Where to Trail Run Near Ho Chi Minh City: Best Trails & Mountains

Ho Chi Minh City itself is mostly flat and urban, but some of the best trail running in southern Vietnam is only a short trip away. Within a few hours, you can reach mountain trails, forest paths, steep climbs and quiet dirt tracks.

From the steep slopes of Núi Bà Đen to the forest trails of Núi Dinh, here are some of the best places to trail run near Ho Chi Minh City.

Best trail running spots near Ho Chi Minh City

• Núi Bà Đen: the best option for serious climbing and mountain training.
• Núi Chứa Chan / Gia Lào: a steep forest mountain that makes a good weekend training session.
• Núi Dinh: forest trails, streams and varied terrain close to Bà Rịa.
• Chùa Châu Thới: a small hill close to the city, better suited to short hill and stair workouts.
• Hồ Đá: easy dirt paths around old quarry lakes, suitable for a short trail-style run.
• Nam Cát Tiên: mostly flat forest trails, ideal for longer runs in a natural environment.

Núi Bà Đen — Tây Ninh

Distance from central HCMC: approximately 100 km.

Elevation: 986 m.

Núi Bà Đen is the highest mountain in southern Vietnam and one of the best destinations near Ho Chi Minh City for serious vertical training.

The mountain rises dramatically from the surrounding plain, with steep and rocky trails leading towards the summit. Depending on the route, the terrain can include rocky sections, steep climbs and exposed areas.

Best for: climbing workouts, mountain training and runners looking for a more demanding trail.

Allow several hours for the journey from Ho Chi Minh City, depending on traffic and your starting point.

Núi Chứa Chan / Gia Lào — Đồng Nai

Distance from central HCMC: approximately 110 km.

Elevation: 837 m.

Núi Chứa Chan is one of the highest mountains in southeastern Vietnam. The climb passes through forest and includes steep sections, making it a good option for a weekend hill workout.

The mountain is also an important pilgrimage destination, so some sections can be busy, particularly at weekends and around religious holidays.

Best for: steep climbing, forest running and a half-day mountain session.

Núi Dinh — Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu

Distance from central HCMC: approximately 90 km.

Núi Dinh is a forested mountain area near Bà Rịa with a network of paths, stone steps and trails. The route can include streams, waterfalls, forest sections and sustained climbs.

The forest canopy provides shade for much of the route, which can make Núi Dinh a more comfortable option than exposed mountain terrain during hot weather.

Compared with Núi Bà Đen, the area offers a more varied combination of runnable trails, forest paths and shorter climbs.

Best for: forest running, varied terrain and a half-day trail outing.

Chùa Châu Thới — Bình Dương

Distance from central HCMC: approximately 25 km.

Chùa Châu Thới is a small hill close to Ho Chi Minh City. It is not a mountain trail destination like Núi Bà Đen, but it can be useful for short hill and stair workouts when you do not have time to travel further.

A staircase leads towards the temple, while a paved road provides another way up. This makes it possible to repeat short uphill efforts rather than doing a long continuous trail run.

The area is also known for its resident monkeys, so keep food and belongings secure and avoid feeding them.

Best for: short hill sessions, stair repeats and quick early-morning workouts.

Hồ Đá — Thủ Đức / Dĩ An

Distance from central HCMC: approximately 20 km.

Hồ Đá consists of former quarry lakes near the National University area. The terrain is mostly flat, with dirt paths running around parts of the lakes.

This is not a mountain trail destination, but it can be a convenient option when you want to run on dirt rather than pavement without leaving the city for several hours.

Best for: easy trail-style runs, short sessions and beginners.

The quarry lakes are deep and can have unstable edges. Stay on established paths and do not swim.

Nam Cát Tiên and the Đồng Nai forests

Distance from central HCMC: approximately 150 km, depending on the route and destination.

The forests around Nam Cát Tiên offer a very different type of trail experience. Instead of steep mountain climbs, expect flatter forest tracks, natural surroundings and humid conditions.

This area is better suited to long, steady runs than vertical training. The heat and humidity can still make a long run demanding, especially during the hotter months.

Best for: long easy runs, forest running and spending time in nature.

Where to train elevation inside Ho Chi Minh City

There are no real mountains inside Ho Chi Minh City, but you can still train some of the strength needed for trail running.

Stair workouts, bridges and controlled uphill repetitions can help develop climbing strength when you cannot get out of the city.

These sessions are useful for maintaining strength during the week, but they cannot completely replace running on real mountain terrain. Downhill running, uneven surfaces and technical footing require specific trail practice.

Getting to the trails from Ho Chi Minh City

For most mountain destinations, having your own motorbike or car gives you the most flexibility. Some trail and outdoor groups also organise weekend trips and shuttle services to popular mountains, although schedules and departure points can change.

If you are travelling for a race or organised trail event, check the organiser's latest transport information before relying on a shuttle service.

Which trail should you choose?

• For the biggest climb: Núi Bà Đen.
• For forest and mountain terrain: Núi Dinh.
• For a steep weekend workout: Núi Chứa Chan.
• For a quick hill session: Chùa Châu Thới.
• For an easy dirt run close to HCMC: Hồ Đá.
• For long forest running: Nam Cát Tiên.

Trail races near Ho Chi Minh City

Southern Vietnam has fewer trail races than the northern mountain regions, but runners based in Ho Chi Minh City have several options within travelling distance. Many also travel to Đà Lạt or northern Vietnam for larger mountain races.

Check our trail race calendar to see upcoming events in southern Vietnam and across the country.

FAQ

What is the closest trail to Ho Chi Minh City?

For a quick trail-style run, Hồ Đá is one of the closest options. For actual mountain terrain, Chùa Châu Thới is relatively close, while Núi Dinh, Núi Bà Đen and Núi Chứa Chan require a longer trip.

What is the best mountain for trail running near Ho Chi Minh City?

Núi Bà Đen is the strongest choice if your priority is climbing and mountain training. Núi Dinh is a good alternative if you prefer forest terrain and more varied trails.

Where can I train elevation near Ho Chi Minh City?

Chùa Châu Thới provides a convenient option for short hill and stair repetitions. For longer climbs, Núi Bà Đen, Núi Chứa Chan and Núi Dinh offer much more substantial elevation.

How far is Núi Bà Đen from Ho Chi Minh City?

Núi Bà Đen is approximately 100 km from central Ho Chi Minh City. Actual travel time depends on traffic, your starting point and the route you take.

Can beginners trail run near Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes. Beginners can start with easier dirt paths such as Hồ Đá or short sessions at Chùa Châu Thới before progressing to longer and steeper mountain routes.

What should I bring for trail running near Ho Chi Minh City?

For short runs, bring enough water, a phone and suitable trail shoes. For longer mountain outings, carry additional water, food, basic first-aid equipment and weather protection. Conditions can change quickly in the mountains.