Your Ultimate Cu Chi Tunnels Travel Guide (Updated 2026)
If you want to dive deep into the history of the Vietnam War, Ho Chi Minh City is a must-visit destination. The city preserves powerful remnants of the past, and none are more iconic than the Cu Chi Tunnels (known as the “Steel Land”).
Whether you are looking for the best Cu Chi Tunnels tour, ticket prices, or practical travel tips, this ultimate guide has everything you need for an unforgettable exploration.
A Brief History Of The Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are an immense underground defense system located in Cu Chi District, about 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Hand-dug by the Viet Minh and the National Liberation Front during the Indochina and Vietnam Wars, this network served as a hidden city right beneath the enemy’s feet.
Spanning over 250 km, the network included living quarters, kitchens (with the famous Hoang Cam smokeless stoves), hospitals, storage facilities, and command centers. The tunnels played a strategic role in the war, allowing Vietnamese soldiers to mount surprise attacks and survive heavy bombardments.
Planning a visit? Check out our comprehensive guide on how to choose the best Cu Chi Tunnels Tour for your trip.
Which Tunnels Should You Visit: Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc?
The Cu Chi Tunnels complex has two main sections open to the public: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc. Depending on your travel time and preferences, here is a quick overview to help you choose:
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Ben Dinh Tunnels: Located closer to Saigon (approx. 1.5 hours drive), making it the only viable option if you only have a half-day. However, because of its proximity, it tends to be more crowded with large tourist groups, and the tunnels have been significantly widened for Western visitors.
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Ben Duoc Tunnels: Located further out (approx. 2 hours drive). The extra 30-minute drive rewards you with beautiful countryside scenery along the way. This site is much less crowded, more peaceful, and offers a highly authentic experience with more original, narrower tunnels.
| 📍 Feature | 🚗 Ben Dinh Tunnels | 🌳 Ben Duoc Tunnels |
| Distance from Saigon | ~60 km (Closer, approx. 1.5-hour drive) | ~70 km (Further, approx. 2-hour drive) |
| Crowd Level | High (Highly popular for big group tours) | Low (Peaceful, quiet, and less touristy) |
| Tunnel Experience | Reconstructed and widened for tourists | Original, narrower, and more adventurous |
| Scenery & Vibe | Standard military park layout | Beautiful countryside drive, includes Ben Duoc Temple |
| Best For | Travelers with limited time (Half-Day Tours) | History buffs seeking an authentic experience |
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.
Cu Chi Tunnels Travel Guide: How to Get There
The tunnels are located about 60–70 km from the city center. Depending on your budget and adventure spirit, you can choose one of the following transport options:
Option 1: Taking the Public Bus (Budget-Friendly but Time-Consuming)
If you are on a tight budget and have a full day to spare, you can use the local bus system:
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To Ben Dinh: Take Bus No. 13 from Ben Thanh Bus Station to Cu Chi Bus Station, then transfer to Bus No. 79 to get to Ben Dinh.
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To Ben Duoc: Take Bus No. 13 to Cu Chi Bus Station, then transfer to Bus No. 79 which drops you right in front of the Ben Duoc entrance.
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Total travel time: Around 2.5 to 3 hours each way.
Option 2: Renting a Motorbike or Taxi (Flexible but Challenging)
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Motorbike: Renting a scooter gives you total freedom, but navigating Saigon’s chaotic traffic and highway dust for 2 hours can be very exhausting and risky for foreigners.
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Taxi / Grab: Comfortable but quite expensive. A round-trip Grab ride can easily cost between 1,200,000 to 1,500,000 VND, and it might be hard to find a driver for the return trip.
Option 3: Booking a Guided Tour (The Safest & Best Quality Experience)
For a hassle-free and deeply educational trip, booking a guided tour is highly recommended. You won’t have to worry about transportation, navigation, or entrance tickets.
At Saigon Adventure, we offer premium daily tours tailored to your needs with English-speaking guides, A/C minivans, and small group sizes:
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🌟 Top Choice: Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Tour (Small Group) – Perfect for travelers with limited time.
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🚤 Unique Experience: Cu Chi Tunnels by Speedboat – Beat the traffic and enjoy a scenic ride along the Saigon River.
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🛵 Combo Tour: Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Full-Day Tour – Explore the two most famous attractions in Southern Vietnam in just one day.
Cu Chi Tunnels Opening Hours & Ticket Prices
Before packing your bags, make sure you have the latest update on entrance fees and operating hours for both tunnel sites.
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Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Open daily, including Tet and national holidays).
Entrance Fees for International Tourists:
Instead of a confusing text list, here is the official ticket pricing:
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Ben Dinh Tunnels: 110,000 VND / person.
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Ben Duoc Tunnels: 90,000 VND / person.
💡 Note: The entrance fee includes a local tour guide at the site who will lead you through the history walk, a documentary movie screening, and a taste of wartime steamed cassava at the end of the tour.
Things To Do At Cu Chi Tunnels
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.
- Opening: 6:30am- 8pm
- Price: 0.4$
Essential Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
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👕 Dress Code: Wear casual clothes and sneakers. Avoid white outfits as you will get dusty crawling in the tunnels.
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🦟 Bug Spray: The historic site is inside a dense jungle—bring mosquito repellent to avoid bites.
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☀️ Weather: Pack sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat. The midday heat can be intense.
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⚠️ Health Note: If you have claustrophobia or high blood pressure, skip the underground crawling and enjoy the surface exhibits.
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💵 Cash: Bring VND cash for buying bullets at the firing range, local snacks, and souvenirs.
🚤 Ready to explore? Skip the heavy highway traffic and book our top-rated Cu Chi Tunnels Tour By Luxury Speedboat to beat the crowds and enjoy a scenic river cruise!