Where to buy tours in Ho Chi Minh City: prices, districts, online booking?

Ho Chi Minh City is not only the largest city in Vietnam, but also an ideal base for traveling to the South of the country. From here, you can easily and inexpensively visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, the colorful Mekong Delta, the Cao Dai Temple, or the beaches of Vung Tau. Buying tours in Ho Chi Minh City is simple: the choice is huge, and prices are among the lowest in the country. We'll tell you where to find the best deals.

Ho Chi Minh City — gateway to the Mekong Delta and Southern Vietnam

The main advantage of Ho Chi Minh City for tourists is excellent transport accessibility to key attractions of Southern Vietnam. In 1.5–2 hours you can reach the Cu Chi Tunnels, in 2–3 hours — the beginning of the Mekong Delta. Buying a ready-made tour is often cheaper and definitely easier than organizing such a trip on your own with car rental, finding boats and guides on the spot.

Pham Ngu Lao Street: the center of all tours

If you need a tour, bus ticket, transfer, or just advice — head to Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1. This is the epicenter of the city's tourist life, where agencies are located literally every 10 meters.

How it works: go into an office, ask for a price list (usually in English, but many understand basic Russian). You can and should bargain, especially if you are buying several tours or are in a large group. Prices from different sellers may vary, so it makes sense to walk around and compare.

The same is offered in many hotels and guesthouses. This is convenient (no need to go anywhere), but prices there are usually fixed and 10–15% higher than on the street. However, you can often pay by card.

Buying tours online: Russian language and reviews

If you don't want to spend time walking around agencies or are looking for a Russian-speaking guide — book online. You immediately see the detailed program, what is included in the price, and most importantly, read reviews from other travelers. You can pay by card (Russian cards work), sometimes with a prepayment.

Trusted platforms for booking tours from Ho Chi Minh City:

• Tours in Ho Chi Minh City on Trip.com (huge selection, low prices, English interface)
• Tours in Ho Chi Minh City on Tripster.ru (tours in Russian from local guides)
• Tours in Ho Chi Minh City on Sputnik8.com (group and individual tours in Russian)

Prices on websites are an excellent guide. Even if you end up buying a tour on Pham Ngu Lao, you will know its fair price.

Popular tours from Ho Chi Minh City

Here are the most popular destinations that almost all tourists go to (available as both day trips and multi-day tours):

Best tours from Ho Chi Minh City: where to go

Destination	What to see	Travel time	Features
Cu Chi Tunnels	The legendary network of underground tunnels from the Vietnam War, you can even crawl through them.	~1.5 hours	Most often a day trip, often combined with another site. A must-visit.
Mekong Delta	Floating markets, tropical fruit gardens, boat rides through narrow canals, villages.	~2-3 hours	There are day trips, but 2 days is better to feel the atmosphere. The Cai Rang floating market is popular.
Cao Dai Temple	The main temple of the unique Vietnamese religion Caodaism in Tay Ninh city.	~2 hours	Often combined with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels in one tour. Bright, unusual architecture.
Vung Tau	The closest beach resort to Ho Chi Minh City, Christ statue on the mountain, lighthouse.	~2 hours	Ideal for a day trip if you want to go to the sea. You can also get there by speedboat.
Can Gio Monkey Island	UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, mangrove forests, hundreds of wild monkeys.	~1.5 hours	Great option for a trip with children. There is a park and a swimming area.
Suoi Tien Theme Park	Large cultural and entertainment park with themed zones, water park, shows.	~1 hour	Fun for the whole family. Many attractions dedicated to Vietnamese history and mythology.

Safety and tips

Buying tours from trusted street agencies on Pham Ngu Lao or on major online platforms is completely safe. Always clarify the details: what is included in the price (entrance tickets, lunch, transfer), time and place of departure, language of the guide.

Remember that claims that "insurance does not work when buying a tour not at the hotel" are a myth. Your travel insurance policy works regardless of where you buy the tour. More details: "Is it necessary to meet with the hotel guide".

For a complete guide to all attractions of Ho Chi Minh City itself (Ben Thanh Market, Independence Palace, museums) with current prices and opening hours, see our big guide to Ho Chi Minh City.

Have a great time in dynamic Saigon!

How much does a visa to Vietnam cost?
Where to go in Vietnam for the first time?
Where is best to buy tours to Vietnam?
Follow the link, all these questions are discussed in the chat - https://t.me/vietnam_travel_chat