Guide to visit Cu Chi tunnels - day trips from Ho Chi Minh city
Posted By : Threeland Travel / Ho Chi Minh ( Saigon )
Located about 60 km to the northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi tunnels is an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese guerrillas to protect the region against the American attacks during the Vietnam war.
Beneath the ground, the special “town” was firstly built from around 1946 – 1948, and it occupies an area of over 200 km, dug by hand and inhabited by the forces of the Vietnamese guerillas during the conflict. At its peak, prior to the Tet Offensive in 1968, the tunnel complex was base to almost 10,000 troops. Inside the tunnels, you can see all the essential parts of the daily life such as hospitals, schools, kitchens, bedroom, … The entrance of the tunnels was covered with a secret wooden door, which is in very small size fitting Vietnamese people, and camouflage leaves above.
To this day, it remains one of the most impressive examples of how fierce the war used to be. We can even crawl a part inside the tunnel, visit their infirmary, kitchen.... to discover how people had survived hereby.
Currently, only 2 parts of the Cu Chi tunnels allows the public to visit:
• Ben Dinh tunnels: located next to Saigon river, this is the place where Cu Chi Commissioners had meetings and discussed the plan during the war, having 4 tunnels with examples of underground sleeping quarters, command posts, and medical posts. At this place, you also can experience the shooting guns which attracts many tourists to participate in when traveling to Ben Dinh tunnels (not included in entrance fees).
• Ben Duoc tunnels: About 5 times bigger than Ben Dinh tunnels (17 hec), you can see how tough a life in these cramped tunnels can be, and try to challenge yourself to overcome the odds.
If you are already in Saigon and you want to explore Cu Chi tunnels, we have some typical choices with daily departure from Saigon for your references:
1. Half-day tour to Cu Chi tunnels
Duration: about 6 hours (07:30 – 13:30)
Services: including entrance fee, guide and transportation – Available with both private and seat-in-coach tour.
Depending on your selected time, you can choose to visit in the morning or in the afternoon in the city center. Normally, it will take us about 1.5 – 2 hours to get to the Ben Dinh tunnels, where most of the tours take the visitors to visit, instead of Ben Dinh tunnels, which takes us more time visiting. Then the visiting will occupy about 2 hours when the local guide will show you all the details of the tunnels and helps you get the real experience of the underground networks. During the visit, you will have chance to taste delicious manioc which is the main food in Cu Chi during the war, as well as try the shooting guns (at your own cost).
Finish the tour and you will be taken back to the appointed place.
2. Full-day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels
Duration: about 8 hours (08:00 – 16:00)
Services: including entrance fee, guide and transportation – Available with both private and seat-in-coach tour.
Besides the Cu Chi tunnels, the full-day tour will also bring to the Holy land – Tay Ninh province (about 90km from Ho Chi Minh city), the centre of Caodaism, a local sect of Buddhism founded by a Vietnamese countryman in early 20th century.
Depart in the morning from Saigon and you will reach Tay Ninh at noon time, you will have the chance to join the daily solemn ceremony at the temple of Cao Dai called Tayninh Holysee.
On the way back to Saigon, you will pay a visit to Cu Chi tunnels and explore the incredible network under the ground (the activities will be the same as the half-day tour).
Finish the tour and you will be taken back to the appointed place.
3. Tour to Cu Chi tunnels by speedboat
Duration: about 6 hours (07:30 – 13:30)
Services: including entrance fee, guide and transportation – Available with both private and seat-in-coach tour.
Apart from the normal tour with land transfer, we have an option of half-day tour to Cu Chi by speedboat along Saigon river, which will bring you a different feeling.
Transfer from hotel to Tan Cang pier to board the speedboat. When on board, enjoy your light breakfast with cakes and some fresh fruits, as well as enjoy the fresh air and understand the daily life of local citizens living along the river banks. After about 1 hour, you will reach Cu Chi tunnels and start your excursion to explore the networks of the tunnels.
Finish the tour and you will board the boat back to Saigon.
Whether you choose the private tour or join tour to explore Cu Chi – a special underground networks, we hope that through this trip, you still can learn more about the spirits of Vietnamese people during the war through the special underground networks, and especially appreciate the importance of the peace.
Read more:
1. Top Exciting Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City | Book private city tour with Threeland Travel
2. Ho Chi Minh weather – Should you avoid visiting during wet season?
