Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels: Day Tour with Lunch

Summary

Saigon’s tangled history, city rhythm and the Cu Chi tunnels

You’ll feel Saigon’s energy up close—history at the Reunification Palace, incense swirling in Jade Emperor Pagoda, lunch with local flavors, then crawl through real Cu Chi tunnels with your guide nearby. It’s not just sights—it’s small moments: laughter over tea or silence underground—that stay with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I nearly bailed on crawling into that first tunnel at Cu Chi. The opening looked like something a cat would squeeze through — not a grown person who’d just eaten too much pho. But our guide, Thao, grinned and said, “Don’t worry, you fit!” Her laugh made it easier. Earlier that morning in Ho Chi Minh City, she’d pointed out the bullet marks still visible on the Reunification Palace gates. I hadn’t expected to feel goosebumps just from standing in front of a building.

The city is loud — scooters everywhere, people selling mangoes from baskets balanced on bamboo poles. At the Central Post Office (which looks more like a train station than a place for stamps), an old man wrote postcards with beautiful calligraphy; he winked when he caught me staring. Notre Dame Cathedral was quieter inside than I thought it’d be, even with all the tourists taking photos. There was this smell of incense at Jade Emperor Pagoda that stuck to my clothes for hours — sweet but smoky. Lunch came as a set menu (vegan options too), and honestly, I could’ve just napped after all that rice and lemongrass tofu.

The drive out to the Cu Chi Tunnels is long enough for a nap if you’re lucky with traffic. When we finally got there, Thao showed us this old black-and-white video about how villagers built the tunnels — kids helping dig by candlelight. It’s one thing to read about war in books; another to actually crouch underground where people hid and cooked and tried not to get caught. My knees complained but I’m glad I did it anyway. At one point they handed out tapioca dipped in peanut salt — apparently what fighters used to eat down there — it tasted earthy and weirdly comforting.

I still think about that quiet moment after we surfaced from the tunnels: everyone blinking in the sunlight, brushing red dust off their pants. Thao poured us hot tea right there under the trees. She told us her grandfather fought nearby but never liked talking about it much. That stuck with me more than any museum display could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi Tunnels

• Visit Reunification Palace
• Explore War Remnants Museum
• See Notre Dame Cathedral
• Tour Central Post Office
• Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda
• Have lunch in restaurant
• Watch Cu Chi tunnels introductory video
• Explore Cu Chi tunnels maze

Top questions

How long does the Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels day tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one full day including both city highlights and travel time to Cu Chi Tunnels.

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

Yes, a Vietnamese lunch set menu is included; vegan options are available.

Are entrance fees covered in this tour?

All entrance fees for listed attractions are included in the price.

Does this tour provide hotel pickup and drop-off?

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

Can children join the Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tunnels may be challenging for those with poor cardiovascular health or limited mobility.

What food is served at Cu Chi Tunnels?

Tapioca with Vietnamese hot tea is served at the tunnels as part of the experience.

Which sites are visited during the city portion of this tour?

The itinerary includes Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, and Jade Emperor Pagoda.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central districts of Ho Chi Minh City, all entry fees to key sites like Reunification Palace and Jade Emperor Pagoda, an experienced English-speaking guide throughout both city sights and Cu Chi Tunnels explorations, a Vietnamese lunch set menu (with vegan options), travel insurance for peace of mind, cold water and wet tissues along the way—and even traditional tapioca snack plus hot tea at Cu Chi before heading back into town.