Updated: 08/25/2019
Cu Chi (Củ Chi) is famous as “steel land” of Vietnam. Not only is a famous military project of Vietnam and the world and is a national historical monument, but Cu Chi Tunnels is also an attractive tourist destination. Visiting this site, you will not only discover the secret tunnels in the ground but also “roam” in the East Sea simulators, participate in the entertainment, and enjoy the dishes that just can be found in Cu Chi.
If you intend to visit this place, the following article may be helpful to you.
Overview About The Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi Tunnels (Địa đạo Củ Chi) is one of seven exotic destinations in Southeast Asia and also one of six artisanal works of the world. It was built in the anti – American resistance war. Located in the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City (Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh), with a tunnel of 200km, this historic site is currently used as a war museum.
Cu Chi Tunnels are now preserved in two places:
- Ben Duoc Tunnel (Địa đạo Bến Dược): in Phu Hiep Hamlet (Ấp Phú Hiệp), Phu My Hung Commune (Xã Phú Mỹ Hưng), Cu Chi District (Huyện Củ Chi), Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ben Dinh Tunnels (Địa đạo Bến Đình): in Ben Dinh Village (Ấp Bến Đình), Nhuan Duc Commune (Xã Nhuận Đức), Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.
Best Time To Visit The Cu Chi Tunnels
Because the Cu Chi Tunnels are located in the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City, you can visit this place at any time of the year. However, coming here at the weekend is the favorite choice of many people, both foreigners and Vietnamese.
How To Get To The Cu Chi Tunnels?
Cu Chi Tunnels are about 70km northwest of Saigon so you can travel by bus, motorbike or taxi. Here are some of the routes to get to Cu Chi Tunnels for you to consider:
1. Travel By Motorbike Or Car
- Go To Ben Duoc Tunnel
From Ben Thanh bus station(Bến xe Bến Thành), go along Cach Mang Thang Tam Street (Đường Cách Mạng Tháng Tám), pass Truong Chinh Street (Đường Trường Chinh), cross An Suong overpass (Cầu vượt An Sương) on national highway 22. At the Gieng Nuoc crossroad (Ngã tư Giếng Nước), turn right to Ba Trieu Street (đường Bà Triệu) and go to the end of the street to find a crossroad before turning right and then turning left to go to Trung Nu Vuong Street (Đường Trưng Nữ Vương). After getting to Sang bridge (Cầu Sáng), head to Tan Quy intersection (Ngã tư Tân Quy), go on Ben Nay bridge (Cầu Bến Nẩy) to get to An Nhon Tay intersection (Ngã Tư An Nhơn Tây). Then, cross Tret bridge (Cầu Trệt) and move to the Trang bridge (Cầu Trắng). Turn left and go about 1km further to go to the front gate of the tunnel.
- Go To Ben Dinh Tunnel
From Ben Thanh bus station, go along Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, then pass Truong Chinh Street to cross An Suong overpass on national highway 22. After getting to N31A-TL7 bridge, you turn left into Trung Lap Street (Đường Trung Lập) and turn right on Phu Thuan Street (Đường Phú Thuận). Go for about 1.4 km then turn left and keep moving about 1km further to go to the tunnel.
2. Travel By Taxi
If you go by taxi, it will take about 1.5 hours to go to Cu Chi Tunnels with the cost of about 500.000 – 600.000VND.
3. Travel By Bus
Travelling by bus to Cu Chi Tunnels is very convenient and economical. However, if you choose this option, you will not be able to visit the wildlife rescue area and experience other interesting things on the way to Cu Chi.
- Go To Ben Duoc Tunnel
From Ben Thanh bus station, take the bus no. 13 (Ben Thanh – Cu Chi) to Cu Chi bus station. From Cu Chi bus station, take the bus no.79 (Cu Chi – Dau Tieng) to Ben Duoc Tunnel.
Alternatively, from Cho Lon bus station (Bến xe Chợ Lớn), take the bus no.94 (Cho Lon – Cu Chi) to Cu Chi bus station. From Cu Chi bus station, take the bus no.79 (Cu Chi – Dau Tieng) to the Ben Duoc Tunnel.
- Go To Ben Dinh Tunnel
From Ben Thanh, take bus number 13 (Ben Thanh – Cu Chi) to An Suong bus station. From An Suong bus station, take bus 122 to Tan Quy bus station. From Tan Quy bus station, take bus 70 to Ben Dinh Tunnel.
Or from Cho Lon bus station, take bus number 94 (Cho Lon – Cu Chi) to An Suong bus station. From An Suong bus station, take bus 122 to Tan Quy bus station (Bến xe Tân Quy). From Tan Quy bus station, take bus 70 to Ben Dinh Tunnel.
If you choose this option, you will not be able to visit the wildlife rescue area and experience other interesting things on the way to Cu Chi.
Where To Stay In The Cu Chi Tunnels?
Most visitors come to Cu Chi Tunnels within one day; however, if you are far away, you can stay overnight here. Room rates range from 150-300.000VND / room / night.
What Are Attractions In The Cu Chi Tunnels?
1. Wildlife Rescue Station
Address: 202/10 Nguyen Xi (Nguyễn Xí), Ward 26, Binh Thanh District (Quận Bình Thạnh), Ho Chi Minh City.
This is a place rescuing and treating wild animals gotten trapped or sick before returning them to the wild. The rescue station is located between Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc. Since its inception, the station has helped about 3,600 animals of various rare species. Therefore, take a moment to visit and feel the animals, while also understanding the work of wildlife protection.
2. The Temple In Ben Duoc
Admission is 20.000VND / Vietnamese and 80.000VND / foreigner. Here, you will be looking at Tam Quan Gate, nine-storey tower, tombstone house, and unique, large temples. In particular, you will be able to hand-lit the incense to show your respect to Vietnam’s heroes who sacrificed for the peace of Cu Chi.
3. Tunnels
Cu Chi Tunnels have the same structure as the tree root hotel in the Doraemon series. It is considered one of the 10 most attractive underground works in the world. A small note is that the distance from the Ben Duoc gate to the tunnels is quite far, so tourists, especially the elderly guests, are advised to take the tram (5.000VND / ticket) to save time and energy.
There you can explore every corner of those famous tunnels. It is considered the best experience tourists have during their trip to Cu Chi Tunnels.
The tunnel is about 120m long and has 2 floors, most of which have been extended for more comfortable viewing. There are very little water and no toilets in the tunnels, so you should prepare on your own in advance. Do not forget to wear glasses and bring flashlights because you will not be able to go through the tunnels without them. Besides, take a camera along with you if you want to save those memorable moments.
Entrances and ventilation are like ants’ nest. In the process of crossing the tunnel, you will have a chance to admire the valuable cultural heritage. For those who are fans of exploring, you will definitely enjoy this place.
There are not many doors in Cu Chi Tunnels (only the main entrance and the secret door). There is a secret way which is very difficult to go through and only suitable for those with passion of adventure.
Especially, after going out of the tunnel, you will be eating yam and manioc with sesame salt and drink water without fee at Hoang Cam kitchen (Bếp Hoàng Cầm). In this area, there are some places selling food, but you will not have many options, and the price of food is quite high.
4. The Reconstruction Of The War Zone
If you want to see the whole war in the Cu Chi Tunnels, go to this area. With lively models and fascinating presentations, the whole battle is reproduced in detail.
Located at the rear of the hall, there are famous historical relics of Vietnam such as Nha Rong Harbor (Bến cảng Nhà Rồng), Hue Ancient Capital (Cố đô Huế), One Pillar Pagoda (Chùa Một Cột), Sai Gon Bridge (Cầu Sài Gòn), Long Bien Bridge (Cầu Long Biên), My Thuan Bridge (Cầu Mỹ Thuận), Truong Sa Island (Quần đảo Trường Sa), and Hoang Sa Island (Quần đảo Hoàng Sa).
5. Shooting Range
This is an attractive and popular area for young visitors. You will have to pay 50.000VND / 60 minutes. Each AK cartridge belt has 25 bullets, each M16 cartridge belt has 20 bullets, and each handgun has 7 bullets.
6. The Bathing Area Simulating East Sea
After having sweated a lot for visiting the tunnel and shooting, come to the bathing area simulating the East Sea for a swim in the cool water. From the tunnel, you only need to walk about 15 minutes to get there. Ticket price is 20.000VND / person.
7. Trung An Fruit Garden
After bathing, eating some fresh fruit is really a rewarded experience. Also, the huts in the garden are also suitable for picnicking.
What To Eat In The Cu Chi Tunnels?
These are three delicious specialties of Cu Chi that you definitely should try at least once:
1. Pig Feet Rice Vermicelli In Minh Quy Restaurant
Located about 7km from An Suong overpass, this restaurant is famous and always crowded. Because it usually runs out at 9 am so if you want to enjoy this special rice vermicelli, then you should go early.
2. Steer In Xuan Dao Restaurant
This restaurant is located a few hundred meters from Cu Chi overpass, on the 22 highway to the center. In this restaurant, you will find a lot of delicious dishes made from steer, but perhaps the best is still the grilled steer. In particular, the price is not too high, so you can comfortably enjoy the foods.
3. Durian Sugar Cane Juice In Vuon Cau Tea Shop
This tea shop is about 3km away from Cu Chi Bridge. If you go to An Suong overpass, don’t skip this tea shop since there is special sugar cane juice which is hardly found anywhere else.
The above are some Cu Chi traveling experiences you should know to have a great tour in Vietnam, in general, and Ho Chi Minh City, in particular. If you want to visit this place, prepare your belongings and start the trip to feel the splendor of this magnificent land. Cu Chi tunnels always welcome you.
To see more other attractions in Vietnam, please visit our Attractions Page. Drop your words below this post if you have any comment about our article.
