South Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh, Mekong, Phu Quoc (2026 Guide)

The South differs from the North through its tropical climate, its culture marked by French and American colonial history, and its more relaxed pace. Ho Chi Minh City remains the main entry point (Tan Son Nhat International Airport), then travellers branch out to surrounding sites: Cu Chi tunnels 70 km away, Mekong Delta 2-3 hours away, Da Lat 300 km away, Mui Ne 220 km away, Phu Quoc 1 hour by flight, Con Dao 50 minutes by flight.

01Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): the economic heart

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is Vietnam's largest city with approximately 9 million inhabitants (official figure from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, 2026). It concentrates skyscrapers, shopping centres, historical museums (War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace), markets (Ben Thanh) and the country's most vibrant nightlife. The central district (District 1) can be explored on foot; Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and Dong Khoi Street (former Rue Catinat) recall the colonial era.

Allow 2 to 3 days for Ho Chi Minh City: one day for the historic centre, one day for the Cu Chi tunnels (half-day or full-day excursion), and one day for the outlying districts (Chinatown in Cho Lon, Jade Emperor Pagoda). The city can be visited year-round, but the dry season (December to April) is more comfortable. For a detailed guide, see What to do in Ho Chi Minh City and the complete guide to Ho Chi Minh City.

02Cu Chi Tunnels: underground history

The Cu Chi tunnels, 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, form a 250 km network dug during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). The Ben Dinh site, the most touristy, offers tunnels widened for visitors, weapons exhibitions and a shooting range (paid). The Ben Duoc site, more remote (90 km), is less crowded and more authentic.

An excursion to the Cu Chi tunnels takes half a day (early morning departure, return around 1 pm) or a full day if you combine it with the Cao Dai temple in Tay Ninh (110 km northwest). Organised tours from Ho Chi Minh City cost between 400,000 and 600,000 VND (15 to 22 €, exchange rate 1 € ≈ 27,000 VND in 2026) per person, transport and guide included. Site admission is 110,000 VND (4 €) in 2026, according to prices displayed on site.

03Mekong Delta: floating markets and orchards

The Mekong Delta, 2-3 hours southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, is an agricultural region irrigated by nine branches of the Mekong River. The floating markets of Cai Rang (near Can Tho) and Cai Be (Tien Giang province) are the most visited: hundreds of boats loaded with fruit, vegetables and local products gather from 5 am. Tropical fruit orchards (durian, rambutan, mangosteen) and craft workshops (coconut candy, puffed rice) line the islands accessible by boat.

To visit the Mekong Delta, allow 1 to 2 days. Day trips from Ho Chi Minh City (departure 7 am, return 6 pm) cover My Tho, Ben Tre and nearby islands, for 600,000 to 900,000 VND (22 to 33 €) per person. To see the Cai Rang floating markets, you must sleep in Can Tho (3 hours' drive from Saigon) and leave by boat around 5:30 am. The dry season (December to April) is ideal; in the rainy season (May to November), muddy paths complicate travel.

04Da Lat: the city of flowers and coolness

Da Lat, at 1,500 metres altitude and 300 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offers a temperate climate (15 to 24 °C year-round) and landscapes of mountains, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls. The city is renowned for its flowers (roses, hydrangeas, orchids), its coffee (locally grown arabica), its French colonial villas and its strawberry farms. Main sites include Xuan Huong Lake, Da Lat railway station (art deco architecture), Bao Dai's summer palace, Linh Phuoc Pagoda and Datanla and Pongour waterfalls.

Allow 2 to 3 days for Da Lat: one day for the city centre and lake, one day for waterfalls and surrounding farms, one day for ethnic villages or Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park. Da Lat can be visited year-round, but the dry season (November to March) is sunnier. Access is by night bus from Ho Chi Minh City (7 to 8 hours, 200,000 to 350,000 VND or 7 to 13 €) or by plane (1 hour, direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi). For a detailed guide, see Da Lat: complete travel guide 2026.

05Mui Ne: beaches and sand dunes

Mui Ne, 220 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City (4 to 5 hours by bus), is a seaside resort renowned for its red and white sand dunes, its coconut-fringed beaches and its fishing villages. Main activities are kitesurfing (constant wind from November to March), visiting the dunes at sunrise, the Fairy Stream and Mui Ne fishing port with its hundreds of colourful basket boats.

Allow 1 to 2 days for Mui Ne: one day for the dunes and stream, one day for the beach and kitesurfing if you practise. Mui Ne can be visited year-round, but the dry season (November to April) offers the best wind for kitesurfing and less rain. Buses from Ho Chi Minh City cost 120,000 to 180,000 VND (4.50 to 7 €), frequent departures. Mui Ne combines easily with Da Lat (4 hours by bus).

06Phu Quoc: Vietnam's largest island

Phu Quoc, in the Gulf of Thailand, is Vietnam's largest island (574 km²). It offers white sand beaches (Long Beach, Sao Beach, Ong Lang), fishing villages, pepper plantations, pearl farms, a national park (50% of the island) and a cable car connecting the main island to Hon Thom islet (the world's longest sea-crossing cable car, 7.9 km). Phu Quoc International Airport receives direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour, 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND or 30 to 55 €), Hanoi and some Asian cities.

Allow 3 to 5 days for Phu Quoc: two days for southern and western beaches, one day for the national park and northern villages, one day for surrounding islands (snorkelling excursion), one day for the cable car and amusement parks (VinWonders, Safari). Phu Quoc can be visited year-round, but the dry season (November to March) is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. For a detailed guide, see Phu Quoc Island: what to see, what to do and when to go.

07Con Dao: preserved archipelago and penitentiary history

Con Dao, an archipelago of 16 islands 180 km southeast of Vung Tau, is one of Vietnam's most preserved sites. Deserted beaches (Dat Doc, An Hai), coral reefs, sea turtles (nesting from May to October) and the national park (80% of the archipelago) attract travellers seeking nature. The main island also houses the remains of the French colonial prison (Phu Hai prison, tiger cages), where thousands of political prisoners were held until 1975.

Allow 2 to 3 days for Con Dao: one day for beaches and snorkelling, one day for historical sites and the museum, one day for hiking in the national park. Access is by plane from Ho Chi Minh City (50 minutes, 1,200,000 to 2,000,000 VND or 45 to 75 €) or by ferry from Vung Tau (12 hours, infrequent). The dry season (November to April) is the best period; avoid the rainy season (June to September) when the sea is rough.

08When to visit South Vietnam

South Vietnam has two seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October). The dry season is the most favourable period: temperatures of 25 to 35 °C, little rain, clear skies. December to February are the most pleasant months, with slightly cooler temperatures (25 to 30 °C). March and April are hotter (30 to 35 °C) and drier, ideal for beaches.

The rainy season brings short, intense showers (1 to 2 hours in late afternoon), but mornings often remain sunny. The Mekong Delta is more difficult to access (muddy paths), but landscapes are greener. Phu Quoc and Con Dao experience longer rains in September and October, with rough seas. Da Lat, at altitude, remains pleasant year-round (15 to 24 °C), with a rainfall peak in July-August. For a complete guide to seasons, see Best time to go to Vietnam.

According to meteorological data from the Vietnam National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting consulted in 2026, average temperature in Ho Chi Minh City varies from 26 °C in December to 29 °C in April, with humidity of 60 to 80%. Monthly rainfall ranges from 10 mm in January to 300 mm in September.

09How to connect stops in South Vietnam

A classic circuit in South Vietnam follows this order: Ho Chi Minh City (2-3 days) → Cu Chi tunnels (half-day) → Mekong Delta (1-2 days) → Da Lat (2-3 days) → Mui Ne (1-2 days) → return to Ho Chi Minh City → Phu Quoc (3-5 days) or Con Dao (2-3 days). Total: 10 to 15 days for a complete circuit, 7 to 10 days if you skip one stop.

Connections between cities are by bus (comfortable, reclining seats or sleeper berths), train (Saigon-Nha Trang-Da Nang-Hanoi line, but no direct train to Da Lat or Mui Ne) or plane (domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Da Lat). Main bus companies are The Sinh Tourist, Phuong Trang (Futa Bus Lines) and Hanh Café. Book buses online or at local travel agencies; schedules and prices are displayed on company websites.

If you're short on time, prioritise Ho Chi Minh City + Mekong Delta + Phu Quoc (7 days) or Ho Chi Minh City + Da Lat + Mui Ne (7 days). To combine North and South, allow at least 15 days: 7 days in the South, 7 days in the North, 1 day transport (Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi flight, 2 hours, 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND or 30 to 55 €).

10North or South for a first trip to Vietnam?

The choice between North and South depends on your priorities. The South offers more predictable weather (well-defined dry season), tropical beaches (Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Con Dao), intense urban life (Ho Chi Minh City), and a more relaxed travel pace. The North offers spectacular mountain landscapes (Sapa, Ha Giang), cultural and historical sites (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh), but more variable weather (cold in winter, rain in summer).

For a first trip, the South is often more accessible: direct international flights to Ho Chi Minh City from Paris, Bangkok, Singapore; stable tropical climate from November to April; well-developed tourist infrastructure. The North requires more preparation (warm clothing for Sapa in winter, flexibility for Halong Bay weather). If you have 10 to 15 days, combine both: 5 to 7 days in the South, 5 to 7 days in the North, with a domestic flight between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

For a complete guide to the North, see North Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong, Sapa, Ninh Binh. To compare budgets and durations, see Vietnam 15-day itinerary and Vietnam travel budget. The official website of the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism provides updated information on destinations and cultural events in each region.

Entry rules depend on your nationality; the official portal is evisa.gov.vn. If you prefer someone to handle the application, visa-vietnam.app can do it. visa-vietnam.app is run by the same publisher as this site.

11How many days for South Vietnam?

A complete circuit of South Vietnam requires 10 to 15 days: Ho Chi Minh City (2-3 days), Mekong Delta (1-2 days), Da Lat (2-3 days), Mui Ne (1-2 days), Phu Quoc (3-5 days). If you add Con Dao, allow 2 to 3 additional days. For a first trip of 7 to 10 days, prioritise 3 to 4 stops: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc (or Da Lat + Mui Ne if you prefer mountains and dunes to beaches).

Each stop can be shortened: Ho Chi Minh City in 1 day (historic centre only), Mekong Delta in a day trip from Saigon, Da Lat in 1 day (impossible to see everything, but sufficient for the centre and one waterfall), Mui Ne in 1 day (dunes and beach). Phu Quoc deserves at least 3 days to enjoy beaches and excursions; Con Dao at least 2 days to combine nature and history.

If you combine North and South, distribute evenly: 7 days in the South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phu Quoc), 7 days in the North (Hanoi, Halong, Sapa or Ninh Binh), 1 day transport. For a detailed itinerary, see Vietnam travel: Complete guide to prepare your 2026 stay.

12What to remember about South Vietnam

South Vietnam offers a diversity of landscapes and experiences: intense urban life in Ho Chi Minh City, underground history at Cu Chi tunnels, floating markets in the Mekong Delta, mountain coolness in Da Lat, sand dunes in Mui Ne, tropical beaches in Phu Quoc and preserved nature in Con Dao. The dry season (November to April) is the ideal period to visit the region, with stable weather and pleasant temperatures.

For a first trip, allow 7 to 10 days for 3 to 4 stops, or 10 to 15 days for a complete circuit. Combine the South with the North if you have 15 days or more. Book buses and domestic flights in advance during high season (December to February). To prepare your trip, consult the detailed guides for main cities and articles on budgets, seasons and itineraries.