Ho Chi Minh City to Ho Tram and Long Hai by Private Car: A Beach Weekend Guide
When Saigon gets hot and busy, Long Hai and Ho Tram are the easiest proper beach escapes from the city. They sit along the coast east of Vung Tau, feel much quieter than Vung Tau itself, and are close enough for a weekend or even a long day trip. A private car takes you door to door, from your hotel or apartment in the city to your resort lobby, with no ferry timetables or bus changes.
How long does the drive take?
From District 1, Long Hai is usually around 2 to 2.5 hours by car and Ho Tram around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and the route your driver chooses. Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings are the busiest times on the roads out of the city, so leaving early in the morning makes a big difference. If you are still deciding between the coast options, our guide to getting from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau compares the car, the speed ferry and the bus.
Long Hai: fishing village charm and a clifftop temple
Dinh Co Temple sits on the rocks above the sea and is one of the most visited spiritual sites on this coast.
Come early to the Long Hai fish market to see the boats come in, then have the seafood cooked at a local restaurant.
The beaches are calm and family-friendly, with a handful of resorts and plenty of small seafood places.
Ho Tram: long sandy beaches and resort living
Ho Tram has a long, wide beach lined with resorts such as The Grand Ho Tram and Melia Ho Tram, ideal for a lazy weekend.
Binh Chau hot springs are a short drive north and make an easy half-day outing.
Ho Coc beach, a little further along the coast, is wilder and quieter if you want a walk on an almost empty beach.
A relaxed weekend plan
Saturday 7:00 am: pickup in the city, coffee stop on the way.
Around 9:30 am: Dinh Co Temple and a seafood brunch in Long Hai.
Early afternoon: continue to Ho Tram and check in to your resort.
Sunday: beach morning, optional Binh Chau hot springs, then head back after lunch to beat the evening traffic.
When to go
The dry season from roughly December to April brings the calmest seas and sunniest days on this coast. If you are planning a trip in the new year, our sister travel blog has a region-by-region look at Vietnam's weather in January, which helps when you are combining the south coast with other parts of the country.
Flying in and heading straight to the beach?
Plenty of travellers land at Tan Son Nhat and go directly to the coast. Pairing your transfer with VIP airport fast track gets you through immigration quickly, so your driver can have you on the road and at the beach by the afternoon.
Book your beach transfer with COA-LIMO
COA-LIMO offers private cars with drivers from Ho Chi Minh City to Long Hai and Ho Tram, from sedans and Kia Carnival MPVs to 9- and 11-seat VIP limousine vans and Toyota Alphard. Every car has bottled water and cold towels, tolls and parking are included, and we can arrange one-way, return or a car that stays with you for the weekend. Hotline and WhatsApp: 0365878125. Email: VIP@coa-limo.com.
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