Private Cu Chi Tunnels Tour from Saigon – Explore Vietnam History

5.00

(1 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me at Cu Chi was the earthy scent—damp, almost sweet, mixed with a hint of smoke from nearby cooking fires. Our guide, Linh, met us right outside the entrance and handed out chilled bottles of water. He grew up in Ho Chi Minh City and knew every shortcut along the way. The drive out took about an hour, but it didn’t feel long; we passed endless rows of rubber trees, their trunks marked with fresh cuts for sap. At one point, we pulled over at a roadside wet market—nothing fancy, just locals selling jackfruit and tiny bananas. I tried a slice of pineapple that was so juicy it dripped down my wrist.

Inside the tunnels area, Linh showed us a hidden trapdoor camouflaged under leaves. I’ll admit—I hesitated before squeezing into the first tunnel. It’s tight in there, barely enough space to crawl on hands and knees. You can hear your own breath echoing off the clay walls. After surfacing (a little dusty), we sat on low wooden benches and tasted boiled tapioca dipped in crushed peanuts, washed down with hot pandanus tea—the same snack soldiers ate here decades ago. There’s also a short film about the tunnels’ history; you can pick your language, which is handy if you’re traveling with friends from abroad.