Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta: Day Trip from Ho Chi Minh

Summary

Ho Chi Minh day trip with tunnels, river life, and real stories

You’ll squeeze through wartime tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, share cassava with your guide, float along Mekong Delta canals in a sampan, and taste honey tea straight from local farms. Expect real moments: music drifting over water, laughter over lunch, and stories that stay with you long after the tour ends.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly got stuck in the tunnel entrance at Cu Chi — no one warned me how tiny those things are. Our guide, Minh, just grinned and said “now imagine doing this for years.” The air inside smelled faintly of earth and something burnt; I kept thinking about all the stories these walls must hold. We watched a short film first (lots of grainy footage), then Minh led us through the forest pointing out old bomb craters. He handed us a piece of boiled cassava — apparently what people ate down here during the war. Not much flavor, but it kind of sticks with you, you know?

The drive to the Mekong Delta wasn’t short (maybe two hours?), but I dozed off and woke up to coconut palms flickering past the window. Lunch was in My Tho — rice, caramelized fish, fresh herbs. There was a kid chasing chickens behind the restaurant who waved at us with both hands. After that we squeezed into wooden sampans and drifted down narrow canals. It was quiet except for the slap of paddles and some distant music from a house somewhere — not sure if it was karaoke or just someone’s radio.

We tried honey tea at a little farm (the bees were everywhere but didn’t bother anyone) and watched women making coconut candy by hand. I’m still not sure how they don’t burn their fingers. There was a moment where an older man played guitar while his daughter sang — she laughed when we clapped too early. The day felt long but in that good way where your mind is still replaying bits even after you’re back in Ho Chi Minh City traffic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta

• Watch 3D movie on Vietnam War
• Discover underground tunnel system
• Try tiny tunnel entrance
• Explore maze of tunnels
• Watch documentary in forest
• Crawl into real tunnel
• Eat cassava at Cu Chi
• Enjoy Vietnamese lunch
• Row sampan through canals
• Try tropical fruits and visit honey farm
• Watch live local music

Top questions

How far are Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City?

The Cu Chi Tunnels are located about 50 km from central Ho Chi Minh City.

Is lunch included on this Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, a Vietnamese lunch is included at a local restaurant in My Tho.

Are hotel pickups available for this day trip?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Districts 1, 3, and 4.

Can vegetarians join this tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested when booking.

Is there a guide during the tour?

An experienced English-speaking guide leads the entire day trip.

What activities are included in the Mekong Delta part?

You’ll ride a sampan through canals, try tropical fruits, visit a honey farm and coconut workshop, and watch live music performed by locals.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

The tour is suitable for children accompanied by adults; kids under 5 join free but parents cover extra costs as needed.

How physically demanding is crawling in Cu Chi Tunnels?

Crawling is optional; some entrances are very small but you can skip them if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central districts of Ho Chi Minh City, entry fees to both Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta sites, an English-speaking guide throughout, Vietnamese lunch with vegan options if you want them, tastings of tropical fruits and honey tea at local farms, boat rides on both motorboat and sampan through the delta’s canals, plus all transportation by air-conditioned minivan or bus before heading back to your hotel in the evening.