Cu Chi Tunnels: Small-Group Day Tour with Village Stops

Summary

Cu Chi village life, wartime tunnels and shared stories

You’ll travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels with a local guide who shares personal stories along peaceful village roads. Crawl through real tunnels, see hidden wartime traps, and taste traditional cassava tea before heading back — it’s a day that sticks with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sound — not traffic or horns like in Ho Chi Minh City, but birds and this low hum of motorbikes somewhere off in the green. We’d just left the city behind, and our guide, Anh, started telling us about growing up nearby. I remember her laughing as she pointed out how cassava smells when it’s fresh (earthy, a bit sweet — I didn’t expect to like it). The drive is about an hour and a half, but it doesn’t drag; Anh kept weaving in little stories about her uncle during the war, which made the whole Cu Chi Tunnels day trip feel less like a tour and more like sitting with someone’s family.

When we got to the tunnels themselves, it was quieter than I thought it would be. There’s a short film — grainy old footage that made me weirdly emotional — and then we walked along these shaded paths where sunlight flickered through bamboo leaves. Anh showed us some of the old traps (honestly, kind of terrifying) and explained how people hid for days at a time underground. She offered to let us try crawling through one of the tunnels. I hesitated at first — they’re so narrow — but ended up doing it anyway. It’s hot down there, damp too; you can almost taste the earth in your mouth.

Afterwards, we sat together on low wooden benches and tried tea with cassava root — apparently what people ate here every day during wartime. It’s simple food, but sitting there with everyone sweaty and laughing about who got stuck in the tunnel longest… I don’t know, it felt honest. There’s even a shooting range if you want to try an AK-47 (I passed), but just being there was enough for me. On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City I watched rice fields blur past and thought about those quiet moments underground. Still think about them sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnel exploration and activities

• Board van in Ho Chi Minh City
• Travel 60km to Cu Chi
• Receive Vietnam War insights
• Watch tunnel system documentaries
• Learn about wartime traps
• Visit command post and cannons
• Explore underground guerrilla base
• Optional walking tunnel experience
• Enjoy tea and cassava root
• Test marksmanship with AK-47
• Return to pick-up point

Top questions

How far are the Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City?

The Cu Chi Tunnels are about 60km (around 1.5 hours by van) from central Ho Chi Minh City.

Is hotel pickup included in this Cu Chi Tunnels tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Districts 1, 3, and 4.

What food is served on the tour?

You’ll get to try tea with cassava root — a traditional snack eaten during wartime in Cu Chi.

Can vegetarians join this tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking.

Do you actually go inside the tunnels?

Yes, there’s an optional chance to crawl through part of the tunnel system if you want.

Is this small-group or private?

This is a small-group tour for a more relaxed pace and personal experience.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes, all entrance fees are included in your tour price.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned transport from central Ho Chi Minh City hotels (Districts 1, 3 & 4), entry tickets to Cu Chi Tunnels, bottled water throughout the trip, an English-speaking guide sharing local stories along the way, plus tea and cassava root before heading back home together.