Cu Chi Tunnels and Speedboat Day Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Overview
Skip the road and reach the Cu Chi Tunnels by speedboat. This shared half-day trip leaves Ho Chi Minh City with hotel pickup from selected districts, then cruises the Saigon River and canals for around 80 minutes before a guided visit to the tunnels. A meal is included on both departures: a light breakfast and lunch in the morning, or dinner on the afternoon departure. Ideal for travellers who want a different, comfortable way to see one of Vietnam's best-known war sites.
Highlights
- Reach the Cu Chi Tunnels by speedboat along the Saigon River and quiet canals
- Around two hours on site with an English-speaking guide
- Private screening of a short film with your guide's commentary
- Meal included on both departures, with vegetarian options on request
- Refreshments and local fruit on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected districts
- Choose a morning or afternoon departure
Full Description
The Saigon River by speedboat
Instead of a long coach ride, this tour sends you up the Saigon River by speedboat. The trip takes roughly 80 minutes and passes riverbanks, palm-fringed canals, fishing spots and riverside houses that you never see from the road.
Speedboat tours to Cu Chi are popular with travellers who dislike traffic, and the boat is a comfortable, fast way to reach the site. Refreshments and local fruit are served on board, and your guide points out the scenery and explains what the river meant for trade and transport in the region.
The Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a huge network of hand-dug passages north-west of Ho Chi Minh City, used by fighters during the Vietnam War for shelter, cooking, medical care and moving unseen. Today the site is preserved as a memorial park and one of the most visited history attractions in southern Vietnam.
On arrival you watch a short screening of the site's introductory film with extra commentary from your guide, then walk through the forest with your guide for about two hours. You see camouflaged trapdoors, reconstructed traps and tunnel entrances, and can decide whether to crawl through a widened section. Opening hours at the site change with the season.
Your meal, timing and how the two departures differ
A traditional Vietnamese meal is included on both departures: a light breakfast and a lunch on the morning trip, or dinner on the afternoon trip. Typical dishes include lemongrass chicken and caramelised clay-pot pork, and vegetarian meals can be arranged if you ask when booking.
The morning departure is best for cooler weather and a full lunch, while the afternoon departure suits travellers who want a slower morning and a sunset-time return. In total the trip lasts about six hours. Many travellers ask whether the Cu Chi speedboat tour is worth it; the answer is yes if you value comfort and want to avoid the road.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickupPickup from selected districts, with two departure times: about 7:00 AM or 11:00 AM.
- Transfer to the boatA short ride to the departure point on the Saigon River.
- Speedboat to Cu ChiAbout 80 minutes on the river and canals, with refreshments and fruit.
- Introductory filmA short screening at the site with commentary from your guide.
- Guided tunnel visitAbout two hours to see trapdoors, traps and tunnel entrances and, if you like, crawl a section.
- Traditional Vietnamese mealLight breakfast and lunch on the morning departure, or dinner on the afternoon departure.
- Return and drop-offReturn to the city with drop-off in selected districts.
What's included
- Speedboat ride
- Light breakfast and lunch on the morning departure
- Dinner on the afternoon departure
- Refreshments and local fruit
- Entrance fee to the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected districts
Not included
- Bullets at the Cu Chi shooting range
- Tips and gratuities
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- Travellers who feel unwell on boats or in fast water transport
- Guests with severe mobility difficulties, as tunnel paths are uneven
Meeting point
Hotel pickup is included from selected districts of Ho Chi Minh City, mainly District 1 and District 3. Pickup is at about 7:00 AM for the morning trip or 11:00 AM for the afternoon trip, and the exact time is confirmed after booking. Drop-off is in the same districts at the end of the tour.
Important information
- Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes; bring a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent
- Bring a light layer for the boat, where the breeze can feel cool
- Bullets at the Cu Chi shooting range and tips are not included
- Vegetarian meals are available on request when you book
- Pets are not allowed on the tour
- The route and timings can change with river conditions and weather
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Cu Chi Tunnels speedboat tour cost?
The price depends on the departure you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off from selected districts of Ho Chi Minh City are included. We confirm your pickup time after booking.
How long is the tour?
About 6 hours in total, including roughly 80 minutes by speedboat and about two hours at the tunnels.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children aged 4 to 12 join with a child rate and infants aged 3 and under also travel. The tunnel crawl is optional, and we ask parents to keep a close eye on young children on the boat.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable clothes and closed shoes, plus a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. A light layer is useful on the water.
Is a meal included?
Yes. The morning departure includes a light breakfast and lunch, and the afternoon departure includes dinner. Refreshments and local fruit are also included.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
The booking panel shows which dates and departures are open. Choose the earliest one and we send your pickup time after booking.
What is the difference between the morning and afternoon departures?
The morning trip starts around 7:00 AM and includes breakfast and lunch; the afternoon trip starts around 11:00 AM and includes dinner. The tunnels and boat ride are the same.
How do I get to the Cu Chi Tunnels by speedboat?
You do not need to arrange anything. We collect you from your hotel, take you to the boat and then guide you to the tunnels; the trip on the water takes about 80 minutes.
Are entry tickets included?
Yes, the entrance fee to the Cu Chi Tunnels is included. Only bullets for the optional shooting range and tips are extra.
