Cu Chi Tunnel Vietnam: History, Locations, Entry Fees, and Timing

Cu Chi Tunnels are extremely complex underground tunnel networks. Located in cu chi tunnels in vietnam district, about 60km from Ho Chi Minh City center. The tunnels were used by Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. Explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnel in Vietnam. Learn about their tunnel ben duoc significance, locations, entry fees, and visiting hours. Cu Chi Tunnel Vietnam: cu chi tunnel entry fee History, cu chi tunnel entry fee Locations, Entry Fees, and Timing

Similarly Cu Chi Tunnels is a must-visit destination when you are in Ho Chi Minh City. The best time to visit the tunnels is during the dry season from November to April.

In this guide, I’ll share my experience visiting Cu Chi Tunnels as well as important travel information you need to know before visiting.

Most people think of the most modern and crowded city in Vietnam when it comes to Ho Chi Minh City. However, the city itself also has a great deal of historical values relating to the war against the French and American army to offer both locals and tourists. If you want to get to know more about Vietnamese history, visiting Cu Chi Tunnels is a great activity, and also one of the most rewarding things to do in Ho Chi Minh. It is 100% worth your short trip from the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

Embark on a Cu Chi tunnels day trip outside of Ho Chi Minh City where many treasures, cu chi tunnel entry fee insights, and stories are waiting. Let a local host show you around and experience this cultural attraction cu chi tunnel entry fee from a local perspective. Give yourself the gift of a Cu Chi tunnels day trip with a local – it’s a must-do!

Cu Chi Tunnels information

• There are two sites where the tunnels of Cu Chi can be seen – Ben Dinh and, 15km beyond, Ben Duoc, though most foreigners get taken to Ben Dinh.
• On-site shooting ranges are open to the public.
• A few kilometres off Highway 22, in the town of Long Hoa. Sits the enigmatic Cao Dai Great Temple, or Cathedral, of the Holy See of Tay Ninh.

Brief Cu Chi Tunnels History

In the late 1940s, during the war against the French, the Vietnamese dug tunnels of short distances to hide and to store supplies.

And the 1960s, during the Vietnam War between the North Vietnam (Viet Cong) and the South Vietnam. The Viet Cong connected all these previously unconnected tunnels and expanded them to be over 200km long.

The Viet Cong (aka guerilla Communist Forces) used these underground tunnels to hide from enemies and bombings. Transport communications and supplies. Lay booby traps and mount surprise attacks, after which they could disappear underground to safety.

When the first spades sank into the earth around Cu Chi, the region was covered by a rubber plantation tied to a French Tyre company. Anti-colonial Viet Minh dug the first Vietnamese tunnels here in the late 1940s; intended primarily for storing arms, they soon became valuable hiding places for the resistance fighters themselves.

Over a decade later, VC activists controlling this staunchly anti-government area, many of them local villagers, followed suit and went to ground. By 1965, 250km of tunnels crisscrossed Cu Chi and surrounding areas – just across the Saigon River was the notorious guerrilla power base known as the Iron Triangle – making it possible for the VC guerrilla cells in the area to link up with each other and to infiltrate Saigon at will. One section daringly ran underneath the Americans’ Cu Chi Army Base.

Highlights of Cu Chi Tunnels

Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, you have a chance to witness its unique architecture and structure as well as understand why it plays an important role in Vietnam’s history.

Believe it or not, there were hospitals, schools, theatres, kitchens, all built into this extraordinary tunnel network. The entrances to these tunnels were covered with a secret wooden door and camouflage leaves above. Its size is so small that only the Vietnamese could fit in.

What to See in Cu Chi Tunnels?

Nowadays, visitors can only visit 2 sets of the Cu Chi Tunnels that cu chi tunnel entry fee open to the public: Ben Dinh Tunnels and Ben Duoc Tunnels.

1. Ben Dinh Tunnels

Located next to the Saigon River, Ben Dinh section is a perfect location for Cu Chi Commissioners to lead the people during the war. And also, they could easily escape to the river if the location was found. This one was used for a long time from 1968 to 1975.

It may take you almost 1 hour to take a tour around this section. There are 4 tunnels with examples of underground sleeping quarters, command posts, and medical posts. The ticket is VND 90.000 (about USD 4). In Ben Dinh section, you also have a chance to buy shoot weapons and bullets.

The guided tour of Ben Dinh kicks off in a thatched hut, where a map of the region, a cross-section of the tunnels and a black and white movie bristling with national pride fill you in on the background. From there, you head out into the bush, where your guide will point out lethal booby-traps, concealed trap doors and an abandoned tank.

There are several models showing how unexploded ordnance was ingeniously converted into lethal mines and traps, and a demonstration of how smoke from underground fires was cleverly dispersed far from its source.

2. Ben Duoc Tunnels

Covering an area of 100 hectares, Ben Duoc Tunnels are five times bigger than Ben Dinh Tunnel (17 hectares). Therefore, the traveling distance is also longer. However, you can get the most practical experience of the war in the southern part of Vietnam at Ben Duoc. You can see how tough a life in these cramped tunnels can be and try to challenge yourself to overcome the odds. While Ben Dinh provides you with a wide range of recreational activities, Ben Duoc will offer you numerous intriguing historical sites such as Ben Duoc Memorial temple and Hoang Cam kitchen.

The tunnel experience at Ben Duoc is similar to that at Ben Dinh, but it has fewer foreign tourists and a cheesier atmosphere – it’s better if you’re claustrophobic, though scores fewer points for authenticity. The original tunnels have been expanded, and for an extra fee you’ll be able to don soldier gear to crawl through them. Afterwards, you’ll be able to fire off a few rifle rounds. These tunnels are further from Ho Chi Minh City and often best attacked by taxi.

3. Shooting range

When you reach the shooting range, you have the chance to shoulder an M16 or AK47 and shoot off a few rounds or stop at the adjacent souvenir and snack stalls. Finally, you get the chance to stoop, crawl cu chi tunnel entry fee and drag yourself through a section of the tunnels about 140 metres long (with frequent escape routes for anyone who can’t hack it). It only takes 10–15 minutes to scramble through, but the pitch blackness and intense humidity can be discomforting, so when you emerge, you’ll be glad cu chi tunnel timing you don’t have to live down there for weeks on end as the VC did.

What to Do in Cu Chi Tunnels?

As a tourist attraction, Cu Chi Tunnel also have some more interesting activities for you to entertain after discovering Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc sections.

1. Experience Shooting Guns

It is a military sport that attracts a lot of visitors to participate in when traveling to cu chi tunnels in vietnam. Here, you can choose the appropriate guns for yourself. Most of the guns had been used during the war and you can use them to try shooting with the animal-shaped target under the staff’s instructions.

2. Swimming in Cu Chi Park

Cu Chi Park has a swimming pool built in a separate architectural style. There are 500 meters square for adults and 150 meters squares for children. The facilities are quite good with dressing room, bathroom, restroom, etc.

3. Playing Paintball Guns

Paintball shooting is a game that combines both military and sporty factors. In Cu Chi, you can try this game in the natural forest. Each soldier will be fully equipped with uniforms, masks, armor, and weapons. This game helps cu chi tunnel timing a lot in improving your judging, team collaboration skills, and knowledge.

4. Pedaling and Kayaking

For those who want a relaxing and chilling time, kayaking in the South China Sea simulation lake in Cu Chi is a perfect activity. Visitors can use a swan-shaped boat to admire the panoramic view of the lake also.

5. Having a Picnic

There are many spacious areas with green trees and refreshing air in cu chi tunnels in vietnam timing. So, you can consider having a small picnic with your family and friends here. The place will help you get away from bustling city life and relax.

Ways to Explore Cu Chi

You can choose whether to explore Cu Chi on your own or use a tunnel tour by boat. To explore it on your own, you can go to Cu Chi Tunnel  timing by bus, motorbike or car, then buy a ticket cu chi tunnel timing at the entrance. With an admission ticket, the Cu Chi Tunnel timing supply free guides for visitors. Following the guide will help you to save money and get to know more about the Tunnels exactly.

The tunnel tour by bus is easily booked online or your hotel in HCM City. You will have a chance to discover the landscapes along the river bank.s, Explore the maze of tunnels with storage facilities, weapons factories, kitchens. And countless trap doors and enjoy the most popular food during the war. The fee is around USD 50/ adult.

How to Get to Cu Chi Tunnel

There are many ways to get to cu chi tunnels timing in vietnam, you can choose one of the below means of transportation.

1. By Bus

A bus is the cheapest way to go to Cu Chi. First, you catch bus No 13 from 23-9 Park (near Pham Ngu Lao Street) to Cu Chi Bus Station, then change to bus No 79 which heads to Ben Duoc. It will take you 2 and a half hours and more than USD 1 if going by bus.

2. By Taxi

Taxi is the most convenient but also the most cu chi tunnel timing expensive one. For 140 km to Cu Chi, you may have to pay USD 60. You can book a taxi online with Grab application or on any streets.

3. By Motorbike/car

You can use your own motorbike or car or rent one in Ho Chi Minh City. The traveling distance is 140 km, so it is possible to go by personal motorbike or car. It only takes 1 and a half hours to go from the center of Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Dinh section.

4. By Boat

A speedboat will take you from Tan Cang pier through Saigon River to Cu Chi in 1 and a half hours. It’s better to take the morning boat at 7:30 am every day.

Tips and Tricks

• Prepare some food and drink before you go.
• Bring insect repellent and dress properly because there are many mosquitos there.
• You need to pay for most of the games in cu chi ben duoc tunnels in vietnam
• During the holidays, the entrance fee is higher than normal days, but it offers more activities for visitors.
• The tunnels are quite narrow and easy to get lost. It’s better to follow the staff’s instructions.
• If you bring a lot of luggage, you should put it outside.

Tips for travelling to Cu Chi Tunnels

Visiting the tunnels of Cu Chi isn’t for the faint hearted. And if you are even slightly claustrophobic, then you may be better off avoiding the part of the tour where you can crawl through a section of tunnel. Thankfully, there are frequent escape routes along the tunnel if it becomes overwhelming.

The cu chi tunnels in vietnam timing are located close to the weird and wonderful Cao Dai Great Temple. While it’s possible to see both places in a day (indeed, most people do), be prepared to spend most of your time on the road.

Life in the Cu Chi Tunnel

Living conditions below ground were appalling for these “human moles”. The tunnels of Cu Chi were foul-smelling and became so hot by the afternoon that inhabitants had to lie on the floor in order to get enough oxygen to breathe. The darkness was absolute, and some long-term dwellers suffered temporary blindness when they emerged into the light.

At times it was necessary to stay below ground for weeks on end, alongside bats, cu chi ben duoc rats, snakes, scorpions, centipedes and fire ants. Some of these unwelcome guests were co-opted to the cause: boxes cu chi tunnel timing in vietnam full of scorpions and hollow bamboo sticks containing vipers were secreted in tunnels, where GIs might unwittingly knock them over.

Multi-level tunnel complexes

Within the multi-level tunnel complexes, there were latrines, wells, meeting rooms and dorms. Rudimentary hospitals were also scratch out of the soil. Operations were carry out by torchlight using instruments fashion from shards of ordnance. And a patient’s own blood in bottles and then pump straight back using a bicycle pump and a length of rubber hosing. Such medical supplies as exist secure by bribing ARVN soldiers in Saigon.

Doctors also administer herbs and acupuncture – even honey was use for its antiseptic properties. Kitchens cook whatever the tunnellers could get their hands on. With rice and fruit crops destroyed, the diet consist largely of tapioca, leaves and roots. At least until enough bomb fragments could be transport to Saigon and sold as scrap to buy food. Morale was maintain in part by performing troupes that tour the tunnels. Though songs like “He who comes to Cu Chi. The Bronze Fortress in the Land of Iron. Will count the crimes accumulate by the Enemy” were not quite up to the standard set by Bob Hope as he entertains the US troops.

Cu Chi Tunnels Opening Hours

However, Cu Chi Tunnel timing is open daily, from 7am to 5pm.

Cu Chi Tunnels Entrance Fee

Cu Chi Tunnel entrance fee is VND 125000 per person.