Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Day Trip from Saigon

Summary

History beneath Saigon and river life in the Mekong Delta, all in one long day

You’ll crawl through wartime tunnels near Saigon, share laughter over tapioca snacks with your guide, eat fresh Mekong Delta dishes by the river, and drift quietly down shaded canals in a hand-rowed boat. This packed day trip is full of small surprises—the kind that stick with you long after you’re back in the city lights.

What’s the experience like?

We slid into the van just after sunrise—still half awake, honestly—and left Saigon’s buzz behind. Our guide, Minh, had this way of telling stories that made even the city’s traffic jams feel like part of the adventure. The drive to Cu Chi Tunnels took a while (I think it was almost two hours?), but watching scooters whiz past rice paddies kept me distracted. When we finally got out, the air was heavy and green-smelling. Minh handed us these tiny pieces of tapioca—chewy, earthy—and told us how people survived on them during wartime. I tried to imagine living underground for months. It’s hard to picture until you’re actually ducking into those tunnels, feeling the cool damp walls close around you.

There was this moment when Minh laughed at my failed attempt to pronounce “booby trap” in Vietnamese. I still don’t know what I said, but it broke the ice with everyone else in our small group. We saw old bunkers and even a kitchen where they used smoke tricks to hide from planes overhead (the smell of burnt rice stuck to my shirt for hours). After crawling through one tunnel—my knees are still mad about it—we piled back into the van and headed toward My Tho for the Mekong Delta part of our day trip from Saigon.

The landscape changed fast: city edges gave way to flat fields, then suddenly water everywhere. Lunch was this five-course spread at a local spot—fresh fish with lemongrass, something sweet with coconut milk, and honey tea that tasted like summer air. Sitting there with sweaty faces and sticky hands felt right somehow. Then we hopped onto a motorboat; kids waved from shore as we passed Dragon Island (Minh pointed out all four “legend islands,” but I only remember Turtle because someone had drawn a big shell on a sign). The best bit? Gliding under low palms in a wooden sampan while an older woman rowed us along—she didn’t speak English but smiled every time we bumped into another boat.

I thought I’d be exhausted by sunset, but instead there was just this weird calm—like I’d seen two sides of Vietnam in one blur of a day. If you’ve only got 24 hours for a Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City, it’s kind of wild what fits inside that window.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta tour

• Hotel pick-up at 7:30 a.m.
• Watch propaganda video at Cu Chi
• Explore tunnels and exhibitions
• Try local tapioca snack
• Drive 1.5 hours to Mekong Delta
• Enjoy five-course lunch at local restaurant
• Boat cruise on Mekong River canals
• Take sampan ride along canal
• Explore villages by Xe Lôi
• Boat trip back to My Tho pier
• 1.5-hour transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City
• Drop off at hotel or city center

Top questions

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

The tour lasts about 11-12 hours including travel time between sites and hotel pickup/drop-off.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Yes, a five-course Vietnamese set menu lunch is included at a local restaurant in the Mekong Delta.

Are hotel pickups available for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Districts 1, 3, and 4 of Ho Chi Minh City.

How much time do you spend at Cu Chi Tunnels?

You’ll spend about an hour exploring Cu Chi Tunnels after arrival and watching an introductory video.

What kind of boats are used on the Mekong Delta part?

You’ll ride both a motorboat along main waterways and a hand-rowed sampan through smaller canals.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian meals are available if requested at booking.

Is this tour suitable for children or elderly travelers?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness due to tunnel crawling and long travel times; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

What should I wear or bring?

Dress smart casual; bring sun protection and let them know any dietary needs when booking.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central districts of Ho Chi Minh City, all entry fees at Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta sites, two bottles of water per person, all boat rides (motorboat and hand-rowed sampan), an English-speaking Vietnamese guide who keeps things lively, plus a five-course Vietnamese lunch with honey tea before heading back to Saigon as evening falls.