Weekend Breaks in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City offers plenty to keep you busy, but weekend trips from Ho Chi Minh City can provide the perfect respite when you need to escape the urban hustle and recharge your batteries.

Several stunning destinations lie within easy reach, making for brilliant three-day weekend breaks. The floating markets of the Mekong Delta and the pristine beaches of Phu Quoc top the list for quick getaways. If you’ve got more time to spare, Vietnam’s central highlands and northern regions offer equally rewarding travel experiences.

Mui Ne

Weekend breaks in Mui Ne offer the perfect coastal escape, with this beach town sitting about 135 miles (215km) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City.

Thanks to the new expressway, you can reach Mui Ne in around three to four hours by car, making it dead easy for a weekend beach break. The town has earned its stripes as Vietnam’s kitesurfing capital, with two distinct seasons catering to different skill levels. The northeast monsoon (November to April) delivers stronger, more consistent winds that experienced kiters love, whilst the southwest season (May to October) brings gentler conditions that beginners find more manageable. Beyond the excellent beaches, Mui Ne’s famous red and white sand dunes lie about six miles (10km) inland from the main resort strip.

Getting to Mui Ne from Ho Chi Minh City is straightforward by bus. You can grab tickets from any travel agency in the backpacker district of Pham Ngu Lao, with buses typically departing in the morning and evening. Private taxis or minivans cost considerably more but shave time off the journey and offer door-to-door convenience.

Mekong Delta Villages

Weekend trips to the Mekong Delta villages transport you to a completely different world, far removed from the city’s frenetic pace. Can Tho, My Tho, Vinh Long, and Ben Tre rank among the most popular delta destinations, each offering authentic river life experiences that draw both international tourists and Vietnamese city dwellers.

The Mekong Delta represents Vietnam’s agricultural heartland and ranks as one of the world’s most biodiverse wetland systems. The region’s fame rests on its intricate network of rivers and canals, dotted with colourful floating markets and villages where genuinely warm locals make you feel right at home.

River life defines everything here, and your weekend activities will centre around the famous floating markets. Book an early morning market tour to catch these riverside communities at their most vibrant – the earlier you start, the more authentic the experience.

Accommodation in the Mekong Delta villages ranges from budget hostels to comfortable mid-range hotels, with homestays offering the most authentic Vietnamese experience if you fancy staying with local families.

Getting to the delta villages couldn’t be simpler. Tour operators run full-day trips and multi-night packages departing from Ho Chi Minh City, often including stops at local wet markets and traditional craft workshops. Many independent travellers prefer the freedom of renting a motorbike or car for a self-drive adventure. Journey times vary from two to four hours, depending on your chosen destination.

Phu Quoc

Beach getaways in Phu Quoc deliver some of Vietnam’s most spectacular coastal scenery, with this tropical island paradise lying off Cambodia’s coast in the Gulf of Thailand.

The island serves up Vietnam’s finest beach experiences alongside exceptional seafood that puts most coastal destinations to shame. Your days can be filled with scuba diving, snorkelling, motorbike tours around the island, or simply soaking up the stunning views from beachside loungers.

Phu Quoc has transformed dramatically from its undeveloped past, now featuring world-class resorts and modern infrastructure, including an international airport. Some large-scale development projects have encountered challenges recently, but the island’s natural beauty and improved accessibility make it more appealing than ever for weekend breaks.

November through April represents the sweet spot for visiting Phu Quoc when you’ll dodge the monsoon rains and oppressive humidity. Getting there from Ho Chi Minh City couldn’t be easier – multiple airlines, including VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines, operate several daily flights, with journey times under an hour.

Da Lat

Mountain retreats in Da Lat provide the perfect antidote to Ho Chi Minh City’s heat and humidity, with this highland town perched about 205 miles (330 kilometres) northeast in Vietnam’s South Central Highlands. Vietnamese families have long treasured Da Lat as their go-to weekend escape, and international visitors increasingly appreciate its charms.

Surrounded by rolling hills and pine forests, Da Lat offers a refreshing climate that feels worlds away from the sticky coastal lowlands. Cool mountain air and year-round spring-like temperatures make it a natural air-conditioned retreat.

Active weekends in Da Lat are second to none if you enjoy outdoor pursuits. The surrounding highlands boast some of Vietnam’s finest hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and canyoning adventures, whilst various championship golf courses cater to those preferring more refined recreation.

Reaching Da Lat from Ho Chi Minh City is most practical by bus, with regular departures throughout the day taking six to eight hours through winding mountain roads. Flying cuts the journey to just 50 minutes, making it feasible for short weekend breaks when time is precious.