Cu Chi Tunnels: Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc, and How to Get There
Cu Chi tunnels guide: Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc, how to get there by tour, Grab or speedboat, how long to allow, what to wear and tips for children.
The Cu Chi tunnels are a wartime network of underground passages northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, and visiting them is a half-day trip. Two sites are open: Ben Dinh, closer and busier, and Ben Duoc, larger and quieter. This guide from our Vietnam travel blog compares them, explains how to get there, what to expect and how to plan with children.
Most visitors combine the tunnels with a few days in Ho Chi Minh City, arriving at Tan Son Nhat. If you need a visa for the trip, apply for a Vietnam e-visa online and choose Tan Son Nhat as your entry point.
What the tunnels are
The tunnels were dug by hand by local fighters over several decades and used during the Vietnam War for hiding, living, storing supplies and moving unseen. They included kitchens, meeting rooms, hospitals and hidden exits.
Today, short sections are open to visitors along with reconstructed rooms, traps and exhibits. Some sections have been widened so visitors can crawl through them.
Ben Dinh vs Ben Duoc
Choose Ben Dinh for convenience and Ben Duoc for a quieter, more complete visit. Both show tunnels, traps and wartime life.
| Ben Dinh | Ben Duoc | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from the city | About 1.5 hours by road | About 2 hours by road |
| Crowds | Busy, most tours go here | Quieter |
| Tunnels | Widened sections for visitors | Larger site, some narrower sections |
| Extras | Exhibits, shooting range | Memorial temple, forest setting |
If you join a group tour, it will most likely go to Ben Dinh. Ask the operator before booking if you prefer Ben Duoc.
How to get to the Cu Chi tunnels
You can get there by group tour, private car or Grab, or by speedboat along the Saigon River. A half-day tour is the simplest option.
A Cu Chi tunnels tour usually includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide and entry tickets. A private car or Grab gives flexibility and works well for families. Speedboat trips along the Saigon River take less time in traffic and add scenery, but cost more. Public buses exist but involve changes and take much longer.
What to expect on a visit
A visit starts with a short film and briefing, followed by a walk through the forest to tunnel entrances, traps and reconstructed rooms. The crawl is optional and short.
Tunnels are hot, dark and narrow, even where widened, and you will bend low or crawl. Wear closed shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dusty. Bring water and insect repellent. Some sites have a shooting range, which is loud. Two planning points remain: visiting with children, and fitting the trip into your city days.
Planning your visit
The tunnels fit easily into a city stay. These two points help you plan the day.
With children
Children usually enjoy the tunnels, the hidden entrances and the forest walk. The crawl is optional, so younger children or anyone uncomfortable in tight spaces can watch from outside. The exhibits about the war are factual rather than graphic, unlike some museum rooms in the city.
Combining with the city
A morning at the tunnels leaves the afternoon free for the city. Our Ho Chi Minh City guide has a three-day plan with Cu Chi on day three, and our guide to Vietnam War sites covers other places to visit across the country.
VietnamVisa-Easy.com is a private visa service operated by H2 Global Travel JSC since 2012, not a government website, and you can apply directly at evisa.gov.vn for US$25. If you would like your details checked before your trip, start your application with us.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a visit take?
Plan for a half day: about 1.5 to 2 hours each way by road, plus about two hours at the site. Speedboat trips are faster on the water. Leave early in the morning to avoid the midday heat and the largest tour groups.
Can I visit if I am claustrophobic?
Yes. Crawling through the tunnels is optional, and much of the visit happens above ground, with exhibits, entrances and reconstructed rooms. You can look into a tunnel opening without entering. Tell your guide, who will suggest where to wait during the crawl.
What should I wear?
Wear light clothes you do not mind getting dirty, closed shoes with grip, and a hat for the forest walk. Bring water and insect repellent. Avoid white clothing if you plan to crawl, as the tunnels are dusty and the soil is red.
Do I need a visa to visit the tunnels?
You need a Vietnam visa or a visa exemption to enter the country, checked when you land in Ho Chi Minh City or elsewhere. Read Do I need a visa for Vietnam? for your passport. No separate permit is needed for the tunnels.
