Explore Cu Chi Tunnels – “The Underground City” of Vietnam
1. Overview of Cu Chi Tunnels
Location: Located on Provincial Road 15, Phu Hiep Hamlet, Phu My Hung Commune, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 70 km northwest of the city center).
Scale: The tunnel system spreads over an area of more than 250 km², comprising an underground network of living quarters, storage rooms, meeting rooms, Hoang Cung (Hoang Cung) kitchens, field hospitals… all dug entirely by hand.
Historical Significance: Formed during the anti-French resistance (1946–1948) and developed rapidly between 1961 and 1965. It served as a resilient revolutionary base featuring a 3-tier underground structure at various depths (3m, 6m, and deeper than 12m).
2. How to Get to Cu Chi Tunnels
Motorbike or Private Car: From central Ho Chi Minh City, take Truong Chinh Street – National Route 22 – Provincial Road 15 straight to Cu Chi.
Public Bus (Budget-friendly):
To Ben Duoc Tunnels: Take Bus No. 13 (Ben Thanh – Cu Chi Bus Station) or No. 94 (Cho Lon – Cu Chi Bus Station), then transfer to Bus No. 79 to reach Ben Duoc Tunnels.
To Ben Dinh Tunnels: Take Bus No. 13 or 94 to An Suong Bus Station, transfer to Bus No. 122 to Tan Quy Bus Station, and then catch Bus No. 70 to Ben Dinh.
Speedboat / Water Taxi (Saigon Waterbus & Riverboat): Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Saigon River surrounded by lush natural greenery.
Taxi / Ride-hailing Services: Costs around 600,000 – 700,000 VND per trip.
3. Opening Hours & Ticket Prices
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily (including weekends and holidays).
Entrance Fee:
Adults: 35,000 VND/person (Vietnamese visitors) | 70,000 VND/person (International visitors).
Students & Children (7–16 years old): 50% discount.
Children under 7, persons with disabilities, armed forces, and revolution contributors: Free entry.
Liberation Zone Reenactment Area Ticket: 65,000 VND/person.
4. Top Must-Try Experiences at Cu Chi Tunnels
– Underground Tunnel Crawl: Experience crawling through narrow tunnel sections (widened for visitors) stretching across 2 levels for about 120 meters to get a firsthand look at the living and fighting quarters of past guerrillas.
– Explore the Cu Chi Liberation Zone Reenactment Area (38.5 hectares): Faithfully recreates 3 historical periods (1961–1964, 1965–1968, 1969–1972), offering deep insights into the life and unyielding spirit of local people.
– Visit the Simulated East Sea Lake: A large landscape lake recreating the East Sea, planted with trees from all three regions of Vietnam alongside miniature architectural models of One Pillar Pagoda, Ngo Mon Gate (Hue), and Nha Rong Wharf.
– Try Shooting Range & Paintball: Test your marksmanship at the shooting range with real sports rifles (AK-47, AR-15…) or take part in tactical paintball games.
– Visit the Wildlife Rescue Station: Located about 1 km from the tunnels, home to the rescue and care of over 3,000 rare and endangered animals.
– Enjoy Trung An Fruit Orchard: Savor fresh tropical fruits straight off the trees, including rambutan, mangosteen, durian, and jackfruit.
5. Must-Try Local Culinary Specialties
– Boiled Tapioca with Sesame Salt: A simple wartime signature dish served with hot tea, offered complimentary right at the underground Hoang Cung kitchen.
– Minh Quy Pork Knuckle Noodle Soup (Bun gio heo): A famous, long-standing local breakfast favorite.
– Cu Chi Veal (Bò tơ Củ Chi): Tender, flavorful local beef prepared into various delicious dishes.
– Durian Sugarcane Juice: A unique, aromatic refreshing beverage available along Highway 22.
6. Important Visitor Tips
Wear neat, comfortable clothing and sports shoes or flat footwear for easy movement inside the tunnels.
Visitors with a history of heart conditions, high blood pressure, or claustrophobia should consider carefully before crawling deep into the lower tunnel tiers.
Separate tickets are required for recreational activities such as shooting, boating, or bike rentals.