The Cu Chi Tunnels are the single most popular half-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, preserving a section of the underground network Viet Cong forces used to operate within reach of Saigon throughout the war. The Ben Dinh site offers widened tunnel crawls, booby-trap demonstrations, a firing range, and a short documentary, all guided, and typically fits into a morning or afternoon half-day slot, making it easy to combine with another stop such as the Cao Dai Temple for a fuller day.
| Distance | 40 km / 25 mi from central Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1-1.5 hours by road each way |
| Getting there | Organized bus tour, private car, or Grab from District 1 |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate (heat and crouching in tunnels) |
| Address | Ben Dinh site, Nhuan Duc, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City |
How to get there
- Half-day group bus tour, ~₫250,000-500,000 (~$10-19) per person including guide and entrance
- Private car with driver, ~₫1,200,000-1,800,000 (~$46-69) round trip for up to 4 people
- Speedboat tour along the Saigon River from Bach Dang wharf, ~₫900,000-1,300,000 (~$35-50) per person
Suggested itinerary
- 7:30am depart District 1; 9:00am arrive Ben Dinh site; 9:00-11:30am guided tunnel tour, demonstrations, and firing range; 11:30am depart; 1:00pm return to District 1
Location
Ben Dinh site, Nhuan Duc, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City
10.9764, 106.4906 View on map
Highlights
- Widened tunnel sections open for crawling
- Booby-trap and camouflage demonstrations
- Optional war-era firing range experience
- Underground bunker and workshop recreations
Tips for visiting
- Book a smaller-group tour for a more personal guide experience than large bus tours
- Wear light clothing given the heat inside and around the tunnels
- Skip the longer crawl sections if claustrophobic; shorter alternatives exist
When to visit
Morning departure
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a half-day or full-day trip?
It can be done as a half day on its own, or combined with the Cao Dai Temple for a full day.