Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour worth booking?
Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour is a 5-hour experience in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from $54 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (5)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $54 per person
Discover a different side of Saigon on this half-day walking tour through lesser-known neighborhoods full of local character. Explore thematic streets where antiques, handicrafts, exotic birds, bonsai trees, and miniature landscapes reveal everyday local life. A highlight of the journey is a visit to Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum, where ornate wooden interiors and healing traditions reflect centuries of cultural heritage. Continue into local markets that remain largely untouched by tourism yet are central to daily life. From decorative flower stalls to shops filled with wartime objects, these hidden corners reflect the rhythms, beliefs, and trading traditions that still shape the city. You will also experience the energy of a bustling flower market that supplies buyers from across Saigon. Throughout the walk, your guide shares stories that bring these places to life. The experience ends with lunch in a nostalgic Saigon café hidden inside an old apartment building.
What you get
About this experience
Discover a different side of Saigon on this half-day walking tour through lesser-known neighborhoods full of local character. Explore thematic streets where antiques, handicrafts, exotic birds, bonsai trees, and miniature landscapes reveal everyday local life. A highlight of the journey is a visit to Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum, where ornate wooden interiors and healing traditions reflect centuries of cultural heritage. Continue into local markets that remain largely untouched by tourism yet are central to daily life. From decorative flower stalls to shops filled with wartime objects, these hidden corners reflect the rhythms, beliefs, and trading traditions that still shape the city. You will also experience the energy of a bustling flower market that supplies buyers from across Saigon. Throughout the walk, your guide shares stories that bring these places to life. The experience ends with lunch in a nostalgic Saigon café hidden inside an old apartment building.
What's included
Included
- All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the description
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
- All applicable taxes and service charges
- A half-day tour with a professional English-speaking guide
- Local snacks during the tour
Not included
- Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities
- Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement
- Single supplement charges for single travellers, where applicable
- Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
- Supplements for transfers outside the general pick up and drop off area
- Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included
- Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)
What you'll see and do
Ho Chi Minh City
We will pick you up from your hotel and head down to lesser-known parts of this southern Vietnamese city. Our tour starts with a leisurely walk through some thematic streets selling birds, bonsai trees, miniature landscapes, local antiques and handicraft.
60 minutes here
Fito Museum - Museums of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine & Pharmacy
Visit a traditional medicine museum and explore the art of healing, passed on from generation to generation. The very first museum of traditional medicine in Vietnam is known for its stunning interiors, entirely made from wood. Frames of wooden houses were transported from some northern provinces to Ho Chi Minh City to give the museum an antique look. Included during this 5-hour tour are some unique local markets, located off the tourism radar yet well worth your attention. From street side stalls selling decorative flowers to wartime objects, evoking strong scents of local life, these places of commerce are some of Saigon's secrets. Our port of call is a hectic local market, where around 100 households receive between 1,000-3000 flower boxes daily, which then will exchange hands to buyers from all areas of the city.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Saigon Street Eats
During this highly interactive exploration, you will learn how crucial various objects and practices remain for the Vietnamese population, both physically and spiritually. Our little surprise is waiting at an authentic home meal dining or a nostalgic Saigon café, hidden in an old flat. It goes without saying; a peek into the authentic side of the city includes local snacks and delicacies, unique to this part of the world. After 5 hours of wandering through little-known Saigon exploring this vibrant, electric city, away from the more common sights, we head back to your booked accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Asian Trails LTD
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply
- Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside Ho Chi Minh City centre. Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside the city, harbour and the Ho Chi Minh’s International Airport are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions.
- Customers are advised that during the TET celebrations (celebration of Vietnamese New Year), excursions and tours may be subject to supplementary charges and/or may see longer waiting times than normal
- We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this excursion; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of snacks during the excursion
- We regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users. Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion
- We always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour
- Please note pickup and drop-off services may not be confirmed for customers staying at private residences, apartment complexes, or other non-registered tourism accommodations. Customers may be asked to meet at a nearby hotel for pick-up and drop
- Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It is the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this
- Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power
- We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the excursion in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests
- It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request
- In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 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
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Physical effort
1 mentionExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour, great guide
We have visited Saigon many times and wanted to see some things that we had not experienced before. This trip provided us with some interesting new experiences including a visit to a traditional medicine museum, a walk through the flower selling streets and the area where pets are sold (one cage contained a large old cat playing mother to some very young puppies) as well as a really enjoyable coffee in a chic coffee shop that you could never find without a guide - it was hidden up some dodgy looking stairs in what looked like a derelict building which turned out to be full of interesting shops, cafes, etc. Our guide was Raymond who provided a great service, he was knowledgeable, spoke great English and was an interesting guy to talk to. The tour was really worthwhile, if you have seen all the normal sights of Saigon or if you like getting a bit off the normal tourist route then this is a tour that you will enjoy.
via Tripadvisor
Guide excellent
It was okay booked at last minuet for something to do on Sunday morning. The guide was very pleasant and a nice person.
Response from the operator: Dear Boazxx Many thanks for this wonderful review of your experiences through the unknown sides of Ho Chi Minh City. We always appreciate such feedback and will transfer your comments about our local ambassador of the Asian Trails brand in Vietnam accordingly. Looking forward welcoming you again to this part of the world in not too long a future! Kind regards Asian Trails Vietnam
via Viator
Great tour seeing parts of the city...
<p>Great tour seeing parts of the city we wouldnt normally see or venture into. Tour guide was friendly and informative.</p>
via Viator
This was a great tour. Our guide was...
<p>This was a great tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and our driver was excellent. We got to visit a lot of areas including a Chinese Doctors museum where I became Dr. Phil, dressed in a traditional Chinese Drs. attire. A great tour was had by us all. Phil and Janine Griffin, Australia</p>
via Viator
We highly recommend this tour. The...
<p>We highly recommend this tour. The visit to the herbal remedies museum was a highlight of our trip to Saigon. I'm sorry I can't remember our guide's name but he was excellent. He even added a visit to a street with many antiques stores where we had a lot of fun looking through old coins. He provided a very interesting perspective and made the trip worthwhile.</p>
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $54 to $119
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Asian Trails LTD, who run 116 experiences we rank across 24 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 50.1.
See everything Asian Trails LTD runsWhy this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ho Chi Minh City.
How much does Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour cost?
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Prices start at $54 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 Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour take?
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Plan for about 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 Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 5 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 Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour?
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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 Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour?
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Around 2 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour 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 Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour?
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Included: All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the description; Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver; All applicable taxes and service charges; A half-day tour with a professional English-speaking guide; and Local snacks during the tour. Not included: Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities; Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement; Single supplement charges for single travellers, where applicable; and Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general mee. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 123 listed pickup locations in and around Ho Chi Minh City. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour offered in?
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It runs in 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 Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour?
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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.
Is Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and We regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users. Guests a. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour 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 Secret Half Day Saigon Markets and Traditional Medicine Tour?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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