Tours out of Ho Chi Minh City and across Vietnam
Day trip from Saigon
To the tunnels on the river, not the road
The same tunnels as the road trip, reached by water: past the port cranes and the new towers, then into a green river bend with houses on stilts.
Overview
The point of going by boat
The road north to Cu Chi is not a pleasant road. It is lorries, factories and roadworks, and on a bad morning it takes two hours. The river covers roughly the same distance and avoids all of it. For the first twenty minutes you pass the working port, the new bridges and the glass towers of Thu Thiem; after that the banks turn to palms, brick kilns, fishing platforms and the occasional pagoda, and the city simply stops.
Ben Duoc sits right on the river, which is why we land there rather than at Ben Dinh: the boat ties up close to the site and you walk in from the water. It also happens to be the quieter of the two tunnel sites. This is the more expensive way to see Cu Chi, and we would not pretend otherwise. What you pay for is the morning itself.
- Length
- About 6 hours
- Meet
- 07:30 at the pier, or hotel collection
- Back
- Around 13:30 at the pier
- On the water
- About 1.5 hours each way
- On foot
- About 1.5 km at the site
- Boat
- 12 seats maximum
Day by day
The morning on the river
Day 1
Downtown pier to Ben Duoc by water
Returning into the city skyline from the river
07:15 — collection from your hotel if it is in District 1, 3 or Binh Thanh; guests close to the river often walk. 07:30 — boarding at the pier in District 1. Life jackets are on the seats, and the boat has a canopy, so you are shaded without being shut in.
07:45 to 09:15 — upstream. The first stretch runs under the bridges and past the container terminals; your guide points out what the new east bank was twenty years ago. Further up, the river narrows and bends, water hyacinth drifts in rafts, and the only other traffic is sand barges. Timings vary a little with the tide.
09:15 — Ben Duoc. A walk through the forest section with your guide: trapdoors, ventilation shafts, the command bunker and the kitchen. There is a widened crawl section you can try, and an optional firing range paid at the counter. We finish with tea and cassava before walking back to the landing.
11:45 — lunch, a simple southern set meal served near the river, then back aboard. 13:30 — at the pier in District 1, with the current helping on the way down. We can arrange a car on to your hotel.
Price
Price
| Option | Per person (USD) |
|---|---|
| Shared, maximum 12 | from 85 |
| Private, 2 people | from 160 |
| Private, 4 people | from 110 |
Fuel is most of the cost of this trip, and a boat burns the same amount with three people aboard or twelve. That is why a private boat for a family or a small group of friends is the better-value choice here compared with most of our days out.
Included
What is included
What the price includes
- Speedboat with captain, life jackets and canopy
- English-speaking guide
- Ben Duoc entrance ticket
- Lunch near the river
- Water, fruit and cold towels on board
- Hotel collection in District 1, 3 or Binh Thanh on request
What it does not include
- Firing range
- Alcoholic and soft drinks at lunch
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Practical
Sun, spray and the river in the wet season
The canopy keeps off direct sun, but light reflects off the water all morning, so bring sunglasses and put on sunscreen before you board. You will get a little spray at speed; a light layer is useful early in the morning in December and January, when the river air is cool. From June to October the afternoon rain rarely reaches us before we land, and the river is fuller and browner, with more hyacinth.
Boarding is by a short gangway or a step down from the pier. Our crew help everyone across. Anyone who uses a stick or has trouble with steps should tell us in advance so we can plan the landing.
Not for everyone
Who this does not suit
If you get seasick, note that the Saigon River is flat water and rarely troubles anyone, but the wake from a passing barge does rock the boat. If your budget is the main thing, the road version at Ben Duoc gives you the same tunnels for less than half the price. And if you want the fullest explanation of the war, pair this morning with the War Remnants Museum in the afternoon rather than expecting the site alone to carry it.
Common questions
Questions travellers ask most
How long is the boat ride?
About an hour and a half upstream and a little less coming back, depending on the tide.
Do you go to Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc?
Ben Duoc. It sits on the river, it is quieter, and the boat can land close to the entrance.
Is the boat covered?
Yes, there is a canopy over the seating. The sides are open for the view, so bring sunglasses.
Can we do this in the afternoon?
Privately, yes. We prefer mornings because the site is cooler and quieter, but an afternoon boat that returns at sunset is a lovely trip in its own right.
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