World City Guide

Excursions

For a Half Day

Cu Chi Tunnels: Only 90 minutes from the city are the tunnels that were excavated by hand by the Vietnamese, initially to fight against the French and then the Americans. The tunnels were such a successful hiding place that the Americans continually struggled against the surprise assaults launched from them by the Vietnamese. The network extends for over 200km (124 miles) and there are several layers of tunnels, housing makeshift hospitals, kitchens and living quarters. Many of the tunnels have been enlarged to allow Western visitors to be able to walk or crawl through them to experience how it was to live and fight down there. The tunnels (tel: (08) 794 8820) are open daily 0730-1630 and there is an admission charge. Saigontourist (tel: (08) 829 8914; website: www.saigontourist.net) have daily coach trips lasting five hours. Exotissimo (tel: (08) 825 1723; website: www.exotissimo.com) and Vidotour (tel: (08) 933 0457; website: www.vidotourtravel.com) can arrange private tours (minimum of two people). The tunnels can also be reached by public bus from the Tay Ninh Bus Station (tel: (08) 891 4923).

For a Whole Day

Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh: The tunnels can be combined with the Cao Dai Temple, at Tay Ninh, to make a full-day excursion. Four hour-long services are held daily at 0600, 1200, 1800 and 2400 in the Disneyesque temple, where Cao Dai followers dressed in brightly coloured robes perform a ceremony containing a fusion of religions, including Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity and Islam. Tay Ninh is around 2 hours 30 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City. Saigontourist (tel: (08) 829 8914; website: www.saigontourist.net) offers Saturday and Sunday coach trips lasting 10 hours. Exotissimo (tel: (08) 825 1723; website: www.exotissimo.com) and Vidotour (tel: (08) 933 0457; website: www.vidotourtravel.com) can arrange private tours (minimum of two people). The tunnels and Tay Ninh can also be reached by public bus from the Tay Ninh Bus Station (tel: (08) 891 4923).

Vinh Long: This is one of the most interesting towns in the Mekong Delta within easy reach of Ho Chi Minh City (approximately three hours away). Life here revolves around the river and the best way to observe this is by taking a boat trip through the maze of canals, passing small boats that are home to whole families. On the banks of the canals and on small islands are tiny villages, where families eke a living from the river and the fertile land on its banks. A highlight of the tour is the floating market at Cai Be which sells mainly fruit and vegetables to customers in their little boats. The boat trips usually include a visit to a bonsai garden and a fruit plantation, where citrus fruits can be sampled straight from the tree. Saigontourist (tel: (08) 829 8914; website: www.saigontourist.net) offers Saturday and Sunday coach trips lasting 10 hours. Exotissimo (tel: (08) 825 1723; website: www.exotissimo.com) and Vidotour (tel: (08) 933 0457; website: www.vidotourtravel.com) can arrange private tours lasting 10 hours (minimum of two people). A tour is advisable as the public bus takes too long for a day trip.

Vung Tau: Only two hours from the city, this seaside resort is popular with city dwellers, although the beaches are not the best the country has to offer. Saigontourist (tel: (08) 829 8914; website: www.saigontourist.net) and Vidotour (tel: (08) 933 0457; website: www.vidotourtravel.com) can arrange private tours (minimum of two people). It is also possible to go to Vung Tau by hydrofoil.