✨ Heritage Ride: Biên Hòa Citadel, Đốc Phủ Thanh Ancient Mansion& Nhơn Trạch Tunnels ✨
By Saigon On Motorbike
⏰ Start at 7:00 AM – Your guide will pick you up directly from your hotel in Saigon. Together, we’ll ride towards Biên Hòa for a full-day journey through history.
☕ Breakfast stop – Upon arrival, you can either relax with a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee at a local café or enjoy a light traditional breakfast before we begin exploring.
📍 The First Place – Biên Hòa Ancient Citadel (1834)
This is one of the oldest surviving military fortresses in Southern Vietnam, built under King Minh Mạng in the French-inspired Vauban style. With four bastions at the corners, wide moats for defence, and stone walls up to several metres thick, the citadel was once both an administrative hub and a shield protecting the Biên Hòa–Gia Định region.
Here, you’ll learn how the fortress endured cannon fire during the French conquest, witnessed fierce uprisings, and later became a political prison during the American War. Walking through its mossy gates, past timeworn walls and quiet courtyards, you’ll feel as if you’re stepping back nearly two centuries into Vietnam’s turbulent past.
📍 The Second Place – Đốc Phủ Thanh House (Early 20th Century)
This grand mansion belonged to Đốc Phủ Thanh, a wealthy and influential official of his time. The house is a masterpiece of cultural fusion: elegant wooden beams and carved motifs reflect Vietnamese craftsmanship, while decorative French balconies, arched windows, and patterned tiles show Western luxury.
As you wander its halls, you’ll see how East and West blended seamlessly in Saigon’s golden era. The house is more than an architectural gem — it is a vivid reminder of how the elite once lived, how power and wealth shaped society, and how cultures intertwined in the heart of the city.
🍲 Lunch break – After the mansion visit, we’ll stop at a local restaurant to enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine. From fragrant noodle soups to savoury grilled dishes, this meal is an experience in itself, offering flavours that carry the essence of Southern Vietnam.
📍 The Third Place – Nhơn Trạch Tunnels (1960s)
Hidden beneath the quiet countryside is a 1.5 km underground maze, built by local villagers and soldiers from 1963 to 1964. Designed in a zig-zag “Z” pattern, the tunnels included hidden chambers, secret entrances, and clever ventilation systems.
During the war, this base became home to hundreds of fighters from Đoàn 10 Rừng Sác, who launched daring surprise attacks on river routes, ammunition depots, and enemy positions. Standing inside these narrow tunnels today, you’ll witness the determination, bravery, and creativity of those who lived and fought here. It’s not just a visit underground — it’s an encounter with resilience carved into the earth.
🚐 Return at 4:00 PM – After our final stop, we’ll drive back to Saigon and drop you off at your hotel, with stories and memories that will stay with you long after the journey ends.
✨ With Saigon On Motorbike, every stop is more than a sightseeing spot — it is a living story. From citadel walls scarred by cannon fire, to a mansion that breathes the elegance of old Saigon, to hidden tunnels that echo with wartime courage, this tour takes you deep into nearly 200 years of Southern Vietnam’s history.
👉 Book your ride today with Saigon On Motorbike and let history come alive beneath your wheels!
