CU CHI × MEKONG · Two Sides of Southern Vietnam

Cu Chi Tunnels + Mekong Delta Day Tour

History in the morning, delta life in the afternoon: set aside a full day for two destinations.

Spend the morning in Cu Chi's woodland learning about wartime tunnels, then trade it for the Tien River breeze and coconut palms in the afternoon. This combined tour suits travelers with limited time in Ho Chi Minh City who want a taste of both history and delta life. The trade-off is clear: an early start, a late return and more time on the road. If anyone struggles with long periods of sitting or wants to explore each place slowly, two separate days will be more comfortable.

Route overview
Ho Chi Minh City → Cu Chi → My Tho → Ho Chi Minh City
Time to allow
Full day; allow about 12 hours
Delta stops
Tien River and Unicorn Island area
Meal included
1 Vietnamese lunch + itinerary admission fees
A visitor lifting the leaf-covered hatch of a concealed entrance at the Cu Chi Tunnels
A concealed tunnel entrance at Cu Chi.
Travelers riding a hand-rowed sampan through a narrow waterway lined with coconut palms
A waterway lined with coconut palms in the Mekong Delta.
Save a touring day, but allow enough time on the road

Before visiting both places in one day, consider how your group handles long drives

Cu Chi is northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, while the delta route to My Tho heads southwest. These are not neighboring sights. Visiting both in one day means three road journeys: city to Cu Chi, Cu Chi to My Tho, and My Tho back to the city. A private tour makes your guide language and group arrangements clearer, but it cannot shorten the distance between the destinations.

A good fit if

  • You have limited days and want to experience history and delta life in one day.
  • You are comfortable with an early departure and late return, and can keep the evening flexible.
  • Your friends or family are interested in both themes and happy to share the same pace.

Two separate days may be better if

  • Someone is prone to motion sickness, cannot spend long in a vehicle or needs frequent rests.
  • You want more time for historical explanations, photography or leisurely walks through temples and orchards.
  • You have a flight, a show with a strict entry time or another important reservation that evening.

If Vinh Trang Pagoda is your main priority, or you want more time in the delta, consider the Mekong Delta-only tour first. This combined tour focuses on Cu Chi and the Unicorn Island area; Vinh Trang Pagoda is not part of the promised itinerary.

Consider the distances before counting the sights

Cu Chi in the morning, then My Tho and the Tien River after lunch

Allow about 12 hours for the full day, with an early-morning or morning departure according to confirmed arrangements and an evening return to Ho Chi Minh City. City traffic, waits at attractions and river conditions all affect progress. Avoid adding an evening activity that you cannot be late for.

  1. 01

    Ho Chi Minh City → Cu Chi | A morning of history

    Meet at your confirmed hotel. On arrival, a documentary and guided visit introduce the tunnels, concealed entrances, wartime living spaces and related exhibits. Going underground depends on your physical ability and which sections are open that day.

  2. 02

    Vietnamese lunch → My Tho | Allow time for this drive too

    The itinerary includes one Vietnamese lunch. The restaurant and menu are confirmed according to the actual arrangements, and the journey continues toward the delta after lunch. Meal stops and rest breaks can be discussed when confirming the itinerary.

  3. 03

    Tien River and Unicorn Island | Boat rides, tastings and music

    Take a boat ride to enjoy the river views, with experiences around Unicorn Island (Cồn Thới Sơn, also known as Thoi Son Island) including coconut-palm-lined waterways, orchards, honey tea, coconut candy and southern Vietnamese folk music.

  4. 04

    My Tho → Ho Chi Minh City | Evening return; arrange dinner separately

    Drive back to the city after the tour, allowing flexibility for the return time. The package includes one lunch; dinner and extra drinks are excluded. Once back in the city, decide where to eat according to how much energy you have left.

From underground spaces to open water

Two destinations, different ways to understand southern Vietnam

Travelers exploring a narrow underground passage at the Cu Chi Tunnels
The underground passages are narrow; entering them is not a challenge you have to complete.

Cu Chi | More than a tunnel entrance

After the documentary, follow your guide through explanations of the kitchens, medical facilities, hiding places and communication spaces to understand how the tunnels functioned. Anyone who prefers to stay above ground can discuss a visit focused on the surface displays in advance.

When traveling with older adults or children, do not make entering the tunnels a must. Consider the outdoor walking, war-related displays and waiting arrangements as well.

A boat operator on a wooden boat, with coconut palms lining both banks of the waterway
Riverboats and hand-rowed sampans offer different experiences.

The delta | Riverbanks and local industries

The riverboat opens up broad views, while the hand-rowed sampan brings you closer to the narrower tributaries. Fruit, honey tea and a coconut candy workshop connect the island's farming with daily life. Southern Vietnamese folk music offers a chance to sit down and listen to sounds far from those of the city.

Along the way, you can learn the names of Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix islands, but the itinerary does not promise a landing on all four. Actual stops, their order and tastings vary with what is feasible that day and the season.

Travel light for an easier day across two destinations

Shoes with good grip, clothes you can move in, sun protection, insect repellent and light rain gear cover most needs on this itinerary. Protect your phone and valuables with waterproof storage. A hand-rowed sampan requires boarding, getting out and sitting securely. If anyone needs assistance, mention this before booking so routes and equipment can be checked in advance.

Visits and boat rides depend on conditions that day. If you have concerns about enclosed spaces, long drives or getting in and out of small boats, discuss possible adjustments beforehand. Do not assume on arrival that every part of the itinerary can simply be replaced with another activity.

What is included, and what do you pay for separately?

Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off within Bến Thành and Bến Nghé.
  • A Chinese- or English-speaking guide, according to your selected package.
  • 1 Vietnamese lunch, with the restaurant and menu confirmed according to arrangements.
  • First-entry admission to the attractions on the itinerary.
  • Riverboat and hand-rowed sampan fares for the listed itinerary.
  • Drinking water and cold towels during the tour.
  • Taxes and card processing fees.

Pay separately / confirm in advance

  • Souvenirs, gifts and personal expenses.
  • Meals and drinks beyond the included meal.
  • Tips for guides, drivers and other service staff.
  • Activities not listed in the itinerary and additional requests.
  • For addresses outside the transfer areas or special vehicle requirements, confirm arrangements and fees in advance.

“All-inclusive” refers to the guide, transfers, meal, admission and taxes and fees listed above. Check prices before buying gifts or ordering extra drinks.

Private tour prices

Choose by group size and guide language

All prices below are in VND per person, including taxes and card processing fees, and are shown as whole numbers. Chinese- and English-speaking guide options have separate prices. If you choose the Chinese-language package, no additional Chinese-speaking guide fee is required.

Tour price per person | Vietnamese dong (VND)
Group sizeChinese-speaking guideEnglish-speaking guide
1 person5,281,2504,656,250
2–3 people2,885,4172,677,083
4–5 people2,156,2501,947,917
6–12 people1,687,5001,635,417
13–17 people1,479,1671,375,000
18–27 people1,375,0001,270,833

If the full table is not visible on your phone, swipe horizontally to compare both guide language options.

Prices compiled on November 5, 2026. Availability must be confirmed for your departure date. Surcharges apply on the dates listed below; bookings are arranged after a quote has been provided.

Choose vehicle space to suit your group

From small parties to groups of friends, see the vehicle interiors

The vehicles below are examples shown by group size. They do not represent a guaranteed brand, a fixed vehicle model or a company-owned fleet. Your vehicle will be confirmed according to group size, route and availability. Please mention large luggage, a stroller or child car seat requirements before requesting a quote.

1–3 people | SUV example

Side view and exterior of a white SUV

4–12 people | Van example

Front and side exterior of a white van
Gray seats inside a van
Rear exterior of a white van
Van passenger cabin viewed from the rear

13–17 people | Mid-size bus example

Front exterior of a white mid-size bus
Brown seats and aisle inside a mid-size bus

18–27 people | Bus example

Exterior of a bus parked by the roadside
Red seats and central aisle inside a bus
Check the terms before booking

Child rates, specified dates and cancellation terms

Child rates by age

  • Ages 0 to under 3: free.
  • Ages 3 to under 5: 50% of the adult tour price.
  • Ages 5 to under 11: 75% of the adult tour price.
  • Ages 11 and over: 100% of the adult tour price.

Please provide each child's age on the departure date. Children's seats, meals, child car seats and how children count toward group-size price bands must be confirmed separately before booking.

Surcharges for two specified date ranges

  • December 31, 2026 to January 1, 2027: 20% surcharge.
  • February 5 to February 10, 2027: 30% surcharge.

These are the specified surcharge dates for this package. If children are traveling, request a full quote for your date and group size to confirm the applicable amount.

Cancellation fees depend on the number of days before departure

  1. At least 7 days before departureFree cancellation
  2. 3–6 days before departure50% of the total tour fee charged
  3. Within 2 days before departure100% of the total tour fee charged

Please check the cancellation cutoff time when confirming your itinerary. If your requested time cannot be arranged, an alternative time will be discussed first. If you cannot accept the alternative, a full refund is available.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are limited to Bến Thành and Bến Nghé

Provide your hotel's name and full address when booking so the pickup point can be confirmed. For hotels outside these two areas, airport transfers or drop-off in another area, request arrangements in advance and confirm availability and any additional fees. Staying “in the city center” alone does not mean transfers are included.

Before departure, check the date, group size, guide language, pickup and drop-off addresses, meeting time and total price on your tour confirmation. Traffic, weather and river conditions may affect the order of activities and return time. Any adjustments will be discussed based on what is feasible that day and your confirmed arrangements.

Common questions before departure

You may also be wondering

How does the combined tour compare with visiting on two separate days?

The combined tour saves a touring day but concentrates the driving and requires compromises on time at each stop. Two separate days let you give Cu Chi's historical explanations and the delta their own time, while making rest breaks for older adults or young children easier to accommodate.

Does the combined tour visit Vinh Trang Pagoda or an early-morning floating market?

This combined tour does not include Vinh Trang Pagoda or Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho. If a temple or floating market is your priority, consider a suitable single-destination tour or discuss an overnight route separately.

Is lunch at SOL Cu Chi Restaurant?

The combined tour includes one Vietnamese lunch, but no fixed restaurant is specified. SOL Cu Chi Restaurant is the dining arrangement for the Cu Chi-only tour and is not a promised restaurant for the combined tour.

Is this tour suitable if I need to go to the airport that evening?

We do not recommend scheduling a flight too close to an uncertain evening return. Share your flight details and required airport arrival time first, then consider whether the Cu Chi-only tour, the Mekong Delta-only tour or another day would be more suitable. Airport transfers also need separate confirmation.

Turn the places you want to see into a trip you can take

Ask ChungTa Travel about a private Cu Chi + Mekong Delta combined tour

Tell us your departure date, the number of adults and children and their ages, hotel address, and whether you need a Chinese- or English-speaking guide. Please also mention large luggage, a stroller, or anyone who has difficulty crouching or getting on and off boats, so a suitable vehicle and way to visit can be confirmed.

Ask about a private Cu Chi + Mekong Delta combined tour

The button opens the contact page on ChungTa Travel's official website. Your package and availability still need to be confirmed after you send an inquiry.