Cu Chi Tunnels: Half Day Tour with Pickup & Local Tastes

Summary

Cu Chi’s secret tunnels, bamboo traps, rice paper and stories from a local guide

You’ll step into Vietnam’s past at Cu Chi Tunnels—crawl through real underground passages, see handmade bamboo traps up close, taste fresh steamed cassava and rice wine, and hear stories from a local guide whose family lived it. Expect moments that stick with you long after you’re back in Ho Chi Minh City.

What’s the experience like?

We were already bouncing along the road out of Ho Chi Minh City before I’d really woken up. The city noise faded fast. Our guide, Phuc, had this way of telling stories that made even the bus ride feel like part of the tour—he pointed out a roadside stand selling bánh mì and joked about how he could live on them for weeks. When we finally pulled up at the Cu Chi Tunnels, the air was thick with humidity and something earthy I couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was the clay? Or just nerves.

First thing: an old documentary in a shady hut, fans creaking overhead. I’ll admit, some of it was hard to watch—homemade traps made from bamboo spikes, people living underground for months. Phuc explained how his grandfather had actually crawled these same tunnels during the war. That hit differently than any textbook ever did. We got to see those narrow passages up close (and yeah, you can crawl inside if you’re brave—I tried for about ten meters before chickening out). The walls felt damp and close; my shirt stuck to my back. It’s wild what people managed down there.

I didn’t expect to laugh much on a day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels from Saigon, but when we stopped to try making rice paper, Li from our group tried rolling hers too thin and ended up with a sticky mess. Even Phuc cracked up. The smell of steamed cassava drifted over while we watched someone pour cloudy rice wine into tiny glasses—tasted rougher than I thought it would, but not bad honestly. There was an option to fire an old AK-47 at the range (loud enough to rattle your teeth), but I skipped it and just listened for a bit instead.

On the drive back toward Ho Chi Minh City, everyone was quieter—maybe tired or maybe just thinking about what we’d seen underground. You can get dropped off at the War Remnants Museum if you want more history (a couple from Berlin did). I still think about those tunnels sometimes when things feel cramped or tough at home—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnel VIP Half Day Tour

• Pick up at hotel or meeting point
• Watch documentary about self-made weapons
• Learn about guerrilla tunnel life
• Crawl inside the tunnels (optional)
• Discover rice paper and rice wine making
• Try firing AK-47 (optional)
• Sample steamed cassava
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City
• Optional drop off at War Remnant Museum

Top questions

How long does the Cu Chi Tunnels half day tour take?

The tour lasts around 5-6 hours including travel time from central Ho Chi Minh City.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cu Chi Tunnels tour?

Yes, pickup is included for centrally located hotels near Ben Thanh Market.

Can you go inside the Cu Chi Tunnels?

Yes, you can crawl inside sections of the tunnels if you wish—it’s optional.

What food or drinks are included on this tour?

You’ll get steamed cassava at Cu Chi plus mineral water and snacks on the bus.

Is there an option to try shooting guns at Cu Chi Tunnels?

Yes, there’s an optional chance to fire an AK-47 at a supervised range for an extra fee.

Will there be a local guide during the tour?

An English-Vietnamese speaking guide leads the group throughout the day trip.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts with pickup in central Ho Chi Minh City and ends with drop-off back in town or at War Remnants Museum if requested.

What’s included

Your half-day includes pickup and drop-off from your central hotel or meeting point near Ben Thanh Market, entry fees for Cu Chi Tunnels, all guidance from an English-Vietnamese speaking local expert, cold mineral water and snacks on board, plus tastings of steamed cassava and traditional rice wine before heading back into Ho Chi Minh City.