YOUR PERFECT GUIDE TO CU CHI TUNNELS
If you want to learn more about Vietnam War, so Ho Chi Minh City is a great destination you should not miss out on. Why? Because the city has a lot of evidences of the war which will satisfy your expectation. And one of them is Cu Chi Tunnels which is known as “steel land”. It has everything you need to know, from history to super useful travel tips to make your exploration become unforgettable.
A Brief History Of The Cu Chi Tunnels
- Cu Chi Tunnels is an underground defense system in Cu Chi District, 70 km North West of Ho Chi Minh City. This system was excavated by the Viet Minh and the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam during the Indochina War and the Vietnam War.
- The tunnel system includes an infirmary, several rooms, kitchen, storage room, office and so on. The tunnel system is about 250 km and has ventilation systems at the bushes. Cu Chi Tunnels are built on land known as “Steel land” which is located at the end of the Ho Chi Minh trail.
- The Viet Cong set up numerous traps around the tunnel to avoid being found by American troops above ground. They actually caused 11% of all deaths related to the Vietnam War. To get around this, the American began using German Shepherd dogs to sniff out these traps, however the Viet Cong were smart enough to prevent being sniffed out by these dogs too. Not only began using American soap, but also planted uniforms of captured American soldiers by these traps. The dogs thought these were friendly areas and many ended up getting killed or maimed by the traps that their handlers refused to continue using them.
Which Tunnels You Could Go?
Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc sections are two set of the tunnels open for public.
Ben Dinh is closer but it doesn’t provide the quality of experience. Due to the closer proximity to Saigon has a bit more travelers than Ben Duoc. But if you only have a half day to visit tunnels, then this is likely your only option.
Ben Duoc would be a quality recommendation if you have more time. Because it is further out from the city center, futher than Ben Dinh 30 minutes driving by car, you will be able to see more countryside, and also that place is less travelers than the other place.
How To Get There?
- Having many choices such as motorbike, car, bus or speedboat.
- You can book a tour. Most tours will take approximately 1.5 hours to reach the tunnels at Ben Dinh. Try avoid big bus tours because it is unlikely that those tours make stops on the way to the Cu Chi Tunnels. You will be surrounded by 50 people and this will kill the vibe.
- Our company – Saigon Adventure offers both car and motorbike tour to Cu Chi Tunnels and you can book through our website.
- By boat is a fastest way to go there with amazing experiences through the Saigon river and enjoy lunch on the boat after exploring the tunnel. But it’s a luxury tour which is around 88$ for each person.
- By Taxi is really a waste, you don’t get anything else out of it. Just comfort.
Opening/ Closing Time And Ticket Prices
- Both Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc have the same operating hours but have different entrance fees.
- Opening hours: 8 AM to 5 PM every day, including Sunday.
- Entrance ticket:
– Ben Dinh: 110,000 VND/person
– Ben Duoc: 90,000 VND/person
Things To Do At Cu Chi Tunnels
There are a bunch of things you could do at the Cu Chi Tunnels. Watching documentary, going underground, seeing exhibits, exploring traps, taking photogenic photos and shooting gun. You could ask a favor from a local guide with green uniform. No worries because most of them could speak English very well.
What To Eat And Drink In Cu Chi Tunnels
You should taste three specialities of Cu Chi like: Cu Chi beef, sugarcane juice with durian, and tapioca with peanuts.
– Cu Chi beef restaurant’address: 700 Nguyen Giao,Cu Chi, HCMC.
– Opening: 7am-9pm
– Price: From 5$-10$/ portion.
– Sugarcane juice with durian’address: 259A Quoc Lo 22, Tan Thong Hoi, Cu Chi, HCMC
– Opening: 6:30am- 8pm
– Price: 0.4$
– Tapioca with peanuts you could try in Cu Chi tunnels.
Travel Tips
– Wearing a suitable clothes that you could go down the tunnel which is a bit dirty. Likely sport clothes.
– A comfortable shoes because of getting dirty easily.
– Sun block, bug spray and insect repellent are great to have in your bag.
– The Cu Chi tunnels are open during rainy season, and there will be no flooding inside. You will get even more muddy than usual.
– Travelers with claustrophobia and high blood pressure are not advisable to make any attempt to go in the tunnels. You can still enter the larger dug outs however if you wish.
Cu Chi Tunnels By Car (Private)
Cu Chi Tunnels By Car (Small Group)
