Long Tan & Nui Dat: Australian Battlefield Day Trip from Saigon

Summary

Australian history at Long Tan battlefield with local stories

You’ll walk Vietnam’s Long Tan battlefield with a local guide who brings real stories to life, see Nui Dat base remains, pay respects at the Cross Memorial, and crawl through Long Phuoc Tunnels before sharing lunch in Ba Ria. This day trip leaves you thinking about history long after you’re back in Ho Chi Minh City.

What’s the experience like?

We left Ho Chi Minh City early — I was half awake, honestly, but the drive out to Ba Ria-Vung Tau sort of eased me into the day. Our guide, Minh, started sharing little stories about the area before we even got close to Nui Dat. The countryside felt different than I expected; quiet but with this low buzz from scooters and distant radios. When we finally reached what used to be the Australian military base at Nui Dat, Minh pointed out where helicopters landed — it’s just grass now, but you could almost picture it. He traced the old perimeter with a stick in the dust. I didn’t expect that part to hit so hard.

Walking through the rubber plantation at Long Tan was strange — there’s this sharp smell from the trees and the ground is soft under your feet. Minh stopped us for a moment near Mong Ngua Mountain and told us how Vietnamese soldiers used those hills for shelter. He laughed when I tried to pronounce “Mong Ngua” — probably butchered it. The Long Tan Cross Memorial is simple but heavy with meaning; someone had left fresh flowers that morning. It was quiet except for birds and our footsteps.

The last stop was Long Phuoc Tunnels — crawling inside felt weirdly claustrophobic, even though Minh kept joking about how he’d never make it as a tunnel rat. Afterward, lunch back in Ba Ria tasted better than I expected (I let Minh order for me). There was this spicy fish dish — can’t remember the name now — and sticky rice that stuck to my fingers. On the drive back to Saigon, I kept thinking about how close all these places are to each other, and how far away they feel from daily life back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Long Tan and Nui Dat battlefield

• Depart for Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province
• Visit Long Tan Battlefield site
• Explore Nui Dat SAS Hill and base perimeter
• Pass Mong Ngua Mountain and rubber forest
• Visit Long Tan Cross Memorial
• Tour Long Phuoc Tunnels
• Drive back to Ba Ria for late lunch
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Top questions

How do I get to Long Tan battlefield from Ho Chi Minh City?

The tour includes pickup by minivan from Ho Chi Minh City directly to Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province.

Is lunch included on this Long Tan & Nui Dat day trip?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant in Ba Ria is included after visiting all sites.

Can children join this battlefield tour?

No, children under 12 years old are not allowed on this tour.

What sites are visited during the day trip?

You’ll visit Nui Dat base area, Long Tan Cross Memorial, rubber plantation battlefield zone, Mong Ngua Mountain (from outside), and Long Phuoc Tunnels.

Who leads the tour of Long Tan & Nui Dat?

An English-speaking local guide leads the group throughout the tour.

Are entrance fees included in this tour?

Yes, all entrance tickets are included in your booking price.

How long does it take to reach Long Tan from Saigon?

The drive takes around 2 hours each way depending on traffic conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Ho Chi Minh City by air-conditioned minibus or car, all entrance tickets along the route (including tunnels), bottled water for the road, an English-speaking guide who shares stories along every stop, and a late lunch at a local restaurant in Ba Ria before heading back to Saigon together.