Practical, honest advice for planning your days in and around Saigon: which day trip suits you, how long the drive really takes, what to wear and when to leave.
This Ho Chi Minh City travel guide is written by the Suntrail team, a licensed international tour operator based in central Saigon. We run day tours from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta and Can Gio every week, so the articles below come from what we see on the road, not from a desk.
Start with the essential guides if this is your first visit. If you already know where you want to go, jump to the destination you are planning and read the guides for that route before you book.
These six guides answer the questions we hear most often from travelers planning their first days in Ho Chi Minh City: how many days to stay, which day trip to choose, and how to avoid a rushed or overpriced tour.
The tunnels are roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road from the city center, depending on traffic. Learn the difference between Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc, how tight the tunnels feel, and what to wear before you join a Cu Chi Tunnels tour from Ho Chi Minh City.
Sampan rides, coconut workshops, fruit orchards and river villages. These guides help you pick the right season, the right stops and the right clothes for a Mekong Delta day tour from Ho Chi Minh City.
Short on time? You can see both places in a single long day. Read how the two compare, then decide between the Cu Chi and Mekong full day tour from Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City full day tour.
A green, quiet escape south of the city, with mangrove canals, a wartime base and the famous monkeys. Read these before planning a Can Gio day trip from Ho Chi Minh City.
Tay Ninh is home to the Cao Dai Holy See and Ba Den Mountain. Suntrail is preparing a Tay Ninh day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, and this guide explains what to expect before it launches.
Traveling with children, older parents or just the two of you? A private car and your own guide change the pace of the day. Compare the options for private tours from Ho Chi Minh City.
Paint your own conical hat or tote bag at Suntrail Gallery, on its own or before and after a tour. Learn how our cultural workshops in Ho Chi Minh City work.
Tell us your travel date, group size and hotel area, and we will suggest the route that fits. You can compare all day tours from Ho Chi Minh City or check the day tour prices from Ho Chi Minh City for every group size.
Group size changes the whole feel of a tour Many travelers compare tours by destination and price, but overlook one detail that can completely change the day: group size. A small group vs big group tour is not a minor difference in Vietnam. It affects comfort, pace, waiting time, communication, and how personal the experience … Read more
Two easy escapes from Saigon, but they feel very different If you only have time for one short trip from Ho Chi Minh City, you may end up asking the same question many travelers ask: should you choose Can Gio or Mekong Delta? Both are possible from Saigon, both offer a break from the city, … Read more
Quick Escape from Saigon: Mekong Delta in One Day Some travelers come to Ho Chi Minh City for the energy. The streets are busy, the cafés are full, the markets move quickly and the city rarely feels still. But after a few days in Saigon, many visitors begin to look for a softer place nearby. … Read more
The best way to use one free day outside Saigon If you only have one day outside Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta is still one of the best choices you can make. The key is not trying to do everything. The key is using that one day well. A good Mekong Delta 1 … Read more
Small mistakes can ruin what should be a great day trip A Mekong Delta trip looks simple on paper. Leave Ho Chi Minh City in the morning, enjoy boat rides, local life, coconut villages, and countryside scenery, then return in the evening. But in real life, many travelers make small decisions that turn a potentially … Read more
The honest answer depends on what kind of traveler you are Do you really need a tour for Mekong Delta? The honest answer is: not always, but for many travelers, yes. It is possible to visit parts of the Mekong Delta on your own, but that does not automatically mean self-planning is the best choice, … Read more
Your easiest first countryside trip from Saigon If this is your first time in Vietnam, a Mekong Delta day trip from Ho Chi Minh City is one of the easiest ways to see a very different side of the south without making your itinerary complicated. You leave the city in the morning, enjoy rivers, canals, … Read more
A simple coastal escape from Saigon Many travelers staying in southern Vietnam eventually ask: is Vung Tau worth visiting from Ho Chi Minh City? For many visitors, the answer is yes. Vung Tau is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a coastal change of scene without needing a flight, a long transfer, or an … Read more
A calm escape from the pace of Saigon Many travelers planning their time in southern Vietnam eventually ask: is Can Gio worth visiting from Ho Chi Minh City? For many visitors, the answer is yes. Can Gio offers something very different from central Saigon: more open space, greener surroundings, a slower pace, and a quieter … Read more
A worthwhile trip for travelers interested in history Many travelers staying in Saigon eventually ask the same question: is Cu Chi worth visiting from Ho Chi Minh City? For most visitors, the answer is yes. Cu Chi is one of the most meaningful and memorable trips you can take outside the city, especially if you … Read more
