Ho Chi Minh City is a maze of chaotic madness – a concrete metropolis of vast scope and vitality. But it can be too much at times, so let’s have a look at the best day trips for you to escape Saigon.
This dead volcano, also known as Black Virgin Mountain, has the best views in all of southern Vietnam. The mountain carries significant religious meaning to the people in the area, and there’s even a myth about a girl who killed herself here. The drive takes about two hours from Ho Chi Minh City. You can hike the mountain or take the easy route and opt for the cable car instead.
The Cần Giờ (pronounce cun yuh) Mangrove Forest is a Unesco biosphere reserve 40km (25mi) south of Ho Chi Minh City that features a unique wetlands ecosystem and a number of rare plant and animal species, including saltwater crocodiles and many kinds of migratory birds. It’s possible to get to this area on your own, but we recommends you go with a trusted tour company to get the most out of your excursion.
Vũng Tầu is likely the most popular day trip destination for locals in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s only two hours by bus or shuttle, so it makes for an easy escape from the heat and pollution of Saigon. The beach itself isn’t as spectacular as others in Vietnam, but you’ll love the laid-back vibe of this sleepy little town. Don’t leave without trying some fresh seafood along the beach or at one of the many restaurants in town.
If you’re really looking to get into nature, then Cat Tien National Park is for you. The park has various types of old growth forests and some fascinating wildlife – gibbons, sambar deer, wild boars, black-shanked doucs and even crocodiles. However, the drive does take nearly four hours, so you might want to consider making it a two-day journey. It’s doable in one, but eight hours on the road really detracts from the experience.
Most tour companies highlight tours to Mỹ Tho, but those are pre-packaged excursions where giant tour buses bring hundreds of tourists to the same spots day after day. It’s cookie-cutter travel. Bến Tre, on the other hand, is less developed and more authentic. The town is famous for its coconut candy, and you can visit the factories where they make this treat – also the farms where they collect the coconuts. Furthermore, it’s easy to arrange a sampan ride through lush river canopies just as you see on every travel brochure about the Mekong.