Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Your excursion begins at the pier where you'll board your air-conditioned motorcoach for the approximately one and half hour drive to Ho Chi Minh City. Travel along the Saigon River where you'll pass small villages, green paddy fields and orchards of tropical trees. En route, you'll stop at Dat Viet Lacquerware Factory. See the art of lacquerware-making, one of Vietnam's most popular exports. Take in a brief demonstration of the lacquering process and see a variety of lacquerware pieces, ranging from small boxes to large pieces of furniture.

The city tour drive introduces the major highlights of bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly referred to as Saigon. Pass grand old buildings such as the "wedding cake" style Hotel d'Ville and the historic Rex Hotel. The streets are lined with colorful street markets selling everything from chilies to French baguettes and filled with a sea of bicycles, cyclos and motorbikes.

You'll drive past the Botanical and Zoological Gardens, Notre Dame Cathedral, the French Colonial Post Office and Ho Chi Minh Park. And travel to Saigon to visit Ben Thanh Central Market, which features thousands of products such as readymade clothes, shoes, watches, bags and local foods. Next, you'll stop for a photo opportunity at historic Reunification Hall, the former presidential palace that holds a museum and exhibition center today.

Continue on downtown to one of Ho Chi Minh City's busiest streets, formerly Rue Catinat of Author Graham Greene's Vietnam, Dong Khoi Street is still a fascinating place to see. Explore the many shops and try your hand at bargaining for porcelain figurines, cinnamon boxes and other souvenirs. You'll have time on your own to shop for souvenirs before re-joining the motor coach for the drive back to the pier and your cruise ship.