The Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City: day tours

How to choose a tour

From Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) people head in two main directions: north-west to the Cu Chi Tunnels (Củ Chi), an underground network from the war, and south to the Mekong Delta with its canals, floating markets and coconut farms. These trips are searched for with queries such as “Cu Chi tunnels excursion in Russian”, “the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh City in one day”, “My Tho Ben Tre” and “Cu Chi with shooting”. Below is how to choose a format and not lose a day in traffic.

The Cu Chi Tunnels: what to see and how to get there

The tunnel network stretches for hundreds of kilometres, and only a small part, widened for passage, is open to tourists. The two main sections are Ben Dinh, closer to the city, and Ben Duoc, farther and quieter. They are about 60–70 km away, and the road takes 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic. Inside you are shown camouflaged hatches, traps, underground kitchens and hospitals, offered to crawl 20–100 metres through a tunnel and to try the cassava the guerrillas ate. The earlier you arrive, the smaller the crowd: queues form at the hatches, and by noon it is stuffy in the tunnels.

Live-ammunition shooting is run by the shooting range at the tunnels: weapons such as the AK-47 and M16 are issued on site, and bullets are paid for individually on top of the ticket. More in the article the Cu Chi tunnels: what you need to know.

The Mekong Delta: My Tho, Ben Tre and the boats

My Tho (Mỹ Tho) is 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City and is considered the easiest outing: a port, a boat to an island, a fruit tasting, honey with tea and a sampan ride along narrow canals. Ben Tre (Bến Tre) is a little farther, but there are fewer tourists, and the programme includes coconut caramel and a visit to a factory. There is also a Can Gio tour with a mangrove reserve and Monkey Island: it is closer to the city, but you go by boat. For those without a whole day, Cu Chi and the Mekong are combined into one 12-hour tour, but then very little time is left at each place.

Cao Dai, Black Lady Mountain and Vung Tau

The “Cu Chi, Cao Dai and Black Lady Mountain” (Núi Bà Đen) tour goes towards Tay Ninh: at the Cao Dai temple a midday service is held, which spectators are allowed to watch from a gallery, and on the mountain a cable car operates. Vung Tau (Vũng Tàu) is a beach town about two hours’ drive away, and tourists go there for the day for the statue of Christ and the beaches.

Which tickets and tours there are

Prices are as of 10 October 2026. Check the contents, language and conditions on the page of the offer you choose.

What else in Ho Chi Minh City

The selection includes a Hop-on Hop-off bus in Russian and the golden dragon water puppet theatre. All offers: excursions in Ho Chi Minh City.

Restrictions and tips

• Who the tunnels are not for. If you have claustrophobia or joint problems, stay on the surface: the passages are narrow, and you cannot get out in the middle.
• Clothing and shoes. Closed comfortable shoes, light clothing, repellent and water. At the Cao Dai temple and on the mountain shoulders and knees must be covered.
• Passport. A passport is needed to book the tour, but it is not asked for at the entrance to the tunnels.
• Weather. In the dry season (December to April) it is hot, but the road is clearer. From May to October it often rains after lunch, and the roads are slower.
• What is not allowed. Drones are banned. Photos at the shooting range are permitted, but you do not pick up weapons without an instructor.
• If you have one day. Take the combination of Cu Chi and the Mekong or Cu Chi and Cao Dai; Vung Tau is better left for a separate trip.

The description is based on Trip.com cards; opening hours and the contents of offers may change.