Cu Chi Tunnels: Speedboat Tour & Lunch from Ho Chi Minh

Summary

Speed along Saigon River then crawl the Cu Chi Tunnels, taste wartime flavors and share stories over lunch

You’ll cruise up the Saigon River by speedboat with your local guide, see village life slip by, then crawl through the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels themselves. Taste cassava with hot tea like wartime survivors did, and share a proper Vietnamese lunch before returning to central Ho Chi Minh City.

What’s the experience like?

We zipped away from Ho Chi Minh’s tangled streets on a silver speedboat just after sunrise — the air felt thick but fresh, river water flickering against the hull. Our guide, Hien, pointed out fishermen casting nets and kids waving from battered docks. I didn’t expect the city to fade so quickly; one minute we were dodging scooters, next we were gliding past banana trees and wooden houses on stilts. The engine was loud but somehow comforting, and someone passed around little cakes with strong Vietnamese coffee. I still remember that first sip — bitter, sweet, almost chocolatey if you let it linger.

Landing at Cu Chi Tunnels felt like stepping into another story altogether. The ground was red clay and soft underfoot; cicadas buzzed so loud it made me laugh. Hien showed us tiny tunnel entrances (I hesitated before crawling in — not my most graceful moment) and explained how people lived underground for years. There was this old air vent disguised as an anthill — clever in a way that makes you pause. We tried cassava dipped in crushed peanuts with hot tea, which sounds simple but honestly? It tasted like resilience.

I kept thinking about the hands that built those tunnels while we sat down for lunch — vegan pho for me, something meatier for others. Everyone was quiet for a bit, maybe just tired or maybe letting it all sink in. On the ride back to District 1, city sounds crept in again; traffic horns mixing with river breeze. I caught Hien humming softly and wondered how many times he’s told these stories. So yeah — if you’re curious about history you can actually feel under your skin (and don’t mind getting a little dusty), this day trip is something else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnels speedboat tour

• Board speedboat on Saigon River
• Cruise to Cu Chi Tunnels
• Observe Saigon riverbank landscapes
• Explore Cu Chi tunnel network
• See traps and crawl tunnels
• Enjoy cassava snack at tunnels
• Return by speedboat to Saigon
• Drop off at War Remnants Museum or Ben Thanh Market or hotel

Top questions

How long does the speedboat ride from Ho Chi Minh to Cu Chi Tunnels take?

It takes about one hour each way by speedboat along the Saigon River.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cu Chi Tunnels tour?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels in District 1, 3, or 4 of Ho Chi Minh City.

What food is served on this tour?

You’ll try cassava with peanuts and hot tea at Cu Chi plus a Vietnamese lunch (vegan option available).

Do you actually go inside the tunnels?

Yes, you’ll have a chance to enter and crawl through parts of the Cu Chi Tunnel network.

Where does the tour drop off at the end?

You can be dropped off at War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market or your hotel in District 1.

Is this day trip suitable for kids or older travelers?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but not wheelchair accessible; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Are public transport options nearby after drop-off?

Yes, there are public transportation options near all drop-off points in District 1.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central districts of Ho Chi Minh City, all entry fees at Cu Chi Tunnels, roundtrip luxury speedboat travel along the Saigon River with snacks and bottled water on board, time exploring tunnels with an experienced English-speaking guide, tastings of cassava with hot tea at Cu Chi plus a full Vietnamese lunch (vegan option available), and drop-off back in District 1 or nearby landmarks before your afternoon continues.