South Vietnam Car Itineraries
This page suggests road trip itineraries in Southern Vietnam, with Ho Chi Minh City as a popular departure point.
You can choose from a variety of itineraries, from day trips to Cu Chi and 2 to 3 day journeys exploring the Mekong Delta to longer 5 to 7 day trips that connect multiple destinations such as beaches, cities, and rural areas.
The Vietnamdrive team has in-depth knowledge of the Southern region, so the itineraries are designed to be practical and easy to follow. Instead of spending time researching and planning on your own, you can start your journey right away with optimized routes that take you from vibrant cities to peaceful riverside areas.
Why Plan a Car Itinerary to Explore Southern Vietnam?
Better suited to Southern Vietnam’s travel conditions:
Southern Vietnam is hot and humid throughout most of the year, especially during midday. A well-planned car itinerary allows you to travel comfortably between destinations with air conditioning, shorter walking distances, and flexible breaks between activities. This helps maintain your energy during longer sightseeing days.
Ideal for combining multiple destinations:
Southern Vietnam is best experienced through a journey rather than a single destination. Places such as the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre, Can Tho, Vung Tau, and Mui Ne are spread across different regions and are not always directly connected by flights or trains. A car itinerary makes it easier to combine these places smoothly within one trip.
More efficient for regional exploration:
Many experiences in Southern Vietnam happen outside city centers, including floating markets, coconut villages, countryside roads, fruit farms, and riverside areas. Planning your itinerary by car allows you to reach these locations more efficiently while keeping travel times manageable between stops.
Flexible pacing throughout the journey:
A car itinerary gives you greater control over your daily rhythm. You can spend more time in places you enjoy, stop for local food or coffee along the way. Also you can adjust the pace depending on weather, traffic, or personal preferences. This creates a more relaxed and practical travel experience across Southern Vietnam.
Better structure for multi-day travel:
Southern Vietnam works particularly well for multi-day overland journeys. Instead of repeatedly returning to Ho Chi Minh City, a car-based travel program allows you to move progressively between destinations and stay overnight in locations that fit naturally along the route. This reduces unnecessary transit time and creates a more connected travel experience.
Practical for exploring beyond Ho Chi Minh City:
While Ho Chi Minh City continues developing its public transportation system, many of Southern Vietnam’s most rewarding destinations remain outside the metro network and require additional transfers. Planning a car itinerary provides a more direct and organized way to connect the city with nearby coastal, countryside, and Mekong Delta regions.
Popular Car Itineraries in Southern Vietnam
Most car trips in Southern Vietnam start from Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s main transportation hub. For this reason, our suggested car journeys below are designed with Ho Chi Minh City as either the starting point or the endpoint.
Short and Classic Routes from Ho Chi Minh City
- Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels + city tour (day trip)
- Ben Tre and Cu Chi Journey by Private Car (full day)
- Cao Dai Temple and Cu Chi Tunnels by Car (full day)
- Ho Chi Minh City Temple Journey by Car (full day)
- Ho Chi Minh City – Mui Ne (sand dunes and beach)
Although Mui Ne is geographically part of Central Vietnam, it is still more commonly accessed from Ho Chi Minh City than from other regions.
Popular 2-day car itinerary:
One of the most popular routes for travelers looking beyond a day trip is a 2-day car journey to explore the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City through My Tho and Can Tho.
Popular 3-day forest route:
A slower forest journey through the 3-day car itinerary from Ho Chi Minh City to Cat Tien National Park, designed for nature exploration and wildlife experiences by private car.
3-day roller coaster route:
Explore this Southern Vietnam roller coaster itinerary by private car, designed for coaster enthusiasts visiting both well-known and lesser-known ride locations across the region.
Popular 4-day beach and mountain route:
Explore a 4-day private car journey from Ho Chi Minh City to the coastal sand dunes of Mui Ne and the cooler mountain atmosphere of Da Lat.
Coastal and Mekong Delta routes:
Day 1: Mui Ne – Vung Tau
Day 2: Vung Tau – Ben Tre
Day 3: Ben Tre – Can Tho
Day 4: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City
These routes can be combined into a continuous car journey, taking you from the coast into the Mekong Delta and back to the city.
Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc combination:
Phu Quoc Island is usually planned as a separate trip due to its offshore location. However, many travelers choose to combine it with a Mekong Delta itinerary by a private car:
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Can Tho
Day 2: Can Tho – An Giang – Ha Tien ferry terminal (boat to Phu Quoc)
Day 3: Phu Quoc Island (explore both the northern and southern parts of the island)
Extended journey connecting Southern and Central Vietnam:
For travelers who want a more diverse experience combining mountains and coastline:
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – Da Lat
Day 2: Da Lat – Dak Lak (Buon Ma Thuot)
Day 3: Buon Ma Thuot – Nha Trang
Day 4: Nha Trang – Mui Ne
Day 5: Mui Ne – Vung Tau or return to Ho Chi Minh City
FAQs
How many days should you spend on a car trip in Southern Vietnam?
In our experience, about 5 days is a suitable duration. You can spend 1 day and 1 night in Ho Chi Minh City, as many of our travelers find the city quite crowded and bustling. The remaining time can be allocated to 3 days in the Mekong Delta and 1 day for rest or for visiting nearby destinations such as Da Lat or Mui Ne.
How can you combine exploring the Mekong Delta from HCMC with a trip to Phu Quoc by car?
Does Vietnamdrive provide English-speaking drivers for car journeys?
Is there English-speaking support available during the journey?
With the right itinerary and a modern car with a reliable driver, you can explore South Vietnam comfortably and enjoy each destination at your own pace.
Car Itineraries in Other Areas
Looking to travel by car beyond Southern Vietnam? Explore more car itineraries across Vietnam, from coastal routes in Central Vietnam to the diverse landscapes of the North.