Long Xuyen to Can Gio: Road Trip Guide with Best Stops

Winding south from the Mekong Delta's rice heartlands toward the mangrove fringe of the East Sea, the Long Xuyen to Can Gio drive is a route marked by a rare transition: the paddy fields of An Giang give way to the wetlands of Ho Chi Minh City's coastal district.

This route is also part of the historic 'Rice Road' that supplied Saigon during the French colonial era, with remnants of old trading piers still visible along the Tien River.

To manage fatigue, plan a break in My Tho, the halfway point, which has ample dining and cafes. The route is child-friendly in that most major stops have open spaces, but avoid the floating market at midday due to heat.

Pet owners: many Vietnamese roadside eateries do not welcome animals, so look for air-conditioned petrol stations with shaded parking where pets can stay in vehicles briefly, always with ventilation.

Hidden off-route spot: 20 km west of My Tho, the Dong Tam Snake Farm (licensed) allows close views of pythons and cobras for a modest fee. For more such discoveries, consult how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Finally, the best stops Long Xuyen to Can Gio include the Tra Su forest and the Cai Be market; the entire drive takes about 6 hours, and it is worth driving Long Xuyen to Can Gio for the ecological contrast but be prepared for a long day. Things to do between Long Xuyen and Can Gio are plentiful in the delta stretches, but the final mangrove section near Can Gio demands extra caution on narrow roads.

Just 30 km south of Long Xuyen, the Tra Su Cajuput Forest offers boat tours through flooded Melaleuca woodland, home to storks and herons. Later, near My Tho, the Vinh Trang Pagoda showcases ornate Nguyen-era architecture.

For a slice of local commerce, stop at the Cai Be Floating Market (morning hours) where vendors sell tropical fruit from their boats. The route also passes the Cu Chi Tunnels on a detour to the south, but they are 70 km off-route.

UNESCO site alert: the area is not within any World Heritage zone; the nearest is the Trang An Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh, several hundred km away.

You'll mostly follow National Route 1A, then branch onto QL50 near Ben Tre, and finally take provincial roads to the Rach Gia ferry. Surprisingly, despite its length, the entire route is well-paved and signposted.

• Fuel: Regular gasoline price ~25,000 VND/liter (Jan 2025); a compact car averages 6L/100km, so total fuel cost ~400,000 VND.
• Tolls: 2 toll plazas on QL50 (Trung Luong and Rach Mieu), each ~20,000 VND for sedans.
• Safety: Road quality is good, but watch for motorbikes on QL1A; daytime driving is recommended.
• Rest zones: Many 'Nha Nghi' (guesthouses) along QL1A offer clean restrooms and coffee.
• Family facilities: Restaurants with playgrounds are rare; consider packing snacks and entertainment for kids.

The rainy season (May–November) brings heavy downpours, making the drive slower and more scenic; the dry season (December–April) offers clear skies but higher heat.