Ho Chi Minh City Tour from Cruise Port: A 2025 Review

So, you see your cruise ship slowly pulling into Phu My Port, and it’s almost a given that the big question pops into your head: “How do I make the most of just one day in Ho Chi Minh City?” The distance from the port is, frankly, a bit of a challenge. This isn’t one of those stops where you can just walk off the boat and find yourself in the middle of everything. As a matter of fact, you are looking at a pretty decent drive. That’s why picking the right shore excursion is so, so important. I recently experienced the ‘Amazing Shore Excursion: Ho Chi Minh City Tour’, and you know, I wanted to share some thoughts on what it was actually like, beyond the brochure description. We’re going to talk about the ride, the main spots, and what the day really feels like on the ground, so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your trip.

The Drive from the Port: Setting the Stage

Okay, first thing’s first. The trip from Phu My Port to the city proper is, to be honest, a long one. It typically takes around an hour and a half, sometimes more, depending on the traffic, you know. But actually, this isn’t wasted time at all. Our guide, for example, used this time really well. He basically gave us a whole rundown of modern Vietnamese history and culture, and so on. It’s arguably the best part of the trip for getting your bearings before you even arrive. You get to watch the scenery change so dramatically out the window. It goes from a very industrial port area to, like, lush green rice paddies and small villages. Then, of course, the city starts to creep in at the edges.

The transition is pretty interesting in its own way. You see more and more motorbikes—seriously, thousands of them—and the buildings get taller. It’s almost like a slow-motion video of a country’s economic story unfolding before you. Our bus was, thankfully, very comfortable and air-conditioned, which is definitely a must-have in that climate. Anyway, the guide told stories and answered questions, making the long ride feel a little bit more like a part of the tour itself, instead of just something you have to get through. Frankly, it sets a very solid foundation for everything you are about to see.

A Poignant Start: The War Remnants Museum

Now, the first major stop is usually the War Remnants Museum. You should know, right, that this place is incredibly powerful and, honestly, quite sobering. It presents a perspective on the Vietnam War (or the American War, as it’s known there) that many Western visitors haven’t seen before. The atmosphere inside is, just a little, very quiet and reflective. As a matter of fact, people tend to walk through the exhibits in near silence. There are some extremely graphic photos, particularly in the “Requiem” collection by photojournalists, so you might want to prepare yourself for that. Still, it’s an experience that really sticks with you.

You go in thinking you know the history, but, in fact, seeing it through their eyes is a completely different thing. It sort of rearranges your understanding of the conflict.

I mean, our guide did a good job of providing context without overwhelming us. He basically let the exhibits speak for themselves but was there to answer questions quietly. Outside, you can see captured American military equipment like tanks, planes, and helicopters. It’s really something to stand next to a massive Chinook helicopter or a fighter jet; it sort of makes the history feel very real and tangible. It’s a somber start to the day, for instance, but it’s an absolutely necessary one to understand the city’s past and, frankly, its present resilience.

Colonial Ghosts and A Presidential Past

Next, the tour often moves to the historic heart of the city, which is a pretty stark contrast. You get to see the Reunification Palace, which used to be the Presidential Palace of South Vietnam. Walking inside is almost like stepping back into 1975. The rooms are more or less preserved exactly as they were, from the president’s office to the formal reception rooms. Then you go down to the basement, and it’s a completely different feel. It’s got these old command bunkers with huge maps on the walls and, like, ancient-looking radio equipment. It’s actually a little bit chilling to be in there.

Just a short walk from there, you see these amazing pieces of French colonial architecture. For example, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office are right there. The Post Office was apparently designed by Gustave Eiffel—or at least his firm—and it’s honestly stunning inside. It’s still a functioning post office, so you see tourists taking pictures right next to locals mailing letters, and stuff. The cathedral itself has been under renovation for a while, but just seeing the outside, you know, gives you a clear sense of how much French influence shaped this part of the city. The mix of a communist landmark, colonial buildings, and the general hum of modern city life is, well, pretty unique.

Lunch and Local Life at Ben Thanh Market

By this point in the day, you’re probably getting hungry, right? Well, the next stop is usually Ben Thanh Market, or at least a restaurant very nearby for lunch. The market itself is an explosion of sensations. It’s this huge, covered space where you can find almost anything. The smells of spices, fresh produce, and cooking street food all kind of mix together. The sound is just a constant hum of chatter, bartering, and scooter horns from outside. Our tour included a set lunch at a clean, quiet restaurant, which was a nice break. We got to try some classic Vietnamese food like a steaming bowl of pho, which was absolutely delicious.

After lunch, we usually get a little free time to wander through the market. Now, you should know, the vendors can be a little persistent, so you kind of have to be ready for that. But it’s all part of the fun, in a way. You can find some great souvenirs here, like coffee, textiles, or little handicrafts. Even if you don’t buy anything, just walking the narrow aisles and people-watching is a pretty cool experience. It’s a slice of local life that is very different from the historical monuments. You really get a sense of the city’s everyday energy here, you know.

A Touch of Craftsmanship and the Journey Home

Finally, to be honest, many of these tours include a stop at a local workshop. For us, it was a lacquerware workshop, which was surprisingly fascinating. You might think it’s just a shopping stop, and partially it is, but it was also a chance to see how these intricate items are made. Watching the artists carefully apply layers of lacquer and seashell inlays is pretty incredible. It definitely gives you an appreciation for the skill involved. Of course, there’s an opportunity to buy things, and the quality is typically very high, but there’s no real pressure to do so.

Then, it’s time for the long ride back to the port. At the end of the day, you’re probably feeling pretty tired. The bus is quiet on the way back, with most people just looking out the window, processing everything they saw. You leave the city’s organized chaos behind and slip back into the quiet of the countryside. Was it a whirlwind of a day? Absolutely. You cover a lot of ground pretty quickly. But for a one-day shore excursion, it is an incredibly efficient way to see the main highlights of Ho Chi Minh City. You actually get a really good mix of history, culture, and local life, all packed into about eight hours. It’s arguably one of the better day-trip options you could choose.

Read our full review: Amazing Shore Excursion: Ho Chi Minh City Tour from Cruise Port Full Review and Details

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