6 Best Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City (Tried & Tested by Expats!)

Hey friends 👋, we're Liam & Sarah from Two Peas Abroad!

We've called Vietnam home since 2023 and have personally tried dozens of day trips from Ho Chi Minh City. After trying so many options, these are the ones we genuinely recommend to friends and family. They offer the best mix of nature, history, culture, and relaxation based on our real experiences.

Looking for the best things to do inside HCMC instead? Check out our best day tours in Ho Chi Minh City here.

🔍 Quick Comparison

🚣‍♂️ Full Day Excursion To Mekong Delta

Duration: 8 hours
Style: Guided small-group or private boat tour
Vibe: Immersive, cultural, peaceful

We keep coming back to the Mekong Delta because it gives the most authentic slice of southern Vietnam in a single day. We've joined both small-group and private versions across different seasons, and the relaxing boat rides through narrow canals lined with coconut palms, stilt-house villages, and lush rice paddies never get old. A traditional lunch of fresh fish (vegetarian options available) and spring rolls, plus trying the local coconut candy, fresh honey tea, and tropical fruit, always hits the spot. We always prefer the smaller groups as the big group tours can feel quite rushed.

👉 Book our favorite small group Mekong Delta Tour

🌅 Mui Ne Sunrise and Sunset Private Day Tour

Duration: 10 hours
Style: Private car or small group
Vibe: Adventurous, scenic, photogenic

The drive to Mui Ne (about 2.5–3 hours via direct highway) is worth it for the dramatic change of scenery. It's one of the only places in Southeast Asia with natural sand dunes! We love visiting at either sunrise or sunset for the best photos. And of course riding down the sand dunes at sunset is an incredible experience. Some of our favorite things to visit in Mui Ne are the Red Sand Dunes, Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien), and visiting the local fishing villages. Private tours give you the flexibility to spend longer at the places you prefer. We always recommend bringing comfortable shoes for climing the dunes.

👉 Book the Mui Ne Jeep Tour

🕳️ Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour

Duration: 5 hours
Style: Historical guided tour
Vibe: Educational, reflective, adventurous

The Cu Chi Tunnels stand out for how powerfully they bring Vietnam's wartime history to life. We've visited both the Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc sites (preferring Ben Duoc for fewer crowds) and found the short documentary, the chance to crawl through actual sections of the tunnels, and stories from guides with personal or family connections incredibly insightful. It's a great, interactive insight into what the locals had to go through during one of the worst conflicts in modern history. Make sure to bring closed-toe shoes and light clothes because it gets warm and dusty, and morning tours help you avoid the peak afternoon heat.

👉 Book the Cu Chi Tunnels Tour

🏖️ Vung Tau Full Day Tour

Duration: 8 hours
Style: Beach excursion with transport
Vibe: Relaxing, refreshing, city-escape

Vung Tau has become our go-to easy beach escape from Ho Chi Minh City because it's just a couple of hours away and delivers some relaxing, quiet beach time. Thuy Van Beach (very local vibes) is our favorite spot in Vung Tau for swimming. We love all of the fresh seafood 😋 and all of the viewpoints like the giant Christ Statue or lighthouse are great spots to visit. We highly recommend visiting mid-week if possible as it can get busy on the weekends.

👉 Book the Vung Tau Day Tour

🎢 Suoi Tien Theme Park Ticket

Duration: Flexible (half or full day)
Style: Theme park with buddhist cultural elements
Vibe: Fun, family-friendly, unique

Suoi Tien works surprisingly well when you want something lighter and more playful. The park plays on Buddhist mythology, folklore and ancient Vietnamese legends into its rides, water attractions, and gardens. We love the incredible attention to detail in regards to the themeing, it's like a mini folklore-inspired Disney in Vietnam. We always go for the Experience Combo ticket in advance to save a bit compared to the door price. With the new subway line it only takes 30-40 minutes from central HCMC directly to the Suoi Tien stop, super easy for a half or full day trip. It's especially great with family or when you just want some fun without traveling far.

👉 Get Suoi Tien Tickets

Final Thoughts

We've personally tried every one of these, multiple times throughout every season and they've all delivered. The Mekong Delta remains our top overall pick for most visitors if you can only choose one, but beach lovers lean toward Vung Tau, history fans toward Cu Chi, and those wanting something lighter often enjoy Suoi Tien or Mui Ne.