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Saigon City tour by scooter

History & sunset

The Secret Footsteps & Sunset Cruise by Speedboat

Saigon Rangers' secret sites + sunset cruise

  • 5 hours
  • Max 12 guests
  • Pickup included

Departs 13:00 Returns 18:15

Walk Saigon's secret wartime bases and tunnels, then watch the city glow from a sunset cruise.

This afternoon tour uncovers the secret side of Saigon, the wartime places most visitors never know exist, then unwinds with a sunset cruise on the river.

Your guide collects you from your hotel and leads you to a covert base of the Saigon-Gia Dinh resistance, hidden in plain sight as the Nhan Huong restaurant, which was used during the Vietnam war to gather and pass on news for the revolution. Next is the National Monument Secret Weapons Tunnel of the Saigon Rangers, where nearly three tons of weapons were once concealed. Their owner, officially a curtain manufacturer, supplied arms moved secretly from the Cu Chi Tunnels; during the 1968 Tet Offensive, weapons from this cache were used in the attack on the Independence Palace and other government targets.

You then visit the Biet Dong Sai Gon Museum, the first private smart museum in Ho Chi Minh City, where more than 100 artifacts of the Saigon Rangers are kept. Here you try butter coffee dipped with old Saigon’s fried dough stick, a small taste of the city’s cultural mix.

To close the day, you transfer to the pier and board a speedboat for a sunset cruise. You glide through winding canals and tributaries with traditional riverside scenes, pass Nha Rong Wharf, built by the French in 1863 and now the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and watch Saigon Port and the city come alive by night.

What to expect

Why guests choose this journey.

  • Saigon's Secret History

    Visit the Saigon Rangers' covert base at the Nhan Huong restaurant and the National Monument Secret Weapons Tunnel that hid nearly 3 tons of arms for the Tet Offensive.

  • Biet Dong Sai Gon Museum

    Explore the city's first private smart museum, home to over 100 Saigon Ranger artifacts.

  • A Taste of Old Saigon

    Try butter coffee dipped with traditional fried dough, a flavour of the city's cultural diversity.

  • Sunset Speedboat Cruise

    End on the water, gliding past Nha Rong Wharf and Saigon Port as the skyline lights up.

  • Effortless Afternoon

    A Les Rives guide throughout, refreshments and fruit on board, and hotel transfers handled for you.

Itinerary

Your day, hour by hour.

  1. 13:00

    Hotel pickup

    Your Les Rives guide collects you from your hotel.

  2. 13:30

    Nhan Huong restaurant

    Visit the Zoo and Botanical Garden, then the relic of the Nhan Huong restaurant, a secret base of the Saigon-Gia Dinh commando hidden as a refreshment shop, with exhibits on its wartime role.

  3. 14:30

    Secret weapons tunnel

    Stop at the National Monument Secret Weapons Tunnel of the Saigon Rangers, which concealed nearly 3 tons of weapons, and see the legendary Citroen fourgonnette used to enter the Independence Palace.

  4. 15:15

    Biet Dong Sai Gon Museum

    Visit the first private smart museum in the city, with over 100 Saigon Ranger artifacts, and enjoy butter coffee dipped with old Saigon's fried dough stick.

  5. 16:00

    Transfer to the pier

    Drive to the pier to begin the sunset cruise.

  6. 16:15

    Sunset speedboat cruise

    Board a speedboat and watch the historic city from the water, threading winding canals with traditional riverside scenes before the skyline lights up at sunset.

  7. 18:15

    Back at Saigon pier

    Arrive at the pier; the Les Rives van transfers you to your hotel.

What's included

  • English-speaking guide
  • Refreshments (bottled water, soft drinks) & tropical fruit on board
  • Butter coffee
  • All entrance fees
  • Hotel pickup & drop-off (central hotels)

Not included

  • Extra food & drinks (unless specified)
  • Gratuities (optional)

Good to know

Payment & currency: Checkout is processed securely by Trekksoft. Prices are shown in USD; your card may be charged in your home currency at the prevailing rate.

Pickup zone: We pick up and drop off only at hotels in these wards: Tan Dinh, Saigon, Ben Thanh, Cau Ong Lanh, Ban Co, Xuan Hoa and Nhieu Loc (formerly District 1 and District 3). If your hotel is outside this zone, the meeting point is Saigon Water Bus Station.

Dietary needs: Vegetarian and other requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

Guest reviews

What our guests say.

Practical questions

Before you board.

What will I see on the Saigon River tour?

A relaxed cruise past the city’s riverside life and skyline, with your guide sharing the stories behind what you pass. Get in touch and we’ll walk you through the current route and timings.

Why do you ask for my passport number when booking?

We are required by Vietnamese local authorities to collect passport details for all guests before departure. If you don’t have your passport number to hand when booking, simply complete your reservation first and email your passport details to bookings@lesrivesexperience.com at your convenience before the tour. Your information is used solely for the required registration process.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

Full refund if you cancel at least 7 days before your tour. 50% refund for cancellations 6–3 days before. Within 3 days, the booking is non-refundable.

Why are your tours more expensive than other operators?

Most operators run large buses to crowded sites. We travel by private luxury speedboat in small groups, arriving ahead of the crowds, with breakfast, lunch, refreshments, all entrance fees, your guide, hotel transfers and travel insurance already included, no hidden extras.

A share of every booking also supports the local riverside families and communities we work with. You’re paying for a calmer, more comfortable, more responsible day out, not just a seat.

Where is the meeting point if my pickup location is not in your pickup zone?

The meeting point will be the Saigon Water Bus Station, please openopen this link to get the direction to the meeting point.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If conditions are unsafe, we’ll reschedule or cancel and let you know in advance, with alternative options. Light rain isn’t a problem — our speedboats have full rain protection, and we provide waterproof ponchos and umbrellas on board.

What payment methods do you accept, and is it secure?

We accept all major credit cards, cash or bank transfer. Online payments are processed by Trekksoft, our PCI-DSS-compliant booking partner, with SSL encryption, your card and personal details are never stored on our site.

Are your boats and tours safe?

Yes. Every speedboat carries complete international-standard safety equipment, life jackets for all guests, and rain protection for any season. Although our boats hold up to 20, we carry a maximum of 14–15 guests so everyone travels comfortably and safely.

Are your tours suitable for children and families?

Absolutely. Our tours suit all ages, with child-sized life jackets on board and a relaxed small-group pace that works well for families. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult — just let us know the ages when you book so we can prepare.

Can you cater to vegetarian or other dietary needs?

Yes. We’re happy to arrange vegetarian and other special diets, just note your requirements in the booking form.

Are your tours suitable for older travellers or those who aren't very fit?

Yes. Our tours are comfortable for guests roughly aged 7 to 70. The speedboat does most of the travelling, walking is gentle and broken up with rest stops, and our guides are always on hand to help.

What languages do your guides speak?

All of our guides are fluent in English. Guides in other languages can often be arranged in advance for an additional fee ,just ask when you book.

Can I book a private or customised tour?

Yes. Many of our experiences can be run privately or tailored to your group, dates and interests. Contact us with what you have in mind and we’ll put a plan together.

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