Escaping the City – A Day Trip to Binh Duong
Just about an hour’s drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong has quietly emerged as a wonderful escape for those seeking greenery, fresh air, and a genuine taste of Southern Vietnamese orchard life. Our day trip here was nothing short of delightful — from a legendary breakfast stop to a fully organic fruit garden and a tranquil bamboo village.
Starting the Journey – My Lien Banh Beo (100+ Years Old)
No trip to Binh Duong is complete without stopping at My Lien Banh Beo, a beloved eatery with over a century of history. Banh beo here is unlike anything you’d find elsewhere: thin, delicate rice cakes topped with mung bean paste, served alongside shredded pork skin mixed with toasted rice powder, spring rolls, and a perfectly balanced dipping sauce. A generous portion costs just around 45,000 VND — exceptional value. Add some shredded chicken, extra spring rolls, and you have a hearty breakfast to fuel the day ahead.
Vuờn Của Ngoại – An Organic Paradise Near Saigon
From breakfast, we headed to Vuơn Của Ngoại (Grandmother’s Garden), located in Phu An commune, Ben Cat, Binh Duong. The first impression is striking: a lush, sprawling orchard grown entirely organically, without chemicals or pesticides. The garden radiates a sense of purity and natural abundance.
Visiting options are flexible:
- Free entry for those who wish to simply walk and admire the garden
- 150,000 VND per person to pick and eat seasonal fruits on the spot (excludes durian)
- 299,000 VND combo includes a mangosteen salad workshop, traditional ao ba ba (Vietnamese rural dress) costume, conical hat, and full orchard lifestyle experience
When we visited, the garden was bursting with seasonal produce: ripe red rambutans, mangosteens, jackfruit, sugar apples, and star gooseberries. Picking and eating fruit straight from the tree — with nothing between you and its natural sweetness — is an experience that supermarket fruit simply cannot replicate.
Beyond fruit-picking, the garden offers a wonderful range of activities: boat rowing, fish catching, playing in the rain, tug-of-war, mushroom harvesting, pottery making, and workshops on natural composting and organic farming techniques.
Culinary Highlight – Mangosteen Salad Workshop and Garden Durian
The absolute highlight of the visit was the mangosteen salad workshop. Guests peel and grate young mangosteens, shred chicken, toss everything together with fresh herbs, and eat the result right there at the garden — a dish with a bright, fresh flavour completely unlike anything you’d find in the city. We rounded off lunch with garden-grown durian that had fallen naturally from the tree: deeply fragrant, rich, and intensely flavoured in the classic Southern Vietnamese style.
Phu An Bamboo Village – Peaceful Green Sanctuary
On the way back, we stopped at Phu An Bamboo Village, a serene grove housing dozens of different bamboo species right in the heart of Binh Duong. Walking beneath the cool, rustling canopy of bamboo, past traditional bamboo houses, you feel a profound sense of calm that’s increasingly rare in modern Vietnamese life. It’s a beautiful, photogenic spot that captures the soul of rural Vietnam.
Tips for Visiting Vuơn Của Ngoại
- Bring mosquito repellent: The garden has lots of vegetation and is lush during rainy season — insects are part of the experience!
- Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and better light
- Wear comfortable clothes: You’ll be walking through an orchard, possibly in the rain or mud — dress accordingly
- Book the combo ticket: The 299,000 VND combo is excellent value and gives you the full immersive experience
Final Thoughts
A day “escaping the city for the garden” at Vuơn Của Ngoại in Binh Duong is an experience that stays with you. Whether you’re a nature lover, a food enthusiast, or simply someone looking to slow down and reconnect with the simple joys of rural life, this destination delivers on every front. Add it to your must-visit list the next time you’re exploring Binh Duong!
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