Hop-on hop-off bus tour launched in HCMC's Chinatown

The hop-on, hop-off bus service will run every 30 minutes, providing 30 trips from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day

The route is a 20-kilometer journey, spanning a total of two hours, allowing passengers to board and deboard at any stop along the way. The buses travel from the Saigon bus station, through the downtown District 1 and Chinatown's Districts 5 and 6.

A double-decker bus stops outside Binh Tay Market in HCMC's District 5, May 29, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Bich Phuong

Nguyen Khoa Luan, Director of Anh Viet Hop-on Hop-off Vietnam Company, said the tour offers visitors an opportunity to explore the lively vibe of districts 5 and 6, known as the southern metropolis's Chinatown, a vibrant hub of local Chinese culture and commerce.

The neighborhood is known for it’s authentic food and spirited markets.

Historic architectural spots along the tour include Ong Pagoda - Nghia An Assembly Hall, Tue Thanh Assembly Hall, Thien Hau Pagoda, Minh Huong Communal House, Nhi Phu Assembly Hall - Ong Bon Pagoda, Cha Tam Church, Cho Lon Mosque, and the iconic rows of old Chinese shophouses on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street.

The traditional markets peppered along the route will allow visitors to explore genuine local culture. The most popular stops are Binh Tay and Kim Bien markets in Chinatown, and Ben Thanh in District 1.

Tickets for the bus ride services can be booked online, or at tourist agencies and bus stations, with prices ranging from VND200,000 (US$7.86) per person.

The tours’ operator has been a popular tourist service provider in HCMC in 2015. In December last year, the firm launched its "Sleepless in Saigon" double-decker bus tour, offering visitors an opportunity to travel overnight via 30 routes through nearly 20 tourist attractions in Vietnam’s largest and most bustling city.