Half Day Cu Chi Experience From Hotel Inside Ho Chi Minh City Only

Experience the world of the Cu Chi freedom fighters with a visit to their famous tunnel system. This network of over 200 km of tunnels became legendary during the 1960's when they played a vital part in the American War, allowing the Viet Cong to control a large rural area close to Ho Chi Minh City. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities.

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City behind, we journey 2 ½ hours west towards the Cu Chi Tunnels. Before arriving at the tunnels you will get the chance to meet with local people and gain an insight of life in the area, both past and present.

The Cu Chi tunnels were built by local fighters during the Indochina conflict as a base from where the Viet Cong could operate close to the Southern Vietnamese capital. The location proved of significant strategic importance, at the end of the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail and within striking distance of the southern Vietnam capital. Initial construction started in 1948 when the Viet Minh required somewhere to hide from French air attacks and by 1965, the tunnel complex was estimated to consist of 200km of tunnels. It included, hospitals, schools, meeting rooms, kitchens and sleeping quarters. Life was difficult for the inhabitants and to protect against outside intruders bobby traps were laid throughout the complex. Today the Vietnamese government have preserved approximately 75 kilometres of the tunnels as a memorial park, in some areas tunnels have been widened and low powered lights installed so that western tourists can now fit through the complex.

Your local guide will take you on a fascinating trip around the Cu Chi Tunnels where you'll learn more about the conditions the people lived in, the hardships they faced and the amazing ingenuity employed to maintain life in the tunnels. Walk past huge bomb craters, evidence of the heavy bombing campaigns in the region during the Indochina conflict, discover hidden entrances right beneath your feet, wander past tiny little chimneys in the ground that dispersed smoke from the underground kitchens, sample some of the simple cuisine that local fighters would have survived on and have an opportunity to venture into the tunnels and explore the complex. Following our step back in modern history we return to the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City.

Pick up/Meeting point: Front entrance of the Central Post Office - 2 Cong Xa Paris St, District 1 (next to Notre Dame Cathedral). Drop Off at centrally located hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.

Duration: 5-6 hours
Start or opening time:7.30 am
End or closing time:1.00 pm
Languages:English
Others: We strongly recommend modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.

Admissions

Meal

Join Tour English, No Pick Up Transfer, No Lunch - Morning

Appropriate age for child ticket from 6 to 11 years