How to visit Cu Chi tunnels: A complete travel guide

The Cu Chi tunnels are one of Vietnam’s most significant historical landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the country's wartime past. This guide will take you through the importance of this underground network, uncover its fascinating history, and highlight must-try activities like tunnel exploration and shooting ranges. Plus, you’ll find essential travel tips to ensure a smooth and memorable visit. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or an adventurous traveler, visiting Cu Chi tunnels is an experience you won’t want to miss!

Cu Chi tunnels: Everything you need to know

Known as an extensive underground network, Cu Chi Tunnels showcase Vietnam’s resilience and wartime ingenuity. Now, let’s explore all the essential details about this historic site!

Why should you visit Cu Chi tunnels?

Located about 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels is a unique architectural work, a vivid historical evidence of the Vietnamese people's resistance war to save the country.

Originating from simple short tunnels in Tan Phu Trung and Phuoc Vinh An communes, Cu Chi district, the tunnels were initially just a hiding place, hiding secret documents of revolutionary soldiers. However, with strong will and constant creativity, the tunnels were gradually expanded and completed, becoming a complex, interconnected bunker system, stretching across 6 communes in the north of Cu Chi district.

Today, Cu Chi Tunnels are preserved and developed into an important historical relic site, consisting of two main areas: Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh. Here, visitors have the opportunity to explore the tunnel system with intricate tunnels, secret bunkers, sophisticated traps... All of which realistically recreate the life and arduous but resilient fighting of the army and people of Cu Chi during the years of resistance.

Not only a historical relic, Cu Chi tunnels are also an attractive eco-tourism destination. With a cool, fresh green space, visitors can participate in experiential activities such as shooting, throwing grenades, or enjoying rustic dishes with a strong rural flavor.

Where are Cu Chi tunnels and how to get there?

📍Location: Road 15, Phu Hiep Hamlet, Phu My Hung Commune, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh city.

If you're wondering how to reach Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City, here are the best travel options, meeting the needs of each tourist.

By bus

Buses are a budget-friendly way to visit Cu Chi Tunnels for many young people. From Ben Thanh station, you can choose one of two routes: bus number 13 (Ben Thanh - Cu Chi) or bus number 94 (Cho Lon - Cu Chi) to get to Cu Chi station.

Ben Duoc Tunnels: From Cu Chi station, you continue to travel by bus number 79 (Cu Chi - Dau Tieng) to get to Ben Duoc Tunnels.

Ben Dinh Tunnels: From Cu Chi station, you transfer to bus number 122 (An Suong - Tan Quy) to get to Tan Quy station, then take bus number 70 (Tan Quy - Ben Suc) to get to Ben Dinh Tunnels.

By motorbike or car

Those who love freedom and exploration can choose to travel by motorbike or car along the route Truong Chinh - An Suong Intersection - Hoc Mon - Provincial Road 15 - Cu Chi Tunnels. This journey not only offers the opportunity to sightsee and enjoy local cuisine, but also allows you to visit the Wildlife Rescue Station near Ben Dinh Tunnels.

However, with a distance of 70 km and a travel time of about 2 hours, driving yourself can be tiring. Therefore, we suggest that you consider using a bus or renting a car with a private driver to ensure safety and convenience for the trip.

Entrance fees & opening hours

Before planning your trip, here are the Cu Chi Tunnels opening hours and ticket prices:

Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily)

Entrance fee:

• Adults: 70,000 VND/person (~$3)

• Children (7–16 years old) & students: 35,000 VND/person (~$1.5)

• Free entry for children under 7, people with disabilities, war veterans, and low-income households.

If you want to experience more about the life and activities of the Cu Chi army and people during the resistance war, don't miss the Cu Chi Liberated Zone Reenactment Area. The entrance ticket to this area costs 85,000 VND/person (~$3.5/person).

Must-try activities at Cu Chi Tunnels

Although it is a historical site, Cu Chi Tunnels are not boring, just sightseeing or sightseeing. Coming here, you will experience new and surprising things about the culture and history of our country. Let's pocket the outstanding activities at the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Site and the surrounding area.

Explore the underground tunnels

This is definitely the main attraction at the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Site. You will visit and explore every corner of the 120m long tunnel system with 2 floors; especially, you can experience the sweet potato, cassava, and yam with sesame salt that Hoang Cam's kitchen made for the locals and soldiers to eat in the past.

Cu Chi Tunnels were built with laterite clay, so they are very durable, and there are almost no landslides. In addition, the vents are designed to protrude above ground and are discreetly camouflaged, so you can rest assured when visiting. However, because the passage is quite narrow, sometimes you have to bend over and move on your knees, which will cause a bit of difficulty breathing, so remember to consider your health and physical condition before participating in tunnel crawling.

Discover the Cu Chi liberation zone reenactment area

As the name suggests, this is where you can watch documentary films about the glorious historical years of soldiers and people of Cu Chi from 1961 to 1972. This area is divided into three main spaces:

Space 1:

Reenacting the fighting, working, studying, and living life of people, cadres, and Cu Chi guerrillas through very vivid models.

Space 2:

Reenacting the devastation of the countryside with bomb fragments and shells left on Cu Chi land, as well as the painful life of the people during the fierce war period.

Space 3:

Reenacting the desolate land of Cu Chi under the destruction of bombs and bullets, everywhere there are only the remains of tanks and planes, soldiers and civilians have to live underground.

Visit the wildlife rescue station

Although not part of the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Site, if you travel by personal vehicle, you can visit the Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station, which is also located on Provincial Road 15 along with the Cu Chi Tunnels. This is the largest wildlife hospital in the Southern region, and has been rescuing about 3,600 rare animals. Therefore, when visiting this place, you will not only see wild animals, but also learn about their stories through the rescuers.

Try shooting activities

This is a place that attracts many young people and those who like to experience thrilling activities. There are two services for you to choose from: defense sports shooting and paintball shooting.

With defense sports shooting, you can try your hand at shooting rifles, learn how to disassemble and assemble guns under the guidance of staff. The price of bullets for each type of gun ranges from 40,000 VND to 60,000 VND/bullet (~$2-$3/ bullet)

If you go in a large group and want to play collectively, choose paintball shooting. With this game, you have the opportunity to show your coordination skills with teammates, your ability to judge, as well as your reaction speed. The cost of this service is 50,000 VND/person ( $2/ person) for each 60-minute session, and the price of bullets is 3,000 VND/bullet.

Essential tips for visiting Cu Chi tunnels

To ensure a comfortable and insightful experience, consider these tips before you visit Cu Chi Tunnels:

Choose the best time to visit

The ideal time to visit Cu Chi Tunnels is during the dry season (November to April) when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for outdoor exploration. The tunnels can get crowded, so visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon can help you avoid large tour groups.

Wear comfortable clothing and footwear

Since you'll be walking through jungle trails and crawling in narrow tunnels, lightweight, breathable clothing is recommended. Closed-toe shoes or sneakers will provide better support and protection than sandals.

Be prepared for the underground experience

The tunnels are dark, narrow, and humid, which may be challenging for those who are claustrophobic. If you’re unsure, you can try the wider, shorter sections before attempting the tighter spaces. Bringing a small flashlight can also be helpful.

Follow the guide’s instructions

For safety reasons, always listen to your guide, especially when exploring the tunnels or trying activities like shooting. The tunnels have hidden traps and confined spaces, so staying with your group ensures a safe experience.

Bring essentials for a comfortable visit

Pack a bottle of water, sunscreen, and insect repellent, as you'll be outdoors for most of the tour. A hat or sunglasses will also help protect you from the sun.

Respect the historical significance

Cu Chi Tunnels is not just a tourist attraction but an important war memorial. Be mindful of the site's history, avoid making loud noises, and show respect for the artifacts and reenactments.

By keeping these tips in mind, you'll have a smooth, insightful, and memorable visit to one of Vietnam’s most iconic historical sites.

A visit to Cu Chi Tunnels is an unforgettable journey into Vietnam’s past, showcasing resilience and military ingenuity. From exploring the underground maze to learning about Cu Chi Tunnels history and experiencing wartime activities, this site offers a deep connection to Vietnam’s heroic legacy. So, if you're looking for an adventure with historical significance, make sure to visit Cu Chi Tunnels – a must-visit historic site in Vietnam!

Book your Cu Chi Tunnels tour with Hanoi Voyages today and explore Vietnam’s history like never before!