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Book Cu Chi Tunnels tour
Itinerary
START POINT
Ho Chi Minh City
Start your tour with a hotel pickup in District 1 and enjoy a 90-minute drive from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels, passing through scenic countryside along the way.
1
Cu Chi Tunnels
2 hours
4 activities
Tickets included
Arrive at the Cu Chi Tunnels, where you’ll crawl through sections of the 250km underground network used by the Viet Cong. Explore hidden trapdoors, field hospitals, and kitchens that reveal how soldiers lived and survived during the war.
Highlights
1. Watch an introductory documentary
Included in price
Watch a short documentary detailing how the Cu Chi Tunnels were built, their strategic role in the war, and what daily life was like underground.
2. Crawl through the tunnels
Included in price
Step into the narrow, dimly lit tunnels once used by Viet Cong soldiers—widened slightly for visitors but still tight enough to give you an authentic taste of underground wartime life.
3. Watch booby trap demonstrations
Included in price
See how the Viet Cong used booby traps—from spiked pits to swinging bamboo traps—as your guide walks you through these ingenious defenses.
4. Explore underground bunkers
Included in price
See command centers, kitchens, medical stations, and weapon storage areas in the tunnels. Learn how soldiers lived for months underground, using tactics like smokeless cooking to avoid detection.
5. Sample cassava and traditional tea
Snacks
Taste a wartime meal of boiled cassava and tea—this staple helped sustain Viet Cong soldiers during long stretches underground when resources were scarce.
2
Lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant
60 minutes
Stop at a riverside restaurant and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese meal before continuing your boat and village explorations.
3
Mekong Delta
4 activities
After lunch, journey into the Mekong Delta—Vietnam’s “rice bowl”—where coconut palms, stilt houses, and green fields line the waterways.
Highlights
1. Boat ride on the Tien River
Included in price
Hop aboard a traditional sampan and cruise through the Mekong’s maze of canals. Pass floating houses, fishermen casting their nets, and river markets where locals trade fruits, snacks, and handmade goods.
2. Ride a cycle around the village
Included in price
Hop on a bicycle for a short, relaxing ride through quiet village paths. Pass by lush gardens, stilt houses, and rice fields as you soak in the slow pace of life in the Mekong countryside. I
3. Visit a coconut candy workshop
Included in price
Stop by a coconut candy workshop to see how Vietnam’s famous coconut candy is made. Watch as fresh coconuts are cracked open, pressed, and turned into sweet, chewy treats. And yes, you get to sample them too!
4. Live folk music with fruit tasting and honey tea
Included in price
Unwind at a local garden house with a plate of tropical fruits and honey tea, as musicians perform Đờn Ca Tài Tử—a soulful southern Vietnamese folk genre that shares stories of love and daily life.
4
END POINT
Ho Chi Minh City
Explore two of Vietnam’s top sites in one day: Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta, with lunch, boat rides, folk performances and hotel transfers.
- Everything you get: Tour Cu Chi Tunnels with a guide, see booby trap demos, sample cassava, then cruise the Mekong Delta with boat rides on Tien River, fruit tastings, live folk music, lunch, and hotel transfers.
- Sights covered: Cu Chi Tunnels’ trapdoors, bunkers, and wartime relics. In the Mekong Delta: the Tien River, palm-lined canals, a coconut candy workshop, tropical fruit orchards.
- Why choose this: This tour gives you the best of both worlds—walk through Vietnam’s wartime past, then experience the warmth of rural life with local food, boat rides, and live folk music.
- Upgrades: Pick a shared group tour (up to 12 guests) or upgrade to a private tour for a more exclusive experience.
Explore two of Vietnam’s top sites in one day: Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta, with lunch, boat rides, folk performances and hotel transfers.
- Everything you get: Tour Cu Chi Tunnels with a guide, see booby trap demos, sample cassava, then cruise the Mekong Delta with boat rides on Tien River, fruit tastings, live folk music, lunch, and hotel transfers.
- Sights covered: Cu Chi Tunnels’ trapdoors, bunkers, and wartime relics. In the Mekong Delta: the Tien River, palm-lined canals, a coconut candy workshop, tropical fruit orchards.
- Why choose this: This tour gives you the best of both worlds—walk through Vietnam’s wartime past, then experience the warmth of rural life with local food, boat rides, and live folk music.
- Upgrades: Pick a shared group tour (up to 12 guests) or upgrade to a private tour for a more exclusive experience.
Inclusions
- Round-trip hotel transfers from Ho Chi Minh City (pickup from 6:30- 6:45am)
- English-speaking guide
- Entry to Cu Chi Tunnels
- Cassava tasting with tea
- Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant
- Boat rides on the Tien River (motorboat and rowing boat)
- Visit to a coconut candy workshop and tropical fruit orchards
- Live Vietnamese folk music performance
- Water bottle
- Pick-up is available from hotels mainly in District 1, District 3, Tan Binh (airport area), and parts of District 4, 5, 7, 10, Phu Nhuan & Binh Thanh.
- Please select your hotel from the dropdown list on the checkout page. If your hotel isn’t listed or you don’t know it yet, simply select any hotel. After booking, you can contact us to update your pickup details or for further assistance.
- You can also view our pick-up locations here to see which area you’ll be staying in, check the distance from your accommodation to one of the listed hotels, and choose the most convenient pick-up point.
- Alternatively, you can head to the main departure point: HANA TOURIST, Q34 Nguyen Huu Hao St, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City, or wait for an alternative nearby address, which will be shared with you in advance.
- This tour includes a visit to the Ben Dinh site of the Cu Chi Tunnels.
- The experience is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
- Not suitable for guests with mobility issues or claustrophobia due to narrow tunnels and uneven terrain.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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What our guests say
James
Jun 2025Verified booking
The tour guide was excellent. He knew his stuff, was entertaining and generally kept the tour running smoothly. I would probably be nervous about using headout to book tours though. I would stick to local companies. I had issues from day one with the app not working, lack of confirmation of the booking, no tickets ever being issued etc, so I wasucky that the tour guide accepted me. Headout did respond, but always too late as they are based in Europe, and I was in Asia.
Aditya
Feb 2025Verified booking
Naomi the tour guide was just awesome...she made our trip memory by giving insights of Vietnam history and culture
Denis
Mar 2025Verified booking
INDRANEEL
Dec 2024Verified booking
Guide was very good. Trip thoroughly enjoyed. Only problem was that in the ticket it was mentioned pickup from hotel, but when I contacted the local agency on the night before the trip, they mentioned that pickup won't be possible as it's outside their pickup range. Thankfully I had called her, otherwise I would have missed the trip as I haven't received any confirmation regarding the pickup change.
Harsh
Sep 2024Verified booking
Mirza
Oct 2023Verified booking
Great experience! I love it very much! I will recommend this for my friends to use your services
DODDAHOSAHALLI
Dec 2023Verified booking
Hello Jennifer, the actual trip was great. But I was told few times by your customer service, I was going to pick up from hotel by the tour operator. But tour operator never contacted me. On tour day morning 645 am, I called thro hotel lobby to check up the pick up time. He said they don't do that , we needed to go to their office, within 20 minutes to catch the tour. Hotel receptionist helped to catch taxi and got there. 1.Here headout didnt organize or tell us exactly how we can reach the tour operator. 2. Tour operator never contacted me about the pick up or meet them. They are very very disappointed. Tour was great. Guide was great. 3. There was no co ordination between headout and tour operator. Head out was saying tour operator will give us a call to pick and tour operator says we are supposed to go their facility. Final: If we know what do we have to do ahead of time , we would have planned. Please check my chats with your customer department.
Milind
May 2024Verified booking
SUNHYE
Mar 2024Verified booking
Arghya
Nov 2023Verified booking
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION7 hours
START POINT
Ho Chi Minh City
Start your tour with a hotel pickup in District 1 and enjoy a 90-minute drive from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels, passing through scenic countryside along the way.
1
Cu Chi Tunnels
2 hours
4 activities
Tickets included
Arrive at the Cu Chi Tunnels, where you’ll crawl through sections of the 250km underground network used by the Viet Cong. Explore hidden trapdoors, field hospitals, and kitchens that reveal how soldiers lived and survived during the war.
Highlights
1. Watch an introductory documentary
Included in price
Watch a short documentary detailing how the Cu Chi Tunnels were built, their strategic role in the war, and what daily life was like underground.
2. Crawl through the tunnels
Included in price
Step into the narrow, dimly lit tunnels once used by Viet Cong soldiers—widened slightly for visitors but still tight enough to give you an authentic taste of underground wartime life.
3. Watch booby trap demonstrations
Included in price
See how the Viet Cong used booby traps—from spiked pits to swinging bamboo traps—as your guide walks you through these ingenious defenses.
4. Explore underground bunkers
Included in price
See command centers, kitchens, medical stations, and weapon storage areas in the tunnels. Learn how soldiers lived for months underground, using tactics like smokeless cooking to avoid detection.
5. Sample cassava and traditional tea
Snacks
Taste a wartime meal of boiled cassava and tea—this staple helped sustain Viet Cong soldiers during long stretches underground when resources were scarce.
2
END POINT
Ho Chi Minh City
Explore Cu Chi Tunnels on a guided shared tour with hotel transfers and small or big group options to match your plan.
Everything you get: Entry to the Cu Chi Tunnels, round-trip hotel transfers from Ho Chi Minh City, an English-speaking guide, and a cassava and tea tasting experience.
Sights covered: Original tunnel sections, trapdoors, booby traps, hidden bunkers, weapons storage, field hospitals, and war relics—all preserved from the Vietnam War era.
Why choose this: Explore Vietnam’s wartime past with an expert guide and like-minded travelers—this tour offers rich insights and smooth transfers at a value price.
Upgrades: Pick the group size that fits your style—smaller (1–12) for a quieter tour or larger (1–25) for a fun, shared experience at a lower price.
Explore Cu Chi Tunnels on a guided shared tour with hotel transfers and small or big group options to match your plan.
Everything you get: Entry to the Cu Chi Tunnels, round-trip hotel transfers from Ho Chi Minh City, an English-speaking guide, and a cassava and tea tasting experience.
Sights covered: Original tunnel sections, trapdoors, booby traps, hidden bunkers, weapons storage, field hospitals, and war relics—all preserved from the Vietnam War era.
Why choose this: Explore Vietnam’s wartime past with an expert guide and like-minded travelers—this tour offers rich insights and smooth transfers at a value price.
Upgrades: Pick the group size that fits your style—smaller (1–12) for a quieter tour or larger (1–25) for a fun, shared experience at a lower price.
Inclusions
- Round-trip hotel transfers from Ho Chi Minh City
- Entry to Cu Chi Tunnels
- 2 hours guided exploration at Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh site)
- English-speaking guide
- Cassava tasting with tea
- Water bottle
- Hotel pickup is available only from select hotels in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. If you’re staying outside this area, you’ll need to head to the designated meeting point provided after booking.
- Pickup times available are 7:30am, 12:30pm, and 1pm.
- This tour takes you to the Ben Dinh site, known for its visitor-friendly setup and slightly widened tunnels.
- The shooting range experience is optional and available at an additional cost near the tunnels.
- This experience is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
- Not suitable for guests with mobility issues or claustrophobia due to narrow tunnels and uneven terrain.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Itinerary
START POINT
Ho Chi Minh City
Start your tour with a hotel pickup in District 1 and enjoy a 90-minute drive from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels, passing through scenic countryside along the way.
1
Cu Chi Tunnels
2 hours
4 activities
Tickets included
Arrive at the Cu Chi Tunnels, where you’ll crawl through sections of the 250km underground network used by the Viet Cong. Explore hidden trapdoors, field hospitals, and kitchens that reveal how soldiers lived and survived during the war.
Highlights
1. Watch an introductory documentary
Included in price
Watch a short documentary detailing how the Cu Chi Tunnels were built, their strategic role in the war, and what daily life was like underground.
2. Crawl through the tunnels
Included in price
Step into the narrow, dimly lit tunnels once used by Viet Cong soldiers—widened slightly for visitors but still tight enough to give you an authentic taste of underground wartime life.
3. Watch booby trap demonstrations
Included in price
See how the Viet Cong used booby traps—from spiked pits to swinging bamboo traps—as your guide walks you through these ingenious defenses.
4. Explore underground bunkers
Included in price
See command centers, kitchens, medical stations, and weapon storage areas in the tunnels. Learn how soldiers lived for months underground, using tactics like smokeless cooking to avoid detection.
5. Sample cassava and traditional tea
Snacks
Taste a wartime meal of boiled cassava and tea—this staple helped sustain Viet Cong soldiers during long stretches underground when resources were scarce.
2
END POINT
Ho Chi Minh City
Explore Cu Chi Tunnels on a private guided tour with hotel transfers and flexible group size options.
Everything you get: Entry to the Cu Chi Tunnels, round-trip hotel transfers from Ho Chi Minh City, an English-speaking guide, and a cassava and tea tasting experience.
Sights covered: Original tunnel sections, trapdoors, booby traps, hidden bunkers, weapons storage, field hospitals, and war relics—all preserved from the Vietnam War era.
Why choose this: Walk through a war-era underground world with just your group and a guide and hear stories of survival, strategy, and resistance.
Upgrades: Choose your preferred group size — options available for 2, 3–5, or 6–9 and 10-15 guests.
Explore Cu Chi Tunnels on a private guided tour with hotel transfers and flexible group size options.
Everything you get: Entry to the Cu Chi Tunnels, round-trip hotel transfers from Ho Chi Minh City, an English-speaking guide, and a cassava and tea tasting experience.
Sights covered: Original tunnel sections, trapdoors, booby traps, hidden bunkers, weapons storage, field hospitals, and war relics—all preserved from the Vietnam War era.
Why choose this: Walk through a war-era underground world with just your group and a guide and hear stories of survival, strategy, and resistance.
Upgrades: Choose your preferred group size — options available for 2, 3–5, or 6–9 and 10-15 guests.
Inclusions
- Round-trip hotel transfers from Ho Chi Minh City
- 2 hours guided exploration at Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh site)
- English-speaking guide
- Entry to Cu Chi Tunnels
- Cassava tasting with tea
- Water bottle
- Pickup is available from select hotels in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. If you’re staying outside this area, you’ll need to head to the designated meeting point provided after booking.
- Pickup times available are 7:30am, 12:30pm, and 1pm.
- This tour takes you to the Ben Dinh site, known for its visitor-friendly setup and slightly widened tunnels.
- The shooting range experience is optional and available at an additional cost near the tunnels.
- This experience is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
- Not suitable for guests with mobility issues or claustrophobia due to narrow tunnels and uneven terrain.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Itinerary
START POINT
Ho Chi Minh City
Get picked up from your hotel in District 1 and head straight to the Independence Palace, an iconic landmark and former residence of South Vietnam’s president during the war.
1
Independence Palace
30 minutes
Tickets included
Step inside the former presidential palace of South Vietnam, where the Vietnam War came to a close. Explore 1960s-era interiors, underground war rooms, and bunkers that once held the nerve center of a nation.
2
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
15 minutes
Free Admission
Walk into the stunning red-brick neo-Romanesque cathedral, built in the late 19th century by the French. Check out its twin bell towers soaring 58 meters high, making it one of Ho Chi Minh City's most recognizable landmarks.
3
Central Post Office
30 minutes
Free Admission
Next, stop at this grand French colonial post office, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Step inside and explore the wooden phone booths, antique maps, and a working post office.
4
War Remants Museum
90 minutes
Tickets included
Walk through exhibitions showcasing wartime photography, U.S. military vehicles, and documents on the Vietnam and Indochina wars. Key highlights include the Agent Orange room, prison replicas, and outdoor displays of helicopters and tanks.
5
Lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant
60 minutes
Take a break and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese meal at a local restaurant before heading to the Cu Chi Tunnels.
6
Cu Chi Tunnels
2 hours
4 activities
Tickets included
After lunch, head to the Cu Chi Tunnels and explore this vast underground network used by the Viet Cong. Crawl through narrow passageways, peek into hidden trapdoors, and see underground kitchens, war rooms, and field hospitals that once supported guerrilla fighters.
Highlights
1. Watch an introductory documentary
Included in price
Watch a short documentary detailing how the Cu Chi Tunnels were built, their strategic role in the war, and what daily life was like underground.
2. Crawl through the tunnels
Included in price
Step into the narrow, dimly lit tunnels once used by Viet Cong soldiers—widened slightly for visitors but still tight enough to give you an authentic taste of underground wartime life.
3. Watch booby trap demonstrations
Included in price
See how the Viet Cong used booby traps—from spiked pits to swinging bamboo traps—as your guide walks you through these ingenious defenses.
4. Explore underground bunkers
Included in price
See command centers, kitchens, medical stations, and weapon storage areas in the tunnels. Learn how soldiers lived for months underground, using tactics like smokeless cooking to avoid detection.
5. Sample cassava and traditional tea
Snacks
Taste a wartime meal of boiled cassava and tea—this staple helped sustain Viet Cong soldiers during long stretches underground when resources were scarce.
7
END POINT
Ho Chi Minh City
See Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City’s top spots in a full-day guided tour with hotel transfers, and shared or private tour options.
- Everything you get: Round-trip hotel transfers from Ho Chi Minh City, guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, entry to top city landmarks, cassava tasting, and Vietnamese lunch (if selected).
- Sights covered: Cu Chi Tunnels’ underground network, hidden trapdoors, living quarters, field hospitals; followed by Ho Chi Minh City’s Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and War Remnants Museum.
- Why choose this: Skip the hassle of booking multiple tours—this full-day experience covers Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City’s top sights with transfers, tickets, and an expert guide included.
- Upgrades: Pick a shared or private group tour, with an optional Vietnamese lunch upgrade for private bookings.
See Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City’s top spots in a full-day guided tour with hotel transfers, and shared or private tour options.
- Everything you get: Round-trip hotel transfers from Ho Chi Minh City, guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, entry to top city landmarks, cassava tasting, and Vietnamese lunch (if selected).
- Sights covered: Cu Chi Tunnels’ underground network, hidden trapdoors, living quarters, field hospitals; followed by Ho Chi Minh City’s Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and War Remnants Museum.
- Why choose this: Skip the hassle of booking multiple tours—this full-day experience covers Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City’s top sights with transfers, tickets, and an expert guide included.
- Upgrades: Pick a shared or private group tour, with an optional Vietnamese lunch upgrade for private bookings.
Inclusions
- Round-trip hotel transfers from Ho Chi Minh City (pickup from 7:30am – 8am)
- Full-day guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh site)
- Access to Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office & War Remnants Museum
- Lunch at local Vietnamese or Indian restaurant (menu here) (if option selected)
- Entry to Cu Chi Tunnels
- Cassava tasting with tea
- Water bottle
- This tour accommodates up to 12 guests in the shared group option.
- Pickup is between 7:30am to 8am from select hotels in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. If you’re staying outside this area, a designated meeting point will be provided after booking.
- The tour includes a visit to the Ben Dinh site of the Cu Chi Tunnels.
- The shooting range experience is optional and available at an additional cost near the tunnels.
- This experience is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
- Not suitable for guests with mobility issues or claustrophobia due to narrow tunnels and uneven terrain.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Inside the Cu Chi Tunnels
Get ready to step into a hidden world beneath the jungle at the Cu Chi Tunnels. Here’s what you can expect to see and do inside the tunnels:
- Crawl through sections of the original 250-kilometer tunnel network.
- View the hidden trapdoors used by the soldiers to disappear in seconds.
- Visit the underground bunkers, command center, and kitchens.
Cu Chi Tunnels tour: Tickets explained
Cu Chi Tunnels half-day guided tour
Explore the famous war tunnels on a quick and flexible trip from Ho Chi Minh City.
- Duration: 5 - 6 hours
- Options: Morning or afternoon departure
- Includes: Round-trip hotel transfers, Cu Chi Tunnel entry, Expert English-speaking guide, Boiled cassava + tea (local snack)
- Tour Type: Guided
- Upgrade options: Private tour for a tailored experience. Small or big group tour based on your budget and preference
- Best for: Travelers short on time who want a convenient, authentic intro to the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Recommended experiences
- Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Morning Guided Tour
- Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Afternoon Guided Tour
Cu Chi Tunnels + Mekong Delta full-day tour
Combine two must-see experiences—Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta—on a guided day trip from Ho Chi Minh City.
- Duration: 9 - 10 hours
- Includes: Round-trip hotel transfers, Cu Chi Tunnels entry, lunch, boat ride on Tien River.
- Tour Type: Guided
- Best for: Travelers looking to experience both Vietnam’s wartime history and rural river life in one day.
Recommended experiences
- Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Full Day Tour
Cu Chi Tunnels + Ho Chi Minh City full-day tour
Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and top Ho Chi Minh City landmarks on a guided day trip.
- Duration: 9 - 10 hours
- Includes: Round-trip hotel transfers, Cu Chi Tunnels entry, and access to Independent Palace & the War Remnants Museum.
- Tour Type: Guided
Best for: Travelers who want an efficient yet immersive experience of the Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City’s must-see sites.
Recommended experiences
- Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Full-Day Tour
Cu Chi Tunnels: A quick overview
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a massive underground network built in the 1940s to resist the French, then expanded during the Vietnam War. Stretching over 250 kilometers and reaching depths of up to 10 meters, they played a crucial role in wartime survival and strategy.
- Hidden kitchens, command centers, hospitals, and sleeping areas underground.
- Camouflaged trapdoors for surprise attacks and quick escapes.
- Extensive network of tunnels, bunkers, and escape routes.
- Deep shelters that protected soldiers during heavy bombings.
Must-see highlights of the Cu Chi Tunnels
War documentary
Start your experience with a short film that tells the story of the Vietnam War and the tunnels’ crucial role. See real footage, local perspectives, and a thoughtful introduction to the site.
Plan your visit
Timings & Best time to visit
Getting there
Rules
Tips
Facilities
Dining
Accessibility
Timings
Cu Chi Tunnels are open daily from 7am to 5pm, including weekends and public holidays.
Best time to visit
- Dry season (December – April): This is the best time to visit Cu Chi Tunnels due to clearer skies, low humidity, and cooler mornings. It is ideal for walking the forest trails, exploring the tunnels, and enjoying guided tours without weather interruptions.
- Wet season (May – November): Rainfall is more frequent, especially from June to August, making some paths muddy and tunnel crawling a bit slippery. However, the lush forests and fewer crowds create a quieter, more peaceful experience.
- Distance from Ho Chi Minh City: 44 kilometers
- Travel time: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
- By bus: Take bus 13 from Ho Chi Minh Bus Station to Cu Chi Station, then transfer to bus 63 for Ben Dinh, or bus 79 for Ben Duoc.
- By taxi/car: A private taxi or car takes 1.5 to 2 hours and costs 650,000–800,000 VND. Book via Grab or trusted services like Mai Linh and Vinasun for a smooth ride.
- By tour: Many operators offer half-day or full-day tours with guides, hotel transfers, and lunch.
- By speedboat: A scenic 1.5-hour speedboat ride along the Saigon River with guided tours, light meals, and transfers included.
- Smoking is prohibited as the area is surrounded by dry foliage and wooden structures.
- Some sections like the memorials or live demonstrations may not allow photography. Check with your guide before snapping pictures.
- Keep your children close during the visit due to their layout and to ensure their safety.
- Follow your guide to safely navigate the tunnels and avoid getting lost.
- Wear light, breathable clothes and closed shoes as you'll be walking, crawling, and crouching in the tunnels.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the heat, especially during the dry season (December to April).
- The tunnel crawl is short, but it’s hot, dark, and cramped. If you have claustrophobia, high blood pressure, breathing or mobility issues, you can skip the tunnel crawl and explore the above-ground exhibits instead.
- Afternoon tours are less rushed, but mornings tend to have cooler weather and quieter conditions. You’ll also get back to the city earlier.
- Restrooms: Clean and free-to-use toilets are available at the entrance and throughout the site.
- Cafés & snack stalls: Small cafés offer refreshments like drinks and light snacks, including the traditional boiled tapioca and jasmine tea.
- Souvenir shops: Vendors sell war-themed memorabilia, local crafts, and other souvenirs near the main entrance and exit areas.
- Seating areas: Benches and shaded spots are available for rest throughout the area.
- Picnic areas: Designated spots with seating and shade where families and groups can relax and enjoy meals in nature.
- Swimming pool: Take a refreshing break after exploring the tunnels at the large swimming pool designed to resemble the East Sea.
- On-Site Restaurant: Tucked inside the tunnel complex, this eatery serves traditional dishes like boiled cassava and green tea, letting you experience what Viet Cong soldiers once ate during the war.
- Benaras Cu Chi: This restaurant dishes out rich Indian curries, buttery naan, and spiced biryanis just minutes from the tunnels. It’s cozy, vegetarian-friendly, and ideal for families wanting a taste of home.
- Ben Nay Restaurant: Perched along a quiet riverbank, this restaurant offers grilled meats, seafood, and hotpot in charming bamboo huts. It’s the kind of place where the food is fresh and the views do the talking.
- HCM Villages Restaurant: Just 10 km away from the tunnels, this garden-style restaurant prepares dishes with fresh, local ingredients and serves them in traditional wooden pavilions, perfect for unwinding after your tunnel tour.
- The tunnels are not wheelchair or stroller-friendly due to the unpaved and uneven terrain.
- Ben Dinh is more tourist-friendly due to the wider tunnels, better signage and easier access to facilities. On the other hand, Ben Duoc has deeper and narrower tunnels, which make it more authentic but less accessible to tourists.
- The tunnels are narrow, dark, humid, and require crawling and crouching, making them unsuitable for pregnant women and guests with claustrophobia, heart, respiratory, and mobility issues.
Places to explore near Cu Chi Tunnels
Hoang Cam Kitchen
Step inside the underground kitchen used by Viet Cong soldiers to cook in secret. See how smoke was redirected to avoid detection by enemy forces, giving you a fascinating look at wartime survival and daily underground life.
Frequently asked questions about the Cu Chi Tunnels tour
How long does a typical Cu Chi Tunnels tour last?
Most guided tours to the Cu Chi Tunnels last approximately 5 to 6 hours, including travel time from Ho Chi Minh City. However, if you are looking to spend more time at the tunnels or combine it with other attractions, opt for the Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Full Day Tour or Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Full-Day Tour.
Are the tunnels safe and suitable for everyone?
While the tunnels have been reinforced for safety, they are narrow. Visitors with mobility issues or claustrophobia may choose to stay above ground, where they can explore the exhibits and informative displays.
How far are the Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City?
The tunnels are approximately 30 to 40 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. Travel time varies depending on traffic and the mode of transport but it typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way.
Is there a private tour option available?
Yes, you can opt for the private group option in the Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Morning Guided Tour tour if you're looking for a more personalized experience or traveling with a family or group.
Is this tour suitable for children or elderly visitors?
The site is mostly accessible, but some areas involve walking on uneven ground or crouching in low tunnels. Most children find it fascinating, and seniors often enjoy the historical aspects and outdoor walk.
Is photography allowed at the Cu Chi Tunnels?
Yes, visitors are allowed to take photos above ground and in the museum areas. However, flash photography may be restricted inside the tunnels. Look at the signs or check in with your guides for more information.
Are there any interactive exhibits or activities?
Yes, the tour usually involves crawling through tunnels, seeing recreated booby traps, and even visiting a shooting range where you can fire historical weapons under supervision (at an additional cost).
Is there Wi-Fi or mobile signal at the Cu Chi Tunnels?
Mobile and Wi-Fi signals can be spotty in certain areas. It is recommended to download maps and content beforehand to help you enjoy the offline experience.
Are there restroom facilities at the Cu Chi Tunnels?
Yes, there are clean, basic restrooms at both the Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc tunnel sites. They are functional, but it is recommended to carry tissues and hand sanitizer just in case!
How far in advance should I book my tour?
During peak travel season (December–April), book at least 2–3 days in advance to secure your preferred time slot or small group option. Last-minute bookings are possible but risk limited availability.