Southern Vietnam

Southern Vietnam is the warm, energetic half of the country. It runs from the buzzing metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to the waterways of the Mekong Delta, the island beaches of Phu Quoc and Con Dao, and the cool highland city of Da Lat. It is tropical all year round, rich in history and famous for its food. This guide covers the top tourist destinations in Southern Vietnam, the best time to visit, how to get around and itineraries for first-time visitors.

Why Southern Vietnam is a must-visit region:

• Ho Chi Minh City’s energy. French colonial landmarks, war history museums, rooftop bars and some of the best street food in Asia.
• The Mekong Delta. Floating markets, fruit orchards, coconut canals and riverside homestays, just 2–4 hours from Saigon.
• Wartime history. The Cu Chi Tunnels, the War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace tell the story of the 20th century.
• Tropical islands and beaches. Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Mui Ne and Nha Trang offer sun almost all year.
• Cool highland escapes. Da Lat’s pine forests, flower farms and coffee plantations at 1,500 m.
• Warm weather all year. Temperatures stay around 25–35°C, with a clear dry season from December to April.

Southern Vietnam at a Glance

Top Tourist Destinations in Southern Vietnam

In this guide, Southern Vietnam follows how most travellers plan their trips. It covers Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, plus the south-central coast and highlands (Nha Trang, Mui Ne and Da Lat), which are usually visited on southern itineraries.

1. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Vietnam’s largest city is fast, modern and full of contrasts. Sightseeing highlights include:

• The Independence Palace (Reunification Palace).
• The War Remnants Museum.
• The French-era Saigon Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
• Ben Thanh Market.
• The colourful temples of Cho Lon, the Chinese quarter.

In the evening, take a street-food tour by scooter, a Saigon River cruise or drinks at a rooftop bar. See our Saigon tours.

2. Cu Chi Tunnels

About 1.5 hours from the city centre, the Cu Chi Tunnels are part of a network of more than 200 km of underground passages used during the Vietnam War. Visitors can crawl through widened sections, see hidden trapdoors, kitchens and meeting rooms, and learn how people lived underground. Ben Dinh is the most visited section; Ben Duoc is quieter. Combine it with a speedboat ride on the Saigon River.

3. The Mekong Delta

The Mekong River splits into a maze of channels before reaching the sea, creating Vietnam’s “rice bowl”. The main areas are:

• My Tho and Ben Tre (2 hours from Saigon): sampan rides through coconut canals, fruit orchards and coconut-candy workshops.
• Can Tho: the delta’s largest city and base for the Cai Rang floating market at dawn.
• Chau Doc: near the Cambodian border, with Sam Mountain, Cham villages and the Tra Su melaleuca forest.

An overnight homestay is the best way to experience the delta. See our Mekong Delta tours.

4. Phu Quoc Island

Vietnam’s largest island lies in the Gulf of Thailand, about an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Highlights include:

• Beaches such as Sao Beach and Long Beach.
• Snorkelling in the An Thoi archipelago.
• The Hon Thom cable car over the sea.
• Fish-sauce and pepper farms.
• Sunset at the night market.

Phu Quoc is now part of An Giang province, and the best weather runs from November to April.

5. Con Dao Islands

Once a notorious prison island, Con Dao is now one of Vietnam’s most beautiful and unspoiled archipelagos. It offers a national park, quiet beaches, sea-turtle nesting in season, and moving history at the old prisons and Hang Duong Cemetery. It is reached by short flights from Ho Chi Minh City or by high-speed boat.

6. Da Lat – the City of Eternal Spring

At about 1,500 m in the Central Highlands, Da Lat has a cool climate all year. Explore:

• Pine forests, waterfalls and flower farms.
• French colonial villas and Xuan Huong Lake.
• Coffee plantations and the Langbiang plateau.
• The quirky “Crazy House”.

Da Lat is a 50-minute flight from Saigon. See our Da Lat tours.

7. Mui Ne

About 3.5–4 hours from Ho Chi Minh City by expressway, Mui Ne is known for its red and white sand dunes, the Fairy Stream, its fishing harbour, and some of the best kitesurfing in Asia from November to March. It is now part of Lam Dong province. See our Mui Ne tours.

8. Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a lively beach city on a wide bay. It offers island-hopping, diving and snorkelling, the centuries-old Po Nagar Cham Towers and mud baths. The best weather is from January to August, as the rainy season runs from October to December. See our Nha Trang tours.

9. Vung Tau and Can Gio

The closest beaches to Saigon are at Vung Tau, about 2 hours by road or by fast ferry on the river. The Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve offers boat trips through mangrove forests and a monkey island, and both make easy short escapes from the city.

Best Time to Visit Southern Vietnam

The south has two seasons rather than four. Even in the wet season, rain usually comes as short afternoon downpours rather than all-day storms.

How to Get to and Around Southern Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the main gateway, with flights from across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe. The new Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai is scheduled to begin commercial operations on 1 December 2026. From Saigon:

Suggested Southern Vietnam Itineraries for First-Time Visitors

3 days: Saigon, Cu Chi and the Mekong

1. Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City tour – Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, street-food evening.
2. Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning, Cho Lon in the afternoon.
3. Day 3: Mekong Delta day trip to My Tho and Ben Tre.

5 days: Deeper into the delta

1. Days 1–2: Saigon and Cu Chi.
2. Days 3–4: Ben Tre, overnight homestay, Cai Rang floating market at dawn in Can Tho.
3. Day 5: Return to Saigon, or continue to Chau Doc.

8–10 days: City, delta and island

1. Days 1–4: As above.
2. Days 5–8: Fly to Phu Quoc or Con Dao for beaches.
3. Days 9–10: Da Lat, or Mui Ne’s dunes.

Our Southern Vietnam tours follow these routes and can be fully tailored. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Food and Culture in Southern Vietnam

Southern food is sweet, generous and full of fresh herbs:

• Cơm tấm: broken rice with grilled pork.
• Bánh xèo: crispy sizzling pancakes.
• Hủ tiếu: noodle soup.
• Gỏi cuốn: fresh spring rolls.
• Fish in the Mekong Delta: elephant-ear fish and the clay-pot dish cá kho tộ.
• Seafood and famous fish sauce in Phu Quoc.

The south’s culture mixes Vietnamese, Khmer, Chinese and Cham influences, visible in Cho Lon’s temples, Khmer pagodas in the delta and Cham villages near Chau Doc. Don’t leave without watching đờn ca tài tử, the southern folk music recognised by UNESCO.

Practical Travel Tips for Southern Vietnam

• Heat and sun: carry water, sunscreen and a hat. April is the hottest month.
• Rain gear: from May to November, a light rain jacket or poncho is enough for the short afternoon showers.
• Floating markets start early: Cai Rang is busiest from about 5:30 to 8:00 am, so stay overnight in Can Tho.
• Traffic: Saigon’s motorbike traffic is intense. Use Grab or a private driver, and cross streets slowly and steadily.
• Dress respectfully at pagodas, temples and the Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh.
• Book island flights early for Tet and the December–April high season.