Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels: Small Group Day Tour

Summary

War stories, city rhythms and a taste of old Saigon in one day

You’ll feel both history and daily life on this day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels. Walk through famous sites like Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum with a local guide, share a Vietnamese lunch with new friends, then crawl into the tunnels themselves. It’s not just sightseeing—it stays with you.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I signed up for this small group tour mostly because I was curious about the Cu Chi tunnels—everyone talks about them when you mention Ho Chi Minh City. But it’s funny how much the city itself got under my skin that morning. Our guide, Hien, had this calm way of telling stories as we stood outside the Reunification Palace, sunlight bouncing off those odd 60s shapes. There was this faint smell of incense from somewhere nearby—maybe a street altar?—and the traffic noise just never really stops here, does it?

We wandered past the Central Post Office (which is way prettier than any post office has a right to be), and Hien pointed out details I’d have missed—like how locals still send letters there sometimes. The Notre Dame Cathedral was wrapped in scaffolding but even so, people were taking photos and laughing at kids chasing pigeons. The War Remnants Museum hit harder than I expected; some parts I just stood quietly and didn’t know what to say. A couple from our group asked Hien about his own family during the war—he answered softly, and honestly, I still think about that moment.

Lunch was simple but good—rice, pork, some kind of sour soup that surprised me (in a good way). After that we drove out toward Cu Chi. It’s not far from Saigon but you feel the shift; more green, less honking. The tunnels themselves are… well, crawling through them was both claustrophobic and weirdly moving. They served us tea and cassava after—Hien joked it was “guerilla food,” and Li laughed when I tried to say it in Vietnamese (I probably butchered it). On the ride back I watched mopeds swarm around us through the window and felt sort of quiet inside—not sad exactly, just full.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Saigon and Cu Chi Tunnels

• Pick up at hotel
• Visit Independence Palace
• See Notre Dame Cathedral exterior
• Visit Central Post Office
• Tour War Remnants Museum
• Lunch with Vietnamese cuisine
• Travel to Cu Chi Tunnels
• Watch Cu Chi Tunnels introduction video
• Explore Cu Chi tunnel systems
• Enjoy tea and cassava snack
• Relax before return to Saigon
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

How long is the day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City?

The tour lasts roughly a full day including travel time between central Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi Tunnels.

Is hotel pickup included for this Saigon & Cu Chi Tunnels tour?

Yes, pickup is included for centrally located hotels in District 1.

What’s included for lunch on this small group tour?

A set menu Vietnamese lunch is provided at a local restaurant as part of the tour.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is capped at 12 travelers per tour.

Are entry fees for attractions covered?

Yes, all entry fees for scheduled sites are included in your booking.

Can children join this day trip?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult; special rates apply depending on age and number of adults booking.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with mobility issues?

No, unfortunately it’s not wheelchair accessible or recommended for those with heart or spinal conditions due to tunnel access.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in District 1 by air-conditioned van or bus, entrance fees to all listed sites including Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum, bottled water throughout the journey, an English-speaking guide who shares local insights along the way, plus a traditional Vietnamese lunch before heading out to explore the Cu Chi tunnels together.