Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 83 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert worth booking?
Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert is a 6-hour experience in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from $140 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 83 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (83)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $140 per person
Although the city is chaotic with endless slow-moving traffic, the hustle and bustle of the city do not affect the unique friendliness of the people. An easy greeting of hello in Vietnamese, "Xin Chao", is sufficient to
What you get
About this experience
Although the city is chaotic with endless slow-moving traffic, the hustle and bustle of the city do not affect the unique friendliness of the people. An easy greeting of hello in Vietnamese, "Xin Chao", is sufficient to taste the local hospitality. Forget about shopping and must-see attractions for a while. Let me show you the real Saigon. - The tour is private and flexible so there are only you and your family on tour. - Our tour mostly focuses on understanding locals' way of life, culture, history and cuisine so we will visit different aspects of the city (local wet market, CIA building, stilt house areas and the likes). - There are no shopping and tourist traps during the tour. - All guides are licensed, knowledgeable, professional and enthusiastic.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Lunch
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Ba Thien Hau Temple
Temple in Chinatown
30 minutes here
War Remnants Museum
History of war in Vietnam
60 minutes here · Admission included
Tour around the Dong Khoi area
30 minutes here
Ban Co Market
a colorful local wet market located in alleys in District 3
30 minutes here
Ho Thi Ky Flower Market
We will walk through the beautiful flower market and have more opportunity to see friendly locals and their livelihood.
30 minutes here
Binh Tay Market
one of the largest wholesale markets in Ho Chi Minh city where all sorts of silk, spices, herbs and the likes are being sold.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Ho Chi Minh City
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- TOUR WITH XUAN
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 83 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
83 verified traveler reviews for Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing Tour with Xuan
11/10 experience with Xuan on both the Ho Chi Minh City Tour and Cu Chi Tunnels tour! My dad and I were on the tour with Xuan and he was great. Extremely knowledgeable and super friendly. Within the first hour, he was both a guide and a friend and it felt like being shown the city of Saigon from a local friend. We saw SO much. He took us to the local market, local apartment buildings, the war museum, all the major sights, Saigon sky deck and a coffee stop. He even personalized the tour by taking us to see the famous monk statue and sights we were interested in. His passion for the history of this city came across in full force and I couldn’t imagine exploring this city with anyone else. Big Ups to Xuan! We also did the half day tour with Xuan to the cu chi tunnels and that was great as well. His expertise helped us have a seamless experience, avoiding the crowds and maximizing our experience to the fullest. We learned so much!
Response from the operator: Dear Marco, Thank you for a great review which will definitely motivate me for year to come. It's also my honour to meet and be your private guide. Please visit Vietnam again and I hope Tour With Xuan will always be your favourite choice. Take care & happy holidays! Xuan,
via Tripadvisor
Exhilarating day in HCMC
Our day with Xuan was fantastic! Great communication and planning in advance to make sure we saw everything on our ‘must see list’. Our driver was equally excellent - we felt safe at all times even with the scooters zipping around. The rickshaw ride through various market districts was especially memorable, as was the food! Bhan mi, egg coffee and Michelin recommended Pho - everything arranged seamlessly by Xuan. His reputation as a five-star guide in Vietnam is very well-deserved - can’t recommend enough!
Response from the operator: Dear Laura, Thank you so much for a nice review! Its also my honour to meet and be your private guide in Ho Chi Minh city and Mekong Delta. Please visit Vietnam again and I hope Tour With Xuan will always be your preferred tour guide. Take care, Xuan,
via Tripadvisor
Port change to Chan May
Our cruise was supposed to dock Ho Chi Minh City and I had booked excursion with Xuan. RCCL changed us to DaNang/Chan May port. Reached out Xuan and asked could he help with the change. Very positive and immediate response and yes he set us up with private guide & driver at that port. Our guide was Ms. Tea and driver, Cong - both were excellent - what a great day we had. Felt safe, saved us so much time so we could see so much more. Just a wonderful day. Thanks to Xuan for taking care of us. And to our "team" in Hoi An and Ba Na Hills for showing us a great day in Vietnam and safely back to ship on time - zero stress day!
Response from the operator: Dear Brenda, Thank you so much for a brilliant review. I am glad that you had a fabulous time exploring Golden Hand Bridge and Hoi An with Tea. Please visit Vietnam again and I hope Tour With Xuan will always be your preferred choice. Regards, Xuan,
via Tripadvisor
Perfect Tours
I hired Xuan for three tours (Hue - Da Nang with our tour guide Lập , the Mekong Delta tour with Xuan, and Ho Chi Minh City with Xuan). He was always prompt in replying to my emails and very professional. Our cruise ship docked in the city center, so we were comfortable taking this half day Saigon tour. Our ship departed at 1pm, so I asked Xuan to get us back to the ship by noon. And he did. We went to a huge local market (called Bàn Cờ, address: Hẻm 242 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, Phường 3, Bàn Cờ, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam) that had many, many tiny alleys. No large cruise tours would be able to go there. Buses and other large vehicles cannot traverse this area, only small cars and small vans. We felt so lucky to see the real local life going about their morning business buying fresh food for their meals. I imagine they do this on a daily basis. We saw so much produce, meats, poultry, fish and seafood, and even stalls that were selling cooked Vietnamese street food. We saw live fish, eels, chickens, frogs, etc. We visited the Thien Hau pagoda, took a 40 minute trishaw ride around the market area among all of the scooters, stopped for a coffee break where Xuan cut up different fruits for us to eat. We visited the War Remnant museum, which was difficult to see. We went to the general post office, where we did a little shopping. Xuan pointed out the former CIA headquarter building where the last American helicopter landed in 1975. The last thing that Xuan did for us was to stop to purchase some Banh Mi sandwiches for the ride back to the ship. He bought one for each couple to split. I’m glad he did that. They were huge and oh, so delicious. He said they were the best ones in the city. Stuffed inside a crispy baguette is pork liver pâté, braised pork belly, butter, pickled vegetables and a cilantro-chili sauce. Really excellent. My husband, friends and I loved all of the tours, most especially the Mekong Delta tour. We were away from the big cities and got to see some of the areas of the Delta. Xuan took us to an area where large cruise tours don't go to. We cruised along the river, had a wonderful lunch (lots of food) at a riverside restaurant overlooking the Mekong river, walked among the fruit trees, watched a woman cut open a coconut, took a tuk tuk ride, and did a sampan ride. That was the best! The third tour that we did was to Hoi An and Da Nang with Lập. We went to a beach were we saw many round basket fishing boats, Linh Ung pagoda (beautiful area with bonsais and Buddha statues), went to marble mountain, visited a marble factory, had lunch at Vy’s Market restaurant, which was an eatery. My husband and I shared the fried pork spring rolls, the chicken and ginger dumplings, and the grilled squid with a chili sate sauce. He had a beer I had wine. All for about $24. We also stopped to see the dragon bridge. All three tours were excellent. Both Lập and Xuan were so nice and gave us a lot of information. Our drivers were professional. Thank goodness because the drivers (cars, vans, and motorcycles) drove so crazy! Xuan was recommended to me by a friend. I now pass my recommendations on to anyone visiting these places in Vietnam. Xuan is your guide (and Lập too)!
Response from the operator: Dear Monica, We are so grateful to read your brilliant review. Thank you so much for visiting Vietnam and choosing the Tour With Xuan. We hope to welcome you and your loved ones again in the near future. Take care, Xuan,
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend
We had an amazing tour with our guide Hanna. She speaks excellent English and is kind and knowledgeable.
Response from the operator: Dear Mark, Thank you so much for a nice review which will definitely motivate us profoundly. Please visit Ho Chi Minh city again and I hope Tour With Xuan will always be your preferred choice. Regards, Xuan,
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $140 to $220
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 29
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ho Chi Minh City.
How much does Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert cost?
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Prices start at $140 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Ho Chi Minh City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Ho Chi Minh City is not rushed.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 83 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Ho Chi Minh City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert?
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Around 29 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Ho Chi Minh City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Ho Chi Minh City and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour With A Local Expert start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Ho Chi Minh City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
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On Outty we rank every Ho Chi Minh City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Adventure Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Tour From HCM, Cu Chi Tunnels Small-Group Tour: Vietnam War Underground Network, Cu Chi underground tour - Learn Vietnam war with others. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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