{"id":1294,"date":"2023-06-18T21:07:10","date_gmt":"2023-06-18T14:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/?p=1294"},"modified":"2023-08-17T12:09:09","modified_gmt":"2023-08-17T05:09:09","slug":"top-5-day-trips-from-ho-chi-minh-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-day-trips-from-ho-chi-minh-city\/","title":{"rendered":"TOP 5 Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_3315\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3315\" style=\"width: 945px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3315 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Top-5-day-trips-from-HCM-city-1.jpg\" alt=\" Day trips from Ho Chi Minh city\" width=\"945\" height=\"756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Top-5-day-trips-from-HCM-city-1.jpg 945w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Top-5-day-trips-from-HCM-city-1-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Top-5-day-trips-from-HCM-city-1-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3315\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Featuring the Top 5 day excursions from Ho Chi Minh city<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0After you have <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/tours\/ho-chi-minh-city-tours.html\">done a tour of Ho Chi Minh City<\/a>(notice some <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/vintage-skyscrapers-the-evolution-of-the-tube-house-in-vietnam\/\" rel=\"\u201ddofollow&quot;\">tube house style architecture<\/a>) and\u00a0if you have an extra day in your travel itinerary, short outings are a great option and incorporated themselves in your <strong>Vietnam day tour<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">*We recently put together for you an itinerary for exploring <strong>Ho Chi Minh City<\/strong>\u00a0as part of our Custom <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/2014\/01\/21\/how-to-spend-one-day-in-ho-chi-minh-city-custom-itineraries-in-vietnam\/\">Itineraries for Vietnam<\/a> series. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"> Fortunately, outside the city, there are several things to do where you can go to get away and experience a different environment.\u00a0 Just hours away from Ho Chi Minh City, you can find beaches, jungles, swamps, islands, rivers, villages, and more.\u00a0 Whether you are <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/solo-female-traveling-vietnam\/\">traveling alone<\/a>, with kids, or in a group, there is a unique experience near HCMC for everyone!\u00a0 Here is our take on the Top 5 places to go from Ho Chi Minh City.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-day-trips-from-ho-chi-minh-city\/#Top_5_day_trips_from_Ho_Chi_Minh_City\" >Top 5 day trips from Ho Chi Minh City: &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-day-trips-from-ho-chi-minh-city\/#1_MEKONG_DELTA_TOUR\" >1. MEKONG DELTA TOUR &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-day-trips-from-ho-chi-minh-city\/#2_CAN_GIO_ISLAND_TOUR\" >2. CAN GIO ISLAND TOUR &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-day-trips-from-ho-chi-minh-city\/#3_CU_CHI_TUNNELS_AND_CAO_DAI_TEMPLE_TOUR\" >3. CU CHI TUNNELS AND CAO DAI TEMPLE TOUR &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-day-trips-from-ho-chi-minh-city\/#4_VUNG_TAU_TOUR\" >4. VUNG TAU TOUR&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-day-trips-from-ho-chi-minh-city\/#5_HO_TRAM_BEACH_TOUR\" >5. HO TRAM BEACH TOUR&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top_5_day_trips_from_Ho_Chi_Minh_City\"><\/span>Top 5 day trips from Ho Chi Minh City: <span id=\"5DS-HCMC\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#MD\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">MEKONG DELTA<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#CGI\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">CAN GIO ISLAND<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#CCTS\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">CU CHI TUNNELS AND CAO DAI TEMPLE<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#VT\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">VUNG TAU<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#HTB\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">HO TRAM BEACH<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_MEKONG_DELTA_TOUR\"><\/span>1. MEKONG DELTA TOUR <span id=\"MD\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Mekong Delta is the fertile region south of Ho Chi Minh City where farmers grow the majority of Vietnam\u2019s supply of rice, durian, and other fruits and vegetables.\u00a0 The Mekong River, which starts at the Tibetan plateau, flows into a series of 9 small tributaries which finally empty into the sea.\u00a0 The delta region is home to farmers and small business owners who live a relaxed pace of life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3075\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/MD.jpg\" alt=\"rual life in mekong delta\" width=\"676\" height=\"541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/MD.jpg 945w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/MD-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/MD-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This region is incredibly vast, but fortunately, it doesn\u2019t take too much time to really get a feel for the area.\u00a0 The waterways and canals in the delta are what predominantly connect one area to the next, so much of the exploration in the delta is centered around the waterways.\u00a0 Some activities you can take part in are fishing, canoeing down the canals, and eating fresh fruit from floating markets.\u00a0 A trip on a sampan boat (a type of canoe) down the backwaters is especially fun because the surroundings are incredibly peaceful and mystical.\u00a0 Many tours will also take you to durian orchards, rice paper factories, fruit candy factories, rice fields, and local markets.\u00a0 Another site that you may want to visit in the Mekong Delta is the \u2018fish toilet\u2019.\u00a0 In this unique example of the \u2018circle of life\u2019, the fish toilet is a specific outdoor makeshift toilet where humans go to the bathroom in the river, and then the bottom feeder fish digest the excrement.\u00a0 Ironically, river fish are an essential part of the human diet in this region\u2026 \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Details:\u00a0 The Mekong Delta has many small towns where tourists can visit to get a feel for the region.\u00a0 Some are closer to Ho Chi Minh City than others, while some offer more of an authentic experience than others.\u00a0 For instance, Cai Be is one of the locations where you can do most of the Mekong Delta activities and is considerably less touristy than My Tho or Can Tho.\u00a0 If you take a tour to the Delta, they will arrange a bus or car transport for you.\u00a0 The best way to explore this area is through a tour so that you can experience all the unique activities there, and you can easily do many of the activities in one day.\u00a0 The drive from Ho Chi Minh City to the general delta region will be around 1.5 to 2 hours. \u00a0Take a look at our <a title=\"The Best Tours in Vietnam\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/2013\/09\/22\/the-best-tours-in-vietnam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">recommended unique tour companies<\/a> that will take you out to the Mekong Delta. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1301\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1301\" style=\"width: 799px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1301 size-full\" title=\"Mekong Delta \" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/mekong-delta-canals.jpg\" alt=\"mekong delta canals\" width=\"799\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/mekong-delta-canals.jpg 799w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/mekong-delta-canals-300x103.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/mekong-delta-canals-150x51.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/mekong-delta-canals-400x137.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1301\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">mekong delta canals<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#5DS-HCMC\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">[Back to the content]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_CAN_GIO_ISLAND_TOUR\"><\/span>2. CAN GIO ISLAND TOUR <span id=\"CGI\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Also known as Monkey Island, Can Gio Island is actually a series of small islands just jutting out from the mainland near HCMC.\u00a0 This nature reserve comprises of 80,000 hectares of mangroves and water coconut forests.\u00a0 During the Vietnam-American war, this area was severely deforested by agent orange, resulting in a vast decline of native flora and fauna.\u00a0 Today, a <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/saigon-day-trip-to-can-gio\/\" rel=\"\u201ddofollow&quot;\">Vietnam&#8217;s UNESCO recognized biosphere<\/a>, this swampy mangrove forest is home to hundreds of monkeys and crocodiles.\u00a0 Inside the nature reserve is Lam Vien Can Gio, the crocodile sanctuary where the island\u2019s crocodiles live together.\u00a0 Although this area is fenced so that the crocodiles can\u2019t escape, the barriers don\u2019t keep the monkeys out.\u00a0 The interaction between the native crocodiles and monkeys can be quite unique; naturally, these creatures are this area\u2019s main attraction as well. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3080\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CS.jpg\" alt=\"crocodile sancturary\" width=\"731\" height=\"585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CS.jpg 945w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CS-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CS-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The monkeys here are comical at times but quite mischievous.\u00a0 They steal anything from anyone if they can, and they enjoy taunting the local salt-water crocodiles. \u00a0 In the forest reserve, you can feed the crocodiles with eels or small snakes which may sound creepy but ends up being an interesting experience.\u00a0 You can also fish for crabs, watch bats, and feed monkeys.\u00a0 Can Gio island is also a historical site, as the mangrove forest was an important guerrilla base.\u00a0 Many life-size models are dispersed throughout that show you some of the activities that were performed there during the war.\u00a0 Finally, though there are beaches and a few beach resorts there, they are not especially noteworthy.\u00a0 They may be worth a visit if you want to relax and get away from the heat, but they are hardly the best beaches that Vietnam has to offer.\u00a0 Be sure to take plenty of insect repellent and sunscreen, and be careful not to have food or drinks as the monkeys may be tempted to snatch them away from you. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3078\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/MI.jpg\" alt=\"monkey island\" width=\"709\" height=\"567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/MI.jpg 945w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/MI-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/MI-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px\" \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Details:\u00a0 Can Gio island is one of the best single\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/saigon-day-trip-to-can-gio\/\">day travel ideas from Ho Chi Minh City<\/a>, but it is fairly straightforward so it can be easily visited on your own, as long as you are comfortable with the idea of public transportation in Vietnam.\u00a0 To get there by public transportation, you need to take bus #20 at the Ben Thanh bus station (in front of Ben Thanh Market) to Nha Be district.\u00a0 After about 45-50 minutes, you will arrive at the Binh Khanh ferry terminal.\u00a0 This ferry ride across the Nha Be river will bring you to Can Gio district.\u00a0 From there, in order to enter Monkey Island and the mangrove forest, you need to take bus #90 to Can Thanh.\u00a0 The bus will pass mangrove forests on both sides and you will need to get down at Lam Vien Can Gio.\u00a0 This is the entrance for the main attractions.\u00a0 The entrance fee is 30-35,000 VND per person.\u00a0 In order to visit the guerilla base, you can take a canoe ride which goes down the mangrove forest canals and takes about 10 minutes.\u00a0 It will cost around 500,000-600,000 VND for 6 people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3081\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3081\" style=\"width: 474px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3081\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/can-gio-1.jpg\" alt=\"can gio mangrove forest canoe ride\" width=\"474\" height=\"335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/can-gio-1.jpg 410w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/can-gio-1-300x212.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3081\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Can Gio mangrove forest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#5DS-HCMC\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">[Back to the content]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_CU_CHI_TUNNELS_AND_CAO_DAI_TEMPLE_TOUR\"><\/span>3. CU CHI TUNNELS AND CAO DAI TEMPLE TOUR <span id=\"CCTS\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Throughout the Vietnam-American War, the Viet Cong built an enormous network of tunnels that were used as meeting points, hiding places, supply routes and more.\u00a0 The Viet Cong (North Vietnamese fighters) often spent many days or weeks at a time in the tunnels, speaking to their sheer strength and will power.\u00a0 Not only were the tunnels elaborate, but the traps and unique weapons that they used in conjunction with the tunnels were astoundingly innovative.\u00a0 Ultimately, their ability to use the tunnels as a means to house troops and move supplies greatly contributed to the eventual withdrawal of American troops. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3083\" title=\"day trips from Ho Chi Minh City\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CC.jpg\" alt=\"Cu Chi Tunnels\" width=\"728\" height=\"582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CC.jpg 945w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CC-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CC-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Today the Cu Chi Tunnels are a big tourist attraction near Ho Chi Minh City.\u00a0 At the tunnels, tourists can get a greater insight into life in the area.\u00a0 They show you how the residents and soldiers repurposed war materials to make everyday items, how they survived for long periods of time in the tunnels, and even how they passed supplies to soldiers within the tunnels.\u00a0 They also have a shooting range there where visitors can shoot the military guns used at the time. The tunnels are a great way to spend half a day understanding an integral part of Vietnam\u2019s history.\u00a0 On the way there or back, you can make the trip a little longer and stop at the Cao Dai church. Cao Dai is a new religion created in Vietnam but already has a massive following. They have built a beautiful temple in Tay Ninh near Cu Chi, which is also the main centre for the religion.\u00a0 If you time it right, you can view a service where hundreds of monks pray at one time.\u00a0 It is quite a sight!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3084\" title=\"day trips from Ho Chi Minh City\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CDC.jpg\" alt=\"Cao Dai Church\" width=\"731\" height=\"585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CDC.jpg 945w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CDC-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/CDC-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Details:\u00a0 To get to Cu Chi, you have a few different options.\u00a0 You can take a private car, open tour bus, or public bus. \u00a0If you prefer a full tour of Cu Chi tunnels and the surrounding area, many tour companies offer a car or boat tour, but keep in mind that you can visit the Cu Chi Tunnels on your own also.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>You can take a bus to the Cu Chi Tunnels From Saigon for less than $2. And once you arrive at the Cu Chi Tunnels, just buy a ticket, and an English-speaking tour guide is included in the ticket price! The current cost of tickets for the Cu Chi Tunnels is only 125,000 VND ($5.33 USD).<\/p>\n<p>So how can you do this?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Head to the bus station close to September 23 Park, which is labeled as &#8220;Saigon Bus TDH&#8221; or &#8220;T\u0110H xe bu\u00fdt S\u00e0i G\u00f2n&#8221; on Google Maps.<br \/>\n&#8211; Look for bus number 13 with a sign indicating &#8220;Cu Chi&#8221;. Tickets range from VND10,000 to VND20,000 per person.<br \/>\n&#8211; Ride the bus to the end of the line, which takes roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes.<br \/>\n&#8211; Then, board the 79 bus and inform the driver that you&#8217;re headed to Ben Duoc Cu Chi. Tickets for this bus cost 7,000 VND.<\/p>\n<p>Important: Remember to catch the No. 79 bus BEFORE 17:30 (5:30pm), as it&#8217;s the last one of the night.<\/p>\n<p>If riding a local bus to Cu Chi intimidates you, there are a few tour operators that run relatively cheap tours to the tunnels. For only 249,000 VND(10.61 USD) a company called Sinh Tourist, provides transportation and a tour guide to the tunnels. Ticket prices are extra so it should cost around $16-17 USD in total. Check out their website at\u00a0<a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thesinhtourist.vn\/?fbclid=IwAR3_JYvtoWv5s8xBXzcULv_erDBHym5dqdg7_v6eklPASVKDVs-veNiRqTk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.thesinhtourist.vn\/<\/a>\u00a0for more details.<\/p>\n<p>Sinh Tourist offers two Cu Chi Tunnels tours, one in the morning from 7:15am to 1:30pm and another in the afternoon from 3pm to 6:30pm.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that the group sizes for these cheap tours are fairly large, however, so you may be put in a group with 30-50 people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">If you want to also visit the Cao Dai Temple we would recommend going when they hold a mass. Mass is held at 6 am, noon, 6 pm and at midnight.\u00a0 Most tourists go to the midday service.\u00a0 They have built a balcony that overlooks the main service hall so that you can get a really good view of the ceremony.\u00a0 Many tour companies, especially the open tour bus companies, offer a complete tour that takes you to Cu Chi, the Cao Dai church for the midday service and back for around $25 USD.\u00a0 <strong>Most tours in Vietnam start early<\/strong> around 8 am so if that doesn\u2019t work for you, a private tour may be the best option.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#5DS-HCMC\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">[Back to the content]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_VUNG_TAU_TOUR\"><\/span>4. VUNG TAU TOUR<span id=\"VT\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Vung Tau has historically been an important seaport for Vietnam, especially during the French rule.\u00a0 It was also a strategic military base during the Vietnam-American War. Interestingly, Vung Tau was one of the epicentres of the Indochina Refugee Crisis in the late 70s because of its access to the sea and its proximity to other countries in South East Asia.\u00a0 This area was the launch point for many of the \u2018Vietnamese Boat People\u2019, the local residents who fled to neighbouring countries after the end of the war.\u00a0 Despite its controversial history, nowadays Vung Tau is a small, yet bustling, coastal community and an important centre for Vietnam\u2019s offshore oil drilling industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3085\" title=\"day trips from Ho Chi Minh City\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/VT.jpg\" alt=\"Vung Tau Coast\" width=\"743\" height=\"594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/VT.jpg 945w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/VT-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/VT-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 743px) 100vw, 743px\" \/>\n<p class=\"p2\">Only 2 hours outside Ho Chi Minh City, many locals visit Vung Tau as a quick beach getaway.\u00a0 If you have been to many international beaches, the beach itself in Vung Tau may pale in comparison as it can often be dirty and littered.\u00a0 That being said, Vung Tau is quite the charming town with plenty of other activities to fill your day besides a beach visit.\u00a0 There are small mountains that surround Vung Tau and are a quick hike up.\u00a0 If hiking is not your thing, there is a gondola ride up the biggest mountain for a great view of the bay.\u00a0 And if you\u2019re a foodie, Vung Tau is a great place to try out local specialties like \u2018banh khot\u2019 that can be hard to come by elsewhere.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3086\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3086\" style=\"width: 424px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3086\" title=\"day trips from Ho Chi Minh City\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/image001-4.jpg\" alt=\"Vung Tau Jesus statue\" width=\"424\" height=\"317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/image001-4.jpg 492w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/image001-4-300x224.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 424px) 100vw, 424px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3086\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Christ the King &#8211; a famous statue of Jesus in Vung Tau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Details:\u00a0 To get to Vung Tau by bus or coach, many of the open tour bus companies run 12- to 16-seater air-conditioned vans which run every 15 to 30 minutes and drop you off in the centre of the town.\u00a0 Many of them will even give you a free bottle of water for the trip.\u00a0 Alternatively, you can hire private transport vehicles from the main taxi companies in Ho Chi Minh City (Mai Linh and Vinasun) or your hotel can easily arrange a private car for you.\u00a0 The drive takes roughly 2 hours.\u00a0 Until recently, there was a very convenient Hydrofoil that ran between the harbours of Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau but a fire on one of the vessels in February has suspended all hydrofoil travels. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#5DS-HCMC\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">[Back to the content]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_HO_TRAM_BEACH_TOUR\"><\/span>5. HO TRAM BEACH TOUR<span id=\"HTB\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Also located in the Vung Tau province, Ho Tram beach is possibly one of the best beaches within close proximity of Saigon.\u00a0 The area where Ho Tram is located was originally known as a sanatorium where the diseased would be taken for holistic treatment.\u00a0 Nowadays, it is simply a small fishing and tourism town with pristine beaches and very few hotels.\u00a0 With renewed plans currently underway to increase development in the area, many speculate that the Ho Tram area will become the next Nha Trang.\u00a0 Recently, a Canadian development company built the magnificent hotel The Grand Ho Tram Strip, a Vegas-style resort and casino, the only one of its kind in Vietnam. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3090\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3090\" style=\"width: 699px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3090\" title=\"day trips from Ho Chi Minh City\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/HTS.jpg\" alt=\"Ho Tram Strip view\" width=\"699\" height=\"559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/HTS.jpg 945w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/HTS-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/HTS-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 699px) 100vw, 699px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3090\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Luxury view of the Grand Ho Tram Strip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Currently, Ho Tram is visited mostly by wealthy Vietnamese as a quiet retreat and by tourists looking for an escape from the bustling cities.\u00a0 As a result, the Ho Tram beach and nearby Ho Coc beach are immaculately clean.\u00a0 In fact, The Grand Ho Tram resort has flattened their proximate beach area quite far out so not only is the water clean but also relatively safe as you can go quite a ways into the water and still only be waist deep.\u00a0 If you are traveling with kids on a <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/top-5-tips-for-traveling-with-children-in-vietnam\/\">Vietnam family holiday<\/a>, this resort on Ho Tram beach is a safer\u00a0choice since the beaches in Vietnam are generally unmanned. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3091\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3091\" style=\"width: 440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3091 size-full\" title=\"day trips from Ho Chi Minh City\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img1.jpg\" alt=\"Ho Tram Beach\" width=\"440\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img1.jpg 440w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/img1-300x153.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3091\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The peaceful beach in Ho Tram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Details:\u00a0 Ho Tram beach is more remote than Vung Tau, so getting there can be arduous by public transportation &#8211; in fact, you would have to go to Vung Tau first and then find your way to Ho Tram from there, but it is still a 45-minute trip from Vung Tau.\u00a0 <strong>The easiest way to go to Ho Tram beach is by private car or shuttle<\/strong>.\u00a0 The hotels in Ho Tram can arrange a shuttle or car for you from Ho Chi Minh City.\u00a0 If you have a room booked, the shuttle is free of charge.\u00a0 Without a booking, the prices vary depending on which mode of transport you prefer. \u00a0The Grand hotel even offers a helicopter pick up if that\u2019s your style!!\u00a0 By road, Ho Tram beach is 1.5-2 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#5DS-HCMC\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">[Back to the content]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">We hoped you enjoyed these<strong>\u00a0tips for exploring outside HCMC. <\/strong>Remember, if you are short on time and want to <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/tours\/ho-chi-minh-city-tours.html\">explore HCMC<\/a>, we offer a Forbes acclaimed tour of the sights of Ho Chi Minh. Check it out!<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; \u00a0After you have done a tour of Ho Chi Minh City(notice some tube house style architecture) and\u00a0if you have an extra day in your travel itinerary, short outings are a great option and incorporated themselves in your Vietnam day tour.\u00a0 *We recently put together for you an itinerary for exploring Ho Chi Minh City\u00a0as [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4732,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Top 5 Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City","_seopress_titles_desc":"Discover some fun day trips from Ho Chi Minh City. This article highlights 5 unique destinations that are easy to visit for the whole family. Check it out!","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[434,435,28],"tags":[9,85,199,222,234,235],"class_list":{"0":"post-1294","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-what-to-do-in-vietnam","8":"category-featured","9":"category-vietnam-travel-tips","10":"tag-ho-chi-minh-city","11":"tag-things-to-do-in-ho-chi-minh-city","12":"tag-vietnam-tours","13":"tag-ho-chi-minh-city-itinerary","14":"tag-tours","15":"tag-day-trips-near-ho-chi-minh-city"},"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1294"}],"version-history":[{"count":46,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7690,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1294\/revisions\/7690"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}