What are the best Southern Vietnam tours in 2026?
Our Southern Vietnam tours are private trips from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta, Mui Ne, Da Lat and Nha Trang, lasting from one to seven days. Each runs any day with your own English-speaking guide and driver, mixing war history, river life, sand dunes, cool highlands and beaches. They suit first-time visitors, families, couples and history lovers.
- Durations: 1 to 7 days
- Destinations: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, Tay Ninh, Mekong Delta, Mui Ne, Da Lat, Nha Trang
- Best for: first-timers, history lovers, families, beach add-ons
- Best months: December to April
Compare our six Southern Vietnam tours below and ask us to tailor any of them.
Good to know (2026)
- Since the 1 July 2025 province mergers, Ho Chi Minh City includes the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau provinces; Mui Ne now belongs to Lam Dong province (with Da Lat), My Tho to Dong Thap and Ben Tre to Vinh Long. Place names used by travellers are unchanged.
- Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line, from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien, opened in December 2024 – a handy, air-conditioned way to cross the city.
- The south has a dry season from about December to April and a rainy season from May to November, when downpours are usually short and in the afternoon.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) falls on 6 February 2027; many shops and restaurants close for several days and transport fills up early.
Why choose a Southern Vietnam tour?
Southern Vietnam is energetic and varied. Ho Chi Minh City (still widely called Saigon) is the country’s biggest city, with French colonial landmarks, busy markets and a famous street food scene. Within a couple of hours you can crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels, visit the colourful Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh or take a boat along the Mekong’s coconut-lined canals.
Further north-east, the coast and highlands offer a complete change of pace: the red and white sand dunes of Mui Ne, the pine forests and cool climate of Da Lat at about 1,500 metres, and the bay and islands of Nha Trang. A private guide makes these long road days easy and explains the history behind what you see, from the Cu Chi tunnels to the Independence Palace.
Our Southern Vietnam tours at a glance
| Tour |
Days |
Route |
| Ho Chi Minh City Tour 1 Day |
1 |
Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Post Office, Cholon |
| Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta Tour 1 Day |
1 |
My Tho, Thoi Son islet, Ben Tre |
| Ho Chi Minh – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour 1 Day |
1 |
Tay Ninh Holy See, Ben Duoc or Ben Dinh tunnels |
| Ho Chi Minh Tour 5 Days |
5 |
City, Cholon, Cao Dai, Cu Chi, Mekong Delta |
| Ho Chi Minh – Mui Ne – Da Lat Tour 6 Days |
6 |
Saigon, Mui Ne dunes, Da Lat, flight back |
| Ho Chi Minh – Mui Ne – Da Lat – Nha Trang Tour 7 Days |
7 |
Saigon, Mui Ne, Da Lat, Nha Trang |
All six are private tours, from US$26 per person (Ho Chi Minh City Tour 1 Day), US$32 (Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels), US$37 (Mekong Delta), US$268 (Ho Chi Minh Tour 5 Days), US$312 (Mui Ne – Da Lat 6 Days) and US$362 (Mui Ne – Da Lat – Nha Trang 7 Days); the final price depends on group size, hotel level and season.
How to choose your Southern Vietnam tour
1. One day in Ho Chi Minh City
The Ho Chi Minh City Tour 1 Day covers the Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, the Central Post Office area and Chinatown (Cholon) in about eight to nine hours.
2. Day trips for history or river life
For history, the Cao Dai Temple and Cu Chi Tunnels tour is a long but rewarding day (about 11 hours). For rural life, the Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta Tour 1 Day visits Vinh Trang Pagoda, Thoi Son islet and coconut workshops on the Ben Tre side of the river.
3. Everything around Saigon in five days
The Ho Chi Minh Tour 5 Days keeps the same central hotel for four nights and combines the city, Cao Dai, Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta, ideal if you dislike packing and unpacking.
4. Dunes, highlands and beaches
The 6-day tour adds Mui Ne and Da Lat, then flies back to Ho Chi Minh City. The 7-day tour to Nha Trang continues over the Khanh Le Pass to the coast and ends at Cam Ranh Airport, which is handy for flights to Hanoi or Da Nang.
5. Families
Children usually love the Mekong boat rides and the Mui Ne dunes. We can shorten driving days, add a beach day in Nha Trang and arrange child seats.
Best time for a Southern Vietnam tour
- December to April: dry and sunny, the most popular time; March and April are the hottest months.
- May to November: the rainy season, with short, heavy afternoon showers; mornings are often clear and the countryside is green.
- Da Lat: cool all year thanks to its altitude, so bring a light jacket for evenings.
- Nha Trang: follows a different pattern, with its wettest months usually from October to December.
Our Saigon travel tips and Mekong Delta travel tips go into more detail.
What’s usually included: private or small group?
All our Southern Vietnam tours are private: your own English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle with driver, hotels on multi-day tours, and the meals, boat trips and sightseeing shown in each itinerary. International flights, visas, travel insurance, drinks and tips are not included unless stated. Domestic flights, such as Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City on the 6-day tour, are listed in each itinerary.
Tips from our local team (Jimmy)
These notes come from years of arranging Southern Vietnam tours for international travellers.
- Start the Cu Chi Tunnels early; by midday the tunnels are hot and busy.
- The War Remnants Museum contains graphic images; we brief families beforehand and can suggest alternatives for younger children.
- In the rainy season keep a light rain jacket in your day bag rather than cancelling plans; showers rarely last long.
- Cross busy Saigon streets slowly and steadily; motorbikes will flow around you.
- Leave space in your schedule to taste the city’s food; our Saigon food guide lists the classics.
Plan your Southern Vietnam tour
Tell us your dates and interests and we will tailor an itinerary and quote. Message Jimmy’s team on WhatsApp +84 88 626 1368 or use our contact form. Combine the south with Central Vietnam tours or Northern Vietnam tours for a full north-to-south journey.
