Cu Chi Tunnels Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Honest Review

The Cu Chi Tunnels are one of the most popular day trips from Ho Chi Minh City, and I'm glad I went. I learned a lot, I shot a machine gun, and I crawled through the tunnels. But I'll be honest with you: I never want to go into those tunnels again. Here's what the day is really like.

Getting there: take a tour from Ho Chi Minh City

I took a tour out of Ho Chi Minh City. Plan to be gone for most of the day. This is the Cu Chi Tunnels tour on Trip.com (affiliate link: I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you).

The Vietnam War from the other side

When we got there, we learned all about the Vietnam War from the perspective of the Vietnamese people who lived in the area. It was very interesting to see a war museum that viewed America as the bad guys.

The traps and how people survived

We got to see the traps the Vietnamese used against American soldiers, and learn how the people here survived through the American bombings.

Booby traps on display at the Cu Chi Tunnels — Some of the traps used against American soldiers.

Going into the tunnels (my honest take)

Then we went through the tunnels themselves. They are so tiny. There was no ventilation, and I felt like I was going to die from the lack of oxygen. It's hard to explain, but at times it felt claustrophobic, almost like being buried alive.

I did it for the experience, and I'm happy to say I've done it. But I don't necessarily recommend it, and I never plan to go into those tunnels again.

John inside one of the Cu Chi Tunnels — Smiling for the photo, but those tunnels are tiny.

The shooting range

The tour also included a shooting range where you can fire guns that were used in the Vietnam War. I shot a machine gun, and it was a lot of fun.

John firing a machine gun at the Cu Chi Tunnels shooting range — Firing a machine gun at the shooting range.

The food

We also ate tapioca. Honestly, it didn't leave much of a memory with me. What really hit the spot was a fresh coconut and a Vietnamese hot dog from the concession stands near the firing range.

A fresh coconut and a Vietnamese hot dog at the Cu Chi Tunnels — A coconut and a Vietnamese hot dog from the concession stands by the firing range.

Tips for visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels

Book a tour from Ho Chi Minh City. That's how I went. Here's the tour on Trip.com (affiliate link).
Plan to be gone most of the day.
Wear comfortable clothes. The site is very tourist friendly, so you don't need any special clothing.
Know what the tunnels are like before you go in. They're tiny, with no ventilation.