When travelers come to Ho Chi Minh City, the historical significance and adventurous feature of Cu Chi Tunnels is usually what springs to mind. Spending 1 Day exploring this underground complex and you will never regret it.
1. Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City
Located 45km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, 70 kilometers away from the city center, Cu Chi Tunnels (Địa đạo Củ Chi in Vietnamese) has a lot to offer both domestic and international tourists. The underground tunnels were built between 1946 and 1948 as solid shelters for the Vietnam revolutionary troops to discreetly commute between regions and evade French scouts.
During the Vietnam War, the tunnels had been developed into an assembly complex covering hundreds of miles and multiple districts for Communist guerilla soldiers to shelter, transport communications and supplies, receive medical treatments, hide from aerial bombardment, and mount surprise attacks. It functioned as a remote base from which military strategies are thoroughly discussed. The most notable operation was the Tet Offensive launched in 1968. Creative structure and resounding victories have made Cu Chi Tunnels one of the world’s top underground tourist attractions that’s really worth your visit.
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- Address: TL15, Phu Hiep, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM (7 days a week)
- Entrance fees (updated in 2023):
- Ben Duoc: 110.000 VND/ person
- Ben Dinh: 90.000 VND/ person
2. What is it like inside the Tunnels of Cu Chi?
Cu Chi tunnels used to have an area of roughly 250 kilometers, some even stretched into neighboring Cambodia. Today, 120 kilometers of Cu Chi Tunnels: Ben Dinh Tunnels (Ben Dinh Hamlet, Nhuan Duc Commune) and Ben Duoc Tunnels (Phu Hiep Hamlet, Phu My Hung Commune) have been well-preserved and welcome tourists to explore.
When you go inside the Cu Chi Tunnels, you will be astonished by its multi-layered constructions and great resilience. There are many specialized compartments for various purposes such as living, sleeping, dining, receiving medical treatments, meeting and even entertaining. It seems to be something impossible during wartime.
On the ground level (the first 3m deep), the entrances to these tunnels are so tiny that only Vietnamese could fit in, with wooden manholes hidden by leaves. Also, several traps, bunkers and firing posts are set up for Vietnamese snipers to pop up and attack the enemies suddenly before escaping into the tunnels.
The second floor (6m deep under the ground) was mainly used for living and cooking. Interestingly, a Viet Minh soldier in 1951 made a Hoang Cam smokeless stove, successfully protecting Vietnamese soldiers from being detected by US troops. Nowadays, the Hoang Cam stove is still considered the King of the battlefield kitchen.
On the third level (more than 12 meters from the ground), there are meeting rooms, first-aid stations, armories, chambers, and “theaters” for soldiers to relax. In peacetime, you may think this complex looks like an underground city, but during the war, it was a magic shelter for brave Vietnamese soldiers to fight against the US.
3. How to get to Cu Chi Tunnels
For those who travel from the North of Vietnam or provinces outside Saigon, you can choose to travel by plane, passenger cars (neighboring provinces), or self-driving cars (self-driving cars, motorbikes, coaches).
When you are in the center of Saigon, there are plenty of means of transport for you to move to Cu Chi Tunnels, including:
Taxi: It may take you 1.5 hours to reach Cu Chi Tunnels from the center of Saigon to the Ben Dinh Tunnels. Traveling by taxi is quite expensive, but it offers much more convenience.
Bus: No. 13 (from 23-9 Park / Ben Thanh Bus Station) or No. 94 (from Cho Lon / 12 Xuan Dieu) to Cu Chi Bus Station, then get on bus No. 79 to Ben Duoc Tunnel or bus No. 63 to Ben Dinh Tunnel.
Private vehicle (self-driving cars or motorbikes): follow the route Truong Chinh -> An Suong – Hoc Mon intersection -> follow TL15 to arriveIf you want to rent a car or motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City, remember to bring your identification or any legal documents to prove your identification. Also, be familiar with Google Maps or GPS to find the right location and make sure you can ride a motorbike safely in the jungle of motorbikes in Vietnam.
Boat/ canoe: You can take a luxury speedboat (with the first boat leaving at 7:30 am every day) departing from Tan Cang Pier along the Saigon River to Cu Chi in 75 minutes. Or following the route to Bach Dang Wharf and enjoying the beautiful scenery of the river along the way.
4. Things Everyone Must Do in Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City
4.1. Experience the Cu Chi Tunnel complex
It is highly recommended that tourists go with a tour guide so that they can fully explore Cu Chi Tunnels. Local tour guides are eager to take you to lots of different areas where you are able to see some of the original tunnels and learn how dangerous booby traps were made. You will also know many interesting facts about these underground tunnels.
Then, you will have a chance to go inside some of the tunnels through secret entrances which have been made bigger for tourists. Most of the visitors are astonished by how small the tunnel routes were.
4.2. Firing real Guns and Playing Paintball Guns
Both Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc have shooting ranges where you cjan experience using real weapons such as AK-47s and M16s. This activity attracts the attention of several visitors as many of them have not done it before and the whole experience was really cool.
Regarding paintball shooting, players will be equipped with masks, uniforms, armor, and guns for their combat in the natural forest. These war simulator games give participants an opportunity to experience the shooting, team collaboration, and fighting spirit as soldiers of the past.
Note that those who want to use real guns must have good health conditions and a minimum age of 16. You must follow the staff’s instructions for safety.
- Ticket price: 50.000 VND (~$2.12) /person/hour
4.3. Take a look at the Military liberation zone’s reenactment areas
This area vividly portrays the daily life of guerrilla soldiers and people living in Cu Chi during the fiercest period of war from 1961 to 1972. During wartime, the village scenes were heavily damaged by toxic chemicals, artillery, and bombing raids. Today, tourists can go sightseeing and take photos with tanks and aircraft remnants left in Cu Chi combat zones.
4.4. Swimming in Cu Chi Park
Inside the Cu Chi park, a swimming pool with good facilities such as changing room, bathroom, restroom, etc. are well-designed. There are 500 meters square for adults and 150 meters square for children. After participating in military activities, visitors can rush here to immerse themselves in the deep cool water and escape from the heat this summertime.
- Ticket price: 20 000 VND/ person (~$0.85)
4.5. Visit Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station
Nestled between Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc Tunnels, about 8 kilometers away from the center of the tourist area, Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station stretches about 4,000 square meters and was known as the largest rescue center in southern Vietnam.
Since its establishment in 2006, Cu Chi Wildlife represents our great efforts to protect 5500 rare animal species and successfully educate young minds about wildlife.
- Address: No. 50, Road No. 15, Cho Cu Ha Hamlet, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City
5. Other things to know before visiting Cu Chi Tunnels
- During the Vietnam War, at least 45,000 Vietnamese people are said to have died defending the Cu Chi tunnels
- All of the tunnels have several discreet vents to the ground and are secretly camouflaged
- In the past, the tunnels were infested with ants, venomous centipedes, snakes, scorpions, spiders, and rodents
- It was suffocating for somebody inside the tunnel. Those who have breathing problems, high blood pressure, and claustrophobia, should not do this.
- You should spend at least 2 hours touring around the Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi Tunnels is a must-visit destination for both domestic and international tourists. It would be a highlight of your trip to Vietnam and brings a gateway for you to travel back to wartime in Vietnam. If you want further information about Cu Chi Tunnels Ho Chi Minh City Tour, contact Metta Voyage right away.
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