Cu Chi Tunnels: Half-Day Group Tour from Saigon with Guide

Summary

Step inside the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City for living history

You’ll crawl through real Cu Chi Tunnels outside Ho Chi Minh City with a local guide who shares personal stories and history along the way. See wartime relics up close, feel the textures of red clay walls, and experience how people survived underground — all with easy pickup and bottled water included.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I was nervous about crawling through the Cu Chi Tunnels. The idea of squeezing into those narrow, earthy spaces outside Ho Chi Minh City made my palms sweat a bit. But our guide, Hien, had this way of making everyone relax. He cracked jokes about his own first time in the tunnels (“I thought I’d get stuck forever!”), and somehow that made it easier to laugh as we bumped along in the van out of Saigon. The drive took about an hour, just enough time for Hien to share little details about what life was like during the war — things you don’t really get from books.

The air at Cu Chi was thick and smelled faintly of damp earth and old leaves. We started above ground, looking at bomb craters and rusted remnants scattered under the trees. It’s strange — everything looks peaceful now, but Hien pointed out where soldiers hid or cooked underground without smoke giving them away. He showed us a tiny tunnel entrance camouflaged under leaves; I tried to lift the cover and nearly dropped it on my foot (Hien laughed). Crawling inside was… honestly kind of surreal. It’s dark and close and you feel every bit of red clay brushing your arms. I kept thinking about how people lived down here for days at a time.

There was this moment when we all sat quietly in one of the larger chambers, just listening to our own breathing echo off the walls. Someone’s phone buzzed and it felt almost rude — like we’d broken some invisible spell. Afterward, we surfaced into sunlight that felt extra bright, like waking up after a long nap. I still think about that quiet below ground sometimes; it sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnel Historical Visit

• Drive 1 hour from Saigon
• Visit Cu Chi Tunnel with guide
• Learn about underground living techniques
• See self-contained underground city
• Observe remnants of fierce battle
• Crawl through tunnel network

Top questions

How long does it take to reach Cu Chi Tunnels from Saigon?

It takes about 1 hour by air-conditioned vehicle from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to tunnel conditions.

Are infants allowed on the tour?

Yes, but infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What is included in this Cu Chi Tunnel half-day tour?

The tour includes bottled water, entry fees, air-conditioned transport, and an English-speaking guide.

Will I have to crawl through small tunnels?

You can try crawling through parts of the tunnels if you wish — it’s optional but part of the experience.

How much time do we spend at Cu Chi Tunnels?

The main visit lasts several hours after arriving from Saigon, enough to explore above and below ground.

What’s included

Your half-day includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle from Ho Chi Minh City, all entry fees covered at Cu Chi Tunnels, bottled water throughout the tour, plus stories and guidance from an English-speaking local before returning back to Saigon.