Cu Chi Tunnels: Small Group War History Tour & Pickup

Summary

Crawl through Cu Chi’s tunnels hear war stories taste local food

You’ll crawl through narrow Cu Chi Tunnels outside Ho Chi Minh City, listen as a local guide shares family stories from wartime Vietnam, spot hidden entrances and homemade traps, and share a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant before heading back—expect some moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect as we left Ho Chi Minh City that morning — the city noise fading behind us, replaced by this sticky quiet as we got closer to Cu Chi. Our guide, Minh, cracked jokes in the van and handed out cold towels (which felt like a miracle, honestly). He told us his uncle had lived in these tunnels during the war. I tried to picture that as we walked toward the entrance, cicadas buzzing so loud it almost drowned out Minh’s voice.

The first tunnel was smaller than I’d pictured — I mean, you have to crouch so low your knees start complaining after just a few meters. The air inside was thick and earthy; it smelled like old clay pots and something burnt. Minh showed us one of the trapdoors — just a patch of leaves on hard-packed dirt — and then grinned when he challenged us to spot it ourselves. I completely missed it. There was this weird moment where everyone went quiet, maybe thinking about what it must’ve been like down here for months on end. It hit harder than I thought it would.

We stopped at Sol Cu Chi Restaurant for lunch after (I got the vegan option — tofu in a sauce I still can’t name). The place was busy with locals chatting over iced tea; someone’s radio played old pop songs in Vietnamese. Minh laughed when I tried to say “thank you” to the waiter — probably butchered it, but he seemed pleased anyway. On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City, my legs were tired but my head was even more crowded with thoughts about what people survived here. Kind of stays with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and local dining

• Pickup from Ho Chi Minh City hotel
• Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and role-play
• Visit Sol Cu Chi Restaurant for meal
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

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

The Cu Chi Tunnels are about 35 kilometers from central Ho Chi Minh City.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in District 1.

Can vegetarians get lunch on this tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Are the tunnels suitable for people with claustrophobia?

No, travelers with claustrophobia are not recommended to enter the tunnels.

What is included in the Cu Chi Tunnels tour?

The tour includes transport by air-conditioned minivan, entrance fees, an English-speaking guide, cool towels, mineral water, and lunch (for Limousine Option).

How long do you spend inside the tunnels?

You spend several minutes inside different sections of the tunnels during guided exploration.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned minivan transport with hotel pickup and drop-off (District 1), entry fees for all tunnel sites, cool towels and bottled water along the way, plus a sit-down lunch at Sol Cu Chi Restaurant—vegan options available if you ask ahead—before returning back to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.