Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels: Guided day tour

Summary

Full-day Ho Chi Minh & Cu Chi tunnels tour with lunch

You’ll crawl through real sections of the Cu Chi tunnels with a local guide, taste hot tea and tapioca after emerging into daylight, then explore Ho Chi Minh City’s landmarks like the War Remnants Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral. With lunch included and hotel pickup sorted, this day trip leaves you with stories — and maybe a little red clay on your shoes — you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

We met our guide, Hien, right outside our hotel in District 1 — she waved at us before we even spotted her. She handed out cold water (blessed relief, honestly) and asked if we’d slept well. On the way to the Cu Chi tunnels, she told us stories about her grandfather during the war. I could hear the traffic fading as we left the city behind, just that low hum of Vietnamese radio in the van and someone quietly unwrapping candy behind me. The air smelled like wet earth when we stepped out at Cu Chi — it had rained earlier, so everything felt softer underfoot.

I didn’t expect to actually crawl through part of the tunnel system, but there I was, knees in red clay, trying not to think about spiders. Hien laughed when I hesitated at the entrance (“Don’t worry, you’re not too tall!”). We tasted steamed tapioca dipped in peanuts — simple but weirdly comforting after being underground. The tea was hot and a little smoky; I still remember that taste. There was a moment when she showed us a hidden trapdoor and everyone went quiet for a second — just birds and distant voices from another group.

Back in Ho Chi Minh City, lunch was noodles with beef (you can pick chicken or pork too), eaten elbow-to-elbow with people from our group who already felt familiar somehow. Afterward we wandered through the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace; it’s heavy stuff, but Hien answered every question without flinching. At the Saigon Central Post Office, an old man inside stamped postcards while tourists snapped photos — he smiled at me when I tried to say “xin chào.” My pronunciation probably made his day or maybe just made him laugh.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Tour

• Depart from office or city center
• Visit Cu Chi Tunnels: documentary, command center, local food, smoke-less stove, bunkers
• Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral visit
• Saigon Central Post Office visit
• War Remnants Museum visit
• Reunification Palace visit

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Ho Chi Minh & Cu Chi tunnels tour?

Yes, free hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Districts 1 and 3.

What food is served during the day trip to Cu Chi tunnels from Ho Chi Minh?

The tour includes steamed tapioca with tea at Cu Chi plus noodles with beef, chicken or pork for lunch.

How long does it take to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi tunnels?

The drive usually takes about 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic.

Are entrance tickets included in this guided tour?

Yes, all entry fees for attractions are covered in your booking.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels according to the operator.

Which attractions are visited on this full-day tour?

You’ll visit Cu Chi Tunnels, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Saigon Central Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in central districts of Ho Chi Minh City, all transportation between sites, entry tickets to each attraction on the itinerary, an English-speaking local guide who shares personal stories along the way, mineral water throughout the day plus traditional steamed tapioca with hot tea at Cu Chi Tunnels and a noodle lunch before returning to your hotel.