Ho Chi Minh City, still widely called Saigon, is Vietnam's largest city and commercial engine, a dense, motorbike-driven metropolis on the Saigon River where French colonial landmarks, war-era history and a fast-growing skyline stand within a few kilometres of each other. Most visitors base themselves in District 1 and District 3, and the city is also the usual gateway to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain) Summit Trail
The 986 m peak of Nui Ba Den, the highest mountain in southern Vietnam, rises alone from the Tay Ninh plain and is climbed on foot via the Chua Hang and Chua Trung pagoda trails to the summit shrine area. A cable car covers the same slope, so walkers can climb up and ride down, or the reverse.
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2
Can Gio Mangrove Boardwalk Trails (Rung Sac and Monkey Island)
Flat boardwalks and forest paths through the replanted Rung Sac mangroves of the Can Gio UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with mudskippers, crabs, wading birds and the semi-wild macaques of Monkey Island. This is a nature walk rather than a climb.
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3
Cat Tien National Park: Crocodile Lake (Bau Sau) and Forest Trails
The best lowland rainforest walking within reach of Ho Chi Minh City, in a UNESCO-listed national park known for gibbons, langurs and over 350 bird species. The Bau Sau (Crocodile Lake) trek and the short Ben Cu and Botanical Garden loops start near the park headquarters.
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4
Ta Cu Mountain Trail
A forested switchback trail of about 2.3 km to the pagoda complex and the 49 m reclining Buddha on Ta Cu Mountain near Phan Thiet, with a cable car as the alternative. It works best as a stop on a Mui Ne or Phan Thiet coast trip.
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5
Buu Long Karst Hills Trail
Short lakeside paths and light scrambling over the small limestone hills of Buu Long Tourist Area, with views over the lake and the temples built into the rock. It is the closest hill walk to the city and suits a half day.
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6
Christ of Vung Tau Stairway, Nui Nho (Small Mountain)
A stone stairway of roughly 800 steps up Nui Nho to the 32 m Christ of Vung Tau statue at the southern tip of the Vung Tau peninsula, with sea views over both Front Beach and Back Beach. Inside the statue a narrow stair leads to a viewing platform.
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7
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden and Tao Dan Park Walk
The easiest in-city green walk: the shaded paths of the 1864 Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden beside the Thi Nghe canal, joined to Tao Dan Park and the neighbouring Reunification Palace gardens by a short road walk through District 1.
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8
Saigon Riverside Promenade (Bach Dang Wharf to Ba Son)
A paved riverfront walk along the Saigon River from Bach Dang Wharf past Majestic Hotel and the Ba Son shipyard area, with the Bitexco tower and Thu Thiem skyline across the water, a good early-morning or evening stroll.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Heat and dehydration: felt temperatures exceed 38 C / 100 F on many afternoons; carry 2-3 litres of water on any trail over 5 km and finish before 11:00 where possible
Hazard: Venomous snakes (cobras, pit vipers) in the forests of Cat Tien and Nui Ba Den; wear closed shoes and stay on marked paths
Hazard: Leeches on wet Cat Tien trails from May to November; gaiters or tucked-in socks and repellent help
Hazard: Dengue fever is endemic around Ho Chi Minh City; use repellent containing DEET or picaridin, especially in the Can Gio mangroves
Hazard: Macaques at Monkey Island, Can Gio snatch food, sunglasses and loose bags; do not carry open food and keep zips closed
Hazard: Slippery boulders and steps on Nui Ba Den and Nui Nho after rain; no continuous handrails on the upper sections
Hazard: Mobile coverage is weak inside Cat Tien and on the upper Nui Ba Den slopes; tell the hotel or a contact the route and return time
Hazard: Urban walking: footpaths are often blocked by parked motorbikes and vendors, so walkers share the road; cross slowly and steadily rather than darting