Vietnam War History Tours 2026: Cu Chi Tunnels and Saigon's Wartime Sites
Our Vietnam war history tours take you to the places in and around Ho Chi Minh City where the story of the American War is told most powerfully: Independence Palace, where a tank broke through the gates on 30 April 1975, the War Remnants Museum, and the Cu Chi Tunnels. Choose a 1-day tour or a 5-day stay in Saigon, always private with your own English-speaking guide and driver, for history lovers, veterans' families and curious first-time visitors.
- Durations: 1-day tours and a 5-day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary
- Destinations: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels, Tay Ninh, Mekong Delta
- Best for: history lovers, veterans and their families, students
- Best months: December to April, the dry season in the south
See our three war history tours below, or open the full guide to plan your visit.
Good to know (2026)
- Independence Palace is open every day, currently from 7:00 to 18:00, apart from occasional closures for state events.
- Since 1 July 2025 Tay Ninh province has merged with Long An; the Cao Dai Holy See is now in Long Hoa ward of the new Tay Ninh province.
- If you add Hanoi to your trip: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed for maintenance from 4 September to 2 November 2026, and normally also closes on Mondays and Fridays.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) 2027 falls on 6 February; museums may close or shorten hours for several days around it.
What Is a Vietnam War History Tour?
A Vietnam war history tour explores the sites that tell the story of the conflict Vietnamese call the American War, which ended when North Vietnamese tanks entered Saigon on 30 April 1975. With a knowledgeable guide, you see where the war was fought, governed and remembered – and hear how it is understood in Vietnam today.
Ho Chi Minh City is the best base. In the city centre stand Independence Palace, the former presidential palace of South Vietnam, and the War Remnants Museum, opened in September 1975. North-west of the city, the Cu Chi Tunnels show the underground network of tunnels, kitchens and command rooms used by guerrilla fighters. For background, see the Cu Chi tunnels article on Wikipedia.
Our war history tours are not only about the fighting. They also show how the city lives with its past today, and they pair naturally with the Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh – the centre of a Vietnamese religion founded in 1926, which lies on the same road as the tunnels.
Why Choose a Guided War History Tour in Vietnam?
- Context, not just exhibits: a guide explains what happened at each site and how different sides remember it.
- The right Cu Chi site for you: busy, reconstructed Ben Dinh or quieter, more original Ben Duoc.
- Good timing: we plan around the heat, the crowds and the Cao Dai noon ceremony.
- Private and respectful: your own guide and driver, and time to reflect at your own pace.
Our Vietnam War History Tours at a Glance
| Tour |
Days |
Route |
| Ho Chi Minh City Tour |
1 |
Independence Palace – War Remnants Museum – Central Post Office – Cholon – Ben Thanh Market |
| Ho Chi Minh – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour |
1 |
Saigon – Cao Dai Holy See (Tay Ninh) – Cu Chi Tunnels – Saigon |
| Ho Chi Minh Tour |
5 |
Saigon city tour – Cao Dai Holy See – Cu Chi Tunnels – Mekong Delta |
War history tours start from US$26 per person (Ho Chi Minh City Tour 1 Day), US$32 (Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour 1 Day) and US$268 (Ho Chi Minh Tour 5 Days). Read the full plans: Ho Chi Minh City Tour 1 Day, Ho Chi Minh – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour 1 Day and Ho Chi Minh Tour 5 Days.
How to Choose Your War History Tour
1. One day in Ho Chi Minh City
If you only have one day, decide between the city and the tunnels. The city tour covers Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum in about 8–9 hours; the Cu Chi tour spends the day outside the city.
2. Two days
Take both 1-day tours – the city first, so the museum gives you context before you visit the tunnels.
3. A longer stay in the south
The 5-day tour keeps you in one hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City and adds the Cao Dai Holy See, Cholon and a boat day in the Mekong Delta to the war sites.
Best Time for a War History Tour in Southern Vietnam
- December to April: the dry season – sunny and less humid, the best time for Cu Chi.
- May to November: the rainy season, usually with short, heavy afternoon showers; visit the tunnels in the morning.
- 30 April and 2 September: Reunification Day and National Day bring crowds, celebrations and some road closures in the city.
What’s Usually Included: Private Tours
Our war history tours usually include your own English-speaking guide and driver, hotel pick-up and drop-off in central Ho Chi Minh City, entrance tickets and lunch on day tours. The 5-day tour also includes airport transfers and hotels. Each tour page lists the exact inclusions. The optional shooting range at Cu Chi is not included.
Every tour is private, so you can spend longer at the War Remnants Museum or skip the tunnel crawl. For more ways to travel with your own guide, see our Vietnam private tours.
Tips from Our Local Team
Jimmy and our Saigon team have guided international travellers to these sites for many years. Their advice:
- Visit the War Remnants Museum before Cu Chi – it gives the tunnels their context.
- Some galleries show graphic images of war injuries and Agent Orange; you can move through them at your own pace or skip them.
- Wear clothes you do not mind getting dusty if you plan to enter the tunnels.
- At the Cao Dai Holy See, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered and watch the ceremony from the visitors’ gallery.
- Bring water, insect repellent and a hat for Cu Chi.
Plan Your Vietnam War History Tour
Tell us your dates, interests and how much time you have in Ho Chi Minh City, and we will plan the right mix of sites. Message us on WhatsApp +84 88 626 1368 or send us an inquiry – we reply within 24 hours.
