A visit to Ho Chi Minh City’s nature oasis: Binh Quoi

Ho Chi Minh City is a concrete jungle and whilst the hectic life, whizzing scooters and tons of sizzling street food are fascinating, everybody needs a touch of greenery every now and then. So, if you’re a seasoned traveler that has  just arrived in Ho Chi Minh City from Da Lat, or any other exotic location, and are looking for a relaxing nature fix, read on to find out all about Binh Quoi Tourist Village, a little unknown green paradise just outside of the bustling tourist district. 

Things to do at the Binh Quoi Tourist Village

Aside from strolling around the village, there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied for the entire day if you wish. Here are some of the best things to do at Binh Quoi Tourist Village:

• Eat, eat and eat some more – With over 100 southern style Vietnamese dishes, you could easily sit and stuff your face all day long at one of the floating buffet restaurants. Prices of the buffets starts from 300,000 Vietnamese Dong ($13) per person.

• Take a ride on a paddle-boat – Many people visit Vietnam for the idyllic experience of rowing down lotus filled waters, passing through overgrown mangroves without a care in the world. At Binh Quoi Village you can do just that. Hop into one of the rental paddle-boats for just $2 and try your hand at rowing your way along the lake.

• Go fishing – Join the locals and cast your rods out over the bamboo bridges. You never know what you might catch. If fishing is your thing, this is the perfect spot to spend a few hours doing one of your favourite activities.

• Go picture crazy – As you walk around the village you will see plenty of photo opportunities. So, make sure to have your camera at hand and snap, snap, snap away at the quirky structures, you might even break the internet with a well-directed photo composition. 

A relaxation experience at Binh Quoi Tourist Village

Despite the name “tourist village,” this green oasis is far from a well-trodden hotspot, at least with international tourists. However, that doesn’t mean that you should skip it. There are in fact two parts of the village; Binh Quoi Tourist Village 1 and Binh Quoi Tourist Village 2. Both are set just a few kilometers apart. So, whilst you’re in the area make the time to pop by at both. Within seconds of stepping inside, you will feel like you’re a million miles away from the congested and polluted city. Crumbling concrete buildings, skyscrapers, hens clucking at the side of the road, cloudy skies and motorbike exhaust fumes give way to lush green land, giant lily pad filled ponds, bamboo structures and cute restaurants that sit above the water. 

As you wander through the village, taking in the tranquil scenery of flowers, trees and enchanting lanterns, you will instantly feel like you have stepped back in time as you relive the scenes of traditional Vietnamese culture. You may even feel a sense of familiarity if you have already taken a trip to the Mekong Delta. There is a large pond in the middle of the village, that represents life along the Mekong Delta as well as small, rustic Vietnamese villages in the South of the country. You will find bamboo huts that are perfect to set up a picnic in, bamboo bridges, bamboo water-wheels and even charming little rows boats that you can rent to get the ultimate “mini-Mekong” experience. 

Entrance fee and opening times of Binh Quoi Tourist Village 

Ready for it? Binh Quoi Tourist Village is absolutely FREE to visit. The only costs you will incur is the cost of transport there and back, plus any food or drinks you decide to buy from the restaurants. 

More great news is that the village is open everyday from 9 am to 11 pm, giving you plenty of time to get a dose of clean fresh air into your lungs and go picture crazy at the picturesque site. Depending on your preferences, you may wish to visit in the morning on a weekday for a more quiet, relaxed vibe or visit during an afternoon on the weekend to experience the lively cultural performances and to tuck into a finger-licking buffet.

Location of Binh Quoi Tourist Village and how to get there

Binh Quoi Tourist Village is located 10.7 kilometers (6.64 miles) north of Ho Chi Minh City along the banks of Saigon River and is just a 40 minutes’ drive from the popular Ben Thanh Market. To get there, you have a few choices, which are listed below.

Public bus – For a dirt-cheap way of reaching Binh Quoi Village, you can take a bus from Le Thi Hong Gam street, which is just 500 meters from Ben Thanh Market. Just hop on to the bus number 44 and get off at Ben do Binh Quoi Street. From there the village is just a 5-minute walk away.  

Hail a taxi – There are plenty of taxis rolling around the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. All you need to do is simply hail one down. Be aware though, you should either negotiate a fair price (150,000 vnd ($6.47) to 200,000 vnd ($8.62), depending on the time of day and weather) or request the taxi driver use the meter. If you would prefer to use the meter and the taxi driver refuses, then walk away and find another taxi. The most reputable taxi companies in Ho Chi Minh City are Mai Linh and Vinasun.

Grab or GoViet – Grab and GoViet are transport apps like Uber but tend to be slightly cheaper. All you need to do is download the apps and input your pick-up location and drop off location. Grab is great for a car if you are going with other people, whilst GoViet is slightly cheaper for a scooter. Prices fluctuate slightly, depending on the weather and time of day, but with these companies you lower the risk of getting ripped off as the price is shown to you on the app beforehand. 

So, are you ready to get your nature fix and leave behind the chaotic city for the day? Binh Quoi Village is the perfect place to head. With stunning greenery, rustic designs, numerous food dishes on offer and opportunities to go fishing or take a ride on a paddle-boat, your day can be filled with ultimate relaxation and peacefulness.