Looking for a bit of relief from the Saigon bustle? Only 50 km from the city, Can Gio Beach is a stunning slice of beach, just a stone’s throw away from Ho Chi Minh City in Can Gio District, with casinos, mangroves, cheeky monkeys on Monkey Island, and vibrant local life! A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Can Gio Vietnam has a raw untamed beauty like no other. Whether you get there by the Binh Khanh Ferry or by riding in from the city, you’ll discover fresh seafood, quiet beaches, and even resorts with their swimming pools, all without the hordes of tourists. Can’t wait to see more realistic getaways like this? Check out our Vietnam Escape Tour!
Can Gio Beach: Long Hoa Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
By Motorbike (for the thrill-seekers!)
By Car or Taxi (easy and comfortable)
By Public Bus (budget option for backpackers)
No, this isn’t any zoo – it’s the island of wild monkeys! Monkey Island: Take a walk through shady trails inhabited by a curious bunch of monkeys at Monkey Island. Watch your belongings – sunglasses, hats and even snacks can be pilfered by these mischievous inhabitants.
The island is one of the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve and conservation and education walk side by side. Local guides share monkey habits and conservation efforts.
You can also sign up for a boat ride or a short walk to other war relics not far away, visiting here a stirring mix of nature and history.
Monkey Island (Source: dulichnamachau)
Tucked away in the mangrove forest is Rung Sac Guerilla Base, one of the most interesting places to visit in Can Gio for history buffs. VN -During the Vietnam War, it was a strategic Vietcong base. Today, it has been fully recreated with life-like soldiers, trenches, and command bunkers.
From the base, reach it by canoe through narrow rivers or by foot through dense foliage and you’ve got a palpable sense of how intense and determined life was here. It’s one of the more off-the-wall wartime memorials in the vicinity of Can Gio Beach Vietnam, and a great pick for armchair historians and the morbidly curious among you.
Rung Sac Guerrilla Base (Source: vietnamnet)
Considered among the top Vietnam eco tour places in Southern Vietnam, Vam Sat is Can Gio Vietnam’s pride and joy for those who love nature. Here you can crocodile fish, canoe through serene mangrove canals, climb the 26-meter-high Tang Bong Tower, or go bird watching among rare species at Bat Swamp.
This region is under protection from UNESCO’s designation and is a fantastic place to get educated on conservation. The best way to see the island is on a guided eco-tour, to gain full access and local knowledge of this cultural geologic phenomenon.
Vam Sat Ecological Area (Source: vietnamonline)
This is the spiritual heart of Can Gio. Whale Temple (also known as Lang Ong Thuy Tuong) is a religious place for fishermen in the area to place their faith in the whales, which supposedly guard the sea. Inside, a 17-meter-long whale skeleton is exhibited with reverence.
The Cao Dai Temple, which exhibits a blend of Buddhism, Christianity, and Taoism, and the Duyen Hai War Memorial, which has stories of the local tradition and history, are nearby, providing layers of history and local belief. All these are within easy staggering distance – the perfect cultural saunter post-lunch on the beach.
Whale Temple (Source: tripadvisor)
06:30 AM – Depart from Saigon:
Early your adventure of Can Gio beach begins! Jump onto a motorbike, a car, or a local bus and head south to the Binh Khanh Ferry. On the ferry crossing you can see the mangrove which gives Can Gio District its green coat.
08:00 AM – Explore Monkey Island:
Arrive at Monkey Island, a sanctuary for over 1,000 monkeys that inhabit the trees and the forest floor. Have your camera ready, but also do not let go of your belongings! Local guides on the way will share safety advice and interesting facts about the preservation work done in the area.
10:00 AM – Visit Rung Sac Guerrilla Base:
Canoe or walk 25 minutes from town and into the mangrove forests to reach this painstakingly recreated wartime base. Here you can tour bunkers, check out life-size models of Viet Cong soldiers, and learn how they were able to survive in some of the harshest terrain in Vietnam.
12:00 PM – Lunch at Hang Duong Market:
It’s time to feast! Head for Hang Duong Seafood Market, up by Can Gio Beach, and select the seafood you’ll eat cooked on the spot from the plastic tubs and concrete tanks inside. Local merchants will cook the food fresh as you watch – grilled squid, clams, shrimp, and so forth, for a remarkably low price.
02:00 PM – Relax at 30/4 Beach:
After lunch, take a stroll down to Can Gio Beach (also known as 30/4 Beach) and feel the sea breeze. You can paddle in the water, walk along the black sand (mineral) beach, or just lay back under the coconut trees with a good strong drink.
04:30 PM – Head Back to Saigon:
When the sun starts to sink, it’s time to return to the city, relaxed and reinvigorated from a day spent in the great outdoors.
Can Gio Beach (Source: itourvn)
Day 1 – Discover the Wild Side of Can Gio
08:00 AM – Arrival and Check-in:
Begin early to beat the crowds and stay overnight at a quaint Can Gio Beach Resort, eco-lodge, or friendly homestay. Check your bags, fetch your hat, and let’s dig in.
09:30 AM – Visit Monkey Island and the Guerrilla Base:
Pass your morning doodling around Monkey Island with its monkey mayhem, before you journey into the depths of the jungle to uncover the history of Rung Sac Guerrilla Base. And don’t forget water and comfortable shoes!
12:30 PM – Seafood Lunch by the Beach:
Indulge in a seafood feast and dine at a seaside restaurant or directly at Hang Duong Market. Can Gio Beach Vietnam. It’s renowned for its freshest catch – don’t skip out on grilled scallops or “ca dua mot nang.”
03:00 PM – Vam Sat Ecological Tour:
In the afternoon, set off for Vam Sat for an unforgettable nature tour. Paddle amongst peaceful mangrove forests, fish for crocodiles, or ascend the Tang Bong Tower for nature views across the biosphere.
06:30 PM – Sunset and Dinner:
Head back to your resort, then relax with a quiet walk along Can Gio Beach. Dine to the sound of waves and cool sea breezes at dinner – private al fresco dining on the beach is available at many Can Gio Beach Resort properties.
Can Gio Beach Resort (Source: cangiotourist)
Day 2 – Culture and Coastal Calm
07:00 AM – Morning Coffee and Temple Visit:
Begin your day early with a coffee by the beach, before hiking to Lang Ong Thuy Tuong (Whale Temple) and the nearby Cao Dai Temple. Find the spiritual aspect of Can Gio Vietnam where ancient beliefs coexist with coastal traditions.
09:00 AM – Market Stroll and Local Souvenirs:
Explore the stalls of the Duyen Hai Market for dried fish, sea salt, or tropical fruits. Discuss with small vendors and discover more about life in Can Gio District.
11:00 AM – Final Swim and Checkout:
One more swim in the ocean or by the swimming pool at your resort. Go to check out. Ready? Your flight home awaits.
01:00 PM – Return to Saigon:
Return to the city after this journey, with a heart full of nature and a camera full of memories!
Cao Dai Temple (Source: dulichchantroimoi)
What to try & estimated prices:
Why go here: It’s lively, real-deal, and DIY cooking. You choose your seafood, which vendors grill, steam, or fry on the spot, while you sit back and enjoy the sea breeze all around you.
Hang Duong Market (Source: phamdung)
Recommended dishes & prices:
Why go here: Relaxed, oceanfront vibe with homespun fare. Good for a sit-down meal after a long day at the beach.
Quan Beo – Hai San Bien (Source: rootytrip)
Highlights & prices:
Why go here: The space’s straightforwardness is its charming attribute. You’ll eat what the fishermen eat – fresh, simple, and prepared with love.
Quan 100 (Source: go2joy)
The mangrove forests of Can Gio District are precious. They filter the water, prevent the land from washing away, and are a place where birds, monkeys, and, sometimes, even crocodiles find cover.
When visiting places like Monkey Island or Vam Sat, always:
These forests are a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and protecting them is one of the best ways to take care of the Can Gio Beach Vietnam area.
Can Gio Vietnam people intimately snuggle close to the sea and nature.?Some work as fishermen, market sellers, or homestay hosts.
To show respect:
Being polite and inquisitive is the easiest way to make contact with the people here, and they’ll be happy to see you!
Some excursions at Can Gio Beach might involve performing animals, such as monkeys or bears, doing tricks. These exhibitions routinely involve animal abuse.
Instead:
The mangrove-ringed Can Gio Beach is the ultimate one-two-three of nature, culture, and cuisine, all set an hour or so out of Saigon. When you visit Can Gio, a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve where shaded mangroves and brightly hued locals trawl for seafood, it’s not just a getaway, it’s an escape. Whether you’re there for a day or staying at a boutique Can Gio Beach Resort, this little coastal getaway is the type of natural beauty that sticks with you. Looking for more hidden gems like this one? Jump to our Vietnam Escape Tour for additional epic adventures.
Absolutely! Can Gio Beach Vietnam, is one of Saigon’s hidden gems. With its tranquil coastline, UNESCO-protected mangrove forests, bustling local markets, and historic sites like Rung Sac Guerrilla Base, it’s the perfect spot to escape the city’s heat, devour fresh seafood, and get close to nature – all for an affordable price and without throngs of tourists.
It’s easy! From downtown Ho Chi Minh City, drive south on Huynh Tan Phat Street to the Binh Khanh Ferry. Once cross the river, keep straight forward on Rung Sac Road about 35-40km. You can drive there by motorbike, car, or taxi, or even by public bus on route 75 or 90. The entire trip usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Can Gio Beach Vietnam has a lot to offer!
To get to Monkey Island, go to Can Gio District through Binh Khanh Ferry and follow Rung Sac Road. After 35ish km, look for signs that say Monkey Island (Dao Khi) within the Can Gio Mangove Biosphere Reserve. It is well-signposted and reachable by car, motorbike, and guided tour. You can travel from Saigon in about 1.5 hours.
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