Cu Chi Tunnels Guide 2026: Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc, Tickets and Getting There

The Cu Chi Tunnels are a wartime network of underground passages about 50 to 70 km northwest of central Ho Chi Minh City, depending on which of the two visitor sites you choose. This guide covers the difference between Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc, opening hours, entrance tickets and the realistic ways to get there from District 1 by tour, bus, car or speedboat.

What are the Cu Chi Tunnels?

The Cu Chi Tunnels are a network of more than 200 km of underground passages, dug by local villagers and resistance forces between 1946 and 1968. The area became known as the “Iron Land” because people lived, stored supplies and fought from these tunnels through the wars against France and the United States. In 2015 the site was ranked a Special National Relic, the highest heritage grade in Vietnam.

What surprises most visitors is how complete this underground village was: kitchens with smoke vents, a field hospital, meeting rooms and sleeping areas, all linked by passages barely wider than a person’s shoulders.

Cu Chi Tunnels tours from Ho Chi Minh City

Visiting Cu Chi Tunnels usually takes only about 3 to 5 hours. The tour time depends on the type of tour and the activities you choose. However, to have the most complete exploration experience, visitors should spend at least one session a day. You can refer to some of the following types of tours:

• Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels Tour: suitable for visitors with busy schedules and the tour only visits part of the site.
• Full-day Cu Chi Tunnels Tour: a rich and complete experience exploring the tunnel area and activities around the rubber farm, handicraft village, local lifestyle activities, etc.
• Private Cu Chi Tunnels Tour: suitable for visitors who need flexibility in time and destination because they can arrange a private schedule with the tour operator according to their needs.

Travel time matters more than most visitors expect. On 11 November 2026, Google Maps estimated 1 hour 39 minutes by car from Silverland Ben Thanh in District 1 to Ben Dinh, and 2 hours 2 minutes to Ben Duoc, in early afternoon traffic. On a half-day trip you spend about as long on the road as inside the site.

Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc: which site to visit

The tunnels are preserved at two sites 13 km apart. Both show restored tunnel sections, bunkers and traps, so the choice comes down to travel time and what else you want to see.

How to get to Cu Chi Tunnels from District 1

• Group or private tour: the simplest option. Most tours pick you up from District 1 hotels in the morning and include transport and a guide.
• Public bus to Ben Duoc: take bus 13 from the Saigon Bus Terminal at 23/9 Park to Cu Chi Bus Station, then bus 79 to Ben Duoc Temple. Bus 79 runs from 5:30 to 17:30. Google Maps estimated 3 hours 24 minutes door to door on 11 November 2026. Both routes are in the city’s fare-free bus program from 1 July to 31 December 2026, and from October riders verify on boarding.
• Taxi or ride-hailing car: about 500,000 VND each way, according to VnExpress (July 2026). Agree on waiting time with the driver if you want a return trip.
• Speedboat: boats leave from Bach Dang pier on the Saigon River. One operator departs at 8:00 and reaches Ben Dinh at 9:30, with an all-inclusive half day at about 1.8 million VND per person (Bao Nghe An, December 2025). Bring your passport for the pier check. For other trips on the river, see our Saigon river cruise guide.

What to do at the Cu Chi Tunnels

Visitors participating in the tour to explore the “Iron Land” will visit the main areas in the tunnels such as the command bunker, kitchen bunker, hospital and underground passages. Each area is preserved and restored to match history, helping visitors better understand the lives and activities of soldiers underground. Some key highlights of the tour that visitors should not miss when having the opportunity to come here:

• Experience walking in the famous historical base bunker:

The highlight of the tour is the opportunity to explore the complex and mysterious underground tunnel system. Visitors will have a challenging journey when walking in a narrow and stuffy space with small, dark passages. Through that, visitors will feel the resilience, ingenuity and creativity of the Cu Chi soldiers and civilians in building, protecting the tunnel network and living under these harsh conditions.

• Sightseeing Museum and the Military Liberation Zone’s reenactment area

In addition to the underground bunkers, visitors can also visit the exhibition area of ​​war artifacts and watch documentaries about the history of Cu Chi tunnels to better understand the historical context and the touching stories of those who fought and sacrificed for freedom and national peace.

• Try your hand at the shooting range

One of the other exciting activities that visitors can try when they have more time in the tunnels is to experience being a soldier at the shooting range, where visitors can use classic rifles used in the war to learn more about military history. This will be an interesting activity but only suitable for those who love thrills.

• Enjoy local cuisine

After physical activities, visitors should enjoy local specialties such as boiled cassava, rice paper rolls, fresh coconut water, etc. The journey to explore this land will not be complete without the typical culinary flavors. These simple but flavorful dishes will bring a unique and unforgettable culinary experience when immersed in the real lifestyle of the people here.

• Experience folk activities

In addition, visitors can also participate in folk activities such as farming, cooking in traditional style and trying to make handicrafts. These activities help visitors understand more about the daily life of Cu Chi people and enjoy relaxing moments with family and friends.

Tips for visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels

A few practical points make the day easier:

What is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit is during the dry season (November to April), when paths between the tunnel entrances stay dry. If you go in the rainy season (May to October), plan a morning visit, since afternoon storms make the ground wet and slippery.

Things to know before you go:

• Entrance tickets are sold at the gate of each site.
• Carry your passport if you travel by speedboat, since the piers check identification.
• Wear comfortable, easy-to-move-in, and sweat-absorbent clothing.
• Always carry drinking water to stay healthy.
• Bring a flashlight when walking in dark areas.
• Do not litter, vandalize buildings and respect monuments.

Opening hours and entrance tickets

• Opening hours: 7:00 to 17:00 daily, at both Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc.
• Vietnamese adults: 35,000 VND. Children aged 7 to 16 and students pay half, and children under 7 enter free.
• Foreign visitors: a separate rate set for international guests. Figures published in 2025 and 2026 range from 70,000 to 125,000 VND per person, and some include a guide, so read the price board at the counter.
• Liberated Zone reenactment area: a separate ticket, 85,000 VND per adult from 1 January 2025.
• Extras: the shooting range, the swimming pool and other activities are paid separately.

What a tour price should include

Tour prices vary with group size, transport and whether lunch is included. Before you book, check that the price covers the entrance ticket at the site you will actually visit, an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and the return trip. Speedboat tours cost more than coach tours but cut the road time.

Do you need a guide?

A tour guide can enrich your visit by providing detailed historical and cultural information, sharing local stories, answering questions, and offering support throughout the trip.

Ensuring children’s safety:

When visiting the tunnels with children, consider the following for their safety and well-being:

• Avoid taking very young children into the narrow and dark tunnels; the ideal age is 6 years and older.
• Keep children close and supervise them closely in the tunnels.
• Provide a brief, age-appropriate introduction to the site.

Cu Chi Tunnels FAQ

Where to stay before an early start

Silverland Ben Thanh is 50 m from Ben Thanh Market and close to 23/9 Park, where bus 13 to Cu Chi starts.

Silverland Jolie is a 270 m walk from the Saigon Waterbus station at Bach Dang pier (Google Maps, 9 November 2026), where many Cu Chi speedboat tours meet.