Cu Chi Tunnels Plus Mekong Delta 1-Day Group Tour

Cu Chi Tunnels Plus Mekong Delta 1-Day Group Tour from Ho Chi Minh City

Tour Overview

  • Duration: 9-10 hours (full-day tour, ~6:30 AM-4:30 PM).
  • Starting Point: Hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City (District 1 or 3, via shared air-conditioned minibus or coach).
  • Group Size: Typically 10-20 people, ensuring a social, guided experience.
  • Inclusions: Shared transport, English-speaking guide, entrance fees, bottled water, light lunch (e.g., Vietnamese pho, banh mi, or vegetarian options at a Mekong Delta restaurant), and activities (Cu Chi tunnel exploration, Mekong boat rides, sampan rowing, local snacks).
  • Best Time: Early morning start to beat heat and crowds at Cu Chi; ideal season: December-April (dry season) for comfortable outdoor exploration. Cu Chi Tunnels open 7:00 AM-5:00 PM; Mekong sites are accessible all day.

Itinerary Highlights

This tour combines the historical significance of the Cu Chi Tunnels with the cultural and natural beauty of the Mekong Delta (My Tho/Ben Tre), offering a contrast between wartime resilience and rural tranquility in a single day.

  1. Cu Chi Tunnels
    • Location: Cu Chi District, ~70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City (~1.5-hour drive).
    • Highlights:
      • Explore the Ben Dinh section of the 250-km tunnel network, used by Viet Cong guerrillas during the Vietnam War.
      • Watch a brief documentary, crawl through widened tunnels (~10-20 meters, optional), and view trapdoors, booby traps, and exhibits (kitchens, weapon rooms).
      • Sample boiled tapioca with salt and peanut dip, a wartime staple.
    • Group Experience: Guides narrate guerrilla tactics, lead safe tunnel exploration, and facilitate group discussions at exhibits. Photos are encouraged at surface displays.
    • Time Spent: ~1.5 hours (8:00-9:30 AM).
    • Cultural Note: A somber site; respect its historical weight. Wear comfortable clothing; tunnels are narrow and humid.
    • Tip: Skip crawling if claustrophobic; surface exhibits are rich in history.
  2. Drive to Mekong Delta (My Tho)
    • Location: My Tho, Tien Giang Province (~1-hour drive from Cu Chi).
    • Highlights:
      • Scenic drive through rice paddies and rural towns, with a short restroom break if needed.
    • Group Experience: Guides share insights on the Mekong’s role as Vietnam’s “rice bowl,” sparking group chatter.
    • Time Spent: ~1 hour (9:30-10:30 AM).
  3. Mekong River Boat Cruise to Thoi Son Islet
    • Location: Tien River, My Tho, to Thoi Son Islet (Phoenix Island).
    • Highlights:
      • Cruise the Tien River on a motorized boat, passing stilt houses and the four islets (Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, Tortoise).
      • Visit a local home on Thoi Son Islet, tasting tropical fruits (mango, pineapple) and honey tea while enjoying Southern Vietnamese folk music.
    • Group Experience: Guides explain river life, coordinating fruit-sharing and music sessions for a communal vibe.
    • Time Spent: ~1 hour (10:45-11:45 AM).
    • Note: Life jackets provided; notify guide if prone to motion sickness.
  4. Sampan Rowing in Ben Tre Canals
    • Location: Bao Dinh Canal, Ben Tre Province.
    • Highlights:
      • Ride a hand-rowed sampan (4-6 people per boat) through coconut-lined canals, wearing conical hats (nón lá) for authenticity.
      • Observe rural life, from orchards to mat-weaving.
    • Group Experience: Guides organize sampan groups, sharing Ben Tre’s coconut industry history. The serene ride encourages group photos.
    • Time Spent: ~30 minutes (12:00-12:30 PM).
    • Tip: Keep hands inside; tip rowers ~10,000 VND if desired (optional).
  5. Light Lunch at a Riverside Restaurant
    • Location: Riverside eatery in My Tho or Ben Tre.
    • Highlights:
      • Enjoy a family-style lunch with Mekong specialties like fried elephant-ear fish (rolled with herbs), lemongrass chicken, or vegetarian tofu dishes.
      • Served with rice and iced tea, fostering group bonding.
    • Group Experience: Guides ensure dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free) are met and share dining tips.
    • Time Spent: ~45 minutes (12:45-1:30 PM).
    • Note: Inform guide of dietary restrictions at pickup.
  6. Coconut Candy Workshop
    • Location: Ben Tre, near the canals.
    • Highlights:
      • Visit a family-run workshop to observe coconut candy production, from husking to packaging.
      • Taste fresh candies and browse coconut-based souvenirs (rice paper, candies).
    • Group Experience: Guides demonstrate the process, encouraging group participation (e.g., stirring). Brief shopping time allows interaction.
    • Time Spent: ~30 minutes (1:45-2:15 PM).
    • Tip: Politely decline purchases if uninterested; secure belongings.
  7. Return to Ho Chi Minh City
    • Highlights:
      • Drive back through Delta landscapes, with a possible restroom stop.
      • Drop-off at District 1 hotels or a central point (e.g., Ben Thanh Market).
    • Group Experience: Guides wrap up with Mekong anecdotes or Q&A, concluding the day.
    • Time Spent: ~2 hours (2:30-4:30 PM).
    • Note: Traffic may delay return; bring a snack if needed.

Sample Itinerary

2:30-4:30 PM: Return to Ho Chi Minh City; drop-off in District 1.eaches, rich history, and vibrant culture, it is a must-visit destination for any traveller. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, adventure, or cultural experiences, Da Nang has it all.

6:30-7:00 AM: Pickup from District 1/3 hotels; drive to Cu Chi (~1.5 hr).

8:00-9:30 AM: Explore Cu Chi Tunnels (documentary, tunnels, exhibits).

9:30-10:30 AM: Drive to My Tho, Mekong Delta (~1 hr).

10:45-11:45 AM: Mekong River boat cruise to Thoi Son Islet (fruit, music).

12:00-12:30 PM: Sampan rowing in Ben Tre canals.

12:45-1:30 PM: Light lunch at a riverside restaurant.

1:45-2:15 PM: Coconut candy workshop.