Day trips from Ho Chi Minh City
Day trips from Ho Chi Minh City go in four directions: the Cu Chi Tunnels to the north-west, the Mekong Delta to the south-west, Tay Ninh with its Cao Dai temple and Núi Bà Đen mountain, and Vung Tau on the coast. Each one is a different kind of day, and each depends on the road and your return time.
Since 1 July 2025 the city also includes Bình Dương and Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu. That changed the map on paper, not the driving distance, so Vung Tau is still a separate coastal trip.
Our pick: Ben Tre in a day
A day away from the centre, with boats and cycling among coconut gardens.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day trips from Ho Chi Minh City
Cu Chi, the Mekong Delta, Tay Ninh and more, with live prices and availability.
The day trips compared
Distances and times are rough guides.
| Trip | Distance and time | Main stops |
|---|---|---|
| Cu Chi Tunnels | Bến Đình about 55 km, 1 to 1.5 hours; Bến Dược about 70 km, 1.5 to 2 hours | Tunnel sections, memorial areas, exhibits |
| Mekong Delta | Mỹ Tho about 86 km, return drive roughly 2 hours | Boats, canals, islands, lunch |
| Tay Ninh | Check the route with your operator | Cao Dai temple, Núi Bà Đen |
| Vung Tau | Road or speedboat | Coast and seafront |
| Can Gio | Ferry crossing plus road | Mangrove forest |
For a first day trip, most visitors pick Cu Chi in the morning. If you have a second day, add the Mekong Delta.
Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta
The two trips with the most weight.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Two sites, Bến Dược and Bến Đình, are open daily from 07:00 to 17:00. Entry for foreign visitors is roughly VND 90,000 to 135,000 per site in 2026, depending on the site and fee structure, so check at the gate. Narrow tunnels do not suit every visitor.
Cu Chi Tunnels guide →Mekong Delta
A one-day trip to Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre is the standard version. Floating markets near Cần Thơ are a separate overnight plan, covered in the guide for Cần Thơ.
Mekong Delta guide →Tay Ninh, Núi Bà Đen and Vung Tau
The Cao Dai temple, a mountain with cable cars and a coast.
The Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh holds prayers daily at 00:00, 06:00, 12:00 and 18:00. Visitors are not guaranteed access to every prayer, so treat a visit during a service as a bonus, not as part of the plan.
At Núi Bà Đen the operator charges these prices from 28 September to 31 December 2026:
| Item | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Grounds | VND 10,000 | VND 5,000 |
| Vân Sơn summit cable car | VND 450,000 | VND 350,000 |
| Chùa Hang, return | VND 250,000 | VND 150,000 |
| Chùa Hang, one way | VND 150,000 | VND 100,000 |
| Vân Sơn plus Chùa Hang | VND 650,000 | VND 500,000 |
| Vân Sơn from 17:00 | VND 300,000 | VND 200,000 |
Children from 1 m to under 1.4 m pay the child price, taller visitors pay the adult price, and smaller children are free. Cable car timetables change with the weather, so check the day before.
Vung Tau is a coastal trip by road or by speedboat from Saigon. Boat fares change, so check the current fare and the day's departures before you go, and do not count on swimming conditions.
Can Gio and what comes next
More trips from the city.
Day trips from Ho Chi Minh City: frequently asked questions
What is the best day trip from Ho Chi Minh City?
For most first-time visitors it is Cu Chi in the morning. The Mekong Delta suits a second day. Tay Ninh and Vung Tau suit a second or third trip.
Can I combine Cu Chi and the Mekong in one day?
That makes a very long day with a lot of road time. Treat them as two separate days.
How long does the drive to Cu Chi take?
About 1 to 1.5 hours to Bến Đình and 1.5 to 2 hours to Bến Dược, depending on traffic.
Can I watch a Cao Dai service in Tay Ninh?
Prayers are held at 00:00, 06:00, 12:00 and 18:00 daily, but visitor access to a service is not guaranteed. Ask your operator what to expect.
Is Vung Tau part of Ho Chi Minh City now?
Since 1 July 2025 it belongs to the enlarged city area. That does not shorten the trip: Vung Tau is still a separate coastal day out by road or by speedboat.