Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta: Small Group Day Trip

Summary

Cu Chi’s echoing tunnels then slow river life in the Mekong

You’ll crawl through Cu Chi’s historic tunnels with a local guide, taste guerrilla-era cassava, cruise shaded canals in the Mekong Delta near My Tho, snack on tropical fruits, and hear southern folk music—all with hotel pickup and lunch included. It’s a day that lingers long after you return.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t worry, you won’t get lost—we always come out somewhere,” our guide Tam grinned as we crouched at the tunnel entrance. I could smell damp earth and something almost metallic, like old tools. The Cu Chi Tunnels aren’t just a story here; they’re everywhere under your feet. Tam told us about his uncle who’d lived down here during the war—he said it offhand, but I caught a flicker in his eyes. Crawling through those narrow spaces (I definitely scraped my knee), it was impossible not to imagine what it must’ve been like. We tried cassava dipped in salty peanuts after, which was…honestly bland but weirdly comforting. I guess that’s what you eat when you don’t have much else.

The drive to My Tho was longer than I expected—maybe two hours?—but watching scooters zip past and rice paddies blur by kept me awake. Lunch was at a local spot where nobody minded if you used your hands for the spring rolls (I did). Then came the part I keep replaying: gliding along the Mekong Delta in this little wooden boat, water coconut trees brushing overhead. A breeze carried hints of river mud and sweet fruit, and someone nearby started humming quietly. We stopped at a coconut candy place—sticky fingers all around—and met a gardener who showed us how he grafted mango branches together (he laughed when I asked if he ever mixed up which tree was which).

The afternoon faded into honey tea and folk music played by locals on stringed instruments I couldn’t name. There was this one song that made everyone go quiet for a minute; even Tam just listened. By the time we headed back to Ho Chi Minh City, my shoes were muddy and my head full of new stories—some heavy, some light. Not everything fit neatly together, but maybe that’s just how Vietnam feels sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta tour

• Pick up at hotel
• Drive to Cu Chi Tunnels
• Watch introduction video
• Explore tunnel network and living areas
• Taste tea and cassava
• Relax and buy souvenirs
• Drive to My Tho city
• Have lunch at local restaurant
• Cruise along Tien River
• Visit coconut candy mill
• Boat trip through small canal
• Enjoy seasonal fruits and honey tea
• Experience Southern Vietnamese folk music
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

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

The tour lasts about 12 hours including travel from Ho Chi Minh City, usually returning around 7:00 PM depending on traffic.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

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

What is included in lunch during the tour?

Lunch is provided at a local restaurant featuring Vietnamese cuisine; dietary requirements can be advised at booking.

How many people are in each group?

The small group tour has a maximum of 12 participants.

Are boat trips on the Mekong Delta part of this tour?

Yes, boat trips along the Tien River and smaller canals are included in the Mekong Delta portion near My Tho.

Can children join this tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; child rates apply when sharing with two paying adults.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with mobility issues?

No, it’s not recommended for those with spinal injuries or heart problems due to tunnel crawling and uneven terrain.

Will we see local performances during the trip?

Yes, there is a southern Vietnamese folk music performance by locals during the Mekong Delta visit.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, all entry fees for both Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta attractions near My Tho, guided tours throughout with an English-speaking guide, boat rides along rivers and canals, bottled water to keep you going, a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant (just let them know about any dietary needs), plus tastings of honey tea and fresh tropical fruit before heading back in the evening.