January
26.8°C ~ 80°F
4 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
Ho Chi Minh City
Cu Chi Tunnels
A hidden underground network from the war years, with tunnels you can crawl through.
- Time needed
- Half day
- Entry fee
- 110,000 VND
- Best months
- Dec – Apr
- Best time
- Morning, before the heat and the tour groups
Overview
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a huge underground network that local fighters dug during the wars of the 1940s to 1970s. In total the tunnels run for around 250 km, with rooms for living, cooking, storing food and treating the wounded, all hidden beneath farmland and forest.
Today two sections are open to visitors: Ben Dinh, the closer and busier one, and Ben Duoc, which is further away and quieter. You walk through the forest with a guide, see hidden trapdoors and booby traps, and can crawl through a short tunnel section that has been widened for visitors.
Highlights
- Crawl through a widened section of tunnel
- See hidden trapdoors and booby traps
- Visit the underground kitchens and meeting rooms
- Taste boiled tapioca with peanuts and salt, as eaten by fighters
Visitor information
| Opening hours | Daily, about 8:00 – 17:00 |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | Ben Dinh: about 110,000 VND per adult Ben Duoc: about 90,000 VND per adult |
| Time needed | Half day |
| Best time of day | Morning, before the heat and the tour groups |
| Good for | History fans, families with older children, adventurous travellers |
| Accessibility | Uneven forest paths; the tunnels are narrow and low, so they are not suitable for anyone who is claustrophobic or has limited mobility |
| Facilities | Toilets, drinks stalls, a small cafe, a shooting range at both sites |
Prices and hours can change. Check the official source before you go.
Best time to visit
Weather in Ho Chi Minh City by month.
February
27.4°C ~ 81°F
3 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
March
28.6°C ~ 83°F
4 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
April
29.2°C ~ 85°F
11 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
May
28.8°C ~ 84°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
June
27.7°C ~ 82°F
26 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
27.2°C ~ 81°F
29 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
27.2°C ~ 81°F
29 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
26.9°C ~ 80°F
29 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
October
26.7°C ~ 80°F
26 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
November
26.8°C ~ 80°F
18 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
December
26.6°C ~ 80°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
How to get there
From Ho Chi Minh City centre
Cu Chi is about 1.5 to 2 hours by road from central Ho Chi Minh City. Most visitors join a half-day tour with a guide, or take a private car or a Grab. A public bus (route 79) goes to Cu Chi, but you then need a short taxi ride to the tunnel site.
Tips before you go
- Go in the morning and wear light clothes and closed shoes
- Skip the tunnel crawl if you dislike tight spaces; you can exit at any point
- Bring insect repellent and water
- Decide in advance if you want the shooting range, which is charged separately
Location
Phu Hiep, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City
About 50 km (Ben Dinh) to 70 km (Ben Duoc) north-west of central Ho Chi Minh City
More attractions in Ho Chi Minh City
FAQs
Which Cu Chi site is better, Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc?
Ben Dinh is closer and more crowded. Ben Duoc is further away, quieter and has more of a forest feel, so choose it if you want more space.
How long does the visit take?
Plan about 2 to 3 hours on site, plus the drive. A half-day tour usually takes 5 to 6 hours in total.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes for older children. The tunnels are narrow, and the shooting range can be loud.