Free Tour in Ho Chi Minh, South Vietnam, Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong River Adventure

Traveling to Vietnam has become increasingly popular in recent years, and I’m itching to go there after seeing all the information online. But I was a little nervous the first time I went, worrying that visas, transportation, internet, etc. wouldn’t be as convenient as in Japan and South Korea. After deciding to go to the most bustling and prosperous Ho Chi Minh City on this Trip to Vietnam, the first thing to do is to choose the time! Ho Chi Minh is like summer all year round. June to August is the most rainy season in Ho Chi Minh, which will last until around November. It is recommended to choose December to April, when the weather is more stable and not so hot!

Since you book your own flight tickets, you can choose the departure time you want, which means you have great flexibility to depart every day. Moreover, only two people can go on a Tour, which is very friendly and convenient for couples or people who want to take their parents abroad.





Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 5 days 4 nights free Travel - city tour, eat Michelin plate recommended food

You must fill your stomach on the first day of arrival! Usually the food tour will be arranged on the evening of the first day of arrival, but the tour guide will flexibly adjust it according to the flight time. You can have a cup of coffee and do a manicure before the tour starts, and return to the hotel at the agreed time. Meet up with the tour guide and start eating and drinking.



(Beef stew and coconut milk ice cream from a century-old shop)

In an unfamiliar place, we rely on the local Vietnamese guide to take us to the old shops that only locals go to, the lively night market and the rich nightlife of Pham Ngu Lao Street, also known as the Bar Street, so that we can get more familiar with it. Knowing what shops are around the hotel will help you plan your free time better.



(You must go to the bar street at night, it is super lively! You can also see hot girls dancing!)

The next day was the city tour that I was looking forward to! The tour guide and driver will take us to visit the most famous attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the food recommended by the Michelin Plate.

Ho Chi Minh City Guide - Pink Church (Nhà thờ Tân Định)

You definitely can’t miss the most famous pink church. The super dreamy color looks beautiful no matter how you photograph it! Don’t forget to order a cup of coconut milk smoothie coffee at Cong Cafe, the Vietnamese version of Starbucks, and enjoy the view from the balcony of the cafe. It’s both relaxing and refreshing!



(The pink church is so beautiful no matter how you take photos of it!)

Ho Chi Minh City Guide - Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office

There is also the Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office, which is full of European style both in appearance and interior decoration. You can buy all kinds of exquisite postcards there, whether you want to take them home to write on or mail them on the spot! Next to the post office is Ho Chi Minh Book Street, which has everything from novels to textbooks to comics. It is really special to sell books on the street. It is a Vietnamese street scene that you cannot see in Taiwan.


(Central Post Office and Book Street in Ho Chi Minh City.)

Ho Chi Minh City Guide - Thien Hau Temple (Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu)



You read that right, people in Vietnam also worship Mazu! The Thien Hau Temple, located in District 5 of Ho Chi Minh City, was built in the 18th century by Chinese merchants from Guangdong, China, in order to pray for a safe trip to the sea and worship Mazu. The temple combines elements of traditional Chinese architectural art and local Vietnamese culture. Whether you want to take photos or come to pray for safety, it is worth a visit!

Ho Chi Minh City Guide - Michelin Plate Recommended Vietnamese Home Cooking Bep me In Fat Mom's Kitchen



This is a Vietnamese restaurant that even the locals give a thumbs up after eating. The dishes are very diverse, including rice noodles, pancakes, spring rolls, and basically all the common Vietnamese dishes can be found here. The meals are refreshing and not greasy, and the space is very spacious. Clean and comfortable, most importantly, the price is very cheap and the portion is sufficient, which can be said to be a great value for money.

Ho Chi Minh City Guide - Ho Chi Minh Museum



The historical development of Saigon is recorded here using photos and models, including maps to illustrate the area of ​​Saigon in history. There are also many historical relics, which can show how Ho Chi Minh City has developed into its current appearance. And tools used in daily life in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City Guide - Cafe Apartment



Ho Chi Minh Coffee Apartment is also known as a gathering place for young people with a wide range of styles. There are various coffee shops in the apartment, as well as some young people's shops that you can slowly browse through floor by floor. When you are tired of shopping, you can just go in and have a cup of Vietnamese coffee, eat Have afternoon tea and spend a leisurely afternoon.

Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City 5 Days 4 Nights Tour - Cu Chi Tunnels Vietcong Battlefield Relics Day Tour

The highlight of this free trip to Ho Chi Minh City, South Vietnam is a one-day tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels! This trip allows you to see with your own eyes the tunnels left behind when the Viet Cong fought the US military, as well as the various combat methods used at the time and historical introductions. It can be said to be one of the must-see attractions in Vietnam.

The Cu Chi Tunnels are about a 2-hour drive from downtown Ho Chi Minh City. If you need to take a break, you can always tell the tour guide and the driver. It’s really great to have a private car!



The Guzhi Tunnel, which was excavated during the Anti-French War in 1948, was dug entirely by manpower using shovels! Moreover, the underground tunnels were not only used to avoid bullets and fire and to accommodate troops, but the Viet Cong also built spaces such as meeting rooms, kitchens, arsenals and even schools, and they lived in the tunnels for as long as 10 years.



Following the guide's explanation and the on-site installations, you can better understand the Vietcong's combat strategies against the US military at that time and the horror of war. Finally, you can also experience the feeling of walking in the tunnel yourself, but be careful if you have heart disease or claustrophobia. Assess your physical condition before entering.



Although the tunnel has been widened for tourists, it is still very crowded inside. I am less than 170cm tall and still have to bend over to walk. The tunnel is divided into three sections. The surface is only 100m long, but inside it is very crowded. At the beginning, we walked by bending over, squatting, and even crawling. I really admire the courage and determination of the Viet Cong at that time. The temperature in the tunnel was no joke. It was super hot and stuffy. I was sweating profusely after climbing out. It was very rare. It's an experience that you should definitely try in person if your physical condition allows.

Cu Chi Tunnels Target Shooting Experience in Ho Chi Minh City



Finally, there is a self-funded target shooting experience that I recommend to everyone. You can choose the model of the gun, and there will be professional staff on site to teach and assist you. Even people with no target shooting experience can play it without worrying about operation or safety issues.

Vietnam Ho Chi Minh Free Tour 5 Days 4 Nights - Mekong River

Enjoy Vietnamese traditional performances and take a bamboo raft ride on Unicorn Island

After arriving at the pier, you will start various island hopping trips. First, go to Unicorn Island to visit the bee farm and take a bamboo raft. There are also many vendors on site. If you want to buy some souvenirs, you can buy them there.



Walking on the small road on Unicorn Island is surrounded by trees, which is as pleasant as walking in the jungle. There is also rest time on the way to eat the special fruits and tea of ​​the island and watch traditional Vietnamese singing performances.



Next is my favorite itinerary, taking a bamboo raft through the woods, giving you the feeling of being in a tropical rainforest, and enjoying the scenery of Unicorn Island in another way.



Visit the coconut sugar factory and have a sumptuous lunch at Coconut Island



The coconut processing industry here is very developed, and you can also watch how delicious coconut candies are made. There are also many coconut-related products on site that you can buy directly as souvenirs! We prepared a sumptuous lunch before leaving. It was so comfortable to sit by the sea and eat in the breeze. The food was really good, with ample portions that guaranteed to fill your stomach and make you extremely satisfied!

On the way back by electric boat, the tour guide bought us some freshly cut coconuts to drink, which was very refreshing and thirst-quenching in such hot weather, and also brought this one-day trip on the Mekong River to a perfect end.

5 days and 4 nights in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - massage, souvenir shopping, airport transfers

The last day is a free day in Ho Chi Minh City where you can travel freely. The package of going window shopping, tasting local Vietnamese food, cafes, massages, souvenirs and other attractions made it very easy for me to plan my last days in Ho Chi Minh.

Must-try Vietnamese street breakfast - Bánh mì chảo Dì Nữ



This authentic snack shop located in an alley in Ho Chi Minh City is a breakfast shop that all Vietnamese people visit! The must-order meat and egg breakfast plate is a small portion, but it is full of meat, ham, liver paste and a soft-boiled egg. It is super delicious when eaten with French bread. It is a good portion and can be paired with a glass of ice cream. Vietnamese black coffee, sitting on the street and enjoying a lazy morning.

Amazing Egg Coffee - Little HaNoi Egg Coffee (Yersin)



In addition to drinking Vietnamese coffee when you come to Vietnam, you must visit this egg coffee specialty coffee shop. The legendary egg coffee tastes as dense as milk foam, and the light sweetness is just right with the black coffee. You will be addicted after drinking one cup. I hope You can also drink it when you return to Taiwan. Compared with coconut coffee, I recommend this cup of egg coffee with a special and unforgettable taste.

Top Vietnamese Chocolate Souvenirs - Maison Marou Flagship Saigon



It is a top chocolate brand founded by two Frenchmen. The origin of each chocolate cocoa comes from Vietnam, and the packaging is also specially designed with Southeast Asian characteristics. Another special place in the store is that you can see the coffee bean roasting machine, How chocolate is made and packaged is like visiting a small chocolate factory. In addition to chocolates of different percentages and flavors, there are also various desserts such as macarons and cakes, which are one of the best souvenirs from Vietnam.

After finishing the last trip, we booked a driver to take us to the airport. He waited for us at the hotel entrance to take us to the airport. Because the traffic in Ho Chi Minh City is unstable, it is recommended to leave for the airport 3 hours before departure for the safest time, saving the trouble of calling the airport manager. I can save time with Grab and don’t have to worry about being overcharged by taxi drivers. It’s really great!