Cu Chi Tunnels Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: Complete 2026 Guide
The Cu Chi tunnels are located 70 kilometres northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Two sites are open: Ben Dinh (closer, busier) and Ben Duoc (farther, quieter). Half-day tours cost 300,000 to 600,000 VND (12 to 24 USD at the November 2026 rate of 25,000 VND per USD). You can also go independently by bus for 40,000 VND. Entrance is 150,000 VND per adult. Plan 5 to 6 hours total including transport. This information is valid as of November 2026.
The tunnels are a 250-kilometre underground network used during the Vietnam War, recognized for their role in guerrilla warfare. Visiting offers insight into the conditions soldiers and civilians endured underground. Both sites feature original tunnel sections, trap demonstrations, and war relics, though they differ in atmosphere and accessibility.
Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc: Which Cu Chi Tunnels Site to Choose
Two sites are open to visitors: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc. Ben Dinh is 50 kilometres from central Ho Chi Minh City and takes about 1.5 hours to reach. It is the more popular site, with more infrastructure and larger tour groups. The tunnels here have been widened slightly to accommodate Western visitors, and the site includes a shooting range where you can fire AK-47s or M16s for an additional fee (around 35,000 VND per bullet as of November 2026, according to visitor reports).
Ben Duoc is 70 kilometres from the city centre, about 2 hours away. It is larger, less crowded, and more of the tunnel network remains in a closer-to-original state. The site includes a memorial temple and fewer commercial activities. If you prefer a quieter experience with fewer tour buses, Ben Duoc is the better choice. If convenience and shorter travel time matter more, Ben Dinh is easier to reach.
Both sites have English-speaking guides (usually included in organized tours) and explanatory displays. Neither site is accessible for wheelchairs or people with significant mobility limitations, as crawling through narrow tunnel sections is part of the experience.
Cu Chi Tunnels Entrance Fee and Opening Hours
As of November 2026, the entrance fee for Ben Dinh is 150,000 VND per adult (approximately 6 USD) and 80,000 VND for children under 15, according to the official Cu Chi Tunnels website cudaytour.com. Ben Duoc charges the same rates. The sites are open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Tickets are purchased at the entrance; there is no advance online booking system for individual visitors.
If you join an organized tour, the entrance fee is usually included in the tour price. Always confirm what is covered when booking.
Half-Day Tours from Ho Chi Minh City
Most visitors take a half-day tour from Ho Chi Minh City. Tours typically depart between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM, returning around 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, or leave around 1:00 PM and return by 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Group tours in air-conditioned buses cost 300,000 to 600,000 VND per person (12 to 24 USD), including hotel pickup, transport, entrance fee, and a guide. Private tours start around 1,200,000 VND (approximately 48 USD) for two people.
Tours usually include a brief stop to watch a propaganda film from the 1960s (available in English), a guided walk through the tunnel complex, demonstrations of booby traps, and time to crawl through a short tunnel section (optional). Some tours include a tasting of tapioca root, a staple food for tunnel residents during the war.
Book through your hotel, a travel agency in District 1, or online platforms. Read recent reviews to check the quality of the guide and the size of the group. Smaller groups generally mean more time to ask questions and explore at your own pace.
Combined Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Tours
Full-day tours combining the Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta are popular but long (12 to 14 hours). These tours typically visit Ben Dinh in the morning, then continue south to My Tho or Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta for a boat trip, lunch, and visits to local workshops (coconut candy, honey farms). Prices range from 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND per person (32 to 60 USD), including meals, transport, and entrance fees.
The pace is fast, with limited time at each site. If you want to explore both areas in depth, consider separate day trips instead. Combined tours are efficient if your time in Ho Chi Minh City is very short and you want an overview of both destinations.
Going to Cu Chi Tunnels on Your Own
You can visit the Cu Chi tunnels independently without a tour. From Ho Chi Minh City, take bus number 13 from the Ben Thanh bus station (near Ben Thanh Market) to Cu Chi town (Bến xe Củ Chi), which costs around 25,000 VND and takes about 2 hours. From Cu Chi bus station, take a local bus or xe ôm (motorbike taxi) to Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc (another 15 to 30 minutes, around 15,000 to 50,000 VND depending on negotiation).
Alternatively, book a Grab car or taxi for the round trip. A Grab from central Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Dinh costs approximately 500,000 to 700,000 VND one way (20 to 28 USD), depending on traffic and time of day. Agree on a return time with the driver or book a return trip separately. This option is more expensive but faster and more flexible than public transport.
A third option is to rent a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City and ride to the tunnels. The route is straightforward (follow Highway 22 northwest), but traffic leaving the city is heavy and chaotic. This is only recommended if you are confident riding in Vietnamese traffic. Parking at the sites costs around 10,000 VND.
Going independently means you miss the guided commentary unless you hire a guide at the entrance (available at both sites for around 200,000 to 300,000 VND per group). The explanatory signs are in Vietnamese and English, but a guide provides context and answers questions.
How Long to Spend at the Cu Chi Tunnels
Plan 2 to 3 hours at the site itself. This includes watching the introductory film (15 to 20 minutes), walking the main trail (1 to 1.5 hours), crawling through a tunnel section (5 to 10 minutes if you choose to do it), and visiting the displays and shooting range if interested. Add travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours each way from central Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Dinh, or 2 to 2.5 hours to Ben Duoc.
If you join a half-day tour, expect to be away from your hotel for 5 to 6 hours in total. Full-day combined tours with the Mekong Delta take 12 to 14 hours.
What to Wear and Bring to the Cu Chi Tunnels
Wear comfortable, modest clothing that you do not mind getting dusty. The tunnels are narrow and low, and crawling through them means your clothes will touch dirt and clay. Long, lightweight trousers and a T-shirt or short-sleeved shirt are ideal. Avoid shorts if you plan to crawl through the tunnels, as your knees will scrape the ground.
Closed-toe shoes with good grip are essential. The site has uneven paths, tree roots, and muddy sections if it has rained. Sandals or flip-flops are not suitable. Bring a hat and sunscreen, as much of the site is outdoors with limited shade. Insect repellent is useful, especially during the rainy season (May to November), when mosquitoes are more common.
Carry water (you can buy bottles at the entrance, around 15,000 to 20,000 VND). The site has basic toilets but no other facilities. If you are claustrophobic, you can skip the tunnel crawl; it is not mandatory.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels
Arrive early to avoid the largest tour groups, especially at Ben Dinh. The site is busiest between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Afternoons are quieter but hotter. Bring small denominations of Vietnamese dong for entrance fees, snacks, and tips if you hire a guide.
Most travellers from the United States, Australia, India and Canada need a visa or e-visa for Vietnam; the official portal is evisa.gov.vn. If you prefer someone to handle the application, visa-vietnam.app can do it. visa-vietnam.app is run by the same publisher as this site.
Photography is allowed throughout the site, but be respectful. The tunnels are a war memorial, and some areas display graphic images or remains. Do not touch unexploded ordnance displays or climb on structures unless permitted.
If you are interested in more historical and cultural sites in Ho Chi Minh City, read the guide to things to do in Ho Chi Minh City for a complete itinerary.
Historical Context of the Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi tunnel network was built over two decades, starting in the late 1940s during the war against French colonial forces and expanding significantly during the Vietnam War (1955–1975). The tunnels connected villages, provided hiding spots, and housed living quarters, hospitals, and command centres. At their peak, the network stretched over 250 kilometres and had multiple levels, some reaching depths of 10 metres.
The area around Cu Chi was a Viet Cong stronghold near Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). American and South Vietnamese forces conducted extensive operations to destroy the tunnels, including bombing campaigns and the use of chemical defoliants. Despite this, the tunnels remained operational until the end of the war in 1975.
Today, the sites are managed by the Vietnamese government and are part of the Cu Chi War History Relic Site. They serve as both a tourist attraction and a memorial to those who lived and fought in the tunnels. According to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (vietnam.travel), the Cu Chi tunnels are one of the most visited historical sites in southern Vietnam.
What You Will See at the Cu Chi Tunnels
Both Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc feature similar attractions. You will see reconstructed tunnel entrances disguised by leaves and soil, which were nearly invisible to soldiers searching on foot. Guides demonstrate how fighters hid in these entrances and how they were used for surprise attacks.
Trap displays show the types of booby traps used, including punji stakes and swinging traps. These are replicas, but they illustrate the ingenuity and danger of guerrilla warfare. The sites also have above-ground bunkers, kitchens with smoke-dispersing chimneys (designed to prevent detection), and weapon displays.
The tunnel sections open to tourists have been widened from their original size (often as narrow as 60 to 80 centimetres wide and 80 to 120 centimetres high). Even widened, they are tight and dark. You crawl on hands and knees for 20 to 100 metres, depending on the section you choose. Exit points are marked every 20 to 30 metres if you want to leave early.
At Ben Duoc, the Cu Chi Martyr Memorial Temple honours the 50,000 people from the area who died during the war. The temple is a peaceful spot with gardens and sculptures, contrasting with the more commercial atmosphere of Ben Dinh.
Booking a Tour or Going Independently: Which Is Better
If you want historical context and prefer not to navigate transport, a half-day tour is the simplest option. Tours provide a guide who explains the significance of the tunnels, the war history, and the daily life of those who lived underground. Group tours are affordable and efficient, though you will be part of a larger group and follow a fixed schedule.
Going independently offers more flexibility. You can arrive early or late, spend as much or as little time as you want, and explore at your own pace. However, you miss the guided commentary unless you hire a local guide at the entrance. If you are comfortable with Vietnamese public transport or have experience navigating unfamiliar routes, this option works well.
Private tours are a middle ground: you get a guide and flexible timing, but at a higher cost. This is ideal for small groups or families who want personalized attention.
Cu Chi Tunnels with Children
The Cu Chi tunnels are suitable for older children (10 years and up) who are interested in history and comfortable with physical activity. Younger children may find the tunnel crawl frightening or the historical content too intense. The sites have displays of weapons and traps that some parents may consider inappropriate for very young children.
Children under 15 receive discounted entrance fees (80,000 VND as of November 2026). Most tours accommodate families, but confirm the itinerary and group size when booking. Private tours are easier with children, as you can adjust the pace and skip sections if needed.
What to Remember About Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi tunnels are a significant historical site that offers a tangible connection to the Vietnam War. Ben Dinh is closer and more developed; Ben Duoc is quieter and more authentic. Half-day tours are convenient and include transport, entrance, and a guide, while going independently is cheaper and more flexible but requires planning. Entrance fees are 150,000 VND per adult as of November 2026. Wear comfortable, modest clothing and closed-toe shoes, and plan 2 to 3 hours at the site.
Your next step is to decide whether to book a tour or go independently, and whether you want to visit Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc. If you are planning a longer stay in southern Vietnam, consider combining the tunnels with other sites in Ho Chi Minh City or a trip to the Mekong Delta.
Frequently asked questions
Jérémie
Author, based in Da Nang
A French entrepreneur living in Da Nang, Jérémie writes these guides from first-hand experience and official sources, cited and dated.
About the author