Your Local Travel
Companion in
Ho Chi Minh City
Your Local Travel Companion
for City Walks in Saigon
Explore the Secrets of Ho Chi Minh City
Beyond the Guidebooks
Private, Personalized City Walks in Ho Chi Minh City 👣
Explore the Secrets of Saigon Beyond the Guidebooks
Choose:
● Your Time
● Your Theme
● Your Route
◆ Authentic, Personalized, and fully private walking tours in Ho Chi Minh City 👣
Discover Saigon Differently
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is vibrant, fast-changing, and full of everyday stories in every street, alley, and neighborhood.
After 12 years of living here as an expat who now feels more local than foreign, I’ve learned the city through thousands of walks, conversations, and daily encounters.
I offer a boutique, highly personal walking experience that shows Saigon’s many sides — the fast-paced scooter energy, lively markets, quiet parks, hidden alleys, and riverside calm.
Each walk can also follow a specific theme, tailored entirely to what interests you most.
You’ll explore real neighborhoods, local culture, and authentic spots most visitors never reach. Whether you prefer Saigon’s vibrancy or its quieter corners, I adapt each walk entirely to your pace and interests
Alongside the city walks, I also provide Vietnam travel planning and an orientation service for newly arrived expats, offering practical guidance and local insight to help you navigate the city and your trip with confidence.
Your Date & Time
✮ Flexible booking, from one day ahead to several weeks in advance
✮ Available from 06:15 AM onward (seasonal variations may apply)
✮ Walks range from 2.5 to 8 hours.
✮ Longer walks can be split into 2 parts on the same day or on the following day
Your Choices / Places
✮ Pick what inspires you: cozy alleys, cafés, riverside sunsets, historic corners, or nightlife energy
✮ You can create or blend themes, districts/neighborhoods
✮ No scripts, no fixed routes — just what feels right for you
Your Group (up to 4)
✮ For solo travelers, couples, or close friends
✮ Walk privately — you are never added to a group. No mixed groupsups
This is not a licensed tour — it’s a personal, private walking experience with a local companion
Discover the everyday sights, tastes, and stories.
Saigon during the day is lively, energetic, and filled with everyday movement, especially scooters and street activity.
This walk takes you through real neighborhoods, morning markets, small alleys, quiet streets, and local cafés or food spots that show the city’s daily rhythm.
I can recommend local “Saigon secrets” and nearby hidden spots, places rarely listed in guidebooks.
The walk can also follow a specific theme if you prefer — shaped around the areas, atmosphere, or style that interests you most.
We can also include some of the well-known attractions upon request.
The experience is always flexible, shaped around what you want to see and how you prefer to explore.
There’s no fixed script; we follow the city's natural flow, stopping wherever it catches your attention.
You’ll have many opportunities for authentic photos, and I’m always happy to help take pictures when needed
Details:
Start Time: Available from 06:15 AM onward (seasonal variations may apply)
Duration: 2.5–8 hours can be split into 2 parts on the same day or on the following day
Walking: 3–12 km depending on your pace
Transport: A Taxi may be needed for longer distances
I’ll help you capture great photos along the way.
Pricing ( 1 to 4 People) - USD
The prices below are total rates for your private walk.
Whether you join alone or with friends (up to 4), the cost stays the same.
If you're sharing the walk, you’re free to divide the total among your group.
• 2.5 hours (minimum): From $90
• hours (Half Day): From $135
• hours (Half Day+): From $170
• 8 hours (Full Day): From $260
Example: $90 total = $22.50 per person if 4 guests join.
✮ Personal expenses (food, drinks, transport) are excluded.
Suggested Themes You Can Choose
Pick one — or combine 2 or 3 — depending on what interests you:
• Local Markets & Morning Energy
• Old vs. New Neighborhoods & Daily Routines
• Cafés, Quiet Streets, Alleys & Local Corners
• Riverside Walking & Low-Traffic Areas
• Hidden Spots & Non-Touristy Areas
• Calm Parks & Relaxed Green Places
• More options available...
See Saigon transform after sunset
Saigon at night looks and feels completely different. Bridges glow, streets light up, food stalls open, and neighborhoods shift into a more social rhythm.
This walk explores night markets, walking streets, street-food corners, street shows, karaoke spots, early-opening bars, rooftop views, and alleys that come to life only after dark.
You may also come across spontaneous street performances — singers, musicians, or small pop-up shows.
Whether you prefer calmer riverside areas or lively nighttime streets, the route is shaped entirely to your mood.
No scripts, no fixed routes, we follow the natural flow of the night.
Details:
Start Time: 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Duration: 2–4 hours
Walking: 3–6 km
Transport: A Taxi may be needed
Pricing ( 1 to 4 People) - USD
The prices below are total rates for your private walk.
Whether you join alone or with friends (up to 4), the cost stays the same.
If you're sharing the walk, you’re free to divide the total among your group.
• 2 hours (minimum): From $75
• 3 hours (Half Day): From $105
• 4 hours (Half Day+): From $135
Example: $105 total = $26.25 per person if 4 guests join.
✮ Personal expenses (food, drinks, transport) are excluded.
Suggested Themes You Can Choose
Pick one — or combine 2 or 3 — depending on what interests you:
• Night Markets & Street Food Corners
• Small, late-night, and large Bars & Live Shows
• Hidden Alleys Lit Up After Dark
• Karaoke Rooms & Evening Hangout Areas
• Riverside Views & Lighted Bridges
• Casual Late-Night Foot/Body Massage Options
• More options available…
Saigon, the city that never truly sleeps
Saigon shifts into a different world after 10 PM. As the evening crowds fade, the city settles into its real after-hours rhythm.
On some streets, shops lift their blinds and transform into small late-night bars and low-lit rooms that only appear once daytime disappears. Nearby, clubs, late-night shows, massage shops, karaoke rooms, street-food stalls, and 24/7 eateries keep the city active in their own way.
Depending on your interests, I can guide you to spots locals enjoy after midnight, places that rarely appear in guidebooks.
This walk follows Saigon’s late-night transformation, from its busiest moments into its quieter, atmospheric layers that only reveal themselves deep into the night.
Details
Start time: 10 PM
Transportation: A Taxi might be required
Duration: 2 - 4 hours
Language: Can also be provided in Japanese
🟡 Price: We’ll agree on pricing based on what you’re looking for. Everything is confirmed upfront - no surprises.
Easy escapes to the coast, nature, and river life
Day or overnight escapes to Vũng Tàu, the Mekong Delta, or Mũi Né — perfect for travelers seeking a deeper glimpse beyond the city.
Travel with full flexibility and insight, with routes, timing, and stops tailored entirely to your interests, pace, and preferred style of exploration.
Ideal for those wanting a smooth, personalized journey outside Saigon, with Saigon With Me support for both logistics and full companion service.
Details:
Start Time: Flexible
Duration: Day trip or overnight
Transport Options include car, boat, ferry, or sleeper bus.
And:
If I accompany the trip, all transportation costs are covered.
Language: Japanese for the Mekong Delta
Pricing: Always confirmed upfront
Planning a trip to Vietnam can be overwhelming: distances, timing, transportation options, and the variety of regions often confuse even experienced travelers.
My travel planning service provides a tailored, realistic, and cost-efficient itinerary based entirely on your interests and travel style.
This advisory is based on my firsthand experience exploring Vietnam from North to South and East to West — by plane, train, bus, motorbike, car, and boat. I advise you on how much time to allocate for each region and city, based on your schedule and what you want to see.
You’ll receive a custom route plan, fully online and available even months in advance.
The result is a smooth, logical, and enjoyable trip that helps you experience Vietnam the way locals do — without wasting time, money, or energy on unnecessary detours.
Moving to Ho Chi Minh City can feel overwhelming — new neighborhoods, logistics, and daily-life details all take time to understand.
I offer a personal expat orientation service to help newly arrived expats settle in comfortably and confidently.
We cover practical essentials such as:
• Understanding districts, types of accommodation, and choosing areas that fit your lifestyle
• Everyday logistics (SIM cards, mobile providers, transportation, utilities)
• Supermarkets, cafés, gyms, and daily-life essentials
• Healthcare, pharmacies, clinics, and insurance options
This service is friendly, local, and tailored to your needs. The same guidance I’ve given friends, colleagues, and newcomers during my 12 years living in Saigon.
Ideal for anyone arriving in their first days or weeks and wanting a smooth, stress-free transition.
Hi (Xin Chào), my name is David.
I came to Vietnam for work, expecting a job and a temporary chapter. Instead, I stayed, and over time, Saigon became home.
What changed things for me wasn’t the city itself, but how I experienced it: on foot, at street level, through conversations, routines, and everyday moments that rarely make it into guidebooks.
I’m not interested in rushing through places or collecting sights.
I prefer slowing down, noticing details, and letting the city reveal itself naturally — one walk at a time.
Why Saigon With Me?
I don’t do “tours.”
No megaphones. No flags. No fixed scripts.
What I offer is something simpler — and more personal.
Think of me as a local friend who knows how to move through the city comfortably: where to find great coffee behind an unmarked door, which streets are worth wandering, and how to experience Saigon without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Every walk is private, flexible, and shaped around you.
My Philosophy: Authenticity Over Clichés
Whether we’re walking past Saigon’s iconic buildings or sitting on a plastic stool in a quiet backstreet, the goal is always the same: to experience the city as it really is.
I balance Saigon’s modern, impressive side with its everyday rhythm — the small moments, the conversations, and the places most travelers pass without noticing. That’s where the city feels most alive.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I came to Ho Chi Minh City with only 1.5 days and wanted to make the most of it.
I reached out to David for something beyond the usual tourist checklist, and he really listened.
We ended up having an amazing half-day exploring places that matched exactly what I was looking for.
Later that night, we met again for the Saigon Late Night Special — bars, clubs, late-night spots — such a fun experience and something I never could’ve done alone.
David felt more like a friend than a guide. I’ll definitely meet him again on my next trip. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.
Thanks, David!"
Alan, New Jersey (December 2025)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“WOW, what an experience. I wanted a real look at the city, not the guidebook spots — and I also wanted a long walk to keep me moving.
David ended up taking me on a 20+ km walk through places I’d never find on my own. Exactly what I was hoping for.”
Adam, Australia (November 2025)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I worked with David to plan a 3‑week trip across Vietnam, simply amazing.
He restructured my itinerary and saved me hundreds of dollars with smart tips.
Thank you so much, David."
José, Spain (November 2025)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I came to Ho Chi Minh City for a one-week mix of business and pleasure — and luckily, I met David.
From the first minutes, it felt like traveling with a friend.
I joined 2 daytime walks, a nightlife tour, and even a weekend trip to Vung Tau.
Every moment was a joy. What an expert, what a great service!”
Etienne, France (November 2025)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Flexible, friendly, and knows every hidden spot.
We took a half‑day trip that included the early morning romantic walk, unforgettable!”
David doesn’t just guide you — he shares Saigon with you, with a real passion for the city that he wants you to experience as well."
Julia, Germany (November 2025)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“David made our first day in Saigon unforgettable.
I discovered a local life I would have never found on my own.
Highly recommended!”
Enzo, Italy (Novemeber 2025)
What is Saigon With Me?
Saigon With Me offers private, flexible city walks and local companion services in Ho Chi Minh City.
It is not a traditional tour; it’s a personal way to explore the city through real neighborhoods, everyday life, and local context, at your own pace.
What is the difference between a companion and a tour guide?
A traditional tour guide follows a fixed route and delivers prepared explanations.
A companion walks with you.
There is no script, no checklist, and no obligation to cover specific sights. The walk is conversational, flexible, and shaped around your interests, pace, and curiosity.
The focus is on understanding the city rather than touring it.
Is this a guided tour?
No.
This is a personal companion service, focused on real, flexible city walks rather than scripted guiding.
Is this a private service?
Yes.
There are no mixed groups.
I host:
• Solo travelers
• Couples
• Close friends (up to 4 people)
Who is this service for?
This service suits travelers who:
• Prefer depth over crowds
• Value comfort, flexibility, and insight
• Enjoy walking, observing, and conversation
Most guests are mature, independent travelers who want to understand the city rather than consume it.
Where do we meet for the city walk?
For city walks, we usually meet in downtown Ho Chi Minh City (District 1) at a central, easy-to-access location.
Hotel meeting option
• Pickup from your hotel in District 1 may be possible
• A surcharge may apply, depending on location
For full-day services and around-Saigon options, I will:
• Pick you up directly from your hotel
• Within a range of up to 5 km from the District 1 center
All details are confirmed in advance.
How long is a typical walk?
Most city walks last 2.5–8 hours, but this is flexible.
We can shorten, extend, take breaks, or stop for coffee as needed.
Do we walk a lot?
Yes — but always at a comfortable, 3–12 km relaxed pace.
This is not a fitness walk. We stop often and adapt to your comfort level.
Can I combine activities or split my time?
Yes.
You can tailor the service:
• Start time
• Duration
• Content
Services can be split into 2–3 parts and span 1–2 days if desired.
What areas do you visit?
There is no fixed route.
Depending on your interests, we may walk through:
• Central districts and hidden streets
• Local markets and everyday neighborhoods
• Parks, riversides, and quieter areas
Each walk is shaped individually.
Do you offer daytime and nighttime walks?
Yes:
• Daytime walks focus on daily life and neighborhoods
• Night walks explore atmosphere, lights, and food culture
• Late-night walks focus on the city’s real nightlife, entertainment, and fun
You choose what suits you best.
Do you offer trips outside Saigon?
Yes — through Around-Saigon services, including:
• Mekong Delta (small boats, rural life, nature)
• Coastal trips such as Vung Tau
• Nature-focused routes like Mui Ne and the surrounding areas
These are not mass tours.
Are meals or transport included?
• Meals are not included by default
• For nearby trips, transport is included if I join you
Everything is clarified in advance.
What languages do you support?
• All communication is conducted in English
• Some nearby HCMC options are available in Japanese
How do I pay?
Payment is accepted via:
• Cash for the walks and around HCMC trips
• PayPal for the online advisory
• Bank transfer in Vietnam
Payment is due upon confirmation or upon meeting, depending on the service.
How far in advance should I book?
No limits, preferably one week in advance.
Short-notice bookings may be possible depending on availability.
What if it rains or my plans change?
Flexibility is part of the service.
In most cases, we can reschedule or adjust easily.
Can you help me plan my wider Vietnam route?
Yes.
This is part of the Cross-Vietnam Consultation service, covering routing, timing, and practical advice beyond Saigon.
Why choose Saigon With Me?
Because it is:
• Personal, not packaged
• Calm, not rushed
• Flexible, not scripted
• Designed for travelers who value understanding over entertainment
Terms & Conditions
1. Traveler Responsibility
Travelers are expected to have valid healthcare and/or travel insurance and be reasonably fit for light walking and city exploration (approximately 3–12 km, depending on the selected service).
Personal safety, health, and belongings remain the traveler’s responsibility throughout the walk or trip.
2. Conduct
Mutual respect and professionalism are expected at all times.
Aggressive, unsafe, or disrespectful behavior — or failure to comply with Vietnamese laws and regulations- may result in immediate termination of the service without refund.
3. Companion Role
SaigonWith.Me operates solely as an independent local companion and planning service, not as a licensed tour operator or travel agency.
The traveler acknowledges full responsibility for personal decisions, activities, and safety throughout the service.
4. Liability
SaigonWith.Me is not liable for any injury, loss, accident, delay, or inconvenience caused by:
Third-party services (transport, venues, vendors, accommodation), or Circumstances beyond our control, including weather conditions, strikes, or force majeure events.
Any additional costs arising from such situations are the traveler’s responsibility and are handled directly by the traveler.
5. Payment & Refunds
Payment is due upon meeting on the day of the service unless otherwise agreed in advance.
All bookings are non-refundable, including cases of early termination due to conduct or external circumstances.
News / Announcements
✮ December to April are wonderful months to explore Ho Chi Minh City — the rainy season is behind us, festive lights, and vibrant local life.
✮ Tết falls in February 2026 — an especially colorful time to visit!