South Vietnam: Between the metropolis, the Mekong and tropical islands

Contents:

• Ho Chi Minh City – the gateway to South Vietnam

• Mekong Delta – amongst waterways, coconut groves and floating markets

• Phu Quoc – beaches, islands and sunsets

• Con Dao – unspoilt nature, quiet beaches and a turbulent history

• Best time to visit South Vietnam

• Practical tips for South Vietnam

• Conclusion: Southern Vietnam – a blend of big cities, waterways and islands

Ho Chi Minh City – the gateway to southern Vietnam

For many travellers, Ho Chi Minh City is the ideal gateway to southern Vietnam. This vibrant metropolis combines modern architecture, historic districts, markets and a diverse culinary scene, making it an excellent base for onward travel to the Mekong Delta or the coast.

You’ll find all the key sights, restaurant recommendations and practical advice in our detailed blog post ‘City break in Ho Chi Minh City: sights, street food and tips for Saigon’.

Our tip: Plan to spend at least two to three nights in the city before continuing your journey.

The Mekong Delta – amongst waterways, coconut groves and floating markets

The Mekong Delta is also known in Vietnamese as Cửu Long – ‘Nine Dragons’. The name refers to the river branches through which the Mekong splits as it flows towards the sea in southern Vietnam. Today, the region is characterised by countless waterways, rice fields, orchards and coconut groves. A classic experience is a trip on a traditional sampan. These small wooden boats glide through narrow canals lined with water palms, offering a close-up view of life along the water’s edge. Around Ben Tre, such boat trips can be easily combined with cycle tours through villages and coconut plantations.

Anyone travelling via My Tho should plan a stop at the Vinh Trang Pagoda. This 19th-century Buddhist temple complex combines Vietnamese, Chinese and European architectural elements and is renowned for its large Buddha statues.

• Can Tho & the Cai Rang Floating Market: Further south lies Can Tho, the most important urban centre in the Mekong Delta. Early in the morning, a boat trip to the Cai Rang Floating Market is well worth it. It’s best to set off around 5 am, when there’s still a lot of activity on the water. A typical feature of the market is the so-called ‘cây bẹo’: long bamboo poles attached to the traders’ boats, to which fruit or vegetables are secured. This allows shoppers to see from a distance what goods are on offer on each boat.
• Our accommodation tips: If you’d like to experience rural life in the Mekong Delta, you should check out the Mương Đình Lodge. This small lodge is situated in a quiet spot by a canal just outside Can Tho and is well suited to boat and cycle tours of the surrounding area. The Legacy Mekong, Can Tho, Autograph Collection on Con Au Island in the middle of the Hau River is considerably more luxurious. Accessible only by boat, the resort features tropical gardens, a spa, a swimming pool, and rooms, bungalows and villas right on the water’s edge.

Our tip: Allow at least two nights for the Mekong Delta. This will give you plenty of time for a sampan trip through the canals, a stop in Ben Tre or My Tho, and an early morning visit to the floating market at Cai Rang.

Phu Quoc – beaches, islands and sunsets

After Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc offers a relaxing contrast. The island is, however, larger than many expect: around 150 kilometres of coastline, a national park, fishing villages and numerous beaches are spread across the north and south. If you have enough time, you shouldn’t just stay in one place. The easiest way to reach Phu Quoc is by direct flight, from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Can Tho or Da Nang, amongst other places. Those travelling overland can take a ferry to the island from Rach Gia or Ha Tien.

In the north, it’s well worth a trip to Starfish Beach near Rach Vem, with its shallow, clear waters and red starfish. Please do not touch the animals or take them out of the water. The quieter stretches of coastline around Ganh Dau and the lush Phu Quoc National Park are also lovely. In the south, Sao Beach, the An Thoi Archipelago and the spectacular Hon Thom cable car await. The route, almost eight kilometres long, runs from An Thoi high above the sea and the small islands of the archipelago to Hon Thom.

A hire scooter is particularly handy for exploring the island and is available from many hotels and local hire companies. This allows you to combine visits to beaches, fishing villages and other short stops much more flexibly. In the evening, it’s well worth a visit to the Phu Quoc Night Market in the centre of Duong Dong. Along Bach Dang Street, you’ll find numerous stalls selling fresh seafood, street food, local specialities and souvenirs. The market becomes a pedestrian zone in the evening and can easily be combined with a stroll along the promenade.

• Our accommodation tips: The Green Bay Phu Quoc Resort & Spa is ideal for peaceful days in the greener north-west of the island. We also recommend the Mango Bay Resort on the west coast, with its relaxed atmosphere and abundance of nature.

• Our restaurant recommendation: For dinner right by the sea, On The Rock Restaurant & Beach Bar at the Mango Bay Resort is one of our favourites – it’s at its most beautiful at sunset.

Con Dao – unspoilt nature, tranquil beaches and a turbulent history

Anyone who, after visiting Phu Quoc, wishes to discover a more unspoilt side of Vietnam will find it on Con Dao. The archipelago consists of 16 islands, of which Con Son is the tourist hub. Large parts of the archipelago are protected as Con Dao National Park – and as a result, many beaches, bays and stretches of coastline have remained unspoilt.

The easiest way to reach Con Dao is by direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Alternatively, high-speed ferries run from the Vietnamese mainland. Once there, the centre of Con Son is easy to explore on foot or by bike; a scooter is particularly handy for reaching more remote beaches and the national park.

• Beaches & National Park: Among the most beautiful beaches is Dam Trau Beach in the north of the island, framed by green hills and just a few minutes’ drive from the airport. Dat Doc Beach is a quieter spot, whilst hiking trails in the national park lead to more secluded stretches of coast such as Bai Ong Dung. Con Dao is also well worth a visit underwater: coral reefs surround Hon Tai and Bay Canh, which can be explored on boat trips for snorkelling or diving.
• Sea turtles at Bay Canh: One of the most extraordinary natural spectacles is the sea turtles laying their eggs on the protected islands of the archipelago. Guided tours led by rangers are available at Bay Canh, where, with a bit of luck, you can witness the turtles laying their eggs or the hatchlings emerging from their shells. The peak season runs roughly from April to October.
• The old prison on Con Dao: However, the island also has a turbulent history. The Con Dao prison system was established during the French colonial era and remained in use until 1975. Particularly impressive is Phu Hai Prison, the oldest and largest facility in the historic prison complex. The infamous ‘Tiger Cages’ have also been preserved. Together with the Con Dao Museum, the sites provide a compelling insight into this chapter of Vietnamese history.

• Our restaurant tips: Madame Hà is a great choice for vegetarian and vegan Vietnamese cuisine. At the cosy May Bistro, Vietnamese dishes take centre stage in a relaxed atmosphere. Bar 200 is ideal for a drink or a simple meal right by the sea. An Ơi Café & Restaurant is also worth a visit – particularly for breakfast or brunch.

• Our café recommendations: The 1920 Café (12ê Lê Duẩn, Côn Đảo) combines coffee with a nostalgic atmosphere and memories of historic Con Dao. The Condor Garden Café is ideal for a break surrounded by greenery. Matcha fans should also pop into the Nicobar Café & Matcha Bar, where, alongside coffee and tea, a range of matcha drinks and pastries are on offer.

• Our accommodation recommendation: The Six Senses Con Dao is situated directly on a long, quiet sandy beach against the backdrop of Con Dao National Park. The villas, each with a private pool, blend discreetly into the landscape, making the resort an ideal choice for anyone wishing to combine nature, tranquillity and a high standard of comfort.

Best time to visit South Vietnam

Southern Vietnam is warm all year round, but the most pleasant time to visit is generally during the dry season from December to April. These months are ideal for Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, as there is less rain and the humidity is slightly lower. Phu Quoc also generally offers the best conditions for beach holidays and boat trips between November and April. Con Dao can, in principle, be visited all year round, although conditions vary somewhat more depending on the wind and rain.

Our tip: February to April are particularly suitable for a round trip through Southern Vietnam, as during this period it’s easy to combine visits to the cities, the Mekong Delta and the islands.

Practical tips for South Vietnam

• Cash: Cash remains essential in smaller restaurants, at markets and outside the cities. You can conveniently order Vietnamese dong before your trip via Swiss Bankers’ banknote delivery service.
• Getting around: In Ho Chi Minh City, Grab is a handy option for journeys by car or motorbike. On Phu Quoc and Con Dao, hiring a scooter offers significantly more flexibility.
• Internet: A local SIM card or eSIM is easy to obtain and makes navigation, bookings and journeys with Grab much easier.
• Well prepared: You can find information on entry requirements, currency, safety, climate and other important travel topics on Swiss Bankers’ country information page for Vietnam.
• Travel insurance: For unexpected incidents whilst travelling, it’s also worth taking a look at TravelProtect from Swiss Bankers.

Conclusion: South Vietnam – a blend of cities, waterways and islands

Southern Vietnam reveals a different side to the country than the history-steeped north or the imperial centre: noisier, more tropical and more strongly shaped by water. From the urban buzz of Ho Chi Minh City to the tranquil daily life in the Mekong Delta and the beaches of Phu Quoc and Con Dao, the diversity of the south can be experienced in a truly impressive way – ideal as the start or end of a longer trip to Vietnam.