The Cu Chi Tunnels: how to visit from Ho Chi Minh City in 2026

The Cu Chi Tunnels sit near the top of any list of things to see around Ho Chi Minh City. They pair naturally with a Mekong Delta day out, so many travellers turn it into a packed one- or two-day trip.

What the Cu Chi Tunnels are — history in 2 minutes

Digging began in 1948, during the war with France. By 1968 the network had grown to 250 km — an entire underground city. Three levels: the top (3 m) for quick movement, the middle (6 m) for living quarters, and the bottom (10 m) for the command post and storage.

The tunnels survived B-52 carpet bombing, chemical attacks and the "tunnel rats" — American soldiers who crawled inside armed with a pistol and a flashlight. The Viet Cong answered with booby traps: bamboo spikes at the bottom of pits, scorpions in boxes, tripwires. Of the roughly 700 tunnel rats over the war, about half were killed or wounded.

After the war the tunnels became a national monument. Two sections are open to visitors: Bến Đình (Ben Dinh) and Bến Dược (Ben Duoc).

Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc — which section to choose

These are two different entrances to the same tunnel system. Most tours head to Ben Dinh because it is closer. But Ben Duoc is worth considering if you want a deeper, quieter experience.

Ben Dinh — if you are short on time, travelling with family or joining an organised tour. The tunnels are widened, the exhibits are compact, and you can see everything in about two hours. Downside: by 10:00 there are dozens of coaches and hundreds of people.

Ben Duoc — if you want authenticity. Original tunnels (genuinely tight — your shoulders brush the walls), a site five times larger, and the memorial temple Đền Bến Dược inscribed with 50,000 names of the fallen. Three to four times fewer visitors.

What you see inside

The visit opens with a 20-minute documentary — dated propaganda, but informative. The black-and-white footage and earnest captions feel of their era, yet the scale of what happened lands.

The tunnels

The main event is going underground. At Ben Dinh the section runs 50–100 m, widened to about 120 cm. You move in a half-crouch, shoulders scraping the walls. It is hot, humid and dark — your phone flashlight is essential. Fifty metres in, it sinks in: people lived here for months, in original tunnels 80 cm wide, with no ventilation and no electricity.

Exits appear every 20–30 metres if it gets too much. No one makes you go the whole way.

Underground rooms

Reconstructions: sleeping quarters (mats on the ground), a field hospital (surgery by candlelight), a kitchen that vented its smoke 200 metres away so aircraft could not spot it, a command post, a weapons workshop. All life-size — you can step in and picture it.

The trap exhibit

Out in the open are dozens of pits and devices: rotating spike lids, swing traps, "tiger" pits. The guide explains how each one worked. It is not for the squeamish, but it makes the point vividly.

The sandal workshop

The Viet Cong made footwear from car tyres — the famous "Ho Chi Minh sandals." A craftsman now demonstrates the process and sells finished pairs as souvenirs (from 50,000 VND, ~$2).

The shooting range

On site there is a range with wartime weapons: AK-47, M16, an M60 machine gun. The cost is 350,000 VND (~$14) for 10 rounds. It is loud (protect your ears), it smells of gunpowder, and the queue runs 15–20 minutes at peak. A very specific experience — not for everyone, but memorable.

💬 "The tunnels are incredibly narrow — even the widened ones. It is hot and humid, but the feeling is unforgettable. Bring water and light clothing." — Tripadvisor, 2025

Tickets and prices in 2026

Entry tickets are sold at the gate only — online sales are not really a thing. Tours are booked through Klook, GetYourGuide, Viator or local agencies on Đề Thám (the backpacker travel-agent street in District 1).

Information current as of July 2026.

Getting there from Ho Chi Minh City

Organised tour (easiest)

Most visitors go with a tour: pickup from the hotel, transport, commentary, drop-off. English group tours start at ~$16; private tours from ~$80. It saves time and hassle — no need to sort out the route or the navigation yourself.

Grab / taxi

A Grab car from the centre (District 1) runs about 350,000–400,000 VND (~$14–16) one way to Ben Dinh. Expect 1.5 hours depending on traffic. You can catch a Grab back, but with a 10–15 minute wait. Tip: agree a return with your driver.

Bus

City bus No. 13 from the Bến xe An Sương station to Củ Chi, then a motorbike taxi. Cheap (~30,000 VND, just over $1) but slow (2–3 hours) and with transfers. A route for hardcore budget travellers.

Speedboat

From central Ho Chi Minh City up the Saigon River — a distinctive way to arrive. A tour from ~$80 covers the boat, a guide and entry. It takes about 1.5 hours, with river and suburban views along the way.

For more on getting around the city, see the full Ho Chi Minh City travel guide.

Practical tips

What to wear: Light clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Long trousers keep off the mosquitoes and the tunnel grime. Closed shoes (trainers, not flip-flops). It is hot and muddy inside — leave the white outfit at the hotel.

What to bring: Water (at least a litre — the heat and humidity drain you), a flashlight (your phone will do), mosquito repellent. Keep your bag small — you can't turn around in the tunnels with a big one.

When to go: In the morning, leaving at 7:00–8:00. By midday the heat builds and the coach groups fill the site. The best months are December–March (dry season). April–May is peak heat, and the tunnels turn into a sauna.

Pros and cons

Pros

• A one-of-a-kind historical site — there is nothing else like it in the world
• You grasp the scale of the Vietnam War through a physical experience
• Cheap: entry 110,000 VND, tours from ~$16
• Good guides (especially in small groups)

Cons

• Heat and humidity. The tunnels are like a steam room. Even 50 metres is hard going
• Ben Dinh feels commercial. Crowds, souvenir stalls, a staged feel
• The film is propaganda. A one-sided take on history — worth keeping in mind
• The range is niche. Loud, pricey (350,000 VND for 10 rounds), with queues
• The drive. 1.5–2 hours each way — half a day goes to logistics

FAQ

How much do the Cu Chi Tunnels cost in 2026?

Entry to Ben Dinh is 110,000 VND (~$4.40) and to Ben Duoc 90,000 VND (~$3.60). A group tour with transfer from Ho Chi Minh City starts at 400,000 VND (~$16). The shooting range is 350,000 VND for 10 rounds. A private tour with a dedicated English-speaking guide starts around $80.

How do I get from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels?

The easiest way is an organised tour with hotel pickup. On your own, a Grab car costs 350,000–400,000 VND one way (about 1.5 hours). There is also a speedboat option up the Saigon River (~$80). The public bus is cheap but slow, with transfers.

Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc — which is better?

Ben Dinh is closer (45 km), has more infrastructure and wider tunnels, and suits a first visit or families. Ben Duoc is more authentic, with original tunnels and a memorial temple, and gets three to four times fewer visitors — a good fit if you want to go deeper into the history.

How much time do I need for the Cu Chi Tunnels?

On site, 2–3 hours (film, exhibits, tunnels, shooting range). With travel from Ho Chi Minh City, budget half a day (5–6 hours). Many people combine it with the Mekong Delta into a two-day trip.

Can I actually go down into the real tunnels?

Yes. Both sites have tunnel sections open to visitors (50–100 m). At Ben Dinh they are widened; at Ben Duoc they are closer to the original size. Exits appear every 20–30 m — if it gets too much, you can come out at any point.

Is the Cu Chi Tunnels tour worth it?

For anyone interested in the Vietnam War, yes — it turns history into a physical experience. A large 40-person coach loses the detail; a small-group English tour (up to about 12 people, from ~$32) is the sweet spot for depth without the crowd.

Information current as of July 2026. Prices and conditions can change — check official sources before your trip.