Double-Decker Bus in Ho Chi Minh City: Fares, Routes, and What to Expect
CityHouse14.09.2026
CityHouse · City Sightseeing Experience
Among the many ways to see Ho Chi Minh City, there's one that has you looking up instead of weaving through traffic: riding the open top deck of a double-decker bus in Ho Chi Minh City , wind on your face, the skyline unfolding around you. It's less a everyday commute than a moving vantage point, where familiar landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street show up from a completely different angle. This guide covers the routes, fares, how to pick the right ride, and a few tips to make the most of a trip up top.
An open-top double-decker bus offers a different view of familiar Ho Chi Minh City landmarks.
01Who Is It For?
Who is the double-decker bus a good fit for?
First-time visitorsGet the lay of the landA low-effort way to understand central Ho Chi Minh City before exploring in more depth.
Repeat visitorsSee familiar places differentlyThe open top deck feels very different from seeing the city by taxi or motorbike.
FamiliesLess walkingUseful for young children and older travelers.
Read the full explanation
Not everyone needs a fully guided walking tour that takes hours on foot. For first-time visitors who want a quick lay of the land before deciding where to explore in more depth, the double-decker bus is an easy, low-effort way to get oriented with the city center. For locals or repeat visitors after something different, riding on the open top deck feels nothing like a motorbike ride or a taxi. It's also a good fit for families with young kids or older travelers, since it covers a lot of ground without requiring much walking.
02Routes & Pickup
Routes, pick-up points, and booking
The Saigon double-decker city tour is currently run by a few different operators, with popular routes covering central District 1 and extending out toward the Cho Lon area. The central route typically passes landmarks like the Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Nha Rong Habour, and the riverside stretch along the Saigon River. For anyone interested in the city's Chinese-Vietnamese cultural crossover, the extended route toward Cho Lon passes flower markets, assembly halls, and a number of historic pagodas in the area. The most common pick-up point is around the Municipal Theatre (Nha Hat Thanh Pho), right on Dong Khoi Street, convenient for anyone staying in central District 1. Tickets can be bought directly at the departure point, through the operator's hotline, or booked online in advance, which is worth doing during busier hours or weekends.
03Tickets
Ticket types and fares
Single loopAbout 50–75 minutesBest if you mainly want the scenic ride.
Hop-on hop-offGet off and continue laterBetter if you want to spend time at several stops.
Typical range~145,000–300,000 VNDDepends on the operator and ticket type.
Read the full ticket information
Fares for the double-decker bus in Ho Chi Minh City are usually split by experience type. There's a non-stop full-loop ticket for anyone who just wants a quick scenic ride, taking around 50 to 75 minutes. There's also a hop-on hop-off day pass, letting you get off at any stop, explore, and catch a later bus to continue — a better fit if you want to linger at a few favorite spots. Some operators also offer multi-day passes or premium packages that include drinks, small souvenirs, and priority boarding. Prices on the market currently vary fairly widely depending on the operator and ticket type, ranging from around 145,000 VND for a single-loop ticket up to about 300,000 VND for a full-day hop-on hop-off pass on the extended route. Children usually get a discounted rate, and some operators offer free rides for seniors above a certain age. Since fares and policies can shift over time and by operator, it's worth checking the latest posted rates before booking.
The open top deck gives a wider view of the city's architecture and street life.
04Day or Night?
Day ride or night ride — which one to pick?
A daytime ride is better for seeing the architecture, colors, and street life clearly, and it's easier to combine with stops along the way. A nighttime ride has a completely different feel, with landmarks lit up, the walking street busier, and cooler air than during the day — especially welcome in the hot season. If you can only pick one time slot, a weekend evening ride is generally considered the liveliest way to experience the central route.
05Combine With District 1
A suggested itinerary around District 1
A sensible way to structure your visit is to start the bus ride in the late afternoon, taking advantage of good light for sightseeing and photos, then get off near an area you'd like to explore further on foot. If you want a fuller picture of the standout spots around the city center before boarding, seeWhere to go in District 1? for ideas on where to stop. For anyone wanting to dig into one particular landmark on the route,Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon is a useful read to prepare for that stop.
06Ride Tips
Tips on seating and weather
Choose the upper deck, near the frontThe sightlines are usually the most open.
Day ride: sun protectionBring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Night ride: light jacketThe wind on the upper deck can feel cooler than expected.
Secure loose itemsHats, scarves and phones can be affected by the wind while the bus is moving.
Read the full ride tips
For the best views, sit on the upper deck, as close to the front as possible for the most open sightlines. Since the top deck is usually uncovered, bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for a daytime ride, or a light jacket for an evening ride, since the wind up top can feel cooler than expected. During the rainy season, check the weather before heading out, or ask the operator in advance about rescheduling in case of heavy rain. It's also worth holding onto loose items like hats, scarves, or phones, since the wind while the bus is moving can easily blow things away.
07Stay Nearby
Where to stay near the departure point
Since most routes depart around central Ho Chi Minh City, staying nearby makes getting to the pick-up point easier, especially for an early ride or a late return.
VIBE · CAU ONG LANH
CityHouse VIBE City Oasis
Located at 42/4 Ho Hao Hon, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, it is a convenient base for reaching the central sightseeing area and the double-decker bus departure points.
Since most double-decker bus routes depart from central District 1, staying nearby makes getting to the pick-up point much easier, especially for an early ride or a late return after a night tour. CityHouse VIBE City Oasis, located at 42/4 Ho Hao Hon, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, is just a few minutes' walk from Bui Vien Walking Street and Pham Ngu Lao, making it a convenient base near this lively part of the city. The space has a relaxed feel with an outdoor pool, a good spot to unwind after an evening out or a double-decker bus ride around the city.
Overall, the double-decker bus in Ho Chi Minh City is a relaxed way to see the city that doesn't require much planning but still offers a fresh perspective on familiar landmarks. With the right time slot, a few basic essentials, and a place to stay near the departure point, a ride up top can easily become one of the more memorable parts of a trip.
Overall, the double-decker bus in Ho Chi Minh City is a relaxed way to see the city that doesn't require much planning but still offers a fresh perspective on familiar landmarks. With the right time slot, a few basic essentials, and a place to stay near the departure point, a ride up top can easily become one of the more memorable parts of a trip.
08FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where does the double-decker bus in Ho Chi Minh City depart from?
Most commonly from around the Municipal Theatre, right on Dong Khoi Street in District 1, though some operators have additional pick-up points around the city center.
2. How much does a double-decker bus ticket cost?
Fares vary by ticket type and operator, ranging from around 145,000 VND for a single-loop ticket to about 300,000 VND for a full-day hop-on hop-off pass. It's worth checking the latest posted rates before booking.
3. Is it better to ride during the day or at night?
Both have their appeal — daytime is better for clear architectural views, while nighttime offers a livelier, cooler, and more atmospheric ride.
4. Can children and seniors ride the double-decker bus?
Yes, and children usually get a discounted fare, while seniors above a certain age often ride for free depending on the operator's policy.
5. Do I need to book a double-decker bus ticket in advance?
Not necessarily, since tickets can be bought directly at the departure point, but booking ahead is a good idea for weekends or peak hours, especially if you want a seat on the upper deck
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