How to Get to Long Tan from Ho Chi Minh City – Transport & Permit Guide: Planning a trip from Saigon to the historic Australian and New Zealand battlefields in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province raises several practical questions for international travelers. Because the memorials sit amidst quiet rubber plantations and farming villages rather than major tourist hubs, knowing how to get to long tan from ho chi minh city—along with current rules regarding a long tan travel permit—is essential before setting out.
Whether you are considering trying to visit long tan on your own, hiring a long tan nui dat by taxi, riding a motorbike, or booking a private battlefield tour, this complete local logistics guide compares distances, travel times, costs, passport requirements, and step-by-step route advice.
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Distance, Route & Travel Time from Saigon to Long Tan
The former battlefield and Long Tan Cross Memorial are located in Long Tan Commune, Dat Do District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province—approximately 85 to 95 kilometers (53–59 miles) southeast of central Ho Chi Minh City. Nearby Nui Dat Base (the former 1st Australian Task Force headquarters) and the Long Phuoc Tunnels sit just 4 to 10 kilometers away along the same rural corridor.
- Primary Highway Route: Departing District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City via the Thu Thiem Tunnel or Saigon Bridge, vehicles take the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway (CT01), turn south onto National Highway 51 toward Ba Ria City, and then follow provincial roads (TL44A / Huong Lo 2) east into Long Phuoc, Nui Dat, and Long Tan.
- Average Driving Time: Under normal traffic conditions, the drive takes 1.5 to 2 hours each way. During weekend mornings or holiday periods when Saigon residents head to Vung Tau Beach, highway traffic can add 20–30 minutes.
4 Ways: How to Get to Long Tan from Ho Chi Minh City
There is no direct train or public bus stop at the Long Tan Cross Memorial or Nui Dat Base. Below is a realistic comparison of every available transport option when researching how to get to long tan from ho chi minh city:
| Transport Option | Travel Time (One Way) | Estimated Round-Trip Cost | Historical Context & Ease |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Private Battlefield Tour (Car + Guide) | 1.5 – 2 hours | From $45 – $150 USD/pax (by group size) | Best Overall: Door-to-door pickup, specialist military history guide, unmarked Nui Dat sites, gate registration & lunch included |
| 2. Long Tan Nui Dat by Taxi / Grab / Private Car | 1.5 – 2 hours | ~$95 – $130 USD (for full-day car & driver wait time) | Comfortable transport, but drivers rarely speak English or know unmarked Nui Dat bunkers and battalion locations |
| 3. Motorbike / Scooter (Self-Ride or Guided) | 2 – 2.5 hours | $10 – $15 USD rental (or guided motorbike tour) | Scenic on rural roads, but Highway 51 has heavy container trucks and intense midday heat/rain |
| 4. Public Bus to Ba Ria + Local Taxi | 2.5 – 3.5 hours | ~$15 – $25 USD total | Budget-friendly, but involves multiple transfers and language barriers in rural communes |
Option 1: Private Guided Battlefield Tour (Most Recommended)
For most travelers—especially Australian and New Zealand visitors—booking a dedicated Long Tan Nui Dat BattleField Tour is the smoothest and most meaningful way to cover how to get to long tan from ho chi minh city. A private air-conditioned vehicle picks you up at your hotel around 8:00 AM, follows the logical historical sequence through the Long Phuoc Tunnels, former Nui Dat Base, and the Long Tan Cross Memorial, includes lunch in Ba Ria, and returns you to Saigon by 3:00 PM.
Option 2: Hiring a Long Tan Nui Dat by Taxi or Private Driver
If you prefer independent sightseeing without a guide, you can arrange a long tan nui dat by taxi (using reputable companies like Mai Linh or Vinasun) or book a private car with a driver for the day. Keep these important points in mind:
- Negotiate Full-Day Waiting Time: Because it is virtually impossible to hail a metered taxi or Grab car inside the rural rubber plantations of Long Tan or Nui Dat for your return trip, you must hire the driver for a round-trip charter with 3 to 4 hours of waiting time.
- Save Exact GPS Pins in Advance: Standard taxi drivers know Vung Tau and Ba Ria, but very few know where Luscombe Field, the New Zealand Artillery bunker, or the RAEME APC maintenance ramp are hidden inside Nui Dat village.
Option 3: Riding a Motorbike from Saigon
Experienced riders sometimes ask if they can visit long tan on your own by scooter. While riding through the quiet rubber plantations and red-dirt tracks around Nui Dat is enjoyable, the 60-kilometer stretch along National Highway 51 carries heavy industrial and container truck traffic. Always wear a proper helmet, carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) valid for Vietnam, and plan for sudden tropical rain showers between May and November.
Option 4: Public Bus to Ba Ria + Local Grab/Taxi
Budget travelers can take a regional express minibus (such as Hoa Mai or Toan Thang) from District 1 or Mien Dong Bus Station toward Ba Ria / Vung Tau (approx. 1.5–2 hours), get off in Ba Ria City, and hire a local taxi to drive the remaining 10–15 kilometers to Long Phuoc, Nui Dat, and Long Tan—again ensuring the driver agrees to wait for your return.
Long Tan Travel Permit Rules: Do You Need Advance Permission?
A common point of confusion when researching how to get to long tan from ho chi minh city is whether foreign visitors still need to obtain a special long tan travel permit from provincial authorities in Ba Ria before visiting.
- For Individual Travelers & Small Private Sightseeing Groups (No Advance Permit Required): Under current local regulations, individual tourists, families, and small private tour groups do not need to apply for an advance long tan travel permit to visit the Long Tan Cross Memorial, Nui Dat, or Long Phuoc Tunnels. However, you must bring your original passport (or a clear printed copy/smartphone photo of your passport photo page) to register at the security gate upon entering the Long Tan Cross compound.
- For Formal Ceremonies, Large Groups & Commemorative Dates (Permit Required): If you are organizing a large group delegation, a formal remembrance service with speeches, a bugler, or official wreath-laying ceremonies—particularly around ANZAC Day (25 April) or Long Tan Day (18 August)—advance authorization from local Vietnamese authorities is strictly required and must be arranged through a licensed tour operator.
Should You Visit Long Tan on Your Own or With a Guide?
While it is completely possible to visit long tan on your own by chartered car or taxi, there is a major difference between simply seeing the Long Tan Cross and truly understanding the battlefield. Aside from the Cross Memorial and Long Phuoc Tunnels, the former 1st Australian Task Force perimeter at Nui Dat is now an active farming community with zero tourist signage or English maps.
Without a knowledgeable local guide, independent visitors often miss the concrete New Zealand Artillery communications bunker, the Royal Australian Engineers M113A1 APC maintenance ramp, the exact alignment of Luscombe Field airstrip, and the 6 RAR sector where D Company marched out for the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966.
Alternative Departures & Helpful Planning Guides
- Arriving by Cruise Liner or Staying in Vung Tau? If you are not starting in Saigon, check out our shorter coastal transfers on our Long Tan Nui Dat Tour from Phu My Port (45 minutes away) or our Long Tan Tour from Vung Tau (40 minutes away).
- Veteran Pilgrimages: Traveling with returning servicemen? Read our specialized guide to Australian Veterans Tour Vietnam: Return to Long Tan.
- Complete Destination & Battlefield Guides: Explore our pillar Long Tan Nui Dat Travel Guide and compare other historical excursions in Vietnam War Tours from Ho Chi Minh City: Best Battle Sites.
Frequently Asked Questions – Getting to Long Tan from Ho Chi Minh City
How far is Long Tan from Ho Chi Minh City and how long does it take?
Long Tan is approximately 85 to 95 kilometers southeast of downtown Ho Chi Minh City in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. Traveling via the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway and Highway 51 takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way by private car.
Do I need a Long Tan travel permit before visiting from Saigon?
Individual travelers and small private sightseeing groups do not need an advance Long Tan travel permit for standard visits, though you must bring your passport (or a clear copy/photo of the ID page) for routine security registration at the Long Tan Cross gate. Formal group ceremonies, speeches, or large delegations on ANZAC Day and Long Tan Day do require prior government authorization.
Can I visit Long Tan Nui Dat by taxi from Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes, you can travel to Long Tan Nui Dat by taxi or private hired car from Ho Chi Minh City, costing roughly $95 to $130 USD round-trip. However, you must book the driver for full-day waiting time because taxis and Grab cars are not available for pickup inside the rural rubber plantations of Long Tan or Nui Dat.
Is it easy to visit Long Tan on your own without a tour guide?
While you can reach the Long Tan Cross Memorial on your own using GPS, most historical landmarks inside the former Nui Dat Base—such as the New Zealand Artillery bunker, RAEME APC maintenance ramp, Luscombe Field airstrip, and 6 RAR sectors—have no tourist signs or English explanations, making a specialist guide highly worthwhile.
Is there a public bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Long Tan?
There is no direct public bus to the Long Tan Cross Memorial or Nui Dat Base. Budget travelers must take a regional minibus from Saigon to Ba Ria City (1.5–2 hours) and then hire a local taxi to wait while visiting Long Phuoc Tunnels, Nui Dat, and Long Tan.
