AsiaFebruary 20193 min read
2 Amazing Day Trips From Ho Chi Minh City
In short
The Mekong Delta cruise from Vinh Long and the Cu Chi Tunnels are the two best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City. We did both during a 5-day family stopover, with a Mekong homestay, a floating market and a crawl through the war-era tunnels. Our Vietnamese family covered most of the trip, so our documented costs for a family of four came to just 686 USD.
- Dates
- 2019-01-07 to 2019-01-12
- Number of days
- 5
- Cities we visited
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Inbound
- From Cambodia by plane
- Outbound
- To Sri Lanka by plane
- Mode of transport
- Private car and boat
- Distance travelled (car & foot)
- 542 km
- Number of photos taken
- 1100 (220 per day)
- Currency
- The Vietnamese Dong (1 USD = 23200 VND)
The two best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City are a cruise through the Mekong Delta from Vinh Long and an afternoon exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels. We did both during a short 5-day stopover with our Vietnamese family, and this post covers what each excursion involved, what we ate, and what it all cost.
It was a joy to return to Vietnam after 7 years, this time with my whole family, for a short but unforgettable stay. My first visit was to the north of the country in 2011, for my brother’s wedding to a Vietnamese bride. This time we discovered the south, based around Ho Chi Minh City, where his in-laws live.
Best Day Trips From Ho Chi Minh City
Mekong Delta Cruise From Vinh Long
We set off from Vinh Long to sail the mythical Mekong Delta. Over two days, we explored the canals, cycled on an island, discovered local crafts and a floating market, and picked and ate as many rambutans as we could. The excursion also included a night in a lovely homestay and all meals.
Cu Chi Tunnels
We also visited the Cu Chi Tunnels, a 250 km underground network from which the Viet Cong conducted their military operations during the war against the Americans. Most of the tunnels are entered through a small hatch in the ground. The kids and I were the most reckless: we crawled on all fours through a 100-meter tunnel and came out completely exhausted. It’s hard to imagine people living down there for months, without light, during the war.
Planning a Visit to Ho Chi Minh City
Itinerary: 5 Days With Family
We spent only 5 days in Vietnam, mainly to see our Vietnamese family, so we stayed entirely in the Ho Chi Minh City area, where they live. Duc and May put together a wonderful program for us: two days boating in the Mekong Delta and an afternoon at the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Staying at Vinhomes Central Park
We were welcomed in an extraordinary way by my brother’s in-laws. They took us by the hand from the moment we landed until the moment we left, and every small gesture showed their remarkable generosity — starting with the mother-in-law, who had a pho (Tonkinese soup) waiting for us the moment we arrived, because she knew it was my favorite dish.
My sister-in-law and her family hosted us in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Ho Chi Minh City, home to Landmark 81, the tallest skyscraper in the country and one of the tallest in the world. Set on the banks of the Saigon River, this real-estate complex includes a park inspired by New York’s Central Park, luxury shops and car dealerships such as Bentley and Lamborghini, as well as pools, gyms, playgrounds and sports fields for its residents.
What to Eat in Ho Chi Minh City
Above all, we loved Vietnamese food, whose reputation is well earned, and which I personally consider to be among the best cuisines in the world.
How Much Do 2 Day Trips From Ho Chi Minh City Cost?
Our expenses were far from typical, since our Vietnamese family housed us, fed us, and insisted on paying for everything. We only got to pay for a restaurant meal and the Mekong Delta excursion, by credit card — we barely saw the color of Vietnamese money. The cost of our stay for our family of 4 was:
- 686.00 USD;
- 137.20 USD per day;
- 34.30 USD per person and per day.
In detail:
| Expense Category | Amount Spent |
|---|---|
| Flight and Visa | 364 USD |
| Accomodation | 0 USD |
| Transport | 10 USD |
| Food | 97 USD |
| Activities | 215 USD |
| Total | 686 USD |
Conclusion
This stretch of rest, pampering and long walks did us a world of good. Thanks to the generosity of our beloved Vietnamese family, our stay in Vietnam remains a highlight of our round-the-world trip. We’ll see them again soon in Quebec — but until then, Sri Lanka is awaiting us!
Questions travellers ask
What are the best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City?
The Mekong Delta cruise from Vinh Long and the Cu Chi Tunnels are the two best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City.
How long is the Mekong Delta cruise from Vinh Long?
Our cruise lasted two days, with canal boating, cycling on an island, a floating market, local crafts, an overnight homestay and all meals included.
What are the Cu Chi Tunnels?
A 250 km underground tunnel network near Ho Chi Minh City that the Viet Cong used for military operations during the war against the Americans; parts are open to visitors today.
How much does a family trip to Ho Chi Minh City cost?
Our documented expenses for a family of four were 686 USD (137.20 USD per day), though our Vietnamese family covered most accommodation and meals, so this understates the true cost.
Where did you stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
We stayed with family at Vinhomes Central Park, a residential complex on the Saigon River next to Landmark 81, the country's tallest skyscraper.