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 lived in Vietnam for the last few years since 2023 and have spent many months exploring around Ho Chi Minh City, from nearby deltas to beaches. Known as Saigon to locals, HCMC is a great base for day trips blending nature, history, and relaxation. Here are our favorites and what we recommend all of our friends & family to do when visiting.

Looking for the best things to do in 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 boat tour
Vibe: Immersive, cultural

See the beauty of Southern Vietnam on a full-day excursion to Mekong Delta with an English-speaking guide. Go on a relaxing Mekong Delta boat tour to see iconic fishing villages with stilt houses and rice paddies. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch, snack on fresh fruit and honey tea, and sample locally made coconut candy.

👉 Book the Mekong Delta Tour

🌅 Mui Ne Sunrise and Sunset Private Day Tour

Duration: 10 hours
Style: Private car tour
Vibe: Adventurous, scenic

Explore Mui Ne with modern transportation, just a 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City via the highway. Marvel at the breathtaking sunrise or sunset at the White Sand Dunes, where the golden light paints the landscape in stunning hues, creating an unforgettable experience. Discover the vibrant life of a local fishing village and create lasting memories at Suoi Tien (Fairy Stream), where a small stream winds through the stunning red sand dunes. Unwind at Mui Ne Beach, enjoying the sun and sea in this idyllic setting.

👉 Book the Mui Ne Tour

🕳️ Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour

Duration: 5 hours
Style: Historical tour
Vibe: Educational, insightful

Discover the hidden underground world of Vietnam's complicated network of tunnels. Learn about the complicated and incredibly inventive lives of the tunnel residents. Learn about Vietnam's history and culture firsthand. Gain insight into the life in the area in both past and present on a Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour.

👉 Book the Cu Chi Tour

🏖️ Vung Tau Full Day Tour

Duration: 8 hours
Style: Beach excursion
Vibe: Relaxing, fun

Feel the sand under your feet, the breeze from the wind, and the smell of the sea. Enjoy swimming in the cool sea at Thuy Van Beach of Vung Tau City. Have a good taste at the local restaurant with yummy lunch. Take photos at the place considered with “No Dead Angle”.

👉 Book the Vung Tau Tour

🐒 Explore Monkey Island - Can Gio Biosphere Reserve

Duration: 8 hours
Style: Nature tour
Vibe: Wildlife, adventurous

Visit Can Gio’s extensive mangrove forest and get a chance to see over 1,000 monkeys at Monkey Island in their natural habitat. Explore Hoa Ca crocodile farm and meet huge crocodiles that locals have been protecting since the Vietnam War. Trekking to the Sac Mangrove Forest and visit the guerilla camp built in the deep jungle. Enjoy the local food for lunch, spend your time in the sun and water at Can Gio beach.

👉 Book the Can Gio Tour

🎢 Suoi Tien Theme Park Ticket

Duration: Flexible
Style: Theme park visit
Vibe: Fun, cultural

Klook Exclusive Package Games Pass: Allows you to select 4 of your favorite attractions within the park. Unique Cultural Immersion: Suoi Tien is designed based on Vietnamese legends, Buddhist mythology and folklore. Diverse Attractions for All Ages: Enjoy more than 150 games and entertaining activities.

👉 Get Suoi Tien Tickets

Final Thoughts

We've tested all these day trips ourselves, and honestly, they're all solid picks. Whether you're escaping for one day or more, there's something to match your vibe (and your budget).