Our tours
Welcome to Old Compass Travel!
We’re a boutique travel company – but we’re definitely not new to travel. Founded by Mark Bowyer from Rusty Compass, we run heritage tours of Saigon focused on history, architecture, religion and the emerging contemporary life of the city. We also run an alternative look at the Viet Cong tunnel complex at Cu Chi. Check out our Saigon tours here.
If you’re coming to Saigon, spend some time with us. You can also visit us at The Old Compass Cafe hidden away downtown.
We love to dig deeper and do things differently. We care about history, art, culture, food, architecture, photography and the amazing contemporary life of the places we visit. Explore Saigon on our unique tours, or spend 2 weeks with us on Vietnam by the Book.
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).
- What’s included: 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
- More details >>
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).
- Daily: 7.00AM for best experience from downtown location (Pasteur St, District 1).
- Price: 2,950,000VND or $118 US per person
- What’s included: Small group experience, comfortable, quality transport, expert guide, drinks, entrance fees, tablet presentation, delicious meal at The Old Compass Cafe
- More details >>
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).
- What’s included: 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
- More details >>
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).
- Daily: 7.00AM for best experience from downtown location (Pasteur St, District 1).
- Price: 2,950,000VND or $118 US per person
- What’s included: Small group experience, comfortable, quality transport, expert guide, drinks, entrance fees, tablet presentation, delicious meal at The Old Compass Cafe
- More details >>
We explore Saigon’s history through its religious architecture – the temples, pagodas, churches and a mosque. These structures represent the traders, refugees, missionaries and invaders who made the city their home over the centuries.
- Full day private tour operates by request
- $215 USD or 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).
- More details >>
An art tour of Saigon from ancient sacred sculpture to the city’s vibrant contemporary art scene. Starting with the ancient history of southern Vietnam, we look at traditional Khmer and Cham pieces, before exploring dynastic art, the art of the French colonial period, Socialist realism propaganda and battlefield art.
- Operates by request: 8.30AM – 12PM.
- Price: 9,300,000VND or $365 USD per group (1-4 people)
- What’s included: Small group experience, comfortable, quality transport, expert guide, drinks, entrance fees, presentation, delicious meal at The Old Compass Cafe
- More details >>
We explore Saigon’s history through its religious architecture – the temples, pagodas, churches and a mosque. These structures represent the traders, refugees, missionaries and invaders who made the city their home over the centuries.
- Full day private tour operates by request
- $215 USD or 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).
- More details >>
An art tour of Saigon from ancient sacred sculpture to the city’s vibrant contemporary art scene. Starting with the ancient history of southern Vietnam, we look at traditional Khmer and Cham pieces, before exploring dynastic art, the art of the French colonial period, Socialist realism propaganda and battlefield art.
- Operates by request: 8.30AM – 12PM.
- Price: 9,300,000VND or $365 USD per group (1-4 people)
- What’s included: Small group experience, comfortable, quality transport, expert guide, drinks, entrance fees, presentation, delicious meal at The Old Compass Cafe
- More details >>
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. Then head to the Cu Chi tunnels (single big day or over 2 days trip – 2 days recommended).
- Operates most days – min 2 and max 8 travellers per group (single travellers welcome).
- $168 USD or 4,200,000VND per person
- What’s 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.
- More details >>
Join our travelling book club on an unforgettable journey through the history, culture, cuisine and unique beauty of Vietnam, based around 3 books. We only run this tour twice a year so we can meet remarkable people and curate unique experiences.
- 15 days from North to South, commencing in Hanoi
- $5490 USD per person twin share / $1490 USD single traveller supplement
- Led by Mark Bowyer our founder and a team of local experts
- Focused on 3 books and including Hanoi, Dien Bien Phu, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An and Saigon
- More details >>
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. Then head to the Cu Chi tunnels (single big day or over 2 days trip – 2 days recommended).
- Operates most days – min 2 and max 8 travellers per group (single travellers welcome).
- $168 USD or 4,200,000VND per person
- What’s 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.
- More details >>
Join our travelling book club on an unforgettable journey through the history, culture, cuisine and unique beauty of Vietnam, based around 3 books. We only run this tour twice a year so we can meet remarkable people and curate unique experiences.
- 15 days from North to South, commencing in Hanoi
- $5490 USD per person twin share / $1490 USD single traveller supplement
- Led by Mark Bowyer our founder and a team of local experts
- Focused on 3 books and including Hanoi, Dien Bien Phu, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An and Saigon
- More details >>