Day trips from HCMC
The 8 day-trips from HCMC — Cu Chi tunnels, Mekong Delta, Vung Tau, Cao Dai, Long Hai beach, Can Gio mangroves, Tay Ninh, Buu Long.
How day trips from HCMC work
HCMC sits in flat lowland close to the coast and the Mekong Delta, which means a reasonable range of destinations within two to three hours by road. Most day trips run 60 to 180 km each way. Traffic leaving the city on weekday mornings is slow through the inner districts, so tours and private cars typically depart by 7 or 8 am to make the most of the day.
You have three practical options for getting to most of these destinations: join an organised group tour, hire a private car with driver, or travel independently by public bus or hydrofoil. Group tours cost the least upfront but move at the guide's pace. Private cars give flexibility and typically run 1,200,000 to 2,500,000 VND per day for a vehicle, not per person. Public transport is cheapest but adds planning time and is not practical for every destination on this list.
All prices below are approximate 2026 figures. Entrance fees change and are worth confirming before you go.
Cu Chi tunnels
The Cu Chi tunnel network is the most visited day trip from the city, roughly 70 km northwest of central HCMC. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong forces during the war and stretch for hundreds of kilometres underground. Two main sites are open to visitors: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc. Ben Dinh is closer to the city and sees more group tours. Ben Duoc is quieter and larger.
Entry costs around 110,000 to 150,000 VND. Getting there takes 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic. Most group tours cost 200,000 to 500,000 VND per person and include transport. The site involves walking in heat and some crawling through tunnel sections, so wear light clothing.
Mekong Delta one-day
The closest part of the Mekong Delta is My Tho, about 70 km southwest of HCMC. A standard one-day tour from the city typically includes a boat ride on the delta channels, a visit to a coconut candy workshop, and lunch. The experience is organised and moves quickly. If you want something less scripted, Ben Tre is another 30 km further and slightly calmer.
A one-day Mekong tour from HCMC costs around 350,000 to 700,000 VND per person on a group basis. The delta proper is large and a single day gives you only a surface view. Consider it an introduction rather than a thorough visit.
Vung Tau beach city
Vung Tau is the nearest beach destination, roughly 120 km southeast of HCMC. You can reach it by hydrofoil from Bach Dang pier in about 90 minutes, or by road in two to three hours depending on traffic. The hydrofoil costs around 220,000 to 280,000 VND each way and runs several departures daily.
Vung Tau is a working city with beaches rather than a resort strip. Front Beach and Back Beach are the main swimming areas. The seafood restaurants along Quang Trung and Ha Long streets are the main draw for many visitors. It is busy with HCMC residents on weekends, so a weekday visit is generally calmer.
Cao Dai Holy See
The Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh province is about 100 km northwest of HCMC, near the Cambodian border. The main temple is one of the most visually distinctive religious buildings in southern Vietnam, with a style that blends Vietnamese, French colonial, and various religious iconographies. Prayers are held four times daily at 6 am, 12 pm, 6 pm, and midnight. The noon prayer is the one most day-trippers attend.
Entry to the grounds is free. Respectful dress is required. Most tours combine Cao Dai with the Cu Chi tunnels in a single day since they are in roughly the same direction.
Long Hai or Ho Tram beach
Long Hai is a small beach town in Ba Ria province, about 125 km from HCMC. It is quieter than Vung Tau and popular with Vietnamese families. Ho Tram is further along the same coast, around 140 km out, and has seen resort development in recent years. Both are reachable by car in two to three hours. There is no direct public bus from central HCMC to Long Hai; most independent travellers change at Vung Tau or Ba Ria.
As a day trip, Long Hai works but the drive leaves limited beach time unless you start early.
Can Gio mangrove biosphere
Can Gio is a district of HCMC itself, but reaching it takes 60 to 90 minutes by road and ferry from the city centre. The area is a UNESCO-recognised mangrove biosphere reserve. The main attraction is the mangrove forest boat tours and the Vam Sat crocodile and bird sanctuary. Entry to Vam Sat costs around 100,000 VND. Monkey Island is a popular stop, though the monkeys there have a reputation for grabbing belongings.
Can Gio is hot and exposed. Bring water and sun protection.
Tay Ninh Buddhist sites
Beyond the Cao Dai temple, Tay Ninh has several Buddhist pagodas and the Black Lady Mountain (Nui Ba Den), which is the highest point in southern Vietnam at around 986 metres. A cable car runs to the upper station. The mountain is a pilgrimage site and can be crowded at Vietnamese festivals. It pairs naturally with the Cao Dai temple as a full-day itinerary from HCMC.
Buu Long lake
Buu Long is a landscaped park and leisure area in Thu Duc city, effectively within the greater HCMC urban area. It is notable for unusual limestone karst formations rising from the lake. The site is more popular with Vietnamese day-visitors than international tourists. Entry costs around 80,000 to 100,000 VND. It requires less travel time than the other destinations on this list and is an option if you have only a half day.
Pricing reality
A rough guide to what to budget per person for a day trip from HCMC:
- Group tour with transport included: 350,000 to 800,000 VND
- Private car hire for a group of two to four: 1,200,000 to 2,500,000 VND for the vehicle
- Hydrofoil to Vung Tau one way: 220,000 to 280,000 VND
- Entrance fees across most sites: 80,000 to 150,000 VND per site
- Lunch at a local restaurant en route: 80,000 to 200,000 VND per person
Most day trips from HCMC cost 500,000 to 1,200,000 VND all-in per person on a group tour basis. Budget more if you prefer a private vehicle or if you choose a more expensive lunch stop.
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