Private Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursion: Explore Past & Present

Officially named Ho Chi Minh City in 1976 to celebrate the reunification of Vietnam, many in the country's largest city still call it Saigon, especially when talking about the city center. Cruise to Vietnam to get to know the immense, bustling metropolis that is HCMC, as its commonly abbreviated, by visiting Cholon (Chinatown) in District 5 — wander its narrow streets and picturesque pagodas, and step foot in the incense-filled Thien Hau Temple. Then, fill up on spicy beef noodles at Ben Thanh market. See the massive dragon carpet inside Independence Palace, the former home of South Vietnam's president before reunification, or learn more about what the Vietnamese call the American War at the War Remnants Museum.