Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta: Small Group Day Trip, BBQ Lunch

Summary

Cu Chi tunnels history meets Mekong river life in one full day

You’ll crawl through war-era tunnels near Cu Chi with a local guide, then share barbecue lunch before cruising through quiet canals of the Mekong Delta. Taste honey tea and fresh fruit on Thoi Son islet, watch coconut candy being made by hand—and end your day feeling like you’ve really seen both sides of southern Vietnam.

What’s the experience like?

We were already an hour out of Ho Chi Minh City when our guide, Minh, started telling us stories about the Cu Chi Tunnels. The bus was quiet except for him—he had this way of making you picture it all, like you could almost hear the muffled sounds underground. When we finally got there, I crouched down to look inside one of those tiny tunnel entrances. The air was thick and a little damp, and honestly, I hesitated before going in. Minh laughed and said even locals get nervous their first time. I still think about how dark it was down there—hard to imagine people living like that for years.

Lunch came just as my stomach started grumbling (timing was perfect). We stopped at Ben Luc in Long An for a barbecue spread—sticky rice, grilled pork with that smoky edge, plus this dipping sauce I tried to copy but failed miserably. A local chef showed us how to wrap everything up in fresh leaves. I probably used too much chili; Minh raised his eyebrows but didn’t say anything. The air smelled sweet from the river nearby and someone had music playing softly from a phone.

After that we drove on to My Tho for the Mekong Delta cruise. Getting onto the boat felt like stepping into another world—suddenly everything slowed down. We drifted past floating houses where kids waved from their porches (one shouted something cheeky at Minh and he just grinned). At Thoi Son islet we tasted fruit straight off the table—pineapple so juicy it dripped down my chin—and listened to folk songs played by locals under a tin roof. There was honey tea too; honestly sweeter than I expected but good with the heat outside. Someone handed me a python for a photo—I didn’t drop it but my face probably said otherwise.

I liked watching how life moved along the riverbanks: fishermen mending nets, women laughing over baskets of coconut candy at the factory (they let us try shaping some—it’s stickier than it looks). On the drive back to Ho Chi Minh City I realized how much we’d packed into one day trip from Saigon—history that makes your skin prickle a bit, food you’ll crave again later, and those small moments with people who live here every day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Cruise

• Pick up at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
• Drive to Cu Chi Tunnels
• Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and learn history
• Drive to Mekong Delta
• Enjoy barbecue and cooking lesson
• Boat trip on Mekong River
• Visit bee farm and taste honey tea
• Take photos with python and finger banana
• Row boat on small canal
• Enjoy traditional folk songs at local house
• Visit coconut candy factory
• Pass fishing village and floating houses
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City hotel

Top questions

How long does this Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta tour last?

The tour lasts about 11 hours including hotel pickup and drop-off in Ho Chi Minh City.

Is lunch included on this day trip from Saigon?

Yes, a barbecue Vietnamese lunch is included at Ben Luc Long An in the Mekong Delta.

Are entrance fees covered?

All entrance fees are included in your booking price.

Do you visit both Cu Chi Tunnels and My Tho?

Yes, you visit Cu Chi Tunnels first then travel to My Tho for the Mekong Delta cruise.

Is there hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for central Ho Chi Minh City hotels.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free diets can be accommodated if mentioned when booking.

What activities are included on Thoi Son islet?

You’ll taste seasonal fruits, enjoy folk music performances, sample honey tea and visit a coconut candy factory.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Ho Chi Minh City, private transport between all stops, entry fees at Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong sites, an English-speaking guide throughout, a barbecue Vietnamese lunch with drinks provided at Ben Luc Long An, private boat cruise on the Mekong River with stops at Thoi Son islet for fruit tasting and folk music, plus visits to a bee farm and coconut candy factory before returning in the evening.