In the midst of a busy Saigon with the flow of people and motorbikes, dust and highways is something special that you probably won’t often see in your hometown. But did you know that in Saigon there is still a peaceful place with green coconut trees, lakes running along the road, where you will always find peace and breathe the fresh air here.
A bicycle tour to discover Thanh Da is a great experience here, isn’t it?
And last week, Jackfruit Adventure to host a countryside cycling adventure Ho Chi Minh Cycling Tour for clients and company from Singapore. There is only 7.5 km away from center District to Thanh Da island.
- You can easy to book a taxi, we recommend booking a grab car (150.000 VND or 7 USD)
- Or you can ride a bicycle from the center area, it may take 40 minutes only.
How big is Thanh Da – Binh Quoi
Technically, Thanh Da is a peninsula of land around which the Saigon River does a giant loop. The peninsula runs roughly east-west, and across the river to its north is the area of Thu Duc, while Thao Dien in District 2 lies to the south. Access to the island is via one bridge from District 1. On the District 1 side of the bridge, the four-lane road is lined with shops, offices, and high-rise buildings. Cross the bridge and the road rapidly narrows to the two-laned Binh Quoi Road, which is more reminiscent of rural parts of Vietnam than of a vast metropolis.
On the island, you’ll find several multi-story apartment blocks closest to the District 1 end, but the rest of Thanh Da is populated with low-level dwellings, official buildings, and shops. Most of the interlaced network of roads and paths were not even marked on any map I could get my hands on. The island is dotted with rice paddies, market gardens, and fishing ponds, and during a walk around the roads, you’re likely to encounter geese, chickens, and pigs just wandering about. It’s a big contrast to District 1, which is just a relatively short taxi ride away.
What to do in Thanh Da Countryside in Ho Chi Minh City
