HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR AND CU CHI TUNNELS ONE DAY TOUR

Useful information

This full day tour combines the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City with a meaningful visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. In one day, you will explore important historical landmarks in the city and then travel to the famous underground tunnel system that played a vital role during the war. The tour is ideal for travelers who want a comprehensive introduction to Saigon and its history.

MORNING: HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR

Your guide and vehicle will pick you up at the meeting point in District One. The morning is dedicated to visiting some of the most famous landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City.

INDEPENDENCE PALACE

Visit the Independence Palace, a well-known architectural complex and a significant historical site of Viet Nam. This building played an important role during the country’s modern history and is a symbol of the end of the war in 1975.

NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL (OUTSIDE VISIT ONLY)

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the most iconic landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City. Construction began in 1877 and was completed in 1880. The cathedral is a symbol of Catholicism in Viet Nam and a remarkable example of French colonial architecture.

Please note: The cathedral is currently under restoration, so guests can only visit and take photos from outside.

HO CHI MINH CITY POST OFFICE

Next, visit the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, built between 1886 and 1891 by French architect Gustave Eiffel. This historic building is famous for its classic architecture, decorative details, and distinctive yellow color. It is one of the most popular check-in spots in the city.

WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM

Continue to the War Remnants Museum, where you will see valuable historical artifacts related to the Nguyen Dynasty and the two Indochina wars. The museum offers a deeper understanding of the impact of war on Viet Nam and its people.

NOON: LUNCH BREAK

The bus will take you to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, you will have a short break before continuing the afternoon program.

AFTERNOON: CU CHI TUNNELS EXPERIENCE

After lunch, the tour continues with a journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located approximately one and a half hours northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. This vast underground network was built during the 1940s and 1960s to resist French and American forces.

LAM PHAT LACQUERWARE WORKSHOP

On the way, stop at Lam Phat, a lacquerware workshop that employs people with disabilities, many of whom were affected by the long-term consequences of war such as Agent Orange. This visit offers a meaningful opportunity to learn about traditional craftsmanship and support local artisans.

BEN DINH SECTION – CU CHI TUNNELS

Upon arrival, explore the Ben Dinh section of the Cu Chi Tunnels. This area was part of the two-hundred-and-fifty-kilometer tunnel system used during the Resistance War Against America (1955–1975) and served as an important base for guerrilla operations in the Saigon region.

HIGHLIGHTS AT CU CHI TUNNELS

DOCUMENTARY AND EXHIBITS

Watch a short documentary about the history and role of the Cu Chi Tunnels during the war. You will also see displays of handmade weapons, bamboo traps, and tools used by the Viet Cong.

TUNNEL LIFE

Learn how guerrilla fighters dug the tunnels and lived underground, including daily life, medical care, and command operations under constant bombardment.

STRENGTH OF WILL

Discover how determination, creativity, and ingenuity helped the Viet Cong resist advanced American weaponry through hidden trapdoors, camouflage techniques, and booby traps.

TUNNEL CRAWLING (OPTIONAL)

Guests may crawl through a safe and widened section of the tunnels to experience the narrow and confined conditions faced by the fighters. This activity is optional.

SHOOTING RANGE (OPTIONAL, EXTRA FEE)

Try firing an AK-47 rifle at the on-site shooting range. The cost is approximately 26$, bullets are not included and this activity is not part of the tour price.

TASTE HISTORY

Sample steamed cassava, a simple staple food eaten by guerrilla fighters during the war, usually served with salt and peanuts.

END OF TOUR

At around 17:30, depart from Cu Chi and return to District One.
The tour ends upon arrival.

Please note: Drop-off time may vary depending on traffic conditions, weather, or other factors.

TOUR INCLUDES

• Air-conditioned bus or van

• English-speaking tour guide

• Mineral water

• Entrance fees

• Local lunch

• Pick-up from selected hotels in Central District One only

TOUR EXCLUDES

• Personal expenses

CHILDREN POLICY

Children from one meter to under one meter and forty centimeters in height are charged seventy-five percent of the adult price and will have their own seat.

Children under one meter in height are free of charge and must sit on their parents’ lap. Two adults may accompany one free child. From the second child onward, the charge is seventy-five percent of the ticket price.

Children from one meter and forty centimeters in height and above are charged the full adult price.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Pick-up and drop-off are available only for centrally located hotels or accommodations in District One, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Guests are responsible for being on time. The tour operator is not responsible for lateness.

• Infant rates apply only if the infant does not occupy a seat and does not use tour inclusions. Please inform the supplier at the time of booking if you are traveling with an infant.