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

Summary

Vietnam war tunnels, river canals and village life in one day

You’ll crawl through real Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, eat lunch with locals, float along Mekong Delta canals by boat, taste honey tea, and listen to village music—all with a guide who keeps things real. Expect surprises: from earthy tunnel smells to laughter over language mistakes. This day trip is Vietnam up close.

What’s the experience like?

"You ever tried crawling underground with just a flashlight?" That’s what our guide, Minh, asked as we pulled up outside the Cu Chi Tunnels. I’d seen photos before but standing there, the entrance looked way smaller than I’d imagined—almost hidden under leaves. The air was thick and warm even in the morning, cicadas buzzing somewhere above us. Minh told stories about families living down here for months. I hesitated before ducking inside (it’s dark and kind of earthy-smelling), but Minh cracked a joke about “tunnel hair” and somehow that made it easier. My knees still remember those tight corners.

Lunch came as a relief—plastic chairs under a noisy fan, plates of rice and something fragrant with lemongrass. There was vegan food too, which surprised me (I didn’t expect that in rural Vietnam). Someone at our table tried to order coffee in Vietnamese and the whole place laughed—one of those moments where you’re just glad to be there, language mishaps and all.

The Mekong Delta felt like another world after the tunnels. We boarded this little motorboat in My Tho; the water was brownish but calm, lined with coconut palms. I could smell sweet fruit somewhere nearby and hear distant voices carrying across the water. At one point we switched to these narrow sampans—just two of us plus an old woman rowing at the back who grinned every time we wobbled. She showed us how to dip our fingers in the river (“for luck,” she said). There was honey tea at a bee house, sticky-sweet on my tongue, and some local music that sounded both joyful and a bit sad at once.

I keep thinking about that mix of silence underground and then all that noisy green along the river. It wasn’t always comfortable (the tunnels are not for tall people), but I’m glad I went—and honestly? I still think about that view down the canal, light flickering through palm leaves like something out of an old movie.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta tour

• Hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City
• Travel 1.5 hours to Cu Chi Tunnels
• Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and history
• Try shooting range at tunnels
• Have local Vietnamese lunch
• Travel to My Tho in Mekong Delta
• Boat ride on Mekong River
• Row small canals by sampan
• Visit bee house and taste honey tea
• Enjoy live local music performance
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City hotel

Top questions

How long is the Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta day trip?

The tour runs from around 7:40AM to 6:45PM including travel from Ho Chi Minh City.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels in District 1 except Dakao & TanDinh areas.

What do you do at Cu Chi Tunnels?

You can crawl through parts of the tunnels, see traps used during the war, and visit a shooting range if you’re over 18.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Yes, lunch with Vietnamese dishes is included; vegan options are available.

What activities are included on the Mekong Delta part?

You’ll take a motorboat ride on the Mekong River, ride a sampan through small canals lined with coconut trees, visit a bee house for fruit and honey tea, and listen to live local music.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes, all entrance tickets are included in your booking price.

Can children join this tour?

Yes; infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transport though.

Do I need special fitness for crawling in Cu Chi Tunnels?

The tunnels can be tight but most people can manage short sections; suitable for all physical fitness levels overall.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central Ho Chi Minh City (District 1), entry fees for both Cu Chi Tunnels and all boat trips on the Mekong Delta, an English-speaking local guide throughout, bottled water plus fruits along the way, and a Vietnamese lunch (vegan options available) before returning by evening drop-off at VN Adventure Tours office.