Buzz
Approximately more than 50km away from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, taking about 2 hours to travel, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find yourself at Cần Giờ – a place with a stretch of beach, vast mangrove forests, lush orchards, and delicious fresh seafood.
Scenic view of the beach – Cần Giờ Tourist Area (Photo by ST)
1. Means of Transportation
To reach Can Gio Beach from Ho Chi Minh City, you can opt for a motorbike, car, or bus. However, regardless of the mode of transportation, you'll need to pass through Binh Khanh ferry terminal.
- Motorbike: Motorbikes are a popular choice for their convenience and comfort.
Motorbikes provide a convenient and comfortable mode of transportation.
From downtown Ho Chi Minh City, head towards Tan Thuan Bridge in District 7. Then, take Nguyen Van Linh Street to Huynh Tan Phat Street and continue straight until you reach the end, which is Binh Khanh ferry terminal. You'll need to purchase a ferry ticket to reach Can Gio. From there, you'll encounter a straight road leading from Can Gio to the center of Can Thanh commune. Follow this route, and you'll arrive at Can Gio Beach.
Note: The road to Can Gio is rocky, with few repair shops along the way. Remember to carry essential tools in case of breakdowns. Also, ensure you have your vehicle documents, fully functional mirrors, and maintain the appropriate speed as there are many checkpoints along the route.
The motorcycle route to Can Gio Beach (Image: ST)
- Bus: From Ben Thanh Market, take bus number 20 to Nha Be and alight at Binh Khanh ferry terminal. After crossing the ferry, take bus number 90 directly to Can Gio Beach.
From Ben Thanh Market, catch bus number 20 heading to Nha Be and get off at Binh Khanh ferry terminal. Once across the ferry, continue with bus number 90 straight to Can Gio Beach.
Alternatively, you can take bus route number 75 from 23/9 Park to Can Thanh Bus Station in Can Gio. This route passes by several popular tourist destinations in Can Gio.
Note: There are no designated bus stops in Can Gio, so inform the bus conductor where you want to alight.
Binh Khanh ferry terminal (Image: ST)
2. Enjoying at Can Gio Beach
Can Gio Beach, also known as April 30 Beach, is not as bustling as beaches in Vung Tau, but it remains a familiar destination for many tourists. It offers a serene environment where you can freely enjoy the beach with friends and family in a peaceful atmosphere. While the beach here is not as pristine due to sedimentation, it still attracts many visitors for swimming. They often walk a distance to reach deeper waters.
Can Gio Beach attracts many tourists for relaxation (Image: ST)
The beach here is quite spacious and less crowded, making it ideal for group beach activities such as beach volleyball and beach bonfires. The coastal road is paved with white stones from the town center to the heart of the beach area. Therefore, you can leisurely stroll or ride a motorbike along the coast, enjoying the refreshing breeze amidst vast seas. You can also sit on the beach to admire the sunrise or sunset, which are perhaps the most beautiful and romantic scenes.
The coastal road in Can Gio (Image: ST)
The best experience is a weekend getaway of 2 days and 1 night, where you can camp by the beach, organize parties, indulge in grilled seafood, and enjoy singing and dancing to your heart's content. Moreover, if you have more time, you can explore other attractions such as the brackish mangrove forest in Vam Sat, Monkey Island, Can Thanh town, and the Whale Tomb...
Watching the sunrise over Can Gio Beach (Image: ST)
2. Relaxing at Can Gio Beach
Along the coastline of Can Gio, there are plenty of guesthouses and hotels priced from around 300,000 VND per night and above, such as...
- Ky Nam Resort
Located in Phan Duc, Can Gio, Ky Nam Resort spans 7,000m2 with a 200m-long coastline. It features fully equipped bedrooms combined with spacious houses constructed from natural materials, harmonizing with the natural environment and local culture, offering guests the most wonderful relaxing days.
Scenery of Ky Nam Resort (Image: ST)
- Can Gio Resort
Located right on 30/4 Beach with refreshing pine forests and gentle sea waves. The resort is fully equipped with modern amenities and is not too far from the city, making it the perfect place to enjoy the fresh air and serene atmosphere.
Overview of Can Gio Resort (Image: ST)
- Thai Duong Guesthouse
Situated at No. 1, Can Gio district. Room rates here are quite affordable, around 250,000 VND per day/night, yet fully equipped and clean, providing a comfortable feeling for guests.
3. What to Eat at Can Gio Beach
Due to the large amount of sediment received daily, Can Gio offers a wide variety of fresh and delicious seafood that visitors cannot miss, such as: shrimp (prawns, mantis shrimps, iron shrimps...), crabs, clams...
Seafood at Can Gio Beach (Image: St)
Along Can Gio Beach are vast clam beds nurtured in natural environments, resulting in large and flavorful clams. These clams, when caught, simply need to be soaked in water and steamed with ginger, eaten with sweet chili fish sauce, making them exceptionally delicious.
Clam beds on Can Gio Beach (Image: ST)
Shrimp is the most beloved dish here. In Can Gio, it's mainly tiger shrimp caught from the sea, ponds, and lagoons. Additionally, there are other types such as iron shrimp with tough shells, land shrimp with soft shells and delicious meat. The most delicious is mantis shrimp; just clean, put them in a pot with a little beer, steam them, and you have a plate of fragrant, delicious, and enticing shrimp.
Grilled seafood in Can Gio (Image: ST)
Furthermore, there are pink mantis shrimp, green mantis shrimp, crabs, and snails. You can enjoy delicious dishes right at Can Gio Beach such as sour snail salad, tamarind fried snails, steamed aromatic snails... Just hearing the names is tempting; once you taste them, you'll be hooked.
Fresh seafood at Can Gio Market (Image: ST)
