Saigon – tales of the city

Saigon – Tales of the City, is a half-day heritage walking tour that tells the incredible story of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) through its bustling streets, and its most evocative historical sights. It’s a unique experience of hist...more

A small group heritage walking tour of Saigon led by experts – history, architecture, food and more.

  • Daily: 3.00PM 3 hrs and dinner. Price: 1,625,000VND or $65 US per person – small group walk of history, heritage, architecture, Saigon’s fascinating stories told by professionals (dinner after the walk).
  • Includes – Small group (max 8) walking tour, approx. 3.5km, expert leader, delicious dinner, coffee stop, drinks at Old Compass Cafe
  • Check out our tour combining Saigon – Tales of the City with An alternative tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels – the alternative tour

Cu Chi Tunnels – the alternative tour, focuses on the history and solemnity of the Cu Chi tunnels site, 70kms from Saigon. Most tours treat the tunnels complex like a theme park. We’ve created an expert-led small group tour t...more

An alternative tour of the Viet Cong tunnels at Cu Chi, focused on the history and solemnity of this remarkable battleground. Expert-led small groups (max 8).

  • Price: 2.950 mill VND or $118 US per person
  • Operates Daily: 7.00AM for best experience from downtown location (Pasteur St, District 1).
  • What’s included: Small group experience, comfortable, quality transport, expert guide, drinks, entrance fees, tablet presentation, delicious meal at The Old Compass Cafe.
  • Ask about private tours to Cu Chi, Saigon walking tours and experiences of history, architecture and art

Saigon Tales of the City and Cu Chi combined

A complete Saigon experience of history and culture combining our two most popular tours. Start with the extraordinary stories of Saigon on our Saigon Tales of the City walking tour. The next morning head out of town to the remarkabl...more

  • Combines our two essential Saigon tours in a single day or over 2 days (2 days recommended) – An overview of history, culture and Saigon stories
  • $168US (4.2 mill VND) per person
  • Operates most days – min 2 and max 8 travellers per group (single travellers welcome). Included: Small group experience, comfortable, quality transport, expert guide, drinks, entrance fees, tablet presentation, delicious meals (1 lunch and 1 dinner) at The Old Compass Cafe exploring Vietnamese flavours.

An art tour of Saigon – from sacred sculpture to socialist propaganda and contemporary art

The earliest art works in the southern region of Vietnam connect with the spirituality of Khmer and Cham cultures. Later, the evolution of Vietnamese art tracks the city through dynastic rule, colonisation by the French, the American War and...more

An art tour of Saigon from ancient sacred sculpture to the city’s vibrant contemporary art scene.  Expert curated and led.

  • Price: 9.300 million VND or $365 US per group (1 -4 people)
  • Operates by request: 8.30AM – 12PM.
  • What’s included: Small group experience, comfortable, quality transport, expert guide, drinks, entrance fees, presentation, delicious meal at The Old Compass Cafe.

The religious architecture of Saigon

Our tour explores Saigon’s history through its religious architecture – the  temples, pagodas, churches and mosques that represent the traders, missionaries, refugees and invaders who made the city their home over the centuries. The...more

  • Full day private tour operates by request
  • $215US 0r 5,370,000VND per person (1 – 4 travellers) – ask for larger groups.
  • Mix of walking and transport to spiritual sites around Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Sydney – tales of the city

Sydney – Tales of the City is a private history walking tour through stunning Sydney highlights and fascinating history. With the intimacy and low-impact of a small group (maximum 8), we experience the big stories, architecture, ar...more

Private history walking tour of Sydney –  expert leaders, history, architecture, parks, gardens and stunning, Sydney scenes.

  • $640AUD per group (1 – 5 people)  incl. GST drinks and snacks. Ask about pricing for larger groups. Recommended for adults and children older than 12.
  • Expert led – Sydney and Australia insights – history, architecture, politics and culture.
  • Operates any day by prior booking. Recommended timings for light and weather conditions – Summer – 8.30 – 11.30 (approx) OR 3.30 – 6.30 (afternoon recommended in summer). Winter – 9 AM- 12PM OR 2PM – 5PM (approx).
  • Email: sydney@oldcompasstravel.com
  • Mobility essential – up to 8000 steps (ask about customised walks with fewer steps.
  • Ask about customised walks of architecture, art, neighbourhoods, beaches, historic houses and Sydney’s National Parks.

The Rocks, Sydney – an alternative walking tour

A private alternative history walking tour of Sydney’s historic Rocks – Tallawoladah district. With the intimacy and flexibility if a privarte tour, we’ll see where the harsh convict settlement of New South Wales was establishe...more

A private alternative walking tour of the lanes and harbour views from The Rocks, Sydney – where dispossession and convict history began and a colonial outpost was transformed into a trading powerhouse. Stunning Sydney scenes, extraordinary stories.

  • Private walk – $560AUD per group incl. GST (1 – 4 travellers).
  • Expert led – Sydney and Australia insights – history, architecture, politics and culture.
  • Active walking tour – 2.5 – 3hrs hour approx – around 600o steps.
  • Operates on request mornings and afternoons. Recommended times Mornings: 9AM to 11.30AM Afternoon: 3PM to 5.30PM (winter) 4PM – 6.30PM (summer). We recommend walking in optimal light and temperature conditions.
  • Includes: Expert Sydney guide, presentation, coffee stop (coffee or soft drink).
  • Ask about customised Sydney walks of the Rocks, history, heritage, architecture, historic houses, harbour parks and more
  • Email – sydney@oldcompasstravel.com

Two Icons – Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House

A private walking tour that uncovers the complexity of Sydney’s past and present through its globally loved icons – Sydney Opera House (1973) and the Harbour Bridge (1932). Our walk is a visual celebration of Sydney that dives into th...more

A unique deep dive into Sydney’s iconic harbour jewels – Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. They’ve defined Sydney in the popular imagination for more than 50 years. The people, the stories and scandals behind their creation are as remarkable as the iconic structures themselves. Join us!

  • Price – Private tour $980 per group (1 – 2 people incl. GST) / $1290 (3 -4 people).
  • Private tour, 5.5 hours approx. includes expert guide and presentation, transport, drinks and snacks, pub lunch OR dinner,
  • Operates daily by request. Mornings 8.30AM – 2PM approx or Afternoons 1PM – 6.30pm (we adjust for light and seasonal conditions – early mornings also recommended).
  • Email: sydney@oldcompasstravel.com
  • Mobility essential – around 8000 steps (ask about customised walks with fewer steps).
  • Ask about customised walks of architecture, the beaches, historic houses and National Parks.