The Best Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour: Morning or Afternoon?

Are you planning a vacation to Vietnam and looking to learn more about the Cu Chi Tunnels? No matter when you’re travelling to Ho Chi Minh City, you can experience a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels. But which is the right option for you — a morning or an afternoon tour?

When it comes to picking between a morning or afternoon tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, it’s important to consider what kind of experience you’re looking for in order to make the best decision possible. There isn’t one better option than another — it all depends on what will make for the most enjoyable (and memorable) day for you. To help you make an informed decision, here’s an overview of what you should expect — and benefit from — from both a morning and afternoon tour guide of the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Overview: What To Expect During a Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour

The Cu Chi Tunnels are a series of more than 200 km of underground tunnels that were dug by the North Vietnamese and integrated with forced labor during the Vietnam War, in the 1940s. As a way to protect the residents of Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City from air raids, these tunnels were built with a complex, interconnected network extending across Vietnam’s Ho Bo woods, Saigon and Gia/Dinh area, as well as parts of Cambodia. Today, they serve as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City and an important part of the country’s history.

During a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, visitors explore some of these tunnels and learn about their importance in the country’s history. You’ll get to experience parts of the tunnel system, see what lighting the North Vietnamese used while they were in hiding, visit firing range positions, and even explore simulated loudspeaker systems and kitchens. Guided tours usually take between two and three hours and are available in the mornings and afternoons.

Morning Tour Pros & Cons

Booking a morning tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels has its own unique set of pros and cons that travelers should consider before locking down their plans.

Pros

• The temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City can get quite high in the afternoon. Doing a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning means that you’ll be able to explore in much cooler temperatures.
• Tourist attractions can often become overrun throughout the day. If you book a morning tour, you can beat some of the tourist rush and have a more relaxed experience than if you did it in the afternoon.

Cons

• Depending on your travel style, mornings usually boast an earlier start time — usually between 8am and 9am. If you don’t enjoy early mornings, then picking a morning tour may not be ideal for you.
• If you love taking pictures while travelling then it may not be ideal to book a morning tour. Many people say that mornings don’t provide ideal lighting conditions to capture really great shots.

Afternoon Tour Pros & Cons

Similar to morning tours, choosing an afternoon tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels also offers up its own set of pros and cons for travellers to consider when making their plans.

Pros

• The temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City are a bit more mild in the afternoons — making it an ideal time to explore if you don’t like adventuring when it’s too hot out.
• Because most tourist attractions can get quite crowded throughout the day, selecting an afternoon tour can make seeing most of what there is to see much easier. Chances are, there will be fewer people on your tour so you can easily ask questions and not worry about crowding during photo opportunities.

Cons

• Temperature dips in the afternoon can make for cooler days, which may not be ideal depending on your preference — but if you dress appropriately you’ll still have an enjoyable time!
• The sun is usually setting earlier in Ho Chi Minh City (around 6:30pm) so it may be harder to get around after your tour ends — keep this in mind when making plans.

Which Tour Should You Choose?

When it comes down to it, picking between a morning or afternoon tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels really comes down to preference — but understanding what to expect from both will help you make an informed decision before locking down your plans. Just make sure that no matter when you decide to go, you pack accordingly so that both comfort and safety are well accounted for! Once you’ve made up your mind, book your excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels here, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure through one of Vietnam’s most historic sights!