CU CHI TUNNELS CU CHI TUNNELS (Half day) Itinerary: HCM-Cu Chi-HCM ( start 8:00-return: 14:00) Highlights: Squeeze into the maze of tunnels and picture how people once lived underground, try your hand at shooting MKs & Kilashnikovs at a target. Located 60km from HCMC, Cu Chi is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists- the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. Today ducks and water buffalos happily co-exist in the rivers along the side of road. However, the peaceful rural rice paddy scenery belies the area’s violent history. Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage & defoliation over this whole area, caused by bombing and mines. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battles that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a " free Target Zone" Start our tour in the morning, before entering the tunnels visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. You will spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava ( guerrilla’s food during the war). Return to Saigon. Included: A/C transfer, English speaking guide. Excluded: Travel insurance, drinks, personal costs & admission fee to the tunnels (90,000vnd/pax) CU CHI TUNNEL & CAO DAI TEMPLE (Full day) Length: HCM-Cao Dai-Cu Chi-HCM ( start: 8:00-return 18:00) Highlights: Squeeze into the maze of tunnels and picture how people once lived underground, try your hand at shooting MKs & Kilashnikovs at a target. Observe an extravagant Cao Dai ceremony. The Great Holy See Temple, built in 1926, is considered one of the most striking structures in all of South-East Asia. It is the headquarters of the unique Cao Dai sect,a religion with a hybrid of Buddhism, Christianity & Confucianism. Above the entrance is the all-seeing holy eye-symbol of the sect. Visitors will attend the midday ceremony’s extravaganza to witness the daily mass held by the Cao Dai followers which is a fantastic experience. After lunch, proceed to Cu Chi to explore the amazing site where Viet Cong hid during the War. It is now a popular sport for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists- the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. Today ducks and water buffalos happily co-exist in the rivers along the side of road. However, the peaceful rural rice paddy scenery belies the area’s violent history. Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage & defoliation over this whole area, caused by bombing and mines. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battles that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "free Target Zone" Start our tour in the morning, before entering the tunnels visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. You will spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava ( guerrilla’s food during the war). Return to Saigon. Included: A/C car, drink water, pick up & transfer service, English speaking guide, admission fee to the tunnels. Excluded: Travel insurance, personal costs, lunch, shooting gun fee. CYCLO, WATER PUPPETRY & DINNER CRUISE (Evening Tour) Length: Start 18:00 or 17:00 ( more time on a cyclo)- return 21:30 Highlights: Enjoy a 1 hour tranditional water puppetry art show – a very special moment for grown-ups and children alike. Take a ride on a cyclo for an adventure winding through the sights, sounds & smells of this historic metropolis- the ideal way to experience the city at night. Unforgettable 2 hour scenic cruise along the Saigon River on a tranditional junk & Vietnamese / Western dinner. 18:00 pick up at your hotel to start the trip. Enjoy the unique art of a water puppet show, a traditional art form closely connected with the long-standing spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. It is performed in a pool of water with the water surface being the stage. The puppeteers stand behind a screen and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanisms hidden beneath the water surface. A tranditional Vietnamese orchestra provides accompanying background music. Singers originating from North Vietnam sing songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets wich are carved out of wood. Although the authentic shows are exclusively in Vietnamese, the tales depict rural life in villages and are easy to understand. The shows typically last for one hour and offer a colourful way to enjoy an ancient tradition. 19:15 Continue to the harbor by cyclo for a dinner cruise, enjoy the city lights & panoramic views of HCM city. Enjoy scrumptious Vietnamese cuisine on this magical dinner cruise aboard a traditional-style Dragon Boat. End of the trip at 21:30 Included: A/C transfer, cyclo, dinner cruise, guide & water puppet show ticket. Excluded: drinks, personal expenses, travel insurance. Price: Opt 1: 35$/pax ( Saigon Cruise-Vietnamese & Western set menu) Opt 2: 38$/pax (Indochina Cruise (Saigon Cruise-Vietnamese & Western set menu) Opt 3: 60$/pax ( Bonsai Cruise- buffet dinner & traditional music show)