Cu Chi Tunnels: Half-Day War History Tour & Tapioca Snack

Summary

Cu Chi Tunnels history tour with snacks, tunnels, and stories

You’ll walk through Vietnam’s war history at Cu Chi Tunnels, crawl inside real underground passages, sample local tapioca with pandan tea under shady trees, and hear firsthand stories from your guide. Expect some tight spaces, honest conversation, and moments that stay with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The drive out from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels took about an hour and a half — not too long, but enough time for our guide, Minh, to share stories about his grandfather who actually lived through the war. The city noise faded fast, replaced by green fields and those little roadside stands selling jackfruit. I kept thinking how strange it was that such a peaceful place could hide something so intense underneath.

At Cu Chi, we watched this old documentary (grainy footage, Vietnamese narration) that made everything feel more real than any textbook ever did. Minh pointed out the tiny tunnel entrances — honestly, I almost missed them because they just looked like patches of dirt with leaves on top. He showed us one of the booby traps too. I’ll admit I flinched when he described how it worked. Crawling through a short section of the tunnel was... well, tight is an understatement. My shirt caught on something rough inside and I had to shuffle along behind a group of teenagers who were braver than me.

Afterwards we sat outside under some trees and tried boiled tapioca dipped in peanuts — apparently what people ate during the war years here — plus hot pandan leaf tea that smelled kind of grassy-sweet. It’s simple food but sitting there after being underground made it taste different somehow. Some folks went off to try shooting at the range (not really my thing), but I just listened to Minh talk about his family again. There was this odd mix of pride and sadness in his voice. The ride back felt quieter; maybe everyone was thinking their own thoughts by then.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnel historical tour

• Pick up from Central District 1 hotel
• Drive 1.5 hours to Cu Chi Tunnels
• Watch documentary about Cu Chi War history
• Explore booby traps from war time
• Crawl through short tunnel section
• Taste tapioca and pandan tea
• Optional AK-47 rifle shooting

Top questions

How long does the Cu Chi Tunnels tour take?

The tour lasts about 6 hours including travel time from central Ho Chi Minh City.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup is included for hotels in Central District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City.

Do you get to go inside the Cu Chi Tunnels?

Yes, you can crawl through a short section of the tunnels as part of the experience.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

You’ll get boiled tapioca with peanuts and hot pandan leaf tea included in your tour.

Is there a guide on this Cu Chi Tunnels tour?

An English-speaking local guide leads the tour and shares historical context throughout.

Can you try shooting guns at Cu Chi Tunnels?

Shooting AK-47 rifles is available at your own expense if you want to try it.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, all entry fees at Cu Chi Tunnels, an English-speaking guide sharing personal stories along the way, bottled water for the drive, plus a simple snack of boiled tapioca with pandan leaf tea before heading back in comfort.