Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam's largest and most famous city. During the 14th century this city was known as Prey Nokor and was nothing more than a trading post. By the 18th century, the Lords of Hue, under the Nguyens, had established control of the trade in Prey Nokor and renamed the city Saigon. After the Vietnam War, the new communist regime changed the official name of the city of Saigon to Ho Chi Minh and began to rebuild its economic and social structure.

The following Shore Excursions are available for this port on this cruise, and may be reserved beginning 180 days before the cruise begins.

Cu Chi Tunnels
Tour Code: HCM-190
Duration: 5 hours
Retail Value: $69.00
Price: Free

Learn about the Vietnamese fighters who lived in, and fought from, a network of underground tunnels during this visit to Cu Chi.

Depart the pier for the 44-mile drive from the city center to the surrounding countryside. Along the way, you will see the villages of former revolutionary fighters, and French rubber plantations where bombing remnants still remain three decades later. After passing through tranquil rice paddies, a brief photo stop will be made at a small village, where your guide will explain the process of rice paper production. Hundreds of sheets dot the countryside, drying on woven racks in the relentless sun.

Upon arrival at Cu Chi, you will watch a short video tracing the origins, construction and design of the thick-roofed underground tunnels. These tunnels were capable of withstanding the weight of tanks and impact of 50-pound bombs. A military guide will explain the underground network, and display some of the tools and weapons utilized by the guerrillas. This open and ventilated tunnel complex provides a full view of the underground meeting rooms, smokeless kitchens, a healthcare center and sleeping areas. If you are agile, you will have an opportunity to enter an unlit passage that has not been enlarged for the comfort of visitors. Refreshments, souvenirs and displays of military paraphernalia can be found in the nearby parking area.

On the 44-mile return drive to Saigon, you will visit the recently-erected memorial honoring the 10,000 guerrilla soldiers who died during the fighting at Cu Chi.

Please note: Guests are strongly advised to wear sturdy shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Guests visiting the lower levels of the tunnel complex may get dirty. The area of the tunnels represents a memorial to resistance by the Vietnamese, and is presented by the armed forces of Vietnam. Any disparaging references made to past foes of the government may be deemed offensive. Depending upon traffic conditions, the duration of this tour may be longer.

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Terms & Conditions:

Free Unlimited Shore Excursions are for full fare guests only, capacity controlled and subject to availability. Requested excursions may not be available at time of booking. Supplement will apply on Regent Choice excursions (indicated by the above) and excludes Private Arrangements and all Adventures Ashore programs. In order to ensure quality guides and sufficient transportation, we must provide the tour operator with passenger counts at least 36 hours in advance. Therefore no refunds will be given within 36 hours of tour departure for cancellations or no-shows. Please pay special attention to scheduling and tour lengths when booking your shore excursions. In many cases, it is not possible to participate in more than one tour per day in a given port. Tours operate rain or shine. Tours require minimum participation levels to operate so please sign up as early as possible. Tours may be cancelled if minimum participation levels are not met. Prices, Itineraries and General Information shore excursion prices are subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases or currency fluctuations. Please consult the Destination Services Desk onboard for information. During local or national holidays, access to certain facilities (such as museums or archaeological sites) may be limited or denied. In such instances, adjustments will be made to minimize inconvenience to guests. Some tours have limited availability. Tours are generally available for reserving 180 days prior to the beginning of a cruise. Please sign up early to avoid disappointment. Regent Seven Seas Cruises reserves the right to require guests to complete a liability waiver for select shore excursions. For more information, please visit the Destination Services Desk onboard.