Vuon Cua Ngoai Phu An 2026: A Lush Green Escape Near Saigon

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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✍️ Phan The Anh – one of Vietnam’s most popular travel bloggers. Follow on YouTube @ThayGiaoAnh, Instagram @lecturer.anh & TikTok @phantheanh88.

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What to Do at Vuon Cua Ngoai — Activities and Experiences

• Fruit picking: Seasonal tropical fruits — longan, jackfruit, mango, and rambutan depending on the month. Picking fees are included in most entry packages.
• Cooking workshops: Learn to prepare Vietnamese country dishes using garden-fresh ingredients. Typical menu: banana blossom salad (gỏi bắp chuối), steamed rice parcels (bánh ít lá gai), and claypot fish (cá kho tộ).
• Bamboo Village (Làng Tre Phú An): An adjacent ecological conservation area with over 200 bamboo species from around the world — one of the most complete bamboo collections in Southeast Asia. Peaceful walking paths through towering groves.
• Cycling and walking trails: Flat, shaded paths through the orchards and gardens — bicycle rental available on site.
• Traditional lunch set: Most packages include a farm-to-table lunch served in open-air dining pavilions — rice, fresh herbs, grilled fish, and seasonal vegetables.

Practical Information: How to Get to Vuon Cua Ngoai

Vuon Cua Ngoai is located in Phu An Village, Ben Cat District, Binh Duong Province — approximately 55 km from central Ho Chi Minh City and 30 km from Binh Duong city center. The easiest way to get there is by private car or motorbike, taking approximately 1–1.5 hours from HCMC via National Highway 13. Grab taxis don’t typically serve this route, so renting a motorbike or arranging a private tour is recommended.

Opening hours: 7am–5pm daily. Entry fee: Approximately 50,000–100,000 VND/person depending on the activity package selected. Full day with meals and activities: 200,000–400,000 VND/person. Call ahead to confirm seasonal fruit availability and book cooking classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vuon Cua Ngoai suitable for children?

Excellent for children — fruit picking, cooking workshops, and the bamboo village walking trails are all child-friendly. The flat terrain, shaded paths, and farm animals (chickens, ducks, fish ponds) make it an engaging family outing. Bring sun protection and comfortable closed-toe shoes.

What is the best time of year to visit Vuon Cua Ngoai?

The dry season (November–April) is most comfortable, with lower humidity and less mud on the paths. Fruit availability varies by season: jackfruit peaks April–August, mango March–June, longan July–September. Call ahead to ask what’s currently in season if fruit picking is your priority.

Can Vuon Cua Ngoai be combined with other Binh Duong day trip attractions?

Yes — a natural pairing is the Phu An Bamboo Village (adjacent and typically included in visits), Dai Nam Van Hien cultural park (30 min away for a very different but equally interesting experience), or the Binh Duong ceramics villages. Many visitors combine Vuon Cua Ngoai with a lunch stop in Thu Dau Mot city center’s old market area.