Cu Chi Tunnels are increasingly developing, not only is it a military project and a national historical relic, but Cu Chi Tunnels is also an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists, attracting millions of visitors each year. year. Join Visithcmc to discover what's inside the Cu Chi tunnels!

1. Brief Introduction to Cu Chi Tunnels:

1.1. Introduction to Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels is located at Provincial Road 15, Phu Hiep Hamlet, Phu Hung Commune, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City. 70km northwest of the center.

The Cu Chi Tunnels consisted of a network of underground tunnels, earth tunnels, underground bases, storage rooms, offices, kitchens and infirmaries. This system is vast, stretching over an area of more than 250 square kilometers. The tunnels are usually low and narrow in height, and are dug manually with rudimentary materials. This system was dug by the Viet Minh resistance army and the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam during the Indochina War and Vietnam War.

1.2. History of formation and important role of Cu Chi Tunnels in the Vietnam War.

Cu Chi Tunnels is the common name of different tunnel systems, built during the war against the French from 1946-1948. During this time, our soldiers and people from two communes Tan Phu Trung and Phuoc Vinh An dug short tunnels with simple structures for the purpose of hiding, hiding documents and specialized weapons.

Initially, each village dug separate tunnels and tunnels to hide, but due to the need to travel between villages, they linked the tunnels together to form a complex, interconnected tunnel system. The 6 communes in the North of Cu Chi create conditions for our army to easily communicate, transmit information and plan a strategic revolution.

During the period from 1961 - 1965, this project was developed into many branches connecting with the axis routes to form continuous tunnels connecting hamlets, communes and surrounding areas. On the ground, our army and people also dug an intricate belt of trenches connecting the tunnels, which were divided into many floors and many nooks and crannies. In addition, it is equipped with many fighting emplacements, bunkers, minefields,... arranged in clusters to create a solid battlefield to serve the fighting of our army and people.

By 1965, about 200km of tunnels had been dug, with 3 different depth levels, the upper level is about 3m above the ground, the middle level is about 5 - 8m above the ground and the bottom level is more than 12m deep. At this time, the bunkers were no longer just shelters but became places for living, first aid, weapons storage and meetings for our soldiers and people.

2. Instructions on how to move to Cu Chi Tunnels from the city center

Traveling to Cu Chi Tunnels from the city center with a distance of about 70km, you should choose the most convenient means of transport for yourself. Please refer to some typical means such as:

- Motorbike or car: From the city center to get to Cu Chi tunnel by these two means, you can follow Truong Chinh, National Highway 22, Provincial Highway 15 and reach Cu Chi territory. If your phone is equipped with internet, turn on google map and find the destination Cu Chi tunnels, the map will guide you to the place with the nearest route. Traveling by personal vehicle, you will have the opportunity to admire the scenery along the way and enjoy the typical dishes here.
- Bus to Ben Duoc tunnels, Phu Hiep hamlet, Phu My Hung commune, Cu Chi District:
- Bus route number 13: Departs from Ben Thanh to Cu Chi Bus Station, from Cu Chi Bus Station take bus number 79 to Ben Duoc tunnel.
- Bus route number 94: Departs from Cho Lon Bus Station to Cu Chi Bus Station, from Cu Chi Bus Station take bus number 79 to Ben Duoc Tunnel.
- Bus to Ben Dinh Tunnels, Ben Dinh Hamlet, Nhuan Duc Commune, Cu Chi District:
+ Bus route number 13: Departs from Ben Thanh to An Suong bus station, from An Suong bus station take bus number 122 to Tan Quy bus station, from Tan Quy bus station take bus number 70 to Ben Dinh tunnels.
+ Bus route number 94: Departs from Cho Lon Bus Station to An Suong bus station, from An Suong bus station take bus number 122 to Tan Quy bus station, from Tan Quy bus station take bus number 70 to Ben Dinh tunnels .

- Taxi: If you do not have your own vehicle, do not want to take the bus, then a taxi is the best solution for you. From the city center, you can go to Cu Chi tunnels with the price from 600-700 thousand VND/time.
- Cano, boat: Another solution to get to Cu Chi tunnels is to experience on the river. You can find out about the Cu Chi Tunnels tour by GREENLINE DP train in 1 day including lunch and visiting other locations along the way. Traveling by this means of transportation, you will feel the freshness of nature and admire the charming poetic scenery on both sides of the river.

3. Opening hours and ticket prices to visit Cu Chi Tunnels

Entrance tickets to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Relic Area are as follows:

- Adults: 35,000 VND/person for Vietnamese tourists, 70,000 VND/person for foreign tourists.
- Children from 7 to 16 years old and students receive a 50% discount on official ticket prices.
- Children under 7 years old, people with disabilities, the elderly, armed forces, people with meritorious services to the revolution and poor households receive free admission.
- Ticket price to visit the Liberation Zone Reenactment Area: 65,000 VND/person.

4. Activities and experiences at Cu Chi Tunnels

4.1. Visit Cu Chi tunnels

Visiting the Cu Chi tunnels is a unique experience for you to learn about the history and culture of Vietnam, as well as a part of the underground life of our army and people during the war. Through your guide, you will be led to parts of the tunnel system that are open to visitors.

With a 120km track divided into 2 floors, you will have the opportunity to step into the tunnels, experience the feeling of underground life and see how this environment has supported the survival and combat of the soldiers. Because the tunnels were built during the war with a small, narrow aisle design and sometimes have to stoop and kneel to move, visitors need to consider before stepping down to experience.

Besides, you will experience wartime cuisine with bold local dishes that locals often eat when living in the basement such as potatoes, cassava and ground tubers dipped with sesame salt.

4.2. Explore the recreation area of the Cu Chi liberated area

The area recreating the Cu Chi liberated area is an important part of the experience of visiting the Cu Chi tunnels. This is a space built on an area of 38.5 hectares to recreate the landscape and life in the Cu Chi area after being liberated from the American army. Coming here, you will be able to review documentary footage about the years of heroic fighting, the lives and activities of our army and people during the period from 1961 - 1972. The project is divided into 3 spaces as follows:

Space 1: Recreating the time of war in the years 1961 - 1964. Introducing the fighting, living, working and studying life of the people, officers and soldiers operating in the liberated area Cu Chi through vivid models.

Space 2: Recreating the devastated countryside and the painful lives of people during the war when devastated by bombs and bullets in the years 1965 - 1968.

Space 3: Recreating the land of Cu Chi in the years 1969 - 1972, when the enemy threw hundreds of tons of toxic chemicals and bombs to devastate, turning this place into a desolate white land, with no life left on the ground. All that's left are bomb shells, plane wrecks, and tanks. Causing people and soldiers to only be able to live underground.

4.3. Visit the swimming pool simulating the East Sea

In 2002, Cu Chi Tunnels built a landscape lake simulating the East Sea and planted precious timber forests in three regions according to the map of Vietnam. By 2008, 3 more architectural models were built that are symbols of the 3 regions such as: One Pillar Pagoda, Ngo Mon Hue, Nha Rong Wharf and were inaugurated in 2009.

Visitors coming here will admire the above architectural works with their majesty. Besides, when coming to this area, visitors can use the services here such as: riding single bicycles, tandem bicycles, kayaking, swan riding around the lake simulating the East Sea to see the panoramic view of the lake. , 3 miniature models and typical forests of three regions.

In addition, this area also built a separate large-sized swimming pool with full changing room, shower and restroom services. Visitors can immerse themselves in the clear blue water and enjoy the fresh atmosphere of this place after a visit to meaningful historical sites.
Note that each type of service will have a specificed price.

4.4. Try your hand at the Cu Chi tunnel shooting area

Tourists coming to Cu Chi tunnels are also quite interested in shooting activities. There are services for you to choose from:

- National defense sports shooting: is a military subject that many tourists participate in. Visitors can experience the feeling of shooting on weapons from the war, after being fully instructed on how to use weapons and how to perform shooting techniques, you can test your skills with animal-shaped targets at the national defense sports shooting range.

- Paintball gun shooting: is a group movement game that is both military and sporty. With this game, you will become warriors who are fighting in the jungle. Each person will be fully equipped with helmets, masks, military uniforms, armor and weapons AR15 or AK47 guns. Paint spray gun shooting game will help you show teamwork skills, judgment as well as quick reaction speed. This is a type of entertainment that visitors should not ignore.

4.5. Visit a wildlife rescue station

Although it is not within the Cu Chi Tunnels relic area, if you travel by personal vehicle you can visit the Cu Chi wildlife rescue station located on Provincial Road 15, this location is about 30 km from the center of the tunnels. 1 kilometer. This is considered the largest wildlife rescue station in the Southern region with more than 3,000 rare animal species. When coming here, visitors will not only come into contact with wild animals in the natural environment but also hear stories about them from rescue workers.

4.6. Trung An fruit garden in Cu Chi tunnels

Trung An fruit garden located in the Cu Chi tunnels is a quite famous and interesting destination for tourists. Here, you can see many different types of fruit trees such as mango, coconut, jackfruit, custard apple, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, plum, durian... What is interesting is that after visiting and exploring the Cu tunnels, Visitors will enjoy fresh fruits and have the opportunity to learn about the process of growing and caring for fruit trees.

5. What should you eat when coming to Cu Chi tunnels?

When visiting Cu Chi tunnels, in addition to visiting beautiful landscapes and historical sites, these local dishes are also an indispensable part. You can enjoy some famous delicious dishes here such as:

- Boiled cassava with salt: This is a typical dish associated with the army and local people since the war. This is a simple dish, but enjoying its taste will help you feel the life of our army and people in the tunnels.

- Minh Quy pork sausage vermicelli: This is an ideal morning dish for you before starting your journey to explore the tunnels. The shop is open all day, so you can come and enjoy it at any time.

- Cu Chi heifers: very famous and must-try dish. Beef here is processed into many different dishes and is also very famous. You can easily find a suitable restaurant along the way to the tunnels.

- Durian sugarcane juice: A specialty in Cu Chi that cannot be ignored is durian sugarcane juice. Moving along Highway 22 in Cu Chi, you will easily see many fresh sugarcane juice carts. This refreshing drink is a blend of freshly squeezed sugarcane and durian to create a delicious, refreshing taste.

6. Note when traveling to Cu Chi Tunnels

- Take note of the opening and closing hours of the tunnels so you can schedule accordingly.
- Although there is no dress code, when coming here, visitors should choose comfortable and neat clothes to facilitate entering the tunnel.
- When going into the tunnels, visitors should bring sports shoes or hiking shoes to move easily.
- Visitors should bring drinking water to keep the body hydrated.
- For tourists who are afraid of tight spaces, they should not go into small tunnels.
- If visitors want to do shooting activities, they need to take the necessary safety measures.

Cu Chi Tunnels is a historical and cultural attraction in Ho Chi Minh City. This place not only helps visitors better understand the Vietnam War but also gives visitors many interesting experiences. Take the time to visit and explore Cu Chi Tunnels for wonderful experiences.