Day Trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels

If you've ever wondered how a small country like Vietnam could oust the mighty US armed forces in the Vietnam War, then you must embark on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels to get your answer!

Cu Chi Tunnels are an engineering marvel that was created by using the most basic engineering technique, digging. This intricate maze of tunnels and passageways is unbelievable...it's spread over 250 kilometres!

Through these simple yet effective hideouts, the Vietnamese soldiers could escape the heavy artillery and bombings of the enemy forces. The tunnels are not just hideouts; they served as supply routes for Vietnamese troops and even served as hospital shelters during the war.

Apart from their practical use, the tunnels created a psychological advantage for the Vietnamese army since they helped keep the formidable US army on tenterhooks due to the unpredictable nature of the tunnels.

It's almost hilarious to see how the sophisticated American weapons and technological know-how were challenged by these rudimentary warfare techniques and country-made traps. These tunnels served as a solid base for guerrilla warfare; you will see booby traps, secret hideouts, hidden trap doors, stick pits, entrance doors lined with chilli peppers to confuse military dogs used by American forces, and amazing stealth techniques that will leave you speechless!

Let me share my impressions of this day trip to the southern part of Vietnam with you...

We opted for a Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta day trip from Ho Chi Minh by Klook.com. The trip cost around USD 85 per person and included a pick up and drop off at the hotel.

Most day trips combine the Cu Chi Tunnels with the Mekong Delta, and all major online booking platforms like Viator.com, Klook.com and GetYourGuide.com offer a vast range of tours for you to pick from.

The entry fee is USD 4.50 per person. If you've taken a tour, then entry is included. It takes about 90 minutes to reach this site from HCMC.

If you decide to go without the tour, even then, hire a local guide to navigate you through the tunnels. It's interesting to hear their first-hand accounts and anecdotes of the war.

Most of the original tunnels have been destroyed over time. The ones open now are sections that were enlarged to accommodate tourists. Believe me, even the enlarged ones are quite narrow and can make you claustrophobic. There are smaller tunnels, about 100 metres and longer ones that go up to 300 metres, if I'm not mistaken. We opted for the shortest one. It was very hot inside, and I could not deny that I was happy to step out.

My word, if you're scared of closed spaces, do not venture into the tunnel. There are ample things to look around the site, including a Shooting Range where you can test your aiming skills for a small fee. Wear breathable, cotton clothes and comfortable shoes.

We spent about 2.5 hours at the Cu Chi Tunnels. Toward the end of our outing, we were treated to a typical Vietnamese snack of sweet potato and a dry dish of ground peanut before heading out to our next stop.

Cu Chi Tunnels were the second stop on our day trip. Before that, we had taken a small break at a local artisan workshop selling the typical Vietnamese egg lacquer paintings on a wooden board.

Egg shells are carefully polished and engraved on figures to give a very polished and permanent look to the painting. The most popular painting is that of Vietnamese women in their traditional attire, Ao Dai.

My Tip

The prices of these paintings at all these artisanal workshops are way higher than at a lot of other places in Vietnam. So, don't buy the first painting at the first shop you stop at. You'll get ample opportunity to buy them throughout the day, although I must mention here that the quality and finesse of the same piece that we found elsewhere were not the same as those in this workshop.

After Cu Chi Tunnels, we were taken to a bamboo factory.

Did you know that the World's largest bamboo reserves are found in Vietnam, earning it the name 'Green Gold'?

Vietnam is one of the largest exporters of Bamboo, offering a vast array of environmentally friendly products, and a visit to this factory was a deep dive into the way bamboo is integrated into everyday Vietnamese life.

My Tip

We were made to see a very interesting presentation about how Bamboo is used in the indigenous industry and is the backbone of the Vietnamese economy.

The products on display were very fine and good, but the prices were steep. Use your discretion before you buy anything.

After a hearty Vietnamese lunch close to the Bamboo factory, we headed to our last destination of the day, the Mekong Delta. More about the Mekong Delta in a separate link.