Dong Nai Travel Guide 2027: Where to Go, What to Eat, Tips

Just about 30 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai packs a surprising amount of variety into a short trip: lowland rainforest, a vast reservoir dotted with islands, granite outcrops, historic temples and orchards heavy with tropical fruit. A Dong Nai trip works equally well as a day escape from Saigon or a multi-day adventure of camping, trekking and wildlife spotting. Here is what first-time independent travellers need to know.

Best Time to Visit

Dong Nai has a tropical monsoon climate: warm all year with two distinct seasons.

• Dry season (roughly December–April): sunny, little rain and dry trails. This is the best window for trekking, lakeside camping at Tri An, climbing Chua Chan Mountain or exploring Cat Tien National Park.
• Rainy season (roughly May–November): short, heavy afternoon showers, lush greenery and fuller waterfalls. Trails get slippery, though, and some forest and water activities may be limited.
• Long Khanh fruit season: usually around May–August, peaking mid-year, with rambutan, durian and mangosteen.
• Festivals and holidays: after Lunar New Year (Tet), many pilgrims climb Chua Chan Mountain to visit its pagodas, which is lively but crowded. On weekends and public holidays, attractions close to HCMC fill up fast.

Getting to and Around Dong Nai

Getting there

• From Ho Chi Minh City: Bien Hoa, the main city, is around 30 km from central HCMC. Options include intercity buses, coaches, taxis or ride-hailing apps, or driving via National Highway 1, the Hanoi Highway or the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway.
• By train: North–South trains stop at stations in the province such as Bien Hoa and Long Khanh, handy if you are coming from central or northern Vietnam.
• By air: most travellers fly into Tan Son Nhat Airport (HCMC) and continue by road, about an hour depending on traffic. Long Thanh International Airport, located in Dong Nai itself, is expected to open during this period; check which routes are operating before booking.

Getting around

• In Bien Hoa, taxis and ride-hailing services are easy to find.
• Highlights such as Tri An Lake, Ma Da Forest, Cat Tien and Da Ba Chong are spread out and far from the city, so renting a motorbike or hiring a private car gives you the most flexibility.
• To reach the islands on Tri An Lake you will need a boat or speedboat from a lakeside pier.

Note: since 2025, Vietnam has reorganised many local administrative units. Former district names such as Vinh Cuu, Dinh Quan and Tan Phu are still widely used when asking for directions.

Top Things to See in Dong Nai

Buu Long Tourist Area (Bien Hoa)

A cluster of jade-green lakes framed by cliffs and small hills, often nicknamed a "mini Ha Long Bay". Stroll around the water, climb to the Long Son cave area and Binh Dien hill, and visit the old Buu Phong Pagoda. It is the easiest highlight to reach and fits nicely into half a day.

Tran Bien Temple of Literature (Bien Hoa)

Regarded as the first Temple of Literature (a Confucian temple honouring scholarship) in southern Vietnam, it has been rebuilt on its historic site. Quiet grounds and traditional architecture make it a good stop for history lovers.

Tri An Lake and Its Islands

This huge reservoir was created by the Tri An hydropower project in the 1980s and is scattered with small islands. Dao O (Eagle Island) and Dong Truong Island are popular for camping, kayaking, fishing and sunset watching, though facilities are basic. The boat ride out takes around 30 minutes.

Ma Da Forest

Part of the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, Ma Da has dense vegetation, streams and trails suited to trekking and camping. It is also tied to wartime history, including the War Zone D resistance base. Going with a tour or local guide is recommended.

Cat Tien National Park

One of southern Vietnam's most important lowland tropical forests, in the north of the province. Visitors cycle forest roads, walk to giant ancient trees, visit Crocodile Lake (Bau Sau) or join night wildlife drives. Allow at least one or two days, as it is a long drive from HCMC.

Da Ba Chong Rock Formation (Dinh Quan)

Striking stacked granite boulders right beside National Highway 20, listed as a national scenic relic in 1988. It makes a quick stop on the way to Cat Tien or Da Lat.

Chua Chan Mountain (Xuan Loc)

Known as the highest peak in Dong Nai, it is popular for sunrise and sunset treks and the pagodas on its slopes. You can hike the trail or take the cable car. Early in the rainy season, patches of reed grass on the slopes make for great photos.

Long Khanh Orchards and Tan Trieu Pomelo Village

Long Khanh is famous for rambutan, durian and mangosteen, and many family orchards let visitors in to eat fruit straight from the trees for a small entry fee. Tan Trieu, a riverside village near Bien Hoa, is known for its pomelos (a large, sweet citrus fruit) and dishes made from them.

Local Food to Try

• Tan Trieu pomelo dishes: pomelo salad (goi buoi), pomelo sweet soup (che buoi), chicken steamed with pomelo leaves and pomelo liquor. Best enjoyed in Tan Trieu village itself.
• Tri An freshwater fish: catfish such as ca lang, carp and other lake fish served as hotpot, grilled or in herb salads. Lakeside restaurants around Tri An offer the freshest catch.
• Long Khanh fruit: rambutan, durian, mangosteen and longkong (bon bon) in season; eat at the orchards or buy at Long Khanh market.
• Cashew nuts: a regional speciality of southeastern Vietnam and an easy gift to take home.
• Bien Hoa street food: the city centre and areas around big markets serve everyday favourites such as banh mi, hu tieu noodle soup, bun (rice vermicelli) and com tam (broken rice).

Where to Stay

• Budget: guesthouses and homestays in central Bien Hoa or Long Khanh, affordable and close to bus and train stations.
• Mid-range: 3-star hotels in Bien Hoa, plus eco-lodges and glamping sites around Tri An Lake, ideal for friends and families who want to sleep close to nature.
• Forest stays: lodges in and near Cat Tien National Park, convenient for early-morning walks and night tours.
• Upscale: eco-resorts, golf resorts and larger hotels in Bien Hoa, Long Thanh and Nhon Trach.

Practical Tips

• Avoid weekends and holidays if you want peace at Tri An or Buu Long; if you must go then, book campsites and rooms ahead.
• Pack for insects: repellent, long trousers and closed shoes for Ma Da and Cat Tien; leeches are common in the rainy season.
• Start the Chua Chan climb early, carry plenty of water, hike in a group and stay on the main trail.
• Do not swim in waterfalls or streams after heavy rain or where warning signs are posted; water levels can rise quickly.
• Confirm prices before you go: entry and camping fees at Tri An or Ma Da are typically around VND 50,000–150,000 per person, while island trips including boat and entry cost more.
• Carry cash for lakeside areas and orchards, where card and e-payments are not always accepted.
• Combine your itinerary: Dong Nai pairs easily with Ho Chi Minh City, or continue along Highway 20 up to Da Lat.

Dong Nai is far quieter than Vietnam's headline destinations, and that is exactly its appeal. In a single weekend you can go from a glassy reservoir and old-growth forest to orchards full of sweet tropical fruit, all within easy reach of Ho Chi Minh City.