Saigon City Tour - Cu Chi Tunnels Exploration Journey 1 Day
Highlights
The journey takes visitors to discover the modern beauty blended with the historical depth of Ho Chi Minh City – from the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, to Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the Central Post Office – typical cultural and architectural symbols of the city named after Uncle Ho.
In the afternoon, the journey continues with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels – an underground military wonder, which preserves the heroic traces of our soldiers and people during the resistance war. Visitors will experience crawling through the tunnels, witnessing booby traps and primitive weapons with their own eyes, and enjoying the simple boiled tapioca that once sustained countless soldiers.
The tour is suitable for travelers who love history – culture – architecture, wishing to spend a day fully exploring the essence of magnificent Saigon and resilient Cu Chi.
Detailed itinerary
The bus and tour guide will pick up the group at 175 Pham Ngu Lao, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, to depart for the 1-Day Saigon City - Cu Chi Tour.
The group begins the journey to explore famous destinations around the city, including:
- WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM: a place that preserves and displays artifacts from the war period.
- INDEPENDENCE PALACE (REUNIFICATION PALACE): a must-visit attraction when coming to Saigon. The Independence Palace features architecture symbolizing the nation's desire for eternal prosperity.
- NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: One of the iconic landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City. Built in 1880, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is not only the most important religious center in the city but also a unique French-style architectural masterpiece in Vietnam.
HO CHI MINH CITY POST OFFICE: Located at No. 2, Paris Commune Square, District 1. The Post Office was built between 1886 and 1891 by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. The exterior facade of the building is decorated with rectangular panels honoring the inventors of the telegraph and electrical industries. The Central Post Office is currently the largest post office in Vietnam.
After visiting the four attractions in central Saigon, the vehicle and tour guide will take the group to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
The group departs for Hoc Mon to visit CU CHI TUNNELS - Learn how Vietnamese guerrillas built, lived, and fought inside the tunnels:
Explore Cu Chi Tunnels - an underground defense system located in Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City. Construction began in the 1940s during the resistance against the French. Here, visitors will witness homemade primitive weapons, bamboo spike traps, crawl through tunnel passages, and see locals making rice paper and rice wine. In addition, visitors also have the opportunity to try shooting at the firing range at the tunnels (at own expense).
After exiting the tunnels, visitors will enjoy the famous cassava dish here. This staple food sustained tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians during the war years. Besides, at the Cu Chi restaurant, visitors can also enjoy dishes made from famous Cu Chi beef (at own expense).
Conclude the 1-day SAIGON - CU CHI TOUR. Visitors will capture memorable photos with fellow travelers met on this trip. Finally, the bus and guide will take the group back to the city center, ending the journey. The guide will say goodbye and hope to see you again on future journeys.
The itinerary order may change depending on the actual situation while still ensuring all attractions are covered!
Included
- Fully-equipped vehicle, polite, dedicated, and experienced driver.
- Includes one-time entrance tickets to the attractions in the itinerary.
- Lunch at a restaurant
- Vietnamese/English-speaking tour guide throughout the journey
- Travel insurance
- Drinking water: 1 bottle of 500ml per day
Not included
- VAT invoice
- Personal expenses, meals, and sightseeing outside of the program.
- Tips for the driver and tour guide:
- In case visitors are satisfied with the service of the driver and guide, they can voluntarily tip them. This tip is completely optional but traditionally starts at a minimum of 50,000 VND/guest/day.
- Compulsory tip for foreign tourists: 3 USD/guest/day.
- Cancellation of the tour immediately after booking is subject to a 10% penalty of the tour price; plane and train ticket fees will follow regulations.
- 10 days prior to the departure date (calculated by working days) is subject to a 30% penalty of the land tour price; plane and train ticket fees will follow regulations.
- 1 week prior to the departure date is subject to a 40% penalty of the tour price; plane and train ticket fees will follow regulations.
- 3 days prior to the departure date is subject to an 80% penalty of the land tour price; plane and train ticket fees will follow regulations.
- 2 days prior to the departure date is subject to a 100% penalty of the land tour price; plane and train ticket fees will follow regulations.