2026 Ho Chi Minh City Double-Decker Bus Guide | Night Tour, Day Hop-on Hop-off Passes, Boarding Points and Best Seats

If you don't want to walk under the scorching sun, try the double-decker sightseeing bus

On your first visit to Ho Chi Minh City, many attractions are actually concentrated in District 1, but the southern weather is hot and the streets are full of motorbikes — a few minutes' walk can leave you sweaty. If you want to see the city center landmarks in one go without spending the day walking, riding the red open-top double-decker sightseeing bus is a comfortable and easy option.

The bus passes by the opera house, Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street, Sông Sài Gòn, Bến Thành Market, the Central Post Office and the Notre-Dame Cathedral area from an elevated view, allowing you to see architecture, street activity and dense motorbike traffic along the way. Sitting on the upper deck in the breeze offers a completely different perspective than walking at street level; it's especially convenient for first-time visitors or those with only half a day left on their trip.

Night tour or day pass? First, distinguish the two options

The most popular option with travelers is the night tour ticket. Official information shows night tours generally operate from late afternoon to evening, about every 30 minutes, with a full loop of around 45 to 50 minutes and no mid-route disembarkation. On-site adult tickets are about 145,000 Vietnamese dong (approx HK$44/NT$180/RMB 42/US$6), children's tickets about 105,000 Vietnamese dong (approx HK$32/NT$130/RMB 31/US$4). The actual ticket photo you provided also shows the adult night tour ticket at 145,000 Vietnamese dong, so it's a suitable reference for this trip.

The ideal night tour time is a departure close to sunset, e.g. around 17:30 or 18:00. In the early part you can watch the sky change from light to dark, then see the opera house, Nguyễn Huệ Street and the riverside along Sông Sài Gòn light up — experiencing sunset and night views within forty-five minutes. The official night route passes the opera house, Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street, Bến Nhà Rồng, Cầu Thủ Thiêm, Hồ Con Rùa, Diamond Plaza, the Central Post Office and the Notre-Dame Cathedral area, before returning to the city center.

The other option is the daytime Hop-on Hop-off pass, suitable for travelers who want to get on and off freely within 24 hours while visiting attractions. A daytime ticket is about 300,000 Vietnamese dong (approx HK$91/NT$375/RMB 140/US$12); prices vary for one-day or longer packages — the ticket you provided also shows a one-day adult ticket at about 480,000 Vietnamese dong (approx HK$146/NT$600/RMB 225/US$19). Daytime routes are usually split into Red and Blue lines: the Red Line focuses on the city center, while the Blue Line extends to District 5, Chợ Bình Tây and the Thiên Hậu Temple area for a more local atmosphere.

Where to board? Central Post Office saves time

The most easily recognized terminal is next to 西貢歌劇院, where there is a red ticket booth and uniformed staff. It's convenient for first-time riders, but popular times are crowded and you may need to queue for night tours. On-site purchases are usually easiest with cash in Vietnamese dong, so prepare small change.

If you don't want to wait long at the opera house, you can look for staff in red or white uniforms near 胡志明市中央郵政局. Many travelers report that it's usually easier to board around the Central Post Office than at the main terminal; however, different ticket types and daily arrangements may vary, so confirm the boarding location and return procedure with staff when buying tickets.

Which seat on the upper deck is best?

For photos and the breeze, the open upper deck is the top choice. The lower deck has air-conditioning but feels more like ordinary transport and views can be blocked by windows and other vehicles. Seats on the right side of the upper deck give better views of Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street, Bitexco Financial Tower and the riverside in some sections; if you want to photograph street scenes while moving, choose a forward seat but be aware the wind will be stronger.

It's not recommended to sit by the stairs as soon as you go upstairs, because boarding and alighting are usually concentrated there and you may be blocked by other passengers. Night tours are a continuous loop with no mid-route disembarkation, so once it departs you must stay for the entire trip; day passes allow you to get off at designated stops, visit attractions and wait for the next bus.

See Ho Chi Minh City's urban scenery in one go

The value of the double-decker bus is more than just a photo op. It links different faces of the city center: around the opera house you'll see French architecture and luxury hotels, Nguyễn Huệ Street has youth and street performances, along Sông Sài Gòn you'll see city lights, and the Central Post Office and the Notre-Dame Cathedral retain colonial-era visual character. When the bus passes busy roads, watching the motorbikes flow like a tide from the upper deck gives you a sense of Ho Chi Minh City's fast-paced, vibrant side.

On rainy days note the upper deck is open-top; check the weather before departing and bring a light jacket or a compact raincoat. Hold your phone and camera securely when taking photos and don't stick your body out of the bus in strong winds. If you want to return to the Central Post Office after the night tour returns to the opera house, ask staff when disembarking — in some cases passengers may be arranged onto another vehicle for the return, but usually only the lower deck is available; follow on-site arrangements.

Continue to relax after city center sights

If you've been shopping or walking a lot in District 1, you can relax at Win Royal Spa before returning to your hotel. The shop address is 48 Lê Thị Hồng Gấm, open daily 09:00–22:00. After seeing the city from the double-decker bus, ending the trip with a Vietnamese head-wash massage or other massage services is a very comfortable plan.

Summary

If you only have one evening, choose a night tour departing around 17:30–18:00 to best enjoy sunset, street scenes and night views in one go; consider a day pass if you want to visit District 5 or multiple attractions. Before boarding bring cash, prioritize getting upper-deck seats, and allow time for weather and queues to see Ho Chi Minh City in a more relaxed way.