Binh Chau Hot Springs: The Soak Day Trip from Ho Chi Minh City

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The only natural hot springs in the south

Southern Vietnam is not famous for hot springs, which is exactly what makes Binh Chau special. Deep underground here, geothermal water rises at temperatures up to 82 degrees Celsius, feeding one of the only natural hot mineral spring systems in the region. The Minera Hot Springs resort has built an entire wellness world around it: steaming pools set among old forest, quiet spa pavilions and winding paths where the air smells of leaves and warm minerals.

The water is rich in minerals that bathers have sought for generations, long before the modern resort existed. Locals once came to soak in simple stone pools; today you get the same water in landscaped baths with loungers, shade sails and cold plunge pools for contrast. It is the rare Vietnamese attraction that asks nothing of you except to slow down.

What sets Binh Chau apart from a hotel spa is the forest itself. The resort sits inside a protected green area where the springs bubble up naturally, and parts of the complex feel like a botanical garden with hot water running through it. Arrive early and you may have the morning mist and the pools almost to yourself.

Pools, mud baths and boiling eggs

Start with the main mineral pools, a series of baths at different temperatures scattered through the gardens. Work your way from warm to hot, alternating with the cold plunge if you are brave. Then head to the mud bath area, where warm mineral mud is served in private tubs. You paint it on, let it bake in the sun for 20 minutes, then rinse off in mineral water. Skin comes out noticeably softer, or so generations of visitors insist.

Do not miss the 82 degree zone, the most photographed corner of the resort. Here the spring water surfaces hot enough to boil eggs, and you can buy a small basket of eggs to cook in the bubbling water, then eat them warm with salt and pepper. It is a simple pleasure and a great photo stop, with steam rising dramatically around the wooden platforms.

For deeper relaxation, the spa building offers herbal baths, saunas and massages from 130,000 VND (about $5) for a foot massage up to full body treatments. The Japanese style onsen area is a quieter, more contemplative space with strict etiquette: wash before entering and keep voices low. Check the rules at the entrance if you plan to try it.

Prices and how to plan your soak

Pricing is modular, so decide what you want before you pay. The basic hot springs admission runs about 435,000 VND (about $17) per adult on weekdays and 560,000 VND (about $22) on weekends in low season, rising to 500,000 and 620,000 VND in peak season, with lower rates for children. Mud bath packages that bundle entry, a mud soak and pool time start around 500,000 VND per adult.

Combos with lunch or the forest sightseeing area can be better value if you plan to stay all day. Tickets are sold at the gate and through online platforms, where you may find small discounts. Bring your own swimsuit, towel and flip flops to avoid rental fees, though lockers and towel service are available inside.

Go on a weekday morning for the thinnest crowds. The pools open at 9:00, and the first two hours are the calmest. Weekends and holidays fill up with groups from the city. If you want a mud bath tub to yourselves without waiting, book the earliest slot you can.

Make a day of the coast

Binh Chau sits about 30 minutes from Ho Tram beach, which makes the perfect pairing: soak in the morning, swim in the sea in the afternoon. Many visitors base themselves at a Ho Tram resort and drive over for the day. The coastal road between them is scenic and easy.

Alternatively, combine the springs with Long Hai on the way back to the city for a seafood dinner at sunset. If you are driving yourself, take National Road 51 then Highway 55; the trip takes about 2 to 2.5 hours from central Ho Chi Minh City. Shuttle buses and private cars can be arranged through hotels.

Pack light but smart: swimsuit, a change of dry clothes, sunscreen for the walk between pools, and cash for the egg baskets and drinks. Do not soak on a full stomach, and keep sessions to 15 or 20 minutes with breaks in between. You will leave wrinkled, relaxed and slightly smelling of minerals, which is exactly the point.

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