Looking for a cool escape from Saigon's scorching heat?

As Saigon plunges into sweltering summer days, it's the perfect time to plan a getaway with friends, not too far from the city but offering everyone some much-needed comfort.

Saigon's heatwave got you feeling faint? Where to beat the heat?

Nam Cat Tien National Park

Located approximately 160 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Nam Cat Tien spans three provinces: Dong Nai, Lam Dong, and Binh Phuoc. To reach Nam Cat Tien, take National Route 1A to Dau Giay junction, then turn left onto National Route 20 (toward Da Lat) for about 58 km until reaching Ta Lai junction. Turn left and continue for approximately 24 km to reach Nam Cat Tien.

This destination attracts nature enthusiasts seeking to immerse themselves in the wilderness or embark on adventures in search of tranquility amidst diverse flora and fauna. At Nam Cat Tien, accommodation options include tent camping, with tent rentals ranging from 80,000 to 200,000 VND per unit.

Thoi Son Island, Tien Giang

Thoi Son Island, also known as Thai Son or Lan Island, lies in the lower reaches of the Tien River, belonging to Thoi Son commune, My Tho city, Tien Giang province. What makes Thoi Son attractive and charming is not only its abundance of delicious fruits but also its status as an ideal orchard tourism destination for weekend getaways.

Visitors to Thoi Son Island will experience the distinctive form of river tourism typical of the Mekong Delta, gliding down narrow channels between lush coconut rows. Additionally, you can stroll along winding stone paths, traverse fruit orchards, and relax in garden houses while sipping honey tea and listening to traditional folk music performances.

Lan Vuong Tourist Area, Ben Tre

Located in Ben Tre city, along provincial road 887, Lan Vuong Tourist Area is just 90km from Saigon. From wild fields, this place has been transformed into a charming river tourism destination, with small streams meandering throughout the area. At Lan Vuong, you can enjoy delicious cuisine and immerse yourself in a cool, open space filled with fruit trees, flowers, and enchanting rowing boats.

What particularly attracts many visitors to this tourist area are two 'can't-stop-laughing' activities: cycling across monkey bridges and group tightrope walking across the river.

Upon visiting Lan Vuong, you'll explore the natural ecosystem for outdoor activities, river cruising, recreational fishing, and indulging in unique fruits like green skin pomelo, An Phuoc plum, Hoa Loc mango, green coconut, and pineapple coconut. You'll also have the chance to participate in traditional folk music performances, karaoke sessions, shop for handicrafts, and savor authentic Southern dishes.

O Island and Dong Truong Island, Dong Nai

O Island and Dong Truong Island are two islets nestled in the heart of Tri An Lake (Vinh Cuu district, Dong Nai province). From Ho Chi Minh City, take National Route 1A towards Dong Nai, then turn left at the Tri An junction and travel another 8 km to the center of Vinh An town (district capital of Vinh Cuu) before reaching Dong Truong boat dock. After a 30-minute leisurely boat ride on Tri An Lake, you'll set foot on O Island.

Setting foot on the island, visitors will be amazed by the lush greenery and vibrant flowers. The winding path around the island is shaded by tall trees, adorned with fluttering butterflies and gentle breezes. The sandy beach at the end of the island, where waves gently lap, is a perfect spot to frolic in the clear, cool lake water.

Suoi Mo Park, Dong Nai

Just about 100 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, Suoi Mo Park is one of the newest tourist attractions, appealing to adventurous youth and families looking for a refreshing green space to relax and enjoy on weekends.

Located in Tra Co commune, Tan Phu district, Dong Nai province, Suoi Mo Park is likened to a forest paradise with its impressive natural landscape, crystal-clear streams, refreshing waterfalls, and a vast bathing lake spanning an area of up to 150,000 square meters.

To reach Suoi Mo Park, it takes about a 3-hour motorbike ride from Saigon. Follow this route: Start on National Highway 1 for over 64 km to Dau Day junction, then turn left onto National Highway 20 towards Dalat for another 48 km, past column number 48 of the People's Committee of Dinh Quan district for about 700m, then turn right and proceed further inside to reach Suoi Mo.

The spring water here is quite special, sourced from underground streams, small streams meander through rock crevices, pouring into the cool lake, where you can see beautiful algae growing underwater, unlike cold water processed similarly to other lakes and streams.

Ma Thien Lanh Valley, Tay Ninh

Ma Thien Lanh Valley lies adjacent to three mountains: Ba Den, Phung, and Heo, in Thanh Tan commune (Tay Ninh city), Tay Ninh province. This place boasts a stunning pristine forest landscape, often dubbed the 'Dalat of Southeastern Vietnam', yet remains relatively unknown.

Ma Thien Lanh Valley is only about 100km from downtown Saigon, and motorbikes can be a suitable means of transportation. It's advisable to travel in a group of 6-8 people to mitigate risks.

In terms of transportation, from Saigon, you can take National Highway 22A to Trang Bang junction, then turn right onto Provincial Road 782 and travel about 50km to Tay Ninh town. There is now a paved road over 3km long from Provincial Road 785 leading up to Phung mountain, which you can take to reach Ma Thien Lanh.

The road to Ma Thien Lanh, while not steep and winding like mountain passes, is still challenging, as the descent into the valley is quite steep and treacherous. Overcoming these difficult roads, travelers will immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere of cloud-shrouded mountains, which has attracted the footsteps of adventurers.

Arriving at Ma Thien Lanh, you'll be thrilled by the breathtaking scenery of towering mountains, the melodious chirping of birds, and the distant sound of flowing streams, bringing you an inexplicable sense of peace and tranquility.

Da Han Waterfall Tourist Area, Dong Nai

Da Han Waterfall is located in Trang Bom town, Trang Bom district, Dong Nai province, about 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City. From Saigon, drive along National Highway 1A to Trang Bom town. At Cay Gao junction, turn onto a small road and drive another 3 km until you see the sign directing you to Da Han Waterfall. Ticket prices range from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per person depending on the day of the week.

The waterfall is surrounded by fruit orchards, making the journey to conquer the cool and fragrant waterfall quite pleasant. Along the way, you can take a break and admire the clusters of ripe fruit. If you wish, you can also buy fruit from the orchards. However, it's best to wait until your return journey to make a purchase.

Tu Phuong That Island, Vung Tau

Located about 8 km from the center of Ba Ria city, the eco-tourism area of Tu Phuong That Island sits in Phuoc Huu hamlet, Long Phuoc commune, Ba Ria city, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, offering an ideal destination for weekend sightseeing, recreation, and camping.

Visitors to Tu Phuong That Island eco-tourism area can enjoy the fresh, simple countryside atmosphere and participate in various exciting activities such as ditch fishing, angling, rowing boats, visiting fruit orchards, and savoring many delicious local dishes.

Officially opened in early 2016, Tu Phuong That Island provides a cool, nature-friendly space with 7 artificial islands situated on a trapezoidal strip of land, surrounded by rice fields on 3 sides and the remaining side hosting fruit orchards, animal husbandry, and vegetable cultivation covering a total area of 22,000 square meters.

Dau Tieng Lake Tourism Complex

Dau Tieng Lake is a famous scenic spot in Binh Duong province. It features mountains, lakes, and water. Of these, Mount Cau stands out as a picturesque landscape painting. This is an intriguing tourist destination for travelers seeking to reconnect with wild nature. From atop Mount Cau, you can observe the beautiful scenery surrounding Dau Tieng Lake.

This place is also known for the unique Dau Tieng irrigation system. The lake's surface is clear and calm, surrounded by lush green grass and clusters of fragrant white flowers. Additionally, there are many other tourist attractions and cultural relics here, such as Thoi Son Pagoda, Phu Loi Prison historical site, Phu An ecological conservation center, ancient houses, etc.

San San (Compilation)

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour