Where the sun never stops shining, and with the Mekong Delta on its doorstep and pristine Vietnamese beachscapes along its coastline, the best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City will leave your (cà phê sữa đá) cups overflowing!
Beyond Saigon’s perimeters (and 24 districts), a wild world of wonder awaits … Picture drifting along jungle canals, through groves of coconut trees and passing by local villages.
Do your shopping the local way: at a (famous) floating market, then stop off to scout the surrounding town for a cultural overload of temples, museums and workshops.
Get in your TLSea at the beaches or venture to nearby islands like Phu Quoc instead! Ride quad bikes down sand dunes or try SUPing on calm oceans.
Explore biosphere reserves, heck, even other countries!
Fun fact: the cuisine in Southern Vietnam differs vastly from the North. Taste dishes typical to the river or seaside locales, visit a rice paper-making factory or ones where you learn how noodles are made and pick your own fruits at an orchard.
Vietnam is the type of country where anything is possible. For something extraordinary, rent a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City and explore the landscapes like a true adventurer!
Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!
1 – Pretend to be a “tunnel rat” at the famous Cu Chi Tunnels
Jump deep inside the Vietnam War rabbit hole, or in this case, trenches, at Cu Chi Tunnels — one of the most globally recognized wartime sites in the country!
Spanning a network of more than 250 kilometers of dug-out underground tunnels, the building of this unique defensive and attack system began circa the First Indochina War (1945 to 1954).
As the war against America broke out, the Viet Cong (southern Vietnam’s army) extended the tunnels around the Cu Chi region, creating hideouts, transport routes and clever traps, and was also where the Communist base camp was set.
Today, one of the most exciting things you can do is explore this strategic system by entering the tunnels yourselves!
Parts of the underground network can only be investigated with an assisted guide, some requiring a real tight squeeze to pass through — it makes you think just how agile these soldiers were!
Arrive at the historical site the ordinary route, or add an extra 15 minutes and boat along the Saigon River to get here (super authentic) with a speedboat tour!
Travel time: 1h15mins
2 – Jungle boat cruise along the Mekong Delta
Southeast Asia’s longest river is waiting on your Saigon doorstep, and it’s kind of a crime to visit this part of Vietnam and not visit the famous Mekong Delta.
As one of Vietnam’s most authentic adventures, floating down the jungle river in a traditional wooden Vietnamese canoe is unparalleled!
Flowing through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand (with its source in China), a long stretch of this courses through Vietnam, and the largest of the Delta is here in the south.
Mekong Delta boat tours from Ho Chi Minh City are the best way to experience the river, stopping off at floating markets, local riverside villages, farms and plantations. Or, swap travel modes and go kayaking through the mangrove-y marsh landscapes instead.
From Phnom Phen, the river extends roughly 270 kilometers across Southern Vietnam, and multi day trips from Ho Chi Minh City are every bit worth it! With so much to see and do in the Mekong Delta, you won’t be disappointed with extra time to explore.
- Discover its unique fauna and flora.
- Sample classic Mekong cuisine, for example, cá kho tộ (braised and caramelized catfish).
- Visit the famous floating market in Mỹ Tho (as well as the town’s orchards and pagodas), one in Cái Bè and another in Cần Thơ.
- Appreciate Khmer culture in Sóc Trăng.
- Taste longan and rambutan fruit from Thoi Son Island.
- Enjoy Sa Dec community’s lush floating gardens.
Travel time: 3h19mins
3 – Order a ‘floating coffee’ at the Cai Be Floating Market
It goes without saying that Asia is home to some of the world’s top floating markets and towns, just like Cai Be Floating Market along the Mekong.
Fascinatingly, half of the residents in Cai Be live on land; the others set up homes on the water! It’s pretty mesmerizing to witness this unique way of life.
Its daily floating market draws in whopping crowds, eager to catch a glimpse of locals selling all sorts from their boats and barges, and with the opportunity to do your own round of shopping!
Pick up goods ranging from piles of fresh produce (like pomelo and tangerines) to handicrafts to local delicacies, or keep your eyes peeled for vendors selling noodle dishes or even ca phe noi, i.e., floating coffee!
Operating since the 17th century, the best time to visit the market scene is between early morning and noon.
Other cool sites and scenery to check out in the Cái Bè District include the craft village and the Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village.
Travel time: 2h5mins
4 – Spot crocodiles and eat… jellyfish at Cần Giờ Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO listed for its plethora of aquatic and plant species that thrive in a mangrove environment, the Cần Giờ Biosphere Reserve is heaven for nature enthusiasts!
Peaceful and tranquil, feel worlds away floating through marshy canals, passing unique natural formations. The wildlife sanctuary is home to saltwater crocodiles and is a hotspot for birdwatching — look out for the spot-billed pelican!
Tropical ferns and dinosaur-like flora teem over your head on either side of the Vam Sat Forest’s riverbanks, creating beautiful photography moments!
Paddle over to Monkey Island, where its residents are … monkeys! Or, learn more about reptile species at Hoa Ca Crocodile Farm.
Witness locals about their daily business: fishing, working in the saltpans or oaring their way through the jungle-esque wetlands!
Good to know: the biosphere reserve is in the coastal Cần Giờ district. Other activities in the area include:
- Feasting on fresh local seafood. (Don’t be surprised to find jellyfish on some menus!)
- Visiting Sac Forest Guerrilla Base.
- Hanging out at Can Gio Beach.
- Experiencing the local markets (Hai Duong Market and Can Gio Market).
Travel time: 2h16mins
Travel tip: For an afternoon of trekking, motorbiking and boating, check out the best Monkey Island day trips.
5 – Go beach-hopping around Vung Tau
What’s one of the things that sets the north and south of Vietnam apart? Why, the beaches, of course!
(While you will find a handful of beach-y destinations near the North — hello, Halong — the most pristine and visitor-friendly are considered in the South!)
Coastal-driven Vung Tau is home to a string of pretty beaches and water sports!
Crescent moon-shaped Front Beach is the town’s main beach, with lush mountains as a background and a slew of sleepy fishing boats mooring along its shores. Not so great for swimming, it’s popular with locals for beach BBQs and chills.
Back Beach (Thuy Van Beach) is much better suited for swimming, and its beachfront is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas to rent.
Boasting shallow waters, quiet Doi Nhai Beach is great for kite surfing and SUPing. All along the shores of Thuy Tien Beach locals sell the freshest seafood, gathered just hours before. Where the river meets the ocean, escape the crowds at Suoi O Beach!
More options? There’s also Ho Tram Beach, Bai Dau, Phuoc Hai Beach and Chi Linh Beach.
Travel time: 2.5 hours
6 – Look for the Illuminati eye around the Cao Dai Temple
Ever heard of the Cao Dai faith? Originating in Vietnam, Caodaism is interestingly the amalgamation of multiple religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Catholicism and Vietnamese folklore.
Established only in 1927 in Tay Ninh, the Cao Dai Temple in its originating area is a beautiful example (and celebration) of this faith!
Stepping inside the colorfully ornate space, it’s a perfect introduction to the faith’s core principles, with the belief that all religions share similar teachings.
Constructed between 1933 and 1955, this religious complex is one of the most intriguing around.
From the outside, you wouldn’t assume it’s a temple (looking more like the front of an extravagant theater). You soon realize the borrowed elements across religions, for example, in the architecture of the building.
Once inside, there are tall pink pillars with dragons encircling them, a painted cloud ceiling, statues of Buddha, Brahma (the Hindu god) and Jesus, followers dressed in all-white cloaks and the Illuminati’s ‘Eye of Providence’ — cult vibes, anyone? (Just kidding!)
Travel time: 2 hours
7 – This time, sample claypot coffee at Cai Rang Floating Market
Ladies and gents, introducing the Mekong’s largest shopping locale on water: the Cai Rang Floating Market (in Can Tho).
There are two ways to get here: drive to the floating market and join one of the boats offering tours around the trading port, or sail in via boat ride from Can Tho (about 40 minutes).
Back in the day, this was the only transport route in the area, and even though there are now tarred roads in town, the buzzing local atmosphere retains all of its original charm.
On weekends, the sounds of traditional Vietnamese songs fill the air as bands of musicians waft by.
Shop for keepsakes made from bamboo leaves, coconut candy, fish sauce and wholesale-priced produce like watermelon, pineapple, durian, mangosteen, grapefruit and star apples.
Foodies especially love this floating market! Try cơm tấm (a broken rice dish) and bún riêu (a tomato-based noodle soup made with crab and shrimp).
Travel time: 2h49mins
8 – Quad bike around the dunes in Mui Ne
Ever tried stir-fry iguana? While herpetologists may wince at the idea, this is the local delicacy in Mũi Né! If you’re not the most adventurous eater, stick to its fresh seafood offerings — which this coastal town is famous for!
Now a popular beachfront resort destination, most things to do and see are centered around the ocean!
Love your outdoor activities? Try your hand at windsurfing and kitesurfing (Mui Ne has ideal wind conditions), or go sand surfing down its famous Whitesand Dunes (quad biking is available here, too) or the Redsand Dunes.
Enjoy a seafood lunch around the harbor, or for something out of the ordinary, visit a nước mắm (fish sauce) factory — if you have the nose for it.
Feel like you’re in a fantasy movie walking down Mui Ne’s Fairy Stream; have fun in the sun at its Bai Rang, Ganh and Suoi Nuoc Beaches.
Just over 3.5 hours away, it’s worth your while to check out nearby Phan Thiet. Don’t miss Po Sah Inu Cham Towers, 18th century Van Thuy Tu Temple and The Prince’s Castle.
Travel time: 3h49mins
9 – Thailand in Vietnam? Boat over to Phu Quoc Island
Ditch the Big City vibes and motorbike madness and catch a boat ride over to tropical paradise, i.e., Phu Quoc Island.
Straddling Cambodia’s coastline in the Gulf of Thailand, this Vietnamese island is the epitome of a quintessential Southeast Asia destination – cue the swaying coconut trees, glass-like bays and powdery white soft sands!
As part of the Phú Quốc National Park, the things to do in Phu Quoc win hearts over with natural beauty.
Hike through jungles and mountains, chase the Suoi Tranh Waterfall, go island-hopping, discover underwater paradise when scuba diving (and get PADI-certified here), and snorkel around Phu Quoc Coral Mountain.
A fantastic way to kick off this day trip is riding the longest cable car in the world from its Sun World Hon Thom amusement park!
There are tons of beaches around to explore; or for something a little different, visit the Phu Quoc Prison (Coconut Tree Prison) for an eye-opening moment, the Pepper Farm or one of the fish sauce factories.
Travel time: 2 to 3 hours via the ferry
10 – Drift between lotuses at the Tan Lap Floating Village
You may have heard of sea gypsies, but have you ever met a riparian before, i.e., someone who builds their home on the river?
Welcome to Tan Lap Floating Village, a dedicated eco-tourism area where visitors can immerse themselves in local living, particularly from the folk who call the Mekong their home.
Drone masters, the bird’s eye views of the village are pretty mesmerizing. Built in the middle of a wetland, a boardwalk boundary leads you to the center of the attraction, where a set of traditional houses are (now a tourist rest zone).
Surrounded by blooming lotus flowers and giant lilies, canoeing through the scene is surreal.
Follow the walkway leading to a Melaleuca forest (a plant from the Myrtle family), but we suggest continuing by row boat! Inside the forest is an Observation Tower for spectacular snapshots over the whole area!
Tan Lap Floating Village is in the Long An province.
Travel time: 2h20mins
11 – Go loco for the coco in Ben Tre
Ever bought coconut water from your local supermarket back home and checked to see where it’s from? There’s a good chance it’s from Vietnam (the world’s second-highest exporter after Thailand)!
Home to the largest and most well-known coconut plantation in the country, Ben Tre is known as the “coconut capital,” and a lot of the exported water comes from here!
Rent a bike and cruise through countryside roads with coco palms lining the sides, passing by farming plantations, fruit orchards and local smiling faces.
Situated in the Mekong province, of course, cruising through the wetland canals is a must. Choose between the Lang Be Tourist Area and the Con Quy Tourist Area. Many boat tours pitstop at a coconut candy-manufacturing workshop and you can learn how to make the candies yourself, tastings included!
Sample fruits from Cai Mon Orchard Village and frolic between floral fields at Cho Lach Ornamental Flower Village.
Cultural sites to add to the itinerary include Van Phuoc Pagoda, La Ma Church, Nguyen Dinh Chieu Mausoleum and Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village.
Travel time: 1h56mins
12 – Take the cable car up to Ba Den Mountain
Thousands flock to Ba Den Mountain (the tallest mountain in the South) to catch the cable car up to its peak, and where an extravaganza of spiritual grandeur awaits you…
Towering over the landscape is the 36-meter-tall statue of the Bodhisattva Maitreya, and when the morning clouds hang extra low, the only thing you can see is her head peering out.
SunWorld has taken over the area, making it easier to navigate the pagodas, religious attractions and hikes.
You have two options: the Van Son Cable Car route transports you to Ba Den Mountain’s peak at an elevation of 986 meters, or the Hang Pagoda Cable Car route takes you to the Hang Pagoda complex.
Alternatively, trek up Black Virgin Mountain, and there are a few trail options, each ranging in difficulty, for example, the challenging 6.6-kilometer Electricity Pole Line trail. En route, drink in the vistas from numerous viewpoints.
Also at the base of Ba Den are a bunch of renowned pagodas, such as Ba Tay Ninh Pagoda, Hang Pagoda and the Linh Son Hoa Dong Pagoda.
Travel time: 2h6mins
13 – From biking to trekking to chasing waterfalls, discover Cat Tien National Park
While the north of Vietnam is renowned as a motorbike-tripping mecca, there’s plenty of opportunity around the south for an adventurous drive! Take the UNESCO-listed Cat Tien National Park as one example; well-favored by bikers… but also hikers!
Spread across three provinces, this natural biosphere has plenty to offer, and is home to a unique ecosystem not typically found in Vietnam.
See how many of the 1,655 plants and 1,730 animal species you can spot, and mingle with locals at some of the traditional villages inside the park, for example, at Lai Ethnic Village.
The Cat Tien Gibbon Loop and Ta Lai Longhouse – Bat Cave Loop are popular walking trails, as well as the pathways around Crocodile Lake.
Get educated at the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and Bear Rescue Center and visit Ben Cu Waterfall.
Travel time: 3.5 hours
14 – Experience two countries in one day at Phnom Penh
It’s pretty wild to think that you’re able to visit two Southeast Asian countries in one day! If the allure of the Cambodian capital has won you over, consider a day trip to Phnom Penh for a taste of Khmer culture!
We recommend leaving extra early in the morning so you reach the “Pearl of Asia” mid-morning, allowing you enough time to experience the very best of the things to do in Phnom Penh!
Garnering the nickname thanks to its bounty of early 20th century colonial French architecture, sightsee beauties like the Central Post Office and the Central Market.
Head down to the waterfront and explore the Royal Palace (built in 1866), and there are restaurants, bars and craft breweries here, too.
Deep dive into local culture chronicling different eras at places like the National Museum, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and SOSORO Museum, and if you’ve got the chutzpah for it, the infamous (and eye-opening) Killing Fields are unmissable.
Travel time: 4h51mins
15 – Feel completely transported from city life at Buu Long Tourist Area
Fun Vietnam trivia: dedicated tourist and eco-tourism areas are very common, designed with travelers and curious visitors in mind, celebrating or replicating local lifestyles.
In a part of Bien Hoa where ancient temples and pagodas have been conserved is the Khu du lịch Bửu Long (Buu Long Tourist Area).
Gardens, caves, lakes, rivers and mountains weave in between the site, with various attractions and recreational zones.
The perfect Instagram moment awaits you in the Son Nu Area presenting plenty of photo ops like swings, water mills and a stairway to heaven.
Travel to the Antarctic inside Snow Paradise (reaching temperatures of -15 °Celscius); cross the Long An Lake and Nghinh Xuan Bridge to 8,000 orchids on Orchid Island. Boat ride through the mountainscape of the Long Son Peninsula where the “Great Wall” and a 19-meter golden Bodhisattva statue wait!
Cruise around on swan-pedal boats; there are kids’ playgrounds and Vietnamese restaurants to enjoy.
Travel time: 1h9min
16 – Immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture at Bình Quới Tourist Village
Sail in between gigantic lily pads, passing beneath streams of cute little bridges and bamboo bungalows built on stilts with groves of coconut trees at the Bình Quới Tourist Village.
Feast on mouth-watering Vietnamese cuisine that’s quintessential Southern-style cooking, watch a cultural show or join in the outdoor activities — and festivities.
Honoring local traditions, folk tales and culture, the tourist village is divided into three sections.
Binh Quoi 1 is where the floating restaurant is, as well as the workshops (like sculpting and musical programs).
Play a round of tennis and go swimming or canoeing in Binh Quoi 2. Binh Quoi 3 has the most rustic vibes out of the three tourist areas here, and this is the section set up around the river.
Don’t miss out on the traditional entertainment and the cultural show centers on the storyline of a classic Vietnamese wedding and its rituals and dances.
Travel time: 1h9min
17 – Make a splash beneath the multi-tiered Giang Dien Waterfall
With five cascades, one gigantic “natural pool” and all the feels of a picturesque countryside setting, Giang Dien Waterfall offers the ultimate reprieve from the city heat — and bustle! Believe it or not, this fall is man-made!
Surprisingly, it’s not as busy as you might expect, but that just leaves more open space for you to enjoy — much appreciated when swimming and playing beneath the 20-meter waterfall.
Another ecotourism site, the things to do around the waterfall revolve around Mother Nature.
Cycle or take a stroll around the park, go fishing or hang out on the grassy greens.
Bring your own lunch, there are local restaurants to serve your appetite, or there are on-site BBQ facilities, which is very common in public spaces in the country.
P.S. Life jackets are available to rent and take caution when climbing the slippery boulders.
Travel time: 1h9min
18 – See a spiritual masterpiece: Vinh Trang Pagoda
For the spiritually inclined, the special Vinh Trang Pagoda (in Mỹ Hóa near Mỹ Tho) is calling your name!
Discover three awe-inspiring landmarks within the complex grounds: the ornate Vĩnh Tràng Temple, the joyful, smiling big belly Budai statue (the name for the Chinese monk Qici, also referred to as Maitreya Buddha), and a huge Reclining Buddha.
The original temple was built by 1850, refurbished in 1895 and then renovated once more in 1907 after much of it was destroyed in a monsoon storm.
One thing has remained: its architectural magnificence, employing many rare and precious materials for its construction.
First, enter through the three-arched Tam Quan gate (dating to 1933) — it’s a perfect opportunity to admire classical Vietnamese Buddhist design.
Around the main temple, the garden is an Eden of bonsai trees, where 18 wooden arahants statues and other impressive religious figurines decorate the grounds. Other standout features include the 18-meter-tall Amitabha Buddha and a seven-story swooping tower.
Travel time: 2h10mins
19 – Have fun at the theme parks!
Take your pick from the theme parks near Saigon, either on land or centered around water!
Suoi Tien Theme Park is probably the most impressive and closest to your classic amusement park vibes, dubbed a “Vietnamese Disneyland.” The special twist? It’s all Buddha-themed!
Meet mermaids and race your friends down the slides at Dam Sen Water Park. There are four pools here, including a wave pool!
Ride rollercoasters, feel the thrills ziplining, meet cute animals at the petting zoo, travel to outer space in the UFO Film 7D theater, go rock climbing and battle your friends on water zorb balls at Ho May Park!
Or, if you’ve decided to journey over to Phu Quoc for the day, step into a world of animals where the only mammals enclosed are you at the free-roaming Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc.
Travel time:
- Suoi Tien Theme Park – 50 minutes
- Dam Sen Water Park – 23 minutes
- Ho May Park – 2h47mins
- Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc – 3 hours
20 – Relax and unwind in tranquil Hồ Cốc
Ocean Babies, peaceful and charming Hồ Cốc is a wonderful destination to spend your day feasting on fresh seafood, working on your tan, kayaking or even surfing.
If you’ve visited places like subtropical Durban in South Africa or closer to home in Vietnam’s Hoi An, the beachscape here is very similar, with its cobalt teal blue colored ocean and yellow sands!
The bays remain relatively chilled, but with certain conditions, there are some small waves — fun for novice surfers. Otherwise, SUPing and sea kayaking are the water sports of choice.
As one can imagine, the seafood from Hồ Cốc is amazing and fresh off the boats. Must-try dishes are mai fish salad (gỏi cá mai) and stingray hotpot (lẩu cá đuối)!
Something unique that may tickle your fancy: Minera Hot Springs resort park! A short drive from the city, rejuvenate in the mineral-rich waters, with 30 different baths and pools, as well as a spa and hot and cold sauna treatments.
Travel time: 2h58mins
21 – Foodies, learn about local cuisine and Vietnamese ingredients in Can Tho
Can Tho is usually on radars because the notable Cai Rang Floating Market is right around the corner, but there’s much more to this Mekong Delta city!
An interesting destination for food lovers, explore a 200-year-old rice-paper-making village, Thuan Hung, drop by a rice noodle factory or treat your sweet tooths at a coconut candy factory.
Stroll through one of the many fruit orchards, like Vam Xang, My Khanh Orchard or Rach Ke, picking and sampling fresh jackfruit, guavas, rambutans, dragon fruit, mangosteens, longans and the stinky durian.
With its positioning along the Hau River, freshwater fish and shrimp are used a lot in the local cuisine of this area. You have to try bánh cống (fried shrimp cakes).
Unlike the rest of the towns, villages and cities on the Mekong, Cần Thơ is considered a metropolitan hub and has quite a “modern” feel compared to other destinations.
Travel time: 2h47mins
22 – Escape the heat and swim at Thủy Châu Ecotourism
Escape the heave of tourists and mainstream activities and spend the day cooling off and picnicking alongside the river rock pools at Thủy Châu Ecotourism.
This area is very popular with locals, and the weekends are abuzz with residents searching to escape the Saigon heat! You won’t spot many Westerners around, but that’s the beauty of a country like Vietnam (not overrun like Thailand or Indo)!
An artificial attraction, the man-made eco-park sports a river section doubling as a natural pool, and a massive fountain in the middle shoots water spurts (which kids especially love).
There’s also another water play area, and the Thuy Chau swimming pool is split into two sections: one for adults and the shallower pool for children.
Pack a picnic and chill out on the riverside, or follow the paths leading through the surrounding woodland.
Travel time: 1h2min
Final thoughts
As you can see, there’s so much more to discover beyond Saigon’s perimeters, from the Mekong to the coastlines! Enjoy a head start with our list of best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City!
Or, if you’ve only got a day or so in town, check out some of the epic things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.
Planning on heading North next? The capital city is absolutely magical, with plenty of things to do in Hanoi completely different from its southern half! Or, if you’re considering venturing out of Vietnam next, here are some of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia, from Lombok to Chiang Mai to Kuala Lumpur.
Have you visited Ho Chi Minh City before? What were some of your favorite travel moments? Share with us in the comments; we love to hear from our readers.
As always, happy travels!