Cu Chi Tunnels are the largest underground tunnels in Vietnam, offering visitors 2 main tunnels namely Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh. When visiting these tunnels, you will first enjoy historical insights into the Vietnamese soldiers’ lives in the war, as well as discover the beauty of massive caves here.
In our blog, Vietnamtour.in will introduce the best attractions and show a full guide for your Cu Chi Tunnels trip. Right now, let’s start your exploration with us below!
Brief information
- Location: TL15, Phu Hiep, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Timings: 7 AM to 5 PM
- Entrance fee: Ben Duoc: 4.2 USD/person; Ben Dinh: 3.8 USD/person
- Dress code: Long sleeves and trousers; and comfortable sneakers
History Context Of Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi Tunnels were built during the war, playing an important role in protecting Vietnamese revolutionary troops against the attacks of the French colonialists In other words, the Tunnels of Cu Chi used to be the official headquarters of Communist guerrilla. That’s why this spot has attracted millions of tourists annually for unique and interesting experiences about Vietnamese history.
Impressive Architecture Inside The Tunnels Of Cu Chi
Multi-level network of tunnels
The Tunnels of Cu Chi were constructed to span multiple depths. Basically, the underground system includes 3 main levels, which are all extended to the Saigon River.
- The first level: It is located 3 meters under the ground, designed to withstand armored vehicles, bullets, chemical warfare, and tanks from the enemy.
- The second level: It is 6 meters deeper, and used to confront heavy bombings.
- The third level: It is the deepest level over 12 meters under the ground, known as the strongest protection layer for Vietnamese soldiers.
Booby Traps
On the ground, there were plenty of booby traps designed to deceive unsuspecting enemies pervading the area of Cu Chi Tunnels. These traps were also one of the unique and innovative army engineering, making the French and Allied soldiers scared about the Vietnam Revolution.
Secret Entrances
Tunnel entrances were narrow and discreet, with wooden manholes camouflaged perfectly with the environment’s surface. It used to be a challenge to come to the inside parts of the Tunnels of Cu Chi through these entrances.
Location
Cu Chi Tunnels are located in TL15, Phu Hiep, Cu Chi District, which is around 70 kilometers away from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors can visit 2 well-retained destinations here, including:
- Ben Duoc Tunnels: Phu Hiep Hamlet, Phu My Hung Commune
- Ben Dinh Tunnels: Ben Dinh Hamlet, Nhuan Duc Commune
How To Get There
- By bus: Take bus number No.13, No.94, No.79, or No.63 from Ben Thanh bus station/ 23-9 Park to easily move (estimated 2.5 hours, with 1 USD/pax).
- By taxi: Book any taxi/Grab car to arrive at the tunnels at around 1.5 hours.
- By motorbike: Rent a bike, then head to the Northwest area of the city on National Road 15. Or else, take a Grab/Be service to restrict getting lost.
- By boat/canoe: Reach Cu Chi Tunnels by boat in 75 minutes, starting from 7.30 AM, at Tan Cang pier on the Saigon River.
What to expect
During your Cu Chi Tunnels timings, you will have a chance to witness a lot of beautiful sights, including:
Explore The Cu Chi Tunnel Complex (Ben Dinh/Ben Duoc): In this spot, travelers admire the beauty of the man made underground city of the Vietnamese Military during wartime. It covers most of the necessary facilities to serve the soldiers, such as kitchens, armories, small hospitals, command centers, and so forth.
Visit Ben Duoc Memorial Temple: Ben Duoc Temple belongs to one of the valuable historical landmarks in the Cu Chi Tunnels, which was built to honor fallen Vietnamese soldiers in the wars.
Back in time with the Military liberation zone’s reenactment areas: These spots capture the period of the Vietnamese war from 1961 to 1972, bringing lively experiences of locals in the past.
Embody a soldier in Shooting ranges: Visitors can join to handle special weapons and relevant tools in wartime, like guns, masks, armor, and uniforms. To experience this spot, let’s take a ticket of 2 USD/60 minutes.
Indulge in natural environment in Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station: It is a special area, used to protect plenty of species of rare animals in the Southern regions of Vietnam. When coming here, visitors will be impressed by the lively landscape of nature.
Hand-pick fresh fruits at Cu Chi Garden: If travelers want to experience delicious tropical fruits in Vietnam, don’t miss this spot. Some of the famous kinds of fruits such as rambutan, durian, mango, or jackfruits.
Enjoy special local dishes: Cu Chi offers visitors various pleasant favors from local dishes, such as fresh tapioca (signature in Cu Chi Tunnels); Minh Quy pork noodles (2 USD/bowl); or Durian sugarcane juice (0.7 USD/glass).
Useful Tips
To help you have a wonderful experience in the Tunnels of Cu Chi, we will suggest some useful tips below:
- Wear polite clothing, with long trousers and sleeves and comfortable sneakers to easily move.
- Carry light luggage and some travel lights when walking in the narrow tunnels.
- Always listen to the staff’s guidance to enhance safety during the journey.
- Prepare some cash for additional activities during your exploration.
- Go with a local guide to learn fully about historical values (contact Vietnamtour.in)
Conclusion
Our blog has just reviewed the Cu Chi Tunnels in detail, with outstanding features and a full guide for visitors’ movement. We believe that these tunnels will bring a wonderful experience during your time in Ho Chi Minh City. Let’s refer to our Ho Chi Minh attractions blog to get better suggestions for your trip to Vietnam.
