This day tour takes you to the tunnels of Cu Chi and gives you a glimpse of Ho Chi Minh City’s main landmarks. First travel 1.5-hours northwest of Ho Chi Minh City where you will be lead through the jungle as your guide explains the history of the war, the ingenuity of the Cu Chi residents and the daily activities of the people. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch and in the afternoon visit the historic Reunification Palace, the Old Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and lively Ben Thanh Market.
Enjoy a two hour drive northwest of Saigon, through urbanized areas and typical lush southern Vietnamese countryside, to the famous Cu Chi tunnels. The incredible underground tunnel network was constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during their long struggle for independence. The tunnel complex was initially started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as communication routes, storage facilities for food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. A visit to the underground villages will provide a better understanding of the tunnels’ history, the hardship of life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese resilience during combat.
Get back to Saigon around noon and enjoy included lunch at nice local restaurant serving local specialties. Then continue to the landmark Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace – the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war. It was towards this modern building that North Vietnamese resistance fighters tanks (Viet Cong) rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975 as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many.
Visit the War Remnants Museum which was formerly known as the Exhibition House of American War Crimes. The museums exhibitions include some disturbing photographs of the Vietnam War, a real guillotine, a simulated “tiger cage” prison and jars of deformed fetuses blamed on Agent Orange.
Walk on Dong Khoi street, or Rue Catinat as it was known in the time of the French occupation, to discover some of the beautiful French colonial buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th century. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon. Wander up to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. (It is only possible to visit inside when no service is being performed) Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower.
End the day with a stop at Ben Thanh Market where an incredible display of fresh produce is offered. Simply stroll through the market seeing and enjoying the variety of goods for sale.
Included meals: Lunch
From US$ 86 per passenger
* Price based on group of at least 02 passengers travelling together
** All our itineraries can be customised. For questions or further information, Enquire Now!
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SENSES JOURNEYS
Direct hand phone Mr. HUE: +84 (0) 933 023 363
Email: info@sensesjourneys.com
Add: 287/2/7A Chu Van An Str., Binh Thanh Dist., HCM City, VIETNAM
Tel: +84 (0) 28 6274 2312
Website: www.sensesjourneys.com