Saigon City never gets boring, but it does stay busy almost 24/7, so day trips from Ho Chi Minh City are great ways to catch a breather, see the picturesque Vietnamese countryside and visit some of the most historic landmarks in the country. Travelers can join affordable excursions to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, take a cruise down the Mekong Delta, or plan a weekend getaway to the beaches of Vung Tau. Of course, tourists can plan excursions on their own, but guided tours are available – and highly recommended – to any of these five daytrip destinations outside of Saigon City.
Top Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City | Cu Chi Tunnel
One of Vietnam’s most historical and popular tourist attractions, the Cu Chi Tunnel is a maze of tunnels used by Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. A tour of the tunnels offers a look into the strategies used by the soldiers and how the tunnels proved to be vital supply routes, shelters and even traps for US soldiers. Visitors are invited to walk through the tunnels and learn more about them and the war effort at a connected open-air museum. Other activities at Cu Chi Tunnel include a sport defense shooting range, paintball shooting, 4D cinema, swimming pool, pedal carts on an on-site lake, kayaking and canoeing.
Cu Chi Tunnel is about an hour’s drive from Ho Chi Minh City. Hotels and travel agents within Ho Chi Minh can book tours for guests any time of the day.
Cu Chi Tunnel is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Entrance fees are 90,000 VND ($3.83 USD), which includes a tour of the tunnels and museum. Other activities cost additional fees.
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Top Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City | Mekong Delta
Book a tour and cruise the Mekong Delta to discover things about Vietnam you never imagined. This historic region in Can Tho is not only on the tail end of one of the longest rivers in the world, but it also is the source of more than half the country’s rice and fish supply. Guests can tour the river’s branches by boat, buy souvenirs at floating markets and eat some tasty Southern Vietnamese street food. One of the most pleasant and peaceful parts of the journey, though, is just watching rural Vietnamese life go on as you walk or float by.
The Mekong Delta is about three and a half hours southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Bus tours are the easiest ways to get to the area. Tours can be booked in Ho Chi Minh City, and many include transportation, cruises and a full day of activities.
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Top Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City | Cai Be Floating Market
A visit to Cai Be Floating Market features more than just shopping. The district is a scenic paradise situated right on the Mekong River, and day trips from Ho Chi Minh City can include kayaking, taking a cooking class or exploring the nearby village by bike. The floating market, however, is the main draw to Cai Be, and getting to watch vendors haggle with locals, sample endless amounts of street food and load up with souvenirs alone is worth the trip.
Cai Be Floating Market is located about two hours southwest of Ho Chi Minh City.
The market is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but early mornings are the best time to shop for fresh produce and seafood.
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Top Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City | Vung Tau
For a weekend getaway that includes beaches and plenty of options for nightlife, head to the coastal paradise of Vung Tau. Located on a peninsula on the southeast coast of Vietnam, Vung Tau is a popular destination for Ho Chi Minh City locals, so it caters to travelers with a little more money in their pockets. It’s not impossible to see Vung Tau on a backpacker’s budget, however. The area hosts plenty of affordable hotels and free things to do, like hiking up The Small Mountain, home to a 105-feet-tall statue of Jesus that overlooks the East Vietnamese Sea, and The Big Mountain, home to stunning views, a theme park, temples and too many historic sites and walking trails to name. Visitors could easily spend an entire day on The Big Mountain alone.
Vung Tau is about two hours south of Ho Chi Minh by ferry or two and a half hours by bus. Both options allow travelers to enjoy plenty of breathtaking scenery along the way.
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Top Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City | Can Gio
One of the quickest and most satisfying day trips from Ho Chi Minh City is an excursion to Can Gio. This island of sorts is a designated member of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves and protects dozens of rare plant and animal species. Birdwatchers will adore a trip to these wetlands, and adventurists won’t want to pass up an opportunity to spot a rare saltwater crocodile. Outdoorsmen also will appreciate the serenity and beauty of the region’s mangrove forests. The biosphere encompasses a vast region with many activities, so a day may not be enough time here!
Can Gio is located about one hour south of Ho Chi Minh City. Bus tours are the best way to visit the area.
Fun activities in Can Gio
- Monkey Island – take a camera to snap a shot of this monkey-filled area, but keep your camera safe as these sneaky locals like to grab and dash whenever they can.
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Giant Bat Lagoon – row down the river and feed crocodiles during this daring journey.
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Rung Sac – this former Guerrilla base was strategic during the Vietnam War. Learn more about its purpose during an educational tour of the area.
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