Saigon has a vibrant culture that’s a ton of fun to lose yourself in, but it can become overstimulating after a while, especially for first-time visitors. Luckily, there are several day trips near Saigon that can give you some time to “catch your breath”. They’re a great way to experience some authentic Vietnamese culture, away from the progressive urban jungle of Ho Chi Minh City.
I’ve rounded up five of the best Saigon day trips here. A few are favourites for tourists (along with tips to give you a more local, authentic experience) and a few are trips to local hotspots Saigon residents would actually travel to themselves – but that most travellers will never even hear about.
I define a “day trip” as somewhere 2.5 hours or less from Saigon that can be taken (at least, at a surface level) in 4-8 hours.
Saigon day trips: quick reference
| Day trip (click to jump to section) | ✨ Vibe | Distance from HCMC | 💎 Guided tour to cut the hassle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mekong Delta (Ben Tre) | Vibrant & tropical | 2 hrs | Sampan river ride + Coconut village visit & Cu Chi Tunnels |
| Cu Chi Tunnels | Somber & historical | 1.5 hrs | Check the one above ↑ – covers both in 1 trip |
| Vung Tau | Modern beachfront | 2.5 hrs | Full-day Vung Tau beach trip |
| Can Gio | Forests & fishing villages | 2 hrs | Can Gio trek (+ Monkey Island & Crocodile Farm) |
| Tay Ninh | Spiritual & panoramic | 2.5 hrs | Ba Den Mountain & Cao Dai Temple day trip |
1. Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is the most popular rural destination in Southern Vietnam, and for good reason: the culture and landscape are the best showcases for South Vietnam’s trademark brand of laid-back vibrancy.
The vibe is a tropical cocktail that’s impossible to describe in just a few paragraphs, but hopefully my Mekong Delta exploration guide will do it justice.
For day trippers, a tour that allows you to get a taste of the delta (both literally and figuratively) in one day is needed.
My top recommendation is the bike and boat cycling tour from Mr Biker Saigon.
It’s a bit pricier than the tours I normally recommend at Approximate — rates updated daily per person, but it is a truly high-quality experience that gives you an up-close-and-personal view of the Mekong Delta area that a car ride can’t capture. It also includes some great food, and you’ll get in your exercise for the day. It’s an easy ride, too, so it’s even good for travelling families.
If you’re not up for a bike ride, this Sampan river ride is a popular alternative which stops at Coconut Village and the Vinh Trang Pagoda.
I cannot stress enough that a car is not a good way to enjoy a tour of the Mekong Delta, since the journey trumps the destinations down there in my opinion; the landscapes are my favourites in Vietnam.
2. Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are arguably Saigon’s most iconic day trip, and it’s perfect for those visiting Vietnam for the first time.
They present wartime history in a really memorable way, and they make for a great day trip since they’re so close (technically a suburban district of Saigon) while still being located in a rustic rural area that feels worlds away from the city’s traffic-choked bustle.
Since they’re such a popular attraction, there’s great tourist infrastructure around the Cu Chi Tunnels. I beg you, though, not to jump on the first “Cu Chi Tunnels!!!” bus you find, because it’s going to give you the most touristy, sanitised, and ultimately inauthentic experience possible. Instead, heed my words, and a little extra planning will go a long way.
This tour stacks the most popular day trips into 1.
You’ll crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning, then cruise the Mekong by boat and stop at Coconut Village in the afternoon – covering both this section and the last in a single day trip.
Two Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi has two main tunnel systems: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc.
Ben Dinh is the tunnel system the vast majority of tourists think of as “Cu Chi Tunnels” since it’s where most tour companies go, the main reason being that it is the closest tunnel system to Saigon, an obvious bonus for tour companies looking to maximise efficiency.
Ben Dinh tunnels have been redesigned to prioritise visitor comfort over authenticity, including widening tunnels, adding artificial lighting, and marking pathways. They’ve also added a variety of replicas of booby traps and weaponry used during the war.
The result is an experience that feels more like a curated museum exhibit. It’s convenient and comfortable, but it’s not authentic.
Ben Duoc is the more authentic Cu Chi Tunnels system most tourists never hear about. It’s two hours from Saigon rather than 90 minutes, which is one reason why few tour companies go there.
The lack of tourists is already a huge plus in my books, but the tunnels are kept in a more natural state as well. Some of the best differences are:
- The Ben Duoc tunnels occupy 300 hectares, over four times the area of the Ben Dình. Some might call it a slog, but I call it immersive.
- The tunnels are a bit cramped and dark (like in the war), a claustrophobic feeling that adds to the authenticity of the experience.
- Unlike Ben Dình, the Ben Duoc tunnel system includes a variety of underground facilities built off the main tunnel like kitchens, meeting rooms, and a hospital. They give a fuller picture of tunnel life.
How to get there
If you want to go on a tour, this day trip skips the big tour-bus circus and gets you into the tunnels with a small group. You can choose either a morning or afternoon departure, depending on what fits your schedule.
Ben Duoc is also totally doable self-guided trip via two methods:
- By bus. Take the 13 bus from Pham Ngu Lao Street and ride all the way to the end of the line, which takes about 2 hours. Then transfer to bus 79 and let the driver or her assistant know you want to get off at Ben Duoc, and they’ll let you know where to get off. This second leg of the journey takes 40 minutes, and the tunnel entrance is a 15-minute walk from the arrival bus stop. The two bus rides will cost Approximate — rates updated daily per person in total.
- By private vehicle. Download a ride-hailing app like Grab or Be and book a ride like you would with Uber. It should cost about Approximate — rates updated daily for a car, or Approximate — rates updated daily for a bike. The drive takes just over 2 hours.
Either way, tickets at the entrance to the Ben Duoc complex cost Approximate — rates updated daily for the tunnel tour plus the entire surrounding complex, which includes a memorial temple, a lake with swan boats, and hiking paths with a replica of a Vietnamese hamlet.
Be sure to leave Ben Duoc by 5pm if you want to get back to the city that evening.
Note: I’ve never talked about Cu Chi Tunnels on this blog before because I think they’re a bit (GASP) overrated. There are sites like the War Remnants Museum and especially the Secret Weapons Bunker you can visit without leaving Saigon that are just as informative, even more visceral, and a hell of a lot more convenient.
3. Vung Tau
Vung Tau is a beach destination, but it’s not a sleepy fishing village or tropical island like most of the beaches in Southern Vietnam; it’s a sleek, modern city, nowhere near as big and booming as HCMC, but with all the modern amenities you could want.
That’s why I’d recommend Vung Tau to people like me who love being near the ocean but would rather appreciate it from a comfortable setting.
A beach day out of HCMC. Itinerary includes → Thuy Van Beach, the Christ Statue overlooking the sea, the Whale Temple, and the White Palace, with a Vietnamese lunch built in. Check it out at GetYourGuide.
How to get there
If you’re going the self-guided route, my recommendation is to take a van booked on 12go for $10. As of May 2026, the city is currently building a highway that will cut travel time from Saigon down to only one hour.
If going with a tour, we recommend a full-day beach trip from HCMC or a shore excursion if you’re arriving by cruise ship. Both tours take visitors to some of the locations I’ll mention in the next section, though they won’t hit some of the more obscure ones.
What to do there
Visit the Christ statue
Vung Tau’s most iconic image because of how imposing it is, this gigantic Jesus statue stands on a mountain as Vietnam’s answer to Cristo Redentor in Brazil.
The stone walkway up to the statue has 800 steps and is laden with lots of tourist shops, neither of which are fun. Still, the view of the surroundings up top is pretty spectacular.
Stroll along the beach and through parks
The city obviously spends a lot on its public spaces. The stone promenades along front beach and back beach are beautiful, as are the sculpture parks and town squares that dot the town.
Eat Vung Tau cuisine
Vung Tau has my favourite city-specific cuisine in Vietnam. It combines fresh seafood with hearty elements like batters and noodles to create extremely satisfying dishes. Banh khot, soft fresh rice cakes with coconut milk and seafood toppings, are my go-to. The fresh seafood ain’t half bad either.
Go to Thang Tam Whale Temple
I love visiting Vung Tau’s Whale Temple because it’s colourful outside and equally as fascinating inside, with whale skeletons beside altars that local fishermen make offerings at. The temple doesn’t belong to a specific faith, but rather to various folk religions that worship the ocean.
4. Can Gio
Can Gio is a biosphere where mangrove swamps and deep forest meet fishing villages and blue waters. Well, actually, the waters aren’t that blue – the beaches there are actually polluted – but the main market does sell what is, to this day, the best fresh seafood I’ve ever tasted.
This is an all-in-one day trip from HCMC where you feed monkeys on Monkey Island, spot a few crocs at the Crocodile Farm, and walk through the mangrove forest that shaped this whole biosphere.
How to get there
Can Gio is my absolute favourite day trip from Saigon, and the main reason is that the journey there and back is so pleasant.
Can Gio is technically a suburban district of Ho Chi Minh City, but you feel like you’re in a much more isolated rural area as soon as you make the ferry crossing 30 minutes into the trip.
From there, a flat highway runs through Can Gio’s outskirts for the next hour, lined by forest on either side and passing over bridges spanning the Dong Tranh River, by tiny countryside hamlets, and alongside flooded fields growing shellfish or aquatic vegetables.
I’m not recommending driving a motorbike to most of the day trips in this guide since all that driving in one day could be a hassle, but I really do think the drive to and from Can Gio is worth it.
Follow these three steps to get there by motorbike:
- Drive to district 7 or rent a motorbike there. A good shop in D7 that rents 50cc bikes (which do not require a licence to drive) is Cho Thue Xe May 79 (WhatsApp is 84775151589). The road through district 7 is as crowded as much of Saigon, but it’s a straight shot most of the way to the Binh Khanh ferry dock so it’s okay for beginners.
- At Binh Khanh, there’s a large shelter selling ferry tickets for $0.30/bike+$0.10 per person. The ferries leave every 30 minutes. When one arrives, drive your motorbike aboard and wait for it to leave. You can sit on the upper deck to get some nice river breeze, and the trip takes 20 minutes. Return ferries usually run all night, but try to come back by 9pm to be safe.
- You’ll disembark in a tiny town. Follow the only main road and you’ll very quickly emerge onto Rung Sac, a six lane road that has essentially no traffic on it. It’s a weird empty highway that feels almost post-apocalyptic because of how grand yet deserted it is, but that makes it perfect for beginners. In fact, I would say it’s the best motorbike route for first-time riders in Vietnam. Plus, as I said above, the scenery is stunning.
BONUS: My favourite backroad I’ve stumbled across while motorbiking in Southern Vietnam is on this trip. It’s chock-full of a laid-back tropical character that is distinct to Southern Vietnam.
If you don’t want to motorbike, public bus route 139 goes to D7 and connecting route 75 takes you the rest of the way – it even goes on the ferry. Note that this takes longer than biking, and you have to return before 6pm to make sure the buses are still running.
If you want to go with a tour, I’d recommend this cycling day trip to Can Gio or the Can Gio group trek if cycling isn’t your thing – it covers the ecosystem’s highlights, monkeys included.
What to do there
Visit Monkey Island
Can Gio has a huge mangrove forest with macaque monkeys living in it. One area has a wide path through the mangrove forest, and you can see hundreds of monkeys along it. The monkeys often come onto the path and mess with tourists – last time I was there, a monkey jumped onto me and stole my glasses, and one of the staff had to offer the monkey a banana in exchange for my glasses’ return.
The area also has a wooden walkway where you can see alligators in the swamp and a hiking path leading to a wartime Viet Cong base that’s been kept intact and has life-size figurines.
Ferry through the swamp + climb Van Sat Tower
From the Monkey Island area, you can take a ferry that costs 600k for the entire boat that takes you deep into the forest.
The boat ride is pretty incredible. You’ll motor between the strong, silent mangroves, watching birds skim the water, crabs cruise the wet banks, and maybe even a few monkeys scampering through the vines. It feels like a more natural version of the Mekong Delta Canals.
At the other end of the boat ride is a biosphere area with hiking trails and ponds, but the coolest attraction is a 26-meter viewing deck that lets you get a panoramic 360° view over the mangroves.
Explore Dong Hoa fishing village
This village feels so provincial and truly authentic. It also has a very distinctly Southern Vietnamese feel. There’s not much to do here other than take in the vibes, although Dong Tranh Cape is a nice jetty for immersing yourself in the local culture.
Eat at Can Gio market
As I said, Can Gio is home to the best seafood I’ve ever eaten. And I’ve gotten it many times from the sellers at the market who are hawking live seafood from buckets and will grill it up for you to eat there. It’s inexpensive and it’s perfection every time.
5. Tay Ninh
Tay Ninh is a hidden gem that offers wide-open rural panoramas that are just as impressive as those in the Mekong Delta. It has next to no tourist infrastructure, which can make it harder to explore without a tour, but also makes it a more serene experience. Besides, it does have a few definite points of interest I’ll cover below.
As the lone day trip on this list in Western Vietnam, it offers a glimpse into a slightly different culture than the South.
From Ho Chi Minh, jump off a cable car up Black Virgin Mountain, then the Cao Dai Temple’s kaleidoscope of colors, with lunch in between and Cu Chi Tunnels tacked on if you want to make a full day of it.
How to get there
My top recommended way to get to Tay Ninh is to ride on the back of a Grab Bike, which will cost Approximate — rates updated daily one way. That’s because the areas you pass through are beautiful.
You’ll pass through small towns with roadside markets, sugarcane stalls, and small temples. You’ll also pass countless flat planes that stretch as far as the eye can see and hold farms, rows of rubber trees, and the occasional water buffalo sniffling around in the mud.
All of this is best enjoyed with the wind whipping through your hair and the scents of the countryside filling your senses, without a wall of plexiglass separating you from nature like in a car or bus.
The reason I don’t recommend driving yourself like with Can Gio is because the road to Tay Ninh has more huge rumbling trucks. Driving yourself will obviously be cheaper, but do it at your own risk.
For a tour option, this Tay Ninh day trip is a great option that visits an iconic mountain and temple, both detailed below – the tour costs Approximate — rates updated daily, and the cable car up the mountain costs Approximate — rates updated daily. This rice paper and salt-making tour focuses on Tay Ninh village life instead.
What to do there
Cao Dai Temple
Cao Dai is the most incredible temple I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to A LOT of temples). The outside is surprisingly colourful, but the cavernous hall inside is downright trippy.
Pastel geometric patterns on the floor tiles, pink pillars with green dragons wrapped around them, bright yellow walls with a pink and blue walkway, and, watching over it all, a giant eye staring out imposingly from a gigantic orb of green marble.
It’s the kind of place the Sgt. Peppers’-era Beatles would have loved. There’s even a religious ceremony there every day around noon held by Cao Dai monks that’s truly indescribable and that you should definitely attend if you can.
Black Virgin Mountain (Nui Ba Den)
At 986 metres (3,234 feet), Black Virgin is by far the highest mountain in Southern Vietnam. As such, it has a much different climate than anywhere within many hundreds of miles: cooler air and mist rolling across the temples.
The 15-minute cable car ride up (Approximate — rates updated daily return trip) is like being transported from a completely flat area to a mountainous country.
The temple complex up there is genuinely awesome, too. It’s an active pilgrimage site, and the mix of religion and tourism is fascinating.
Multi-day trips (or weekend getaways)
There are several locations in Southern Vietnam that are very hyped up, but they’re way too big to be explored as a day trip.
Some of those non-day trip Southern Vietnam locations include:
- Da Lat, where you should spend at least 3 days (read my full Dalat travel guide)
- Mui Ne (Mui Ne, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc are all covered in my comparison guide for South Vietnam beaches)
- Nha Trang
- Phu Quoc (I also published a full Phu Quoc exploration guide)
