Ho Chi Minh City's central location makes it a great place to explore many places nearby. Check out this blog to find out some of the best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam. Once you land in the city, there are multiple things to do, food to eat, and sights to see. But once in a while, you might just find yourself with some free time. And instead of letting the day go by without doing anything, you could always go for a quick day trip away from the city.
Let’s check out some of the best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City.
Cu Chi Tunnels are one of the most popular day trips from Ho Chi Minh city. It is recommended by practically everyone you meet. The Cu Chi Tunnels are a large network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. There are two tunnels open for visitors- one in Ben Duoc and the other one in Ben Dinh. Once there, you can descend into the tunnels and see how they once operated during the war. It is recommended to take tour guides to understand the war and its impact on the people who lived there.
How to get there: The cheapest way to get to the Cu Chi Tunnels is by public bus. You can take public Bus no. 13 from Ho Chi Minh city to the Cu Chi Bus Station and then Bus no. 63 to Ben Dinh or Bus no. 79 to Ben Duoc.
Check out this blog to find out more about the Cu Chi Tunnels.
If you are looking for something more fun and less history lesson, head to Vung Tau, a 2-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh city. It is a popular beach destination among locals and a great place to unwind. You can relax on one of the many beaches around the city and try out a few tasty plates of seafood at a seaside restaurant. Besides the beaches, you could also go take a look at the picturesque lighthouse or even hike up the hill nearby to see the 100 feet tall statue of Jesus Christ.
How to get there: To get to Vung Tau from Ho Chi Minh city, you can take either the ferry which will take 2 hours or the bus which will take 2.5 hours. You can also travel by motorbike if you are feeling adventurous.
Read this blog to find out the best places to visit in Vung Tau.
The Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh is an interesting place to visit especially if you are looking for a more offbeat place to explore. The temple is a place of worship for the followers of Caodaism, a unique religion that incorporates Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, and Buddhism. The religion is fairly new, being founded during the 1960s, and is exclusive to this area of Vietnam. The temple, like the religion, brings together different architectural styles. From the exterior, it looks like a Catholic church but once you get inside you’ll be able to notice the difference. There are statues of different religious leaders like Jesus, Prophet Muhammad, Buddha, and even Julius Ceasar. Visitors are only allowed to attend the midday mass.
How to get there: Cao Dai Temple is located in Tay Ninh which is around 1 and a half hours away from Ho Chi Minh city by public bus no. 702. You can also visit the temple with a tour group. Some organized tour groups include Cao Dai temple along with the Cu Chi tunnel tour.
The Mekong Delta needs no introduction. The world-famous Delta is home to some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and the best part is that it's just a few hours drive away from Ho Chi Minh city. Going from the city to the Mekong is like going to another planet. The dense green mangrove forests and winding rivers are a sight to behold. Indulge in some shopping at the famous floating markets or even grab a bite at one of the floating food stalls. You can also go for boat rides out into the rivers to see the diverse wildlife and rice fields.
How to get there: The cheapest way to get to Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh city is by bus which will take around 2 hours. You can also hire a motorbike and drive yourself or opt to join a Mekong Valley tour group.
Here’s a quick and easy guide to Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the biggest and most famous floating markets in the Mekong Valley.
If you want to experience nature at its best, head to the largest national park in Vietnam, the Cat Tien National Park. This dense tropical forest holds many secrets including thousand-year-old trees and a whole bunch of animals like elephants, gibbons, crocodiles, the endangered rhinoceros, and more. The park is a protected site so you will need to go with a tour group. An overnight stay here is highly recommended if you want to explore the park.
How to get there: Cat Tien National Park is easily reachable by a 3 to 4 hours car ride from Ho Chi Minh City.
Ba Den is a volcanic mountain and one of the tallest mountains in South Vietnam. It is located in Tay Ninh and is a short 3-hour drive away from Ho Chi Minh City. The mountain holds an important part in the myths and folktales of Vietnam. Even though it is one of the tallest mountains in the region, it is easily hikeable even for a beginner and the views at the top are worth it. If you don’t want to hike you can always take the cable car up to the Ba Den Temple to enjoy the view.
How to get there: The best way to get to Ba Den Mountain is to hire a scooter or a car and drive there yourself. You can also go with a tour group.
So there we have it, the 6 best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City. It's time to pack your bags and head on down to Vietnam for an adventure of a lifetime. And to help make sure you have the best vacation of your life, we here at BDATrip will assist you with all your Vietnam visa needs, flight ticket bookings, hotel bookings, and even car rentals.
Check out this beginner's travel guide for Ho Chi Minh city and find out where to stay, the best time to visit, what food to eat, and what to do in Ho Chi Minh.
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