Les tunnels de Củ Chi comptent parmi les plus remarquables témoignages de l’histoire du Vietnam. Ce vaste réseau souterrain, creusé à la main pendant la guerre du Vietnam, servait à déplacer troupes et ravitaillement. Nous y accédons comme peu de visiteurs le font : en hors-bord sur le fleuve Saïgon, à seulement une heure du centre-ville, loin des embouteillages et des convois de bus touristiques. Sur place, vous parcourrez les sentiers, explorerez une section préservée des tunnels et découvrirez l’artisanat rural qui continue de faire vivre les communautés locales. Comme le site accueille rapidement de nombreux groupes, nous partons tôt afin d’arriver avant la foule.
À son apogée, pendant la guerre, le réseau des Cu Chi Tunnels s'étirait sur environ 250 kilomètres, de la périphérie de Saigon jusqu'à la frontière cambodgienne, entièrement creusé à la main à partir de 1948.
La terre d'acier
Les habitants appellent encore Cu Chi « Đất Thép », la terre de fer, en mémoire des bombardements parmi les plus intenses de l'histoire militaire, culminant avec les raids de B-52 en 1969.
La cuisine sans fumée
Le fourneau Hoàng Cầm détournait la fumée de cuisson à travers de longs conduits creusés dans la terre, pour la libérer loin du foyer sous forme d'une fine brume matinale. Il permettait aux cuisines souterraines de nourrir des centaines de combattants trois fois par jour, sans jamais trahir l'emplacement d'une entrée.
Des pièges conçus pour blesser
Fosses à pieux de bambou durci au feu, portes à pointes basculantes et pièges à mâchoires pour les chevilles étaient conçus pour mutiler plutôt que tuer, ralentissant les patrouilles et imposant des évacuations coûteuses. Vous les découvrirez préservés le long des sentiers, à côté de trappes d'entrée si étroites qu'un adulte y passe à peine.
En remontant la rivière de Saigon
Cu Chi se trouve sur les rives de la rivière de Saigon, et c'est précisément pour cela que nous nous y rendons en hors-bord plutôt qu'en autocar. Une excursion aux Cu Chi Tunnels en hors-bord ne demande qu'une heure et demie d'eau libre et de campagne — sans circulation sur l'autoroute, sans convoi de bus touristiques.
Devancer les autocars
Les tunnels se remplissent vite de groupes scolaires et de bus bondés, et le stand de tir fait qu'en milieu de matinée, le site est rarement calme. Nous partons tôt afin que nos bateaux atteignent les tunnels avant la foule, pendant que les sentiers sont encore tranquilles.
We had an amazing time on the Cu Chi Tunnels tour with Hang! From start to finish, everything was so well organised, and the service from the entire team was exceptional.
Hang was an incredible tour guide—she was so knowledgeable about the history, explained everything in an engaging way, and was able to answer every question we had. We especially loved the boat ride and hearing her point out and explain everything we were seeing along the river. It really added another layer to the experience and made the tour even more memorable.
I would 100% recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels. It was informative, enjoyable, and incredibly well run. Thank you to Hang and the whole team for such a fantastic experience—we would definitely do this tour again!
Normally we shy away from group tours- preferring to do our own thing-having done some research before our trip and being short on time we chose a 1/2 day small group speedboat trip to cu chi tunnels- so pleased we did! Cat our guide was fantastic- very knowledgeable & entertaining ! We were concerned that as it was a group tour we wouldn’t be able to use the shooting range( which is incredibly expensive but unique) but time was made for those who wanted to whilst others were offered an alternative activity. The tour felt unrushed & his team looked after everyone well.
This was an exceptional tour and one of the highlights of my trip. We were picked up from our hotels and taken to the docks where we set off on the speedboat - which was a fun experience in itself! By starting early we got there way ahead of the crowds and basically had the place to ourselves. There was breakfast and snacks/drinks on the boat and a delicious lunch at the tunnels. The host really looked after us well and did a great job explaining the various parts of the tunnel system. I doubted myself after paying the premium amount (especially compared to the cost of the coach tours) but this was 100% worth it - was back at my hotel by 1pm! Can’t recommend this enough.
Amazing! Our guide was so knowledgeable and even shared personal experiences that her loved ones have had living in the tunnels which was very special.
Honestly, don’t bother with any of the other tour companies. We saw them while there, the groups are huge and you don’t get to see as much. Les Rives has small groups, quicker travel on the speed boat and a yummy lunch also. Well worth the extra cost compared to other companies.
We went via speedboat to the Cu Chi tunnels, being looked after by our guide Anna and the fantastic team, who were attentive and friendly. We were provided with a tasty breakfast and lunch in restaurant at the tunnels, as well as fruit on the return journey.
The tour was amazing, Anna is warm, friendly and very knowledgeable. The site itself is interesting but Anna added so much more with her ability to relay the information she made the tour interesting, immersive and enjoyable, despite its tragic roots. Through Anna we were given a fantastic insight into the experiences, and ingenuity, of the local people during the war.
I would highly recommend this tour!
What a wondeful start to our holiday. This is the only way to get to the tunnels .
So much fun on the way there and it meant we got to the tunnels with no one else there so the morning was just amazing.
Our guide was so helpful and informative
It’s a must doTour duration4+ hr
This tour was very well organized and operated. The pickup was on time, our boat captain was great and the service on board with fruit and cold drinks was very attentive. Anna is an excellent guide - she took us through the Cu Chi site and was extremely knowledgeable. It was fascinating to learn about the ingenuity and resilience of the resistance fighters. Anna explained so much detail and kept our group moving along so we could see everything before the midday heat and many of the crowds of other tour groups arrived. Highly recommend this experience. The boat ride along the river to and from Cu Chi was enjoyable and much better than sitting in traffic!
We arrived early at Cu Chi Tunnel by a speedboat to avoid the crowd. Our guide Hang explained to us what we saw while on the river, like the half dismantled bridge, different types of hospitals, flood control mechanisms, buildings for bird nests, etc. She is extremely knowledgeable seasoned with a sense of humour. For example, she showed us what kind of juice from flowers could be used as shampoo / why they cooked rice in bamboo instead of pots. Of course she explained in details the tunnels and the war.
We arrived early at Cu Chi Tunnel by a speedboat to avoid the crowd. Our guide Hang explained to us what we saw while on the river, like the half dismantled bridge, different types of hospitals, flood control mechanisms, buildings for bird nests, etc. She is extremely knowledgeable seasoned with a sense of humour. For example, she showed us what kind of juice from flowers could be used as shampoo / why they cooked rice in bamboo instead of pots. Of course she explained in details the tunnels and the war.
Best way to visit Cu Chi and no annoying traffic jam
I will highly recommend this tour if you want to visit Cu Chi Tunnels. Go by speedboat is a great experience as it can avoid the bad traffic jam and also enjoy the view of Saigon River. Faster and more comfortable. The crew are also very nice, be very clear about the schedule what's next, where to plan the short rest. Our tour guide Lucky makes our tour totally exceeding the expectations, she has great knowledge about the Cu Chi Tunnel and the history behind, she is taking care us especially the young kid every nicely. The Tour also included the fresh fruits and cold drinks on the boat and one nice and fresh lunch. I think it's a much better choice than the bus tour.
This tour is absolutely amazing. I have done this before but by taxi. Arriving by speedboat is the way to do it! It’s incredible. You miss the crowds, traffic and the views are spectacular. Our tour guide kangaroo was outstanding and a lot of fun . Thank you
We had an amazing trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels with Les Rives. The pick up and info beforehand was really clear. The trip via speedboat was brill, and a great way to see a different side of HCMC. What made the experience was our tour guide Hang, who was informative and charming, and taught us so much about the tunnels and HCMC. Highly recommended.
We had an amazing trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels with Les Rives. The pick up and info beforehand was really clear. The trip via speedboat was brill, and a great way to see a different side of HCMC. What made the experience was our tour guide Hang, who was informative and charming, and taught us so much about the tunnels and HCMC. Highly recommended.
We had a great experience with this company. We chose the half day 7am to 1pm cu chi tunnels experience. The transport was all on time and the staff and our guide ‘Lucky” was very professional and knowledgeable. We didn’t realise we were also getting a delicious breakfast on board and locals fruits as well as ice cold drinks and coffee. The tour was super interesting and it was great to start early and beat the crowds especially as it was a very hot day! Bring insect repellent and sun cream! The walking is not difficult and if dry, sandals etc are more than fine. The part where you go through the tunnels was definitely an experience! (You can also opt out if claustrophobic.) there is also a delicious lunch included which we were also not expecting - this was banquet style and not busy when we ate. The tour is very well structured with rest room breaks, beverage breaks etc throughout. We had 6 young kids on our tour (total of 14 people) and they all had a great time. Would highly recommend this tour. And thanks again Lucky!
Big shout-out to Chau for being a great guide and sharing so authentically her view of the difficult history and the long suffering of the Vietnamese people. The site itself has become very touristuc and the shooting range is totally annoying. Anyway, we expected this and wanted to tick off this experience. Thank you to les rives !
Had an excellent river trip to Cu Chi Tunnels.
The boat is much faster than by road and you get there early before the crowds.
Hotel pick up was on time . We had a bahn mi for breakfast on the boat plus a Vietnamese coffee. Fruit, Water and coke were also provided.
Anna our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and made sure we were altogether before she started speaking.
After the tour we had an amazing lunch of local food, before heading back to Ho Ch Minh. A bit more expensive than by road but definitely well worth it.
We were guided by Kanga and he was an amazing and extremely lovely and positive guide with so much enthusiasm and knowledge.
A difficult history to share but somehow he made it a really positive experience and we appreciated every minute.
The boat ride was lovely and amazing as well and the staff on the boat, especially the girl serving us food and drinks were extremely helpful and friendly.
Thanks for a great day
This was one of the highlights of my trip to Ho Chi Minh City. The speedboat transfer was comfortable, well organized, and a great way to avoid the traffic while enjoying the scenery along the river.
A special thank you to our guide, Hien, who was friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate throughout the tour. She shared fascinating stories about the history of the Cu Chi Tunnels as well as Vietnamese culture, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.
Everything was very well organized, and I would highly recommend Les Rives, especially if you have Hien as your guide. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
From great communication and booking process to the seamless pick up and departure our trip was made very simple and enjoyable. We had a private tour with Lucky who spoke excellent English and was informative, helpful and humorous through the day. She spoke excellent English and understood the kind of tour we were after The boat crew were brilliant with cold drinks and fresh fruit in hand. Overall a great experience thank you
The Cu Chi tunnels tour was the best tour my family took on our entire 2 week trip in Vietnam. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and presented the war history in a fair and balanced way. Arriving to the tunnels by boat allowed us to have a much more enjoyable journey from HCM and also enabled us to get to the tunnels first — before any other tour which greatly added to our experience. Yes, this tour is a little more expensive than others. But worth every penny. My only regret is that my family did not have the time to do additional tours with Les Rives.
Our absolute highlight of our two weeks in Vietnam (and we had an amazing trip). Taking the speedboat made the journey really comfortable and we got there before the crowds. Our guide Hang was so knowledgeable and even better so funny. An experience we will never forget.
The half-day tour to Củ Chi is expensive by Vietnamese standards, but it was worth it. Traveling by speedboat in a small group is much more relaxed than taking the bus, and it saves you from having to book a separate river cruise. Even with an 11 a.m. start, there weren't many tourists at the site—unlike at the more common location further north. The price is all-inclusive. The tour guide was knowledgeable and humorous.
The speedboat trip to the Cu Chi tunnels was so worth the money. We were travelling with three teenage boys and were concerned about taking them on the buses, as we didn’t want to get there with three grumpy teenagers who would disengage. Going on the speedboat made it so much more interesting for them. It also meant we left so much earlier, which meant the temperatures were far more bearable. When we got there, there were very few people, which enabled us to really enjoy the tour and the exhibitions. At the end of our tour, we couldn’t believe how many buses there were in the car park and how busy the place had got. Whilst the price is quite a bit higher than going on the bus, we are so glad we paid the extra.
We did the cu chi tunnel speed boat tour and could not rate it highly enough. Not only were we in a small group on a boat we got there well and truly before the buses did.
Our guide aka kangaroo was awesome. His insight and passion made it an amazing trip which we all loved. The food in the your was also great. We loved the relaxing boat ride with scenery and were back before the real heat of the day to enjoy a swim and a more cold drinks
I thought i knew some history but believe me i didn't,. Go and see for yourself the place exceeded my expectations. Anna our g
The best way to see the tunnels!! Early pick up but by boat you missed all HCMC traffic! Go Early brekkie was simple buy what you'd expect on this tour. It was a fantastic morning
Amorcés à la fin des années 1940 et étendus pendant la guerre qui suivit, les Cu Chi Tunnels ont fini par former plus de 250 kilomètres de galeries, certaines dotées de cuisines souterraines, d’hôpitaux de campagne et de quartiers d’habitation. Aujourd’hui, le site s’étend dans une campagne verdoyante et ouverte, à une heure de Saigon. Nos excursions en hors-bord associent les tunnels aux fermes et villages alentour : un élevage de grillons, un jardin d’herbes biologiques, et la fabrication de galettes de riz dans une maison locale. Les itinéraires plus longs ajoutent le pittoresque temple Cao Dai, tandis que notre excursion en bateau et Vespa associe les tunnels à la face cachée de Ho Chi Minh City.
En route vers Cu Chi
Prêt à explorer Cu Chi Tunnels – Le site historique ?
Choisissez une excursion en hors-bord adaptée à vos envies, et évitez la route encombrée depuis Saigon.
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