Explore the extensive underground network used during the Vietnam War alongside other regional highlights. These comprehensive full-day excursions typically include round-trip transportation, guided commentary, and traditional meals.
Free Cancellation Cruise the Saigon River by speedboat to explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels and experience wartime underground life.
Combine Vietnam’s wartime history at the Cu Chi Tunnels with the peaceful river life of the Mekong Delta in one day.
Free Cancellation A guided full-day tour through Saigon’s colonial landmarks, war history, and the underground Cu Chi Tunnels.
Free Cancellation Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels Full Day Tour
Free Cancellation Explore the massive 25-year-old underground network that served as a hidden city during the Vietnam War.
Observe a midday mass at the Great Holy Sight Temple followed by an afternoon exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Free Cancellation Explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta's traditional craft workshops by boat and sampan.
Free Cancellation Explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels to experience underground life and the incredible resilience of the local people.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Cu Chi Tunnels — from practical tips to personal highlights.
A full-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels offers a gripping look into the realities of the Vietnam War. You will explore a massive subterranean network that once housed thousands of Viet Cong soldiers, complete with living quarters, hospitals, and command centers. Expect a mix of historical education, above-ground demonstrations, and the chance to crawl through the actual tunnel systems.
Experience the cramped conditions firsthand by crawling through sections of the Ben Dinh tunnels. These paths have been slightly widened for tourists, with exit points every 10 to 20 meters.
See the ingenious and brutal bamboo and iron traps used to deter ground troops. Guides demonstrate how camouflaged trapdoors, tiger traps, and swinging doors functioned in the jungle.
Learn about the brilliant smokeless stove invention. This system dispersed cooking smoke through long underground vents, allowing soldiers to cook without being detected by enemy aircraft.
Get a taste of what soldiers ate to survive. Most tours include a snack of boiled tapioca (cassava) dipped in crushed peanuts, sugar, and salt, served alongside hot tea.
Venture into the deeper levels to see where military strategies were planned. These restored rooms feature original maps, meeting tables, and mannequins of Viet Cong soldiers.
At the National Defense Sport Shooting Range, visitors over 18 can opt to fire authentic war-era weapons, including the AK-47 and M16, for an additional fee.
Planning your trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels requires a bit of preparation. Here is what you need to know before booking your full-day excursion.
You can choose from standard guided group tours, private car tours, adventurous motorbike trips, or luxury speedboat journeys up the Saigon River. Most full-day options combine the tunnels with another major site.
Since the tunnels only take about 2-3 hours to explore on-site, full-day tours typically pair them with the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City highlights (like the War Remnants Museum), or the colorful Cao Dai Temple.
Most organized tours include hotel pickup in central districts (1, 3, and 4), an English-speaking guide, transport, lunch, and the 125,000 VND entrance fee. Double-check your specific tour, as some budget options might exclude the entry ticket.
Firing weapons at the range is never included in the tour price. Bullets cost 60,000 VND each, and there is a mandatory minimum purchase of 10 bullets per weapon. You will need cash for this.
The site involves walking on uneven dirt paths in hot, humid conditions. Crawling in the tunnels is entirely optional. If you have claustrophobia, heart conditions, or mobility issues, you can stick to the above-ground exhibits.
Dress in comfortable, modest clothing that you don't mind getting dirty. The red laterite clay is notoriously hard to wash out of light-colored fabrics. Closed-toe shoes and heavy-duty insect repellent are highly recommended.
Most standard group and private tours offer a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours in advance. However, some specialized combo tours (like the Cao Dai Temple combo) may have strict all-sales-are-final policies.
| Luxury Speedboat Tour | Cu Chi & Mekong Delta Combo | City Tour & Cu Chi Combo | Motorbike & Scooter Tour | Private Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 7 hours | 8 - 10.5 hours | 9 - 10 hours | 8 hours | Flexible (Half or Full Day) |
| Best For | Avoiding city traffic and enjoying scenic river views | Seeing Southern Vietnam's top two sites in a single day | History buffs wanting a comprehensive war narrative | Adventurous travelers wanting an authentic local ride | Families, groups, or those wanting a personalized pace |
| Includes | Speedboat transport, lunch, entrance fees, District 1/3/4 pickup | Transport, local lunch, boat ride in Mekong, entrance fees | City sights (War Remnants Museum, etc.), lunch, transport | Private driver/guide, helmet, rain poncho, lunch, insurance | Private AC car, dedicated guide, hotel pickup, snacks |
| Price From | $75 | $67 | $37 | $65 | $78 |
The Cu Chi Tunnels are open 365 days a year, including public holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year).
Located roughly 60-70 km from central Ho Chi Minh City, the tunnels can be reached via several methods:
The climate heavily impacts the experience at the tunnels.
Because the site is preserved in a natural jungle environment, accessibility is limited.
The site is well-equipped for tourists, though it retains a rustic feel.
As a designated Special National Monument and war memorial, visitors must follow specific guidelines:
Ben Dinh is closer to Ho Chi Minh City (50km) and is more tourist-oriented, featuring tunnels widened specifically for foreigners. Ben Duoc is further away (70km) but is five times larger and offers a much more authentic, less crowded experience.
No, the shooting range is an optional extra expense. Bullets cost 60,000 VND each, and you must purchase a minimum of 10 bullets per weapon (600,000 VND total).
You can still visit the site, but you should not go into the tunnels. The underground sections are extremely narrow, dark, and humid. However, there are plenty of above-ground exhibits, booby trap demonstrations, and historical displays to enjoy.
No, you can travel there independently via public bus or Grab. However, once you arrive and buy your ticket, you are required to follow a mandatory local guide provided by the park for safety reasons.
Crawling is completely optional. If you choose to do it, you can crawl through sections ranging from 20 meters to 100 meters. There are exit points every 10 to 20 meters if you need to get out early.
Wear comfortable, breathable clothing in dark colors, as the red clay soil will stain light fabrics. Closed-toe shoes are highly recommended for walking on the uneven jungle paths, and don't forget heavy-duty insect repellent.
Yes, bats are occasionally found in the deeper, less-visited sections of the Ben Duoc tunnels. Mosquitoes are also very prevalent in the jungle areas above ground.
Yes, there are restaurants near the entrances. Additionally, tours include a free tasting of 'guerrilla food'—boiled tapioca dipped in a peanut, sugar, and salt mixture.
Most organized tours offer free hotel pickup and drop-off if you are staying in central Ho Chi Minh City (Districts 1, 3, and 4). If you are staying outside these areas, you will usually need to meet at a designated central office.
Yes, older children usually find the interactive elements exciting, and kids under 7 get in free. However, parents should be cautious of the extremely loud noise coming from the shooting range, which can scare younger kids.
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