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Can Gio to Ho Chi Minh City, or the other way, is only about 50 km, yet the Bình Khánh ferry can double the journey time. It is still the only road link between Cần Giờ and the city. The crossing itself takes 10–15 minutes, but weekend queues can run 1–2 hours and longer on holidays. This guide covers queue times in each direction, options for airport runs, and the projects that will change the route.
Heading out at the weekend, cross before 6:30 a.m. Coming back, leave Cần Giờ before 4 p.m. or after 7 p.m. Over Tết 2027, the first mornings of the break (4–5 February) and the afternoon of the 5th day are the likeliest long waits. With a driver, your family does not have to sit in the queue in the sun; allow at least an extra hour at weekends.
After the ferry, there are about 25–30 km of city roads through Nhà Bè and former District 7 to the airport. For a morning flight, plan to arrive about 2 hours ahead (domestic) or 3 hours (international), plus ferry and traffic time. On weekdays, leaving before 5 a.m. is safe for early flights; at weekends, leave earlier still.
These dates may move, so check the latest news before you travel.
Cần Giờ is the only coastal district of the former Ho Chi Minh City, and in 2000 its mangrove forest became Vietnam's first UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Most sights sit along Rừng Sác road or around the Cần Thạnh seafront, so a private car lets you link three or four of them in a day instead of waiting for buses.
Deep in the Rừng Sác forest, at Sub-zone 15A in the former Lý Nhơn commune. A shuttle runs from the gate to the centre. The bird sanctuary lies about 800 m from the entrance and shelters herons, painted storks and other wading birds; nesting season runs from April to October. The Bat Lagoon protects a colony of large fruit bats that roost on one small mangrove islet; boats approach in silence. There is also fishing, crab catching and a semi-wild crocodile area.
In the former Long Hòa commune near the southern end of Rừng Sác road. Thousands of long-tailed macaques live wild in forest replanted since the 1990s. It is about 1 km from the ticket gate to the main area, so take the electric cart. The monkeys are bold: zip away glasses, hats and phones and keep food out of sight.
A national historic site recreating the life and operations of the Rừng Sác special forces. You reach it by speedboat through several kilometres of mangrove channels, which doubles as the closest look at the forest for anyone not paddling.
Good for active groups: kayaks or stand-up paddleboards through the creeks, and mud-flat shellfish gathering. Bring a change of clothes and a dry bag; with a private car you can leave dry kit in the vehicle.
Rừng Sác road ends at the 30/4 beach in the former Cần Thạnh town. The water is brackish and muddy, better for an evening stroll and sunset than swimming. The Lăng Ông Thủy Tướng whale temple on Duyên Hải street honours the whale revered by local fishermen and displays a whale skeleton about 12 m long alongside old fishing gear.
A boat from the Cần Thạnh pier takes a little over 30 minutes to Thạnh An island commune. Visitors walk the sea dyke and visit Thiềng Liềng, named the city's first model community-tourism destination in December 2022, with salt fields, Giồng Chùa hill, southern folk music and home-cooked meals. Cars do not cross; the driver waits on the mainland or returns at an agreed time.
| Sight | Location | Time to allow | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vàm Sát | Mid Rừng Sác, former Lý Nhơn | 2–3 hours | Nesting season April–October |
| Monkey Island | Former Long Hòa | 1–1.5 hours | Secure glasses and phones |
| Rừng Sác base | By speedboat | 1.5 hours | Bring a hat and light jacket |
| Dần Xây | Off Rừng Sác road | 2 hours | Spare clothes |
| 30/4 beach, Whale Temple | Former Cần Thạnh | 1–2 hours | Best late afternoon |
| Thạnh An, Thiềng Liềng | Boat from Cần Thạnh pier | Half a day | Car waits on shore |
Right at the start of the road into 30/4 beach, the market sells same-day prawns, crabs, clams, snails and squid, plus ready-cooked dishes. You can buy at a stall and have it cooked on the spot: salt-roasted, garlic-fried, tamarind, grilled with spring onion oil or steamed with lemongrass. Weekends are packed; agree the cooking charge first and watch the weighing.
At 551/2 Tắc Xuất, Miễu Ba quarter, former Cần Thạnh town. Open-air riverside seating with car parking and a menu of seafood, hotpots, blood cockles and steamed clams. It suits large families who want to sit down after a morning of sightseeing.
Dried fish, fish sauce and dried squid are sold around the market. If you take fresh seafood back to the city, ask for ice and a foam box; the driver will stow it apart from your luggage.
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 5:30 a.m. | Pick-up at your hotel or home, via Huỳnh Tấn Phát to the Bình Khánh ferry. |
| 6:30–7:30 | Cross and drive Rừng Sác road. |
| 7:45–10:30 | Vàm Sát: bird sanctuary and Bat Lagoon. |
| 11:00–12:00 | Monkey Island. |
| 12:15–1:30 p.m. | Seafood lunch at Hàng Dương market or a beach restaurant. |
| 1:30–3:00 | Whale Temple and a walk on 30/4 beach. |
| 3:00 | Head back, crossing before the evening queue. |
For Thạnh An, drop Vàm Sát or stay overnight; the island needs a full half-day.
Many visitors from the north and centre land at Tân Sơn Nhất in the morning and want to reach Cần Giờ the same day. The simplest way:
| Vehicle | Large suitcases | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4–5 seat | about 3 | Couples, groups of 3 |
| 7-seater | about 4 | Families of 4–6 |
| 16-seat van, 9-seat limousine | about 6–8 | Extended families, groups |
There is no railway to Cần Giờ, but many families take the Reunification Express sleeper from Hà Nội, Huế, Đà Nẵng or Nha Trang to Saigon station (1 Nguyễn Thông street) and continue by car. Send your train code and carriage number when booking; the driver waits in the station car park and follows the actual arrival time. An early-morning arrival works best: leave straight away and you cross the ferry before 6:30 a.m., ahead of the weekend crowd. If the train arrives around midday, spend a night in the city and go down the next morning.
A high-speed passenger boat also runs from Vũng Tàu to Cần Giờ in about 30 minutes, weather permitting. Cars cannot board it, so if you want both places in one trip, ask us to arrange a car on the other side.
Families of 4–6: a 7-seater; friends or company groups: a 16-seat van. Going down from the city: HCMC to Can Gio by car; the new road: Ben Luc – Long Thanh expressway guide.
Booking: chauffeur quotes already cover fuel and tolls and get 10% off; vehicles are 2022–2025 models. Need an 8% VAT invoice? Tell us when you book. Send your route through our quick quote form.
The crossing is 10–15 minutes; weekend queues usually run 1–2 hours, longer on holidays.
No. The Cần Giờ bridge is planned to open in 2029.
Yes, book ahead so the driver can time the ferry around your flight.
Vàm Sát, Monkey Island, a seafood lunch at Hàng Dương market and 30/4 beach is the usual plan; for Thạnh An island, stay overnight.
Nesting season runs from April to October.
Yes; send the train code and the driver waits in the station car park.
If you are planning a nearby route, Can Gio Day Trip from Ho Chi Minh City: What to Know has more details to help you prepare.
Real cars at the Car Rental Vietnam depot
Travel guides for this trip
Private cars with driver from 4 to 45 seats, including Limousine vans and 29- and 45-seater coaches. Tolls, trip insurance and the driver's pay are included:
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