It was my parents and siblings first time in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, so I decided to book a combined tour for two top attractions, Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta day tour, since our time in the city was very limited.
On our way to the Cu Chi Tunnels tour, we stopped by the Vietnam Lacquerware and discovered this little gem. This facility was opened to provide opportunities for locals with disabilities to work and interact with others, and many of the employees are second- and third- generation locals who are still affected by the effects of Agent Orange. My family and I were so blown away by the quality of their work that we decided to purchase some wall pictures as souvenirs. After the quick tour, we got some fresh refreshments at the small cafe outside.
Then we continued our drive to Cu Chi, which is located 50 kilometers south of Ho Chi Minh City. It is known for its original 250-kilometer tunnel system and is a popular tourist destination for both local and foreign visitors due to its contributions to the Vietnam War.
We were on a small group tour with a very comfortable size of 12 in total, and our guide, Tommy, was full of information about the tunnels and the Vietnam war. As soon as we arrived there, our guide processed our entrance tickets while some of us rested under the shade of the tree and others used the toilet. When everyone was ready, we walked inside and watched a short documentary of Cu Chi during the war.
This unique and historically significant underground city is incredibly well-preserved and fascinating. Seeing the booby traps, trap doors, secret passageways, battle strategy rooms, hospitals, underground living areas, and crawling through one of the tunnels, was like stepping back in time, and you can’t help but be impressed by the ingenuity of it all as well as admire the resilience of those who have lived and fought there.
But before we crawled through the tunnels, we took a short break at the restaurant area while my son tried some rifle shooting. It was fun! Then, we walked to the tunnels. We all crawled through one of the tunnels, including my parents, who are in their sixties, and my three-year-old nephew. My dad is quite big, and at times he found it tricky as the tunnels get narrower the further they go, but he eventually did it! The tunnels are a fantastic underground system, and crawling through one of them already gave us the creeps. Imagine living in them. Amazing people!
Then we had lunch at the restaurant. The menu was balanced and served in generous proportions. Everything that was served was authentic and delicious. We even got to try their typical fish dish “Tapioca” and drink pandan leaves tea.
After lunch in Cu Chi, we continued driving for two hours through the paddy rice fields to the Mekong Delta. Then, we took a cruise on the Tien River to Unicorn Island, passing by Dragon, Phoenix, and Turtle Islands. Our first stop was at a traditional house made of coconut trees, where we learned about the parts of the traditional house in Vietnam and how it differs from other houses in the country. We then got to try honey and tea, fried bananas, and peanut candies. We also got to try to hold a beehive and my son carried a big and heavy python on his shoulders. From there, we took a cart ride and stopped to listen to some Southern Vietnamese Folk Music performed by the island’s locals while we were enjoying fresh tropical fruits from the garden. Later, after walking through the garden, we boarded traditional wooden rowboats to explore the canals and waterways. It was beautiful. Our final stop was at the coconut candy factory, where we saw how it was made all the way up to the packaging. The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s southern treasure trove. It is a truly unique ecosystem with diverse communities that can be found nowhere else in the world.
Then we returned to Tien Giang by boat. While cruising down a raging river, our guide, Tommy, gave us cold, fresh coconut water. It was very refreshing. When we arrived at the boat dock, we hopped into the van and drove back to the city for another two hours.
This full-day tour took us from Ho Chi Minh City to two popular attractions: the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. While I know that a one-day tour is not enough, we did our best to make the most of it. It was a long day, but we had a great time learning about its fascinating history, getting a glimpse into local life, taking a boat ride down the Mekong River, and enjoying the picturesque scenery of the surrounding countryside. It was well worth it.
Little Lilly travel tips:
- Our tour includes a hotel pick-up, an air-conditioned minivan, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees, boat trips, lunch, fruits, mineral water, and coconut fresh juice.
- When visiting the tunnels, you don’t have to go down into a tunnel, but this is an option should you wish to.
- Bring a towel and bug or mosquito spray.
Little Lilly Meets the World 