Private Tour: Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple Full-Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The private tour to Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai is a great day trip from Ho Chi Minh. Visit Tay Ninh, home of the unique Cao Dai sect which is a mix of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. After lunch, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing underground labyrinth from which the Vietnamese fought during the American/Vietnam war.

The private tour begins with a visit to Tay Ninh, near the Cambodian border, home to the unique Cao Dai sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill to name a few. The religion is an odd mix of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. The trip to Tay Ninh is combined with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the war must have been like. The tour includes a local Vietnamese lunch.

This tour operator is the 2007 Conde Naste winner of the Best Operator category in the World Saver Awards

USD $56.00

Review by:   Stephen B,    February 2018
Very fun. Our guide was very knowledgeable about both the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Cao Dai Temple. He even timed the visit to the latter perfectly, so we could view a service.

Review by:   gkalpa,    December 2017
This was our second day tour in Ho Chi Minh city and we were lucky enough to get the same tour guide from our Full day tour in HCM. Tam was a pleasure to deal with again and the trip to the tunnels was informative. Fantastic lunch on the way back, but since we had already gotten to know her so well we ducked in to some other places we needed to go and she was always very accommodating.

Review by:   Ermanno C,    July 2017
Our tour guide, Lam, was wonderful. She was very informative and so accommodating. She took great care of us. I would highly recommend the tour and even more so, Lam.

Review by:   Pat K,    March 2016
We did the private tour and we thoroughly recommend it as you set your own pace. Our tour guide was called Van who was excellent. He spoke good English and knew his subject. He ensured we skipped long queues at the Cu Chi tunnels. nice authentic lunch. The day is only Let down by the waste of time seeing Caio Dao temple on the way home. One big modern temple with no history.

Review by:   Alexis T,    February 2016
great day out

Review by:   Leslie G,    December 2015
Tin the tour guide and his driver were fantastic. Very helpful. Full of local knowledge. Could not do more to assist in every way. Made the whole tour a fantastic experience. Highly recommended

Review by:   Pete,    September 2015
Fantastic tour. Would definitely recommend it to others. Thomas, our tour guide was very personable, funny, knowledgeable and a very likable person. Learned a lot and had a good time. Shout out to Thomas!

Review by:   Doreenda,    September 2015
I enjoyed this tour. My guide was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information about these places as well as answered the many questions that we had for him.

Review by:   Bill,    April 2015
This tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels in combination with a tour of the Cao Dai Temple is a must if you visit Ho Chi Minh City. Our transportation was modern and comfortable. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable and his English was outstanding. The tunnel tour outlined the amazing feats of the Vietnamese soldiers during the wars with France and US. The Cao Dai Temple is an amazing sight and gives an interesting glimpse into a unique culture. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone.

Review by:   Jennifer H,    February 2015
This tour was amazing!

Review by:   Sharmini P U,    January 2015
Very worthwhile. Tour Guide Tin was excellent and quite knowledgeable. Enjoyed the tour immensely. Thank you.

Review by:   masuoka97,    January 2015
Tour guide was very knowledgeable. A bit rushed at the Cu Chi Tunnels in order to make the 1:00 service at the temple. Had I known, I would have just booked the Cu Chi Tunnels. Good tour, though.

Review by:   Stephen M,    December 2014
It was a really great day. My guide Thanh was punctual, polite and very knowledgeable. The vehicle was modern and comfortable. The tunnels are a stark reminder of the pain of war - contrasted now with the bright, dynamic future of the country. The temple is simply gorgeous and I was fortunate enough to witness a ceremony there. We went for lunch in a typical restaurant in a small village, which was an authentic experience. All in all, a highly enjoyable and educational day. Thank you:-)

Review by:   Suzanne F,    March 2014
Although you visit the "tourist" tunnel location, still a good example to the tunnels. The temple was phenomenal.

Review by:   Sarah C,    February 2014
Great day...better to do this tour on a small group basis!! Lunch was amazing!!

Review by:   Keith T,    February 2014
The whole day was a wonderful experience. We could not have had the kind of day we had without a great driver and guide. Our transport was comfortable and relaxing. Our guide was there to explain everything we needed to know and very friendly. I was able to go down into the tunnels and went through on my hands and knees the full 100 meters that was designated for us. A highlight for me! We enjoyed our lunch and going to the Cao Dai Temple. Quite colorful and artistic in design. We have always trusted VIATOR with our tours and have to applaud them for a job well done!!! We would recommend this tour to all who visit Vietnam...

Review by:   Ms D J B,    December 2013
Excellent. Learned a lot from our very well-informed guide who spoke very good English. Despite the early start, we enjoyed the journey and then benefited from that early start by visiting the tunnels without being hassled by crowds. Reached the temple in good time - again ahead of the crowds - and found the whole experience fascinating.

Review by:   Vicki O,    December 2013
We had an excellent tour of the tunnels and Cao Dai Temple. Our guide Nguyen was a very knowledgeable guide and made the day a pleasure.

Review by:   John P B,    December 2013
Guide was knowledgeable about both the war and the history of the country he answered all our question and spent time on local events and customs. Good job

Review by:   Jeff G,    January 2013
If you are able to get Lucky from Buffalo Tours as your guide this will be a very informative and memorable experience. The guy is simply amazing. He taught us more in a few hours than we typically learn on multi-day trips in other places. Lucky was one of the best tour guides we have ever had.

Review by:   Mike F B,    November 2012
Excellent Tour. The Cao Dai Temple was interesting and the history of the security staff was also very impressive. I had no idea the Tunnel system was so huge. Learned a lot about the horrible things that the US did this country during the Vietnam Conflict.

Review by:   Phillip C,    October 2012
The tunnels were great. The guide was brilliant, excellent english and in knowlegdable. The temple wasn't my thing. Lunch was one of the best meals we had in Vietnam. FANTASTIC FOOD!

Review by:   ELIZABETH S,    September 2012
Excellent our guide tam spoke perfect English and was very knowledgeable and able to answer all our questions about Vietnam.

Review by:   Shane G,    August 2012
Great day out. Excellent experience at the Cu Chi Tunnels. Wonderful guide that seemed to know the story to some detail - quite informative. Amazing tour to show a little of what the people endured for many years. Cao Dai Temple was amazingly colourful. Interesting part of the tour showing how other religions worship and live.

Review by:   j a f,    January 2012
my favourite trip - really good fun, only downside is not enough time was spent at the tunnels. originally I was not too fussed about visiting Cau Dai but the guide got us there for the midday service which was unbelievable - do not miss this!

Review by:   Stephen J M,    January 2012
Wonderful. The tunnels are interesting, the temple is very spiritual but the drive through the country is even better. It lets you see a unique part of Vietnam.

Review by:   Lynette S,    December 2011
Enjoyed our tour. We were picked up at the stated time. Car was clean. Driver and Guide were very good

Review by:   Mark S,    December 2011
If you only have time for one tour I would definitely pass this one up for the Mekong River Cruise. We both enjoyed this tour but the Cu Chi Tunnels was a little bit of a let down for me. We had the same tour guide for both tours and he was excellent.

Review by:   Mark S,    November 2011
If you only have time for one tour I would definitely pass this one up for the Mekong River Cruise. We both enjoyed this tour but the Cu Chi Tunnels was a little bit of a let down for me. We had the same tour guide for both tours and he was excellent.

Review by:   Gra,    September 2011
Really enjoyed this day tour. The guide--Duong, was very informative. Traveling took about three hours but all worth it.The day was hot and the humidity high in the jungle so bring sun lotion, hat and plenty of water. Would recommend -defiinately!!!

Review by:   Robert P,    August 2011
Top guide. Better than expected tour. Highly recommend.

Review by:   Jason H,    August 2011
Absolutely brilliant...loved it all!!! Amazing guide with outstanding English and knowledge beyond belief. Great tour operator. Definitely recommend.

Review by:   Hong Keat T,    April 2011
Very interesting and we're glad that we're small enough to get in!

Review by:   Greg C,    April 2011
Stimulating, great driver and the guide was extremely knowledgeable. This was topped with a wonderful lunch. All in all a great day out and worth the extra $!

Review by:   Greg C,    March 2011
Stimulating, great driver and the guide was extremely knowledgeable. This was topped with a wonderful lunch. All in all a great day out and worth the extra $!

Review by:   Victor,    January 2011
We couldn't believe the tunnel system worked so well for the people back then. Incredible experience._br/_ The temple was magnificent. Super.

Review by:   LISA M,    December 2010
Tunnels were interesting, although very anti-American movie before the tour

Review by:   Daniel V,    December 2010
Very interesting and our guide was really top ! Thanks !!!

Review by:   Sofia I,    July 2010
covered everyting we wanted

Review by:   Mark W,   Australia, May 2010
Although the itinerary states the Cao Dai Temple is the first stop before lunch and then the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Guide showed great foresight and took us to the Cu Chi Tunnels first to beat the crowds and the heat of the day. we practically had the place to ourselves which was great We then went to the Temple and arrived in time to see the prayer ceremony which was a memorable experience. From here we went to lunch. Make sure you bring your appetite as the food just keeps coming and is delicious. We then made the long trip back to HCMC. A great day and would recommend the tour itinerary be done this way.

Review by:   Clyde V,   United States of America, May 2010
Overpriced. Too rushed at the tunnels. Lunch was marginal. The 10 hour tour was over in 7 hours.

Review by:   Susan M,   Australia, March 2010
Great trip although we felt a little rushed at the tunnels by the tour guide. Did not spend alot of time at the tunnels which was a shame, more time at the temple was given which was not necessary. The whole day was rushed from the start and we were back at the hotel well before the expected time.

Review by:   Mark D,   United States of America, February 2010
Recommend if you are interested in seeing the country side of Vietnam. It is a long trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh but gives you a perspective of how people live in the villages. The Cu Chi tunnels are OK if you enjoy learning about the Vietnam War. But the accuracy of information provided was questionable. The Cao Dai temple was one strange place.

Review by:   Lai Chan T,    January 2010
Thought the tour was good, the tour guide was great however just a slight issue with confirming with the agency as they said they didn't have the booking. They ended up having to confirm with Viator then having to call my mobile to say they did have it so that was slightly inconvenient as it cost me a bit for that call but nonetheless, good tour and the food was great!

Review by:   Valerie D,   United States of America, November 2009
The tour was enjoyable. Tour guide was friendly and his English was good.

Review by:   Romulo G,   Philippines, October 2008
The Cu Chi tunnel Tour was well worth the 2 hour drive! It showed us the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese during the war. Cao Dai temple was ok. It was extremely hot when we arrived, but we were there just in time for the noon time worship. Lunch was exquisite! Hefty servings and fresh ingredients! The drinks were not inclusive though. For this long drive, we were glad we had a private vehicle all to ourselves.

Review by:   Christine G,    October 2008
The Cu Chi tunnel Tour was well worth the 2 hour drive! It showed us the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese during the war. Cao Dai temple was ok. It was extremely hot when we arrived, but we were there just in time for the noon time worship. Lunch was exquisite! Hefty servings and fresh ingredients! The drinks were not inclusive though. For this long drive, we were glad we had a private vehicle all to ourselves.

Review by:   Anonymous,   Ireland, August 2008
Delighted with tour. Great guide and driver and comfortable car with air conditioning which was needed.

Review by:   Anne B,   Australia, July 2008
Our tour guide was very friendly and turned up on time. We didn't feel the tour was value for money because the guide didn't give us enough background information on the sights and we could have done the trip on our own. It was supposed to be a 10 hour trip but we were back in our hotel in much less time.

Review by:   Kevin B,    July 2008
Our tour guide was very friendly and turned up on time. We didn't feel the tour was value for money because the guide didn't give us enough background information on the sights and we could have done the trip on our own. It was supposed to be a 10 hour trip but we were back in our hotel in much less time.