Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta: VIP Day Trip by Limousine

Summary

History underfoot and river life in southern vietnam’s heart

You’ll crawl through real war-era tunnels at Cu Chi with a local guide, share lunch with travelers (vegan food available), then drift through Mekong Delta canals in a rowboat. Expect small moments: honey tea with music, laughter underground, sunlight flickering on water — it all stays with you longer than you’d think.

What’s the experience like?

“If you get stuck, just laugh — it helps,” our guide Minh grinned as he pointed at the narrow tunnel entrance at Cu Chi. I thought he was joking, but honestly, squeezing into that dark clay passage was something else. You can hear your own breath echoing off the walls and smell the earth — it’s cool, almost damp, even though outside the sun was already sharp. Minh told us stories about families living down here for weeks during the war. I tried crawling just a few meters and my knees still remember it. Some of us gave up halfway and came out giggling, brushing red dust off our pants.

The limousine ride from Ho Chi Minh City felt pretty comfortable (I’d never admit how much I liked those cold towels). After exploring the tunnels, we stopped for lunch — rice paper rolls, crispy tofu for me since they had vegan options, and that fish sauce smell that sort of clings to your fingers no matter how much you wipe them. There was this older couple from Hanoi at our table who kept trying to teach me how to wrap herbs properly; I think I got it right once. Maybe.

Later in My Tho, we switched to a long motorboat and then these tiny sampans paddled by women in conical hats — their arms looked stronger than mine will ever be. The Mekong Delta is quieter than I expected; just birds and the slap of water against wood. Coconut palms everywhere. We stopped at a little bee house for honey tea (sweet but not too much) while some locals played music on instruments I’d never seen before. There was a moment where everyone went silent listening — just fruit on our tongues and music drifting over the muddy riverbank. I still think about that view from the boat as we headed back toward Ho Chi Minh City — light catching on water between palm leaves. It’s not something you really forget.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta tour

• Pickup from hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
• Drive 1.5 hours to Cu Chi Tunnels
• Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and history
• Try shooting old rifles
• Lunch with local Vietnamese cuisine
• Drive to My Tho in Mekong Delta
• Boat ride on Mekong River
• Sampan ride through small waterways
• Visit bee house with music and fruits
• 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 7:45am to 6:40pm, including hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is lunch included on this day trip from Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes, lunch featuring Vietnamese cuisine is included and vegan options are available.

Do you actually go inside the Cu Chi Tunnels?

Yes, there’s an opportunity to crawl short distances inside sections of the tunnels.

Are boat rides part of this Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, both a motorboat ride and a sampan rowboat ride through small canals are included.

Is hotel pickup included in District 1?

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

Can children join this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Is shooting old rifles at Cu Chi Tunnels optional?

You can try shooting old rifles if you’re over 18 years old; it’s optional.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip limousine transfers from central Ho Chi Minh City hotels (Districts 1–4), entry fees for both Cu Chi Tunnels and all boat trips in My Tho, an English-speaking guide throughout, travel insurance for peace of mind, plus a Vietnamese lunch (vegan dishes available), seasonal fruits with honey tea tasting during the Mekong Delta visit, mineral water and one beer or soft drink along the way before returning in the evening.