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.
A worthwhile day trip for many travelers Many travelers planning their time in southern Vietnam eventually ask the same question: is the Mekong Delta worth visiting from Ho Chi Minh City? For most visitors, the answer is yes. It is one of the best ways to experience a very different side of the region without … Read more
Two of the most popular day trips from Saigon For many travelers, the hardest part is not deciding whether to leave the city for a day, but choosing between the two most popular options. A Mekong Delta or Cu Chi day trip from Ho Chi Minh City can both be excellent choices, but they offer … Read more
The best way to see more than the city For first-time visitors, choosing the best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City can make a big difference to the overall Vietnam experience. The city itself is exciting, energetic, and full of food, history, and movement, but some of the most rewarding impressions of southern Vietnam … Read more
A practical guide for choosing the right tour style Choosing between private and group tours in Ho Chi Minh City can shape your whole travel experience more than many visitors expect. The destination itself may be the same, but the way the day is organized can completely change how comfortable, flexible, and enjoyable it feels. … Read more
An easy coastal day trip from Ho Chi Minh City A Vung Tau day trip from Ho Chi Minh City is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a coastal change of scene without needing a long journey or overnight stay. While Saigon is busy, dense, and urban, Vung Tau offers sea views, wider roads, … Read more
A calmer Mekong escape from Ho Chi Minh City A Ben Tre day trip from Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best ways to experience a softer, greener, and more relaxed side of southern Vietnam in just one day. While Ho Chi Minh City feels energetic and urban, Ben Tre offers coconut groves, … Read more
“Private” is one of the most overused words in travel. Some companies use it for a shared minibus with a few strangers; others mean a car with a driver but no guide. So what is a private tour, really? At Suntrail the answer is simple: your own vehicle and your own English-speaking guide, with only … Read more
Can Gio is Ho Chi Minh City’s coastal district, a wide stretch of mangrove forest, salt fields and fishing villages where the rivers meet the sea. On a map it looks close to the city centre. Getting to Can Gio, however, takes longer than most visitors expect, and the reason is a river crossing. Here … Read more
Before you plan your day, it helps to know the real Cu Chi Tunnels distance from the city and how long the journey takes. The short answer: the Cu Chi Tunnels are about 70 km from central Ho Chi Minh City, and the drive usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours each way. The longer answer … Read more
Most people booking a Mekong Delta full day trip want to know one thing before they commit: what does the day actually look like? Below is a realistic, hour-by-hour breakdown of a Mekong Delta full day trip to My Tho and Ben Tre, the part of the delta closest to Ho Chi Minh City. Times … Read more
