← Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) cruise guide
culture · Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Saigon's Architectural Icons: Notre Dame, Post Office & Jade Pagoda

Three of Southeast Asia's most photogenic landmarks in one private-guided morning — French colonial Notre Dame Cathedral, the ornate Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel's studio, and the incense-wreathed Jade Emperor Pagoda, still an active place of worship.

What to expect

Your air-conditioned private vehicle collects you at the port and delivers you to the red-brick Notre Dame Cathedral for an exterior exploration (interior currently under restoration). Steps away, the Central Post Office dazzles with its vaulted ironwork ceiling and vintage Ho Chi Minh portraits — still a working post office where you can send a postcard home. The finale is the smoky, lantern-hung Jade Emperor Pagoda, where worshippers burn offerings and the carved deity galleries feel centuries removed from the modern city outside.

Book it with
Shore Excursions Asia – Vietnam Private Tours
From USD 75 per person (private, includes guide, air-conditioned transport & entry fees)
Book it →

Good to know

This half-day (4–5 hours) pairs well with an afternoon food or river tour. Modest dress is required at the Jade Pagoda — shoulders and knees covered. Notre Dame Cathedral exterior only (restoration ongoing as of 2025–2026). Port transfer roughly 1.5 hours each way — factor into timing.

Sail there

Luxury cruises that call at Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.

Oceania · Oceania Riviera
9 nights · calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
from $3,099
View sailing →
Oceania · Oceania Nautica
10 nights · calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
from $3,145
View sailing →
Azamara · Azamara Pursuit
13 nights · calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
from $4,429
View sailing →
Viking Ocean · Viking Orion
14 nights · calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
from $6,499
View sailing →
See all cruises to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) →
← Back to the full Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) guide

⚓ Your bucket-list concierge

Doing the whole cruise?

Tell us your sailing and we'll send the bucket list for every port — the operator to call, real prices, and an honest verdict on each ship tour.

No spam. The honest plan, even when it says skip the ship’s tour.