HCMC to Tra Vinh Road Trip Guide: Routes & Stops

On the old Mandarin Road south of Saigon, the Ho Chi Minh City–Tra Vinh corridor passes through the heart of the Mekong Delta, where the river splits into nine branches before meeting the sea. The ground here is young alluvial soil, no more than 8,000 years old, and the entire route sits less than 2 meters above sea level, which is why drainage canals line both sides of the road.

This guide covers the two primary driving options, estimated travel times, and what you'll see along the way. We also explain how to keep costs down, where to rest, and which stops are genuinely worth your time.

Below is a quick snapshot of the drive.

Both routes share the first 50 km along National Highway 1A before diverging at My Tho.

How long to drive Ho Chi Minh City to Tra Vinh depends on your chosen route and departure time. Leaving before 6 AM avoids peak congestion in the city, but even mid-morning traffic rarely adds more than 45 minutes. The fastest option is National Highway 60, which takes you through Ben Tre province and across the Ham Luong River via the My Thuan 2 bridge.

Fuel stations are abundant, but the cheapest gas is often at independent pumps just outside urban centers; expect to pay about 22,000 VND per liter of gasoline. Tolls on Highway 60 add up to ~35,000 VND per car, while the Highway 1A route costs ~20,000 VND in tolls but uses more fuel.

• Highway 60 is newer and smoother, but highway 1A offers wider lanes in some sections.
• Both routes cross multiple ferry terminals, though the longer route uses the free Rach Mieu ferry.
• GPS apps work well, but local signs are in Vietnamese only; use offline maps as backup.

Is it worth driving Ho Chi Minh City to Tra Vinh? For travelers who enjoy sleepy villages and river vistas, yes. The route passes through the coconut capital of Ben Tre, where roadside markets sell candied coconut and palm-leaf hats. Near the mid-point, the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary offers a glimpse of native storks and herons, while the Khmer minority culture becomes more visible as you approach Tra Vinh.

Off the main road, you can find hidden off-route spots like the quiet Ong Met Canal in Ben Tre, where no tour boats venture. To discover such places, use the same techniques described in how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are not on this route, but the nearby My Son Sanctuary is 8 hours away; the nearest is the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi, too far for a day trip.

Road quality is good overall, but be alert for motorbikes crossing unexpectedly and for sections under maintenance. Use the two-lane sections with caution, especially at night. For fatigue management, plan rest stops at the Ben Tre market or the Vinh Long rest stop around halfway; a 15-minute break every 2 hours is recommended.

Things to do between Ho Chi Minh City and Tra Vinh include visiting the Ben Tre Coconut Candy Workshop, where you can see the process and buy fresh pralines. For families, the My Tho riverside park has playgrounds and boat rides, and many eateries offer high chairs. Pet-friendly framework is limited; most restaurants allow dogs on their terraces, but only a few hotels in Tra Vinh accept pets, so book in advance.

The climate is tropical with two seasons: dry (Nov–Apr) and rainy (May–Oct). The best stops Ho Chi Minh City to Tra Vinh during the rainy season are the indoor markets and pagodas; the route aesthetics shine in the dry season when rice fields turn golden. Locally, the culinary infrastructure is strong: you'll find family-run quán ăn (eateries) every 10 km serving hu tieu and fresh spring rolls.