City, Tunnels and Delta on Short Leave
Four days of leave, three outings, and one hotel you never have to repack.
This 4D3N plan keeps one hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and fits Cu Chi on a morning and the Mekong on a day trip. Each transfer lands on a different day, so you are never in a vehicle for most of two days in a row. It is made for people with a few days of leave and a Monday to return to.
Who is this plan for?
It suits employees on short leave, couples and friends who want a city, a piece of history and a river in one go. If you can spare one more night, the three-day plan with a delta overnight gives the river more time.
The plan at a glance
- Day 1: arrive, settle, evening walk in District 1.
- Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning, rest, city sights later.
- Day 3: Mekong Delta day trip, back in the evening.
- Day 4: free morning and your flight home.
Which day does each transfer land on?
| Day | Transfer | Where you end up |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Airport to hotel | District 1, early rest |
| Day 2 | Hotel to Cu Chi and back | Hotel, for a midday rest |
| Day 3 | Hotel to the delta and back | Back in the evening |
| Day 4 | Hotel to airport | Airport, with time in hand |
The two long road days are separated by a lighter day. That is the design choice that matters most on short leave.
Day by day
Day 1: arrive and settle
Tan Son Nhat (SGN)4 is the airport, and Kuala Lumpur flights are listed with Malaysia Airlines, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines and AirAsia3. Check in, rest and take a short evening walk. Eat close to the hotel.
Day 2: Cu Chi and the city
The Cu Chi tunnel complex is described as 121 km long, with Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc visitor sites1. Ben Dinh is closer to the city and has reconstructed tunnels enlarged for visitors2. Go in the morning, when it is cooler. Read the Cu Chi page to decide which site suits your group.
Return to the hotel for lunch and a rest. In the late afternoon, walk to the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, which sit close together. For a deeper history day, see the Ho Chi Minh City history itinerary.
Day 3: Mekong Delta day trip
Leave early and take a day bag. Boats on the canals, a short village cycle and a coconut or fruit stop make up the delta day. It is not a full Mekong experience, but it is a real one, and it fits.
The delta is a long way for one day, so choose one town and leave it at that. The Mekong route choice guide compares My Tho, Ben Tre and Can Tho. Be back by evening, so you can pack at ease.
Day 4: fly home
Keep the morning open. If your flight is late, add a last market walk. If it is early, do nothing but pack.
What if you must be at work on Monday?
Take leave from Thursday to Sunday rather than Friday to Monday, so Day 4 is Sunday and you land home that night. Put the Mekong on Saturday and keep Sunday morning for a market walk and the airport. Check your flight time before you book leave.
Where should you stay?
Stay in District 1 for all three nights. It puts the main sights within a short ride and makes pickup times easy for both day trips. Compare rates yourself, and ask about early breakfast for the delta day.
When is the best time to go?
Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical savanna climate, with a rainy season roughly May to November and a dry season December to April5. The dry months are easier for Cu Chi’s walking and for boats. In the rainy months, afternoon showers are the main reason to keep mornings for outdoor stops.
For Muslim travellers
Saigon Central Mosque, completed in 19356, is a useful anchor in the city. For every meal, ask how the kitchen is run, look for a displayed certificate with an issuing body you can name, and do not assume a menu is halal. Read the meal and prayer checks guide before you go.
What should you book ahead?
- Flights, with times that give you a full Day 2 and Day 3.
- One District 1 hotel for three nights.
- Cu Chi and delta transport, with the pickup time confirmed in a message.
What will it cost?
List flights, three nights, the two day trips, entry tickets, meals and rides on separate lines. Prices change by season, so enter today’s quotes in the trip budget builder and check the plan with the travel-day checker. More plans are in the itineraries section and the Ho Chi Minh City guide.
Share your flight times and the number of days you can really take off, and we can check that the two day trips land on days that work for you.
Common questions
Can Cu Chi and the Mekong both fit into 4D3N?
Yes, if you keep one hotel and do each as a separate half-day or day trip. Cu Chi goes on the morning of Day 2, the Mekong takes Day 3. The city fills Day 1 and the afternoon of Day 2, and Day 4 is for your flight.
Should we change hotels for the Mekong?
Not on a four-day trip. Moving bags to another town costs half a day of your leave. Keep your city hotel for all three nights, take a day bag to the delta and return the same evening.
Which Cu Chi site should we choose?
The two visitor sites are Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc. Ben Dinh is closer to the city and has reconstructed tunnels enlarged for visitors. Choose it if you are short on time, and read our Cu Chi page to see how the other differs.
What if our flight home is in the morning?
Then Day 3 should be the last big outing and Day 4 stays empty. Move the Mekong earlier, check out the night before if you can, and book the airport transfer in advance. Do not add any sight on the day of an early flight.
How hot will it be, and what do we carry?
Ho Chi Minh City has a rainy season roughly May to November and a dry season December to April. It is warm all year, so carry water, a hat, sun cream and a light rain layer, and plan rest in the middle of the day.
Is the plan suitable for Muslim travellers?
Yes, with planning. Ask about the kitchen and suppliers at each meal stop and look for a displayed certificate with an issuing body you can name. Saigon Central Mosque, completed in 1935, is a landmark for prayer and halal enquiries in the city.
Sources
- The Cu Chi tunnel complex is described as 75 miles (121 km) long, with Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc visitor sites. Wikipedia
- Ben Dinh is closer to Ho Chi Minh City than Ben Duoc and has reconstructed tunnels enlarged for visitors. Wikipedia
- Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat to Kuala Lumpur is listed as served by Malaysia Airlines, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines and AirAsia. Wikipedia
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport has IATA code SGN and ICAO code VVTS. Wikipedia
- Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical savanna climate (Koppen Aw), with a rainy season roughly May to November and dry season December to April. Wikipedia
- Saigon Central Mosque (originally the India Jamia Muslim Mosque) was completed in 1935; construction began 21 December 1934. Wikipedia
Keep planning
Share your flight times and the number of days you can really take off, and we can check that the two day trips land on days that work for you.