Best Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is one of Vietnam's top tourist destinations and the country's most populous city. In and around Ho Chi Minh City, you'll find plenty of attractions that will give you a taste of the local spirit, but you can also choose to use this place as a base to visit the best places nearby.

Some of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City include a trip to the Mekong Delta and the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a visit to the Vinh Trang Pagoda, discovering the mangrove forest of Vam Sat, browsing the popular Cai Rang floating markets and breathing in the local wartime history at the former Australian Military Base at Long Tan.

If you want to see two of the main sites around Ho Chi Minh City, you can't miss an organised excursion to the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels. This combination of nature and culture will allow you to discover two emblematic sites of the country that were decisive during the Vietnam War.

The first stop on this full-day tour will take you to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City to discover the Cu Chi tunnels, hand-built excavations that allowed North Vietnamese guerrillas to move under enemy-occupied land and penetrate into South Vietnamese territory.

These tunnels, as well as being a feat of war architecture, bear witness to the tenacity that enabled the local guerrillas to defeat one of the most powerful armies in the world, clearly outgunned and outgunned but with a thorough knowledge of the terrain.

After the tunnels, the journey continues in the Mekong Delta, where you can cruise the canals in a boat, discovering the local wildlife and learning about the role of the Mekong Delta during the war, as it was the epicentre of South Vietnam's trade and also one of the worst hit by the famine. You can also enjoy a typical lunch in the delta, which often includes local delicacies such as pho and bánh xèo.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 47 euros per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to visit two of the most interesting sites around Ho Chi Minh City and learn about the important role these sites played during the war.
• Disadvantages of these tours: although they are full-day tours, much of the itinerary is a round trip, so you will have little time to explore the tunnels on your own.

The Mekong Delta as a navigable waterway is a popular destination for tours from Ho Chi Minh City. On these experiences you can tour this maze of rivers combined with a visit to the Vinh Trang Pagoda, which is considered one of the spiritual centres of Vietnamese society and one of the most important Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia.

Within the river system of the Mekong Delta you can also visit the islets of the city of My Tho on board a sampan, a typical Vietnamese boat that will give you a unique and picturesque perspective of this place. During the visit to the delta, you will also be able to taste tropical fruits and these excursions usually include lunch, which will help you discover the country's culinary culture.

On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City, you can also visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, famous for its giant Buddha statue and direct access from the waterways of My Hoa village. There you can get to know the Buddhist culture and learn about its central importance in Vietnamese daily life, as Buddhism is the religion of the majority of the population.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 29 euros per person.
• Duration: about 9 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to see a traditional natural site in Vietnam and also one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the country in a simplified tour.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the entrance to the pagoda is not included in the price of the tour.

Several of the best things to do around Ho Chi Minh City involve adventurous experiences, and these tours are no exception. During these tours you can visit the Vam Sat mangrove forest, which is located just a few hours' drive from the ancient South Vietnamese capital and is an ecological sanctuary. This site offers a tranquil escape and a unique opportunity to discover the biodiversity of the mangroves.

Accompanied by an expert local guide, you can venture deep into the heart of the mangrove forest to see the wildlife that thrives in this unique environment. From exotic birds to colourful crabs, every nook and cranny will reveal the amazing adaptation of species to life among the twisted roots of the mangroves. During these tours you can also enjoy a boat ride through the waterways.

These tours usually include transfer to and from the Vam Sat mangroves from Ho Chi Minh City, a typical Vietnamese lunch and entrance fees to the forest nature reserve to discover this fascinating Vietnamese ecosystem.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 120 euros per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of the most striking Vietnamese ecosystems, which is surrounded by the second largest nature reserve in the country.
• Disadvantages of these tours: for safety and preservation reasons, you will only be able to visit the site accompanied by a local guide, so you will not have free time to discover the site and the natural sights on your own.

Vietnam is a country with a strong trading tradition and one of the best ways to discover this side of Vietnam is to join a full day tour to the Cai Rang Floating Markets, located in an area near the Mekong Delta. These markets offer an expression of life on the water, where local traders congregate on boats laden with fresh produce and handicrafts in keeping with an age-old tradition.

Cai Rang, the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta, has its roots in antiquity, and functions similarly to Ben Thanh. The site originated as a trading space for riverside communities, where boats filled with goods became floating meeting places.

Today, the market remains an integral part of the culture in the delta, providing visitors with an authentic insight into the local economy and the daily lives of the local people. You can also contribute to the conservation work of the Mekong River, which is threatened by mining.

During the visit you will have the opportunity to interact with the traders, sample fresh local produce and capture the essence of this vibrant floating enclave. These tours also often include a boat ride through the canals, allowing you to take in the bustling and colourful atmosphere of Cai Rang.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 167 euros per person, including return transfers and accommodation in Can Tho.
• Duration: about 2 days.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know a central site in Vietnamese culture, which is built around trade and the natural exploitation of the rivers.
• Disadvantages of these tours: these are full 2-day experiences, so they will not be useful if you are planning a short stay in the city.

If you want to take part in a moving excursion and step into a crucial page in the history of the bloody Vietnam War, you can opt for a tour of the Former Australian Long Tan Military Base from Ho Chi Minh City. This visit will transport you to an iconic site that witnessed one of the most significant clashes between Australian and Vietnamese forces during the war.

The former military base of Long Tan, located about 60 kilometres southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, has been converted into a memorial to honour the fallen in the Battle of Long Tan. During the tour an expert local guide will accompany you and share with you detailed information about the events that took place there.

The historical significance of this site lies in the battle that took place on 18 August 1966, where a small Australian contingent faced an overwhelming Vietnamese force. Although the Oceanic forces managed to repel the attack, they suffered heavy losses. A visit to Long Tan, then, will allow you to explore the battlefield, discover allegorical monuments and learn about the events that marked this tragic day.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 147 euros per person.
• Duration: about 7 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to visit one of the sites that best reflects the horrors of the Vietnam War outside the big cities.
• Disadvantages of these tours: The guided tour does not include a tour of the Vietnam War Memorial Cemetery, although you will be able to explore this site on your own.

You can either book a tour in advance online or book one as soon as you arrive in the city, although you should be aware that most of these experiences are full-day experiences, so I advise you to book before you arrive in the city to organise an itinerary that allows you to combine these experiences with the best tours of Ho Chi Minh City.

Also, bear in mind that informal tours are very popular in Ho Chi Minh City, so the best alternative is to book in advance online as this will give you detailed information about the experience and the tour provider. This will make your experience safer and allow you to enjoy the tour with peace of mind.

To make the most of your trip from Ho Chi Minh City to such fascinating destinations as the Mekong Delta, the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Vinh Trang Pagoda or the Old Australian Military Base at Long Tan, it is essential to keep a few practical tips in mind. Firstly, plan ahead to find out the details of your itinerary, select the type of tour that best suits your preferences and confirm the duration of your trip.

Keep in mind that most of these experiences involve full-day tours, so you will need to allocate a lot of time for these visits. If you are planning a short stay in Ho Chi Minh City or want to take part in some of Ho Chi Minh City's best tours as well, such as visiting the Bitexco Financial Tower observation deck or going on a food tour, you will want to plan your travel schedule carefully.

On the other hand, don't forget to prepare for Vietnam's tropical climate by packing light, comfortable clothing, sunscreen and, above all, insect repellent. Also, show respect for the local culture when visiting historical and sacred sites such as Buddhist temples and always follow the directions of local guides.

On a tour from Ho Chi Minh City, there are several villages not to be missed. Each of them will offer you a particular experience, but all of them will allow you to discover the authenticity of Vietnamese culture and give you the opportunity to interact with the locals.

One of the must-see destinations during these tours is My Tho, a picturesque village in the Mekong Delta, where you can explore the islets and canals aboard a boat or a sampan, a typical Southeast Asian boat. Also, don't miss Long Tan, where the Old Australian Military Base stands as a poignant memorial to the Vietnam War.

Finally, the Vinh Trang Pagoda tour will take you to explore the spiritual and architectural richness of this sacred destination. In Vinh Trang you will not only find remnants of 19th century Buddhist constructions, but also elements of Khmer and Chinese architecture, allowing you to discover the interrelationship that unites the different countries of the continent.

A trip from Ho Chi Minh City is recommended because it allows you to explore the rich diversity that Vietnam has to offer. From this urban centre, you can explore fascinating and diverse destinations such as the Mekong Delta, where the floating markets of Cai Rang offer an authentic experience of bustling local life and the essence of Vietnamese culture.

In addition, excursion options departing from Ho Chi Minh take you to historical sites of great significance, such as the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Old Australian Military Base at Long Tan. These sites tell the story of the Vietnam War, allowing you to understand the bravery and resilience of those who lived through these crucial moments.

The variety of landscapes, from the mangroves of Vam Sat to the canals of My Tho, offer a complete panorama combining nature, history and culture.