Crawl in the Cu Chi Tunnels! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh! Our team will be waiting with name signs, big smiles, and a Maika Tour t-shirt at your port to take you to your cool, air-conditioned transport. For many cruises, HCMC is the first dock in Vietnam, so we are well equipped to collect you and take you to the incredible network of war bunkers known as the Cu Chi Tunnels. These networks are a reminder of the ingenious designs needed to survive in these tight-squeezing tunnels during war-torn times. Opt to crawl through the 100m tunnels to get a feel for what the soldiers had to endure, or simply walk around the scenic site, taking in the historical and cultural importance of this war remnant. Discover the kitchens hidden around the tunnels and sample the food the Viet Cong ate during the war. Nowadays the tunnels have been widened slightly for tourists, so it won’t be such a tight squeeze! This experience offers an inspiring insight into human perseverance and the challenges of war.

Visit a Rubber Tapping Facility Next, we make our way to a rubber tapping facility where we will learn how latex is extracted from a rubber tree. Vietnam is the world’s third-biggest natural rubber producer, and this stop offers a fantastic insight into the process! We will make a short stop to sample a traditional lunch of Pho or Banh Mi.

Learn About Vietnam’s Turbulent Past The War Remnants Museum is a shocking exhibit of the horrors of war. Offering an alternative perspective, the war museum shows the devastating effects of war on the civilian population. The museum is a favourite with tourists as it offers never-before-seen material and an entirely alternate perspective. The Requiem Gallery is the gem of this museum, where you can see historic photos taken by famed international war photographers such as Tim Page or Larry Burrows. Although sometimes upsetting, the display is essential for understanding the horrors of the Vietnam War, but also the endurance and perseverance of a nation. Unfortunately, this is our last stop on the tour but rest assured that your English-speaking guide will take you back to port, right up to your cruise ship if you so wish! We are expert time-keepers so rest in the knowledge you will return in plenty of time for your departure.