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Independence Palace

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 355 reviews

We got stuck in traffic and started late, but that’s Ho Chi Minh City for you - full of motor bikes! Loved the time spent in understanding the history of the place. Although would have liked if it were a walking tour.

Excellent tour. Our guide, Dominick and his crew were great. He was very well versed in the history and did a good job explaining everything. We had a great time a loved riding in the jeep.

The guide was very attentive, responded to all needs and could tell a lot, especially about the history and development of Vietnam.

Harry was excellent. He spoke english very well and had a great attitude. I'd recommend him to anyone!

Great tour, nice tour guide. Did see importent places and got lot of explaination from the local.