Fast Track service
$30 per person
At three international airports
- Tan Son Nhat SaigonSGN
- Da Nang International Da NangDAD
- Noi Bai HanoiHAN
- Skip the long immigration line when you land.
- Landing between 19:00 and 06:00: +$5 per booking.
Toward Local field guide · Southern Vietnam
Beyond Saigon
Eight places worth leaving the city for: the Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Black Virgin Mountain, Can Gio, the Con Dao Islands, the Cu Chi Tunnels and Vung Tau. For each one, the facts, the food, the reasons to go and what to do when you get there.
Saigon is the door. The South is the house.
Facts checked
At a glance
The eight, side by side
Approximate travel times from central Saigon. The numbers match the map and the chapters below.
When to go
Season by season
The South has two seasons: dry from about December to April, rainy from May to November. Each place bends that rule a little.
Since 1 July 2025
New names on the map
Vietnam merged its provinces from 63 to 34 and scrapped districts. Signs, menus and older maps still use the old names, while bookings, invoices and Google Maps increasingly show the new ones. On addresses you will see phuong (ward), xa (commune), dac khu (special zone), tinh (province) and TP. (city).
Heading beyond Saigon? Ask a local host.
Toward Local runs private tours in Saigon, including Cu Chi and a Mekong day trip to My Tho and Ben Tre. For the rest of the South, message us with your dates and we will share what we know about routes, seasons and where to stay.
Before you landArrival Ride to your hotel Before you fly
Skip the line at the airport
Your first hour in Vietnam should be spent in the city, not in an immigration queue. Send us your flight on WhatsApp and we set up Fast Track, your ride to the hotel and your e-visa before you fly.
Airport transfer
- 7-seat car 2–3 guests, small luggage$20
- 16-seat van 3–9 guests, large or more luggage$40
- 10 guests or more A larger vehicle, arranged for your groupAsk us
Per trip, at Tan Son Nhat (SGN), Da Nang International (DAD) or Noi Bai (HAN). Between 22:00 and 06:00: +$5 per trip.
Book a transferE-Visa, single entry
$45 per person
- Send your passport details before 16:00 Vietnam time; the result comes in 4–5 days.
- Flying sooner? Ask us about urgent processing.
Prices in USD. National holidays: +40%. All times are Vietnam time (GMT+7). Send your flight and passport details early so we can process everything on time.
Ride with Toward Local
Two of these trips, done privately with us
Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta are both in this guide, and both are private day trips our team runs from Saigon. Back in the city, see Saigon after dark from the back of a local's motorbike.
More free guides
Vietnam, mapped by locals
The same kind of guide for the rest of your route: where to eat, what to see and how to get around, from the local hosts who run our tours.
Ho Chi Minh CitySaigon Street by StreetLocal eats, check-in spots and routes across Ho Chi Minh City.Da NangDa Nang Bridge by BridgeLocal food, check-in spots and things to do across Da Nang.Hoi AnHoi An Lantern by LanternLocal eats, sights and routes on foot or by motorbike in Hoi An.Nha TrangNha Trang Bay by BayLocal restaurants, check-in spots and things to do in Nha Trang.HanoiHanoi Lake by LakeBun cha, Old Quarter eats, photo spots and walking routes in Hanoi.Phu QuocPhu Quoc Beach by BeachBun quay, snail shops, sunset bars, island trips and a pocket map of Phu Quoc.Central VietnamBeyond Da NangHue, Phong Nha, Quy Nhon, Da Lat and more trips from Da Nang.Northern VietnamBeyond HanoiNine northern destinations, weather by month and three routes.