
Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 117 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local worth booking?
Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local is a 2.5-hour experience in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from €15 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 117 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (117)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- €15 per person
Ready to experience a side of Ho Chi Minh like a local, with a local? This is a tour, unlike any other! If you want to take a step away from the touristy path, there's no better way than by diving into the city's alternative side. Welcome to Quân 6! If you're done with the main highlights, why not step away and take a less-traveled path that will show you an unexpected side of Ho Chi Minh? Follow a local guide on a private tour full of surprises and check out Ba Chien Hau pagoda and Binh Tay market, and more that let the true form of the city shine! Withlocals Off the Beaten Track Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.
What you get
About this experience
Ready to experience a side of Ho Chi Minh like a local, with a local? This is a tour, unlike any other! If you want to take a step away from the touristy path, there's no better way than by diving into the city's alternative side. Welcome to Quân 6! If you're done with the main highlights, why not step away and take a less-traveled path that will show you an unexpected side of Ho Chi Minh? Follow a local guide on a private tour full of surprises and check out Ba Chien Hau pagoda and Binh Tay market, and more that let the true form of the city shine! Withlocals Off the Beaten Track Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.
What's included
Included
- Private Local Guide
- Private Tour - only you and your local
- Sustainable Carbon Neutral Experience
Not included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Ben Thanh Market
Done with the main highlights of Ho Chi Minh City? Check out the Quân 6. Explore a lesser-known part of the city that will give you a more authentic feel of Ho Chi Minh City. Check out Binh Tay market and more!
60 minutes here
Let a local expert in the area you’ll visit show you their Ho Chi Minh City from a different perspective - away from the tourist traps. See street art, cultural hot spots, local vendors, hangout spots, and historical gems, and embrace the vibe!
30 minutes here
Ho Chi Minh City
Want to explore more of the area after the tour? Your host is happy to recommend their favorite eateries and where to take a break while wandering in this vibrant area
60 minutes here
Phố Tau Sai Gon (Chợ Lớn Quận 5)
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
Nha Tho Cha Tam (Cha Tam Church)
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
Binh Tay Market
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
Ban Co Market
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
Ba Thien Hau Temple
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Ho Chi Minh City
Meet up at Ben Thanh Market, exit/gate 3, address: Phan Chu Trinh
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet up at Ben Thanh Market, exit/gate 3, address: Phan Chu Trinh
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- vi, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Withlocals
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- PRIVATE TOUR: only you & your local guide
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 117 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
117 verified traveler reviews for Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A Interesting Morning with a Lovely Young Woman
We booked this trip with Huyen through With Locals. From the beginning, her communication was excellent in planning what we wanted to do. We have been to Saigon before and seen the highlights. This time we wanted to see more of everyday life away from the hustle and bustle of the modern streets. This tour was great for that. Huyen is full of energy and enthusiasm for sharing her city. Her English was excellent, and she was thoughtful about our comfort through out the morning (buying us water and providing a battery-operated fan and wet-wipes when the heat threatened to over-whelm me). She met us at our hotel, and put us in a taxi at the end, taking care of all the logistics so all we had to do was relax and enjoy. I highly recommend booking Huyen for this excursion.
via Tripadvisor
An eye-opening venture to local Vietnam hidden gems, a memorable experience- book it!
Hieu was an amazing tour guide, he speaks fluent English, quite knowledgeable about the culture, history of Vietnam as we ventured along the 'Off-The-Beaten-Track Tour'. All the spots we stopped at were lovely choices, good food, excellent coffee, interesting museum off the local apartments side. The experience was a 10/10 - a great way to feel like you're a part of the locals when you get to see the very places they live in/around. (Also, felt very safe during the tour so no need to worry)
via Tripadvisor
Kind, flexible and patient.
Jecky guided us by public coach to "China Town" in Ho Chi Minh. He was prompt in time waiting for us and asked if we had special wishes. We are not the youngest people anymore so we told him not to long walks. He showed us interesting pagoda's and wanted to bring us to the flowermarket what we didn't do because we were very tired and were not yet used to the high temperatures. Jecky was kind, flexible and patient. Thank you Jecky
via Tripadvisor
A local perspective.
We had such a fun and interesting day with The. She showed us a side of Saigon we never would have discovered on our own. We focused on markets and temples in Chinatown. She is so sweet and happily shares information about her city. Thank you The!
via Tripadvisor
Huyen is awesome!
What an exhilarating and beautiful morning! Huyen was a terrific guide who was fun to talk to. She took me on the local buses and we walked a lot. I have been very scared crossing the streets in Ho Chi Minh City but with Huyen I felt safe. She answered all of my questions about life in Vietnam, like the health care system. We went to a huge market and she helped me buy a few snacks and coffee. Then we stopped and had banh mi and then to a fascinating temple. She also took some great pictures of me!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- €15 to €85
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 41
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Withlocals, who run 170 experiences we rank across 55 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.4.
See everything Withlocals runsWhy this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ho Chi Minh City.
How much does Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local cost?
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Prices start at €15 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: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local take?
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Plan for about 2.5 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: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 117 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: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local?
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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: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local?
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Around 41 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 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local 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 Cai Be Mekong Delta Tour: Cooking Class, Cycling & Craft Villages, Adventure Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Tour From HCM, Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta 1 Day Tour With Small Group. 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.
What is included in Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local?
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Included: Private Local Guide; Private Tour - only you and your local; and Sustainable Carbon Neutral Experience. Not included: Hotel pick-up and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local?
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Meet up at Ben Thanh Market, exit/gate 3, address: Phan Chu Trinh Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local offered in?
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It is offered in Vietnamese and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Ho Chi Minh City. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Ho Chi Minh: PRIVATE Off the Beaten Track Tour with a Local?
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Across 117 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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