Temple Day Trip from Ho Chi Minh City by Private Car
The Ho Chi Minh City Temple Journey by Private Car takes you away from the bustling streets and crowded tourist attractions of Saigon. This one-day trip offers the chance to explore prominent temples and shrines in the eastern and northern parts of the city.
The route combines tranquil spaces, distinctive Buddhist architecture, and a suburban journey where the scenery gradually becomes more peaceful.
Throughout the trip, you will visit Buu Long Pagoda, Chau Thoi Pagoda, Kim Dien at Dai Nam, and Phap Buu Pagoda before returning to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.
This car itinerary is ideal for travelers who appreciate spiritual architecture, want a more relaxed day trip after visiting crowded destinations, or simply wish to experience a different cultural route by private car.
Temple Route Logic
Vietnamdrive designed this itinerary as a loop route to avoid backtracking and repeated roads, helping reduce unnecessary travel time. The journey is arranged from central Ho Chi Minh City to Buu Long Pagoda in the morning, followed by the nearby Chau Thoi Pagoda, then a longer drive to the Golden Temple at Dai Nam around midday, before continuing to Phap Buu Pagoda and returning to the hotel.
This route arrangement is intended to give guests who depart in the morning enough time to comfortably visit each pagoda while reaching the Golden Temple at Dai Nam around lunchtime, when many travelers typically need a break to rest and eat. Unlike the other pagodas on the route, the Golden Temple area offers full food and beverage services suitable for international visitors.
Route overview: Ho Chi Minh City → Buu Long Pagoda → Chau Thoi Pagoda → Golden Temple at Dai Nam → Phap Buu Pagoda → Ho Chi Minh City.
The temple route map in Ho Chi Minh City is cropped from Google Maps, and the roads are for reference only. Our drivers may take different routes while still following the suggested stop order.
What to Expect on This Temple Journey
- Explore a variety of temple architectural styles in just one day, from the Thai-influenced design of Buu Long Pagoda to the traditional Vietnamese architecture of Chau Thoi Pagoda.
- Discover the ancient charm of Chau Thoi Pagoda (1612) alongside the modern and opulent decorations of the Golden Temple at Dai Nam (2005).
- Enjoy a relaxing private car journey through the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City while visiting spiritual sites at a slower and more peaceful pace compared to inner-city tours.
Temple Stops Along the Route
The stops are arranged along an arc-shaped route from eastern Ho Chi Minh City to Binh Duong before returning to the city center in the afternoon.
1. Buu Long Pagoda, A Quiet Start Outside Ho Chi Minh City
Buu Long Pagoda is the first stop on the journey as the route gradually leaves the bustling areas of Ho Chi Minh City and heads toward the suburbs near the Dong Nai River.
Morning is usually the ideal time to visit this pagoda, when the lakeside surroundings are still quiet, the light is soft, and the temperature is more comfortable for walking and sightseeing.
The Thai-influenced architecture, calm lake surface, and spacious courtyards create a relaxing atmosphere right from the beginning of the trip.
2. Chau Thoi Pagoda, A Hillside Pagoda on the Route Toward Binh Duong
After Buu Long, the route continues northward to Chau Thoi Pagoda, one of the oldest temples on this journey. The approach to the temple includes a short uphill road, creating a sense of separation from the flat roads and urban areas below.
On some misty or overcast mornings, arriving after the first stop, as the sunlight gradually clears the fog, can also provide a clearer and more atmospheric view of the temple grounds.
The elevated setting and traditional Vietnamese temple architecture create a feeling of detachment from the urban rhythm, even though the pagoda remains relatively close to central Ho Chi Minh City.
3. The Golden Temple at Dai Nam, the Largest Stop on the Journey
After the two morning stops, the journey continues toward Binh Duong to the Golden Temple at Dai Nam, the newest and furthest destination on this route. It is also the longest stop of the trip.
The Golden Hall is large in scale, featuring many gold-plated decorative details and architecture inspired by ancient palaces.
Many visitors often spend time here having lunch or taking a break before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
4. Phap Buu Pagoda, a Less Busy Stop Before Returning to the City Center
Before returning to central Ho Chi Minh City, the journey stops at Phap Buu Pagoda in Hoc Mon, offering a quieter atmosphere and a slower pace after the midday visit to Dai Nam.
Covering more than 11,000 square meters, the temple is known for its spacious grounds, traditional Vietnamese-style main hall, and the Linh Son Phat Canh artificial mountain area, creating a more spiritual and peaceful suburban setting.
The calmer surroundings provide a gentler transition toward the busier streets of Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Estimated Duration for This Temple Trip
The entire trip takes approximately 7 hours at a leisurely pace, including driving time, sightseeing, and short breaks between stops. The journey may finish earlier if you spend less time at each stop.
| Time | Journey Flow |
|---|---|
| 8:30 AM | Pick up from the hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City and begin the journey |
| Around 1 hour | Visit Buu Long Pagoda |
| Around 1 hour | Visit Chau Thoi Pagoda |
| Around 2 hours | Visit the Golden Temple at Dai Nam, which is also suitable for a lunch break |
| Around 30 minutes | Visit Phap Buu Pagoda |
| 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Return to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and end the trip |
Private Car & Driver Pricing
These prices are for travel by private car or van with a professional driver, following the route order in this itinerary.
| Vehicle Type | Recommended Group Size | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Seater Car | 1 to 2 guests | 100 USD |
| 7-Seater Car | 3 to 4 guests | 125 USD |
| 16-Seater Vehicle | 5 to 8 guests | 150 USD |
What’s Included
- Private air-conditioned sedan, SUV, or 16-seat vehicle
- Experienced local driver serving international tourists
- Fuel, tolls, and parking fees included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in central Ho Chi Minh City
Not Included
- Entrance tickets in Dai Nam
- Meals or personal expenses
- Optional guide service
Important Notes for This Temple Itinerary
- This is a private car day trip with an estimated duration from approximately 8:30 AM to 3:30 or 4:00 PM, suitable for travelers who want to explore several temples without rushing.
- This itinerary is best suited for a private car with a driver, as the attractions are spread across the suburban areas of Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong. Traveling by private car allows you to manage your own sightseeing time more comfortably between temple stops, while visiting all stops by public transportation on the same day would be less convenient.
- The Golden Temple is located within the large Dai Nam Wonderland complex, so please pay attention to the correct directions to avoid entering other amusement areas that are not included in the program.
- A tour guide is not required for this trip, but one can be arranged if you would like to learn more about the architecture or spiritual culture at each stop. It is recommended to book in advance if a private guide is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Temple Trip
Should I Add More Temples to the Itinerary?
Vietnamdrive does not recommend adding too many stops to this itinerary. The current route is already arranged to balance travel time, sightseeing pace, and the opportunity to experience the peaceful atmosphere of each temple. Adding more stops could make the journey feel rushed and reduce the amount of rest time between destinations.
Should I Light Incense at the Temples Along the Way?
At Buu Long Pagoda, the temple is known for its “no incense” practice, so visitors are not allowed to light incense within the temple grounds. At the remaining temples, you may light incense and pray if you wish. However, you should ask the staff or temple caretaker for the appropriate area before doing so.
After a leisurely day exploring temples and suburban areas around Ho Chi Minh City, this journey concludes while also opening up a more relaxed style of exploration compared to many standard city tours.
This private car itinerary is a suitable option for travelers who want to gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist culture and spiritual architecture in Southern Vietnam.
Suggested Other Car Itineraries from Ho Chi Minh City
If you would like to explore other destinations through private car journeys across Southern Vietnam, please check out some related itineraries below:
- Cao Dai Temple and Cu Chi Tunnels Car Itinerary (1 day): Combines a unique religious destination with Vietnam War history in a single journey.
- Mekong Delta Car Itinerary from Ho Chi Minh City (2 days): Explores river life and canal landscapes in Southern Vietnam.