Cu Chi Tunnels In Vietnam – A Must Visit Historical Wonder

Most people coming to Ho Chi Minh City will immediately see a bustling city surrounded by magnificent high-rise buildings. However, before it became as bustling as it is today, this was also a place with many marks in the journey of resistance against imperialism, gaining independence, and reunification of the country in the history of the Vietnamese nation.

If you want to know more about Vietnamese history in general or the history of Ho Chi Minh City in particular, VM Travel suggested that The Cu Chi Tunnels is an ideal place that visitors should visit and experience cultural tourism here.

Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam – Walking in the Footsteps of Vietnam’s History

1. About Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam

1.1 Cu Chi Tunnels Location

Many visitors, when traveling, will wonder where the Cu Chi Tunnels are located? So this is helpful information for tourists. The Cu Chi Tunnels location belongs to Phu Hiep hamlet, Phu My Hung commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City. It is located nearly 70km from the city center in the northwest direction.

1.2 Cu Chi Tunnels history

The Cu Chi Tunnels History is divided into two periods

• 1946-1948: During the Indochina War, the army and people of Tan Phu Trung and Phuoc Vinh An communes dug short tunnels with simple structures used to hide documents and weapons, as well as to hold meetings to discuss plans. revolutionary plan. Area residents dug individual tunnels to avoid raids by the French army and to provide shelter for Viet Minh troops
• 1965-1968: The northern communes of Cu Chi Tunnels have finished the “backbone” axial tunnel path. Following that, authorities and units built branch tunnels that connected to the main road, resulting in continuous tunnels connecting hamlets, communes, and regions. Above ground, the soldiers and civilians created a network of interconnected trenches that linked to the tunnels. The fighting tunnels were also dug during this period and separated into various floors, nooks, and crannies. There are also various war emplacements, minefields, nail pits, and spike tunnels above the tunnels to serve combat purposes.

1.3 Cu Chi Tunnels Map

The Cu Chi Tunnels Map has a total length of up to 250km, is connected to 6 northern communes of Cu Chi Tunnels, and has three different depths: the highest floor is about 3m above the ground, and the middle floor is about 6m above the ground, and the deepest floors are about 12m. The Cu Chi Tunnel Relic Site are conserved in two locations: Ben Duoc Tunnels and Ben Dinh Tunnels in the Cu Chi area. Ben Dinh Tunnels (Ben Dinh Hamlet, Nhuan Duc Commune) and Ben Duoc Tunnels (Phu Hiep Hamlet, Phu My Hung Commune) have well-preserved underground networks.

1.4 Cu Chi Tunnels Traps – Terrifying Traps terrified American soldiers

The Cu Chi Tunnels traps are one of the things to visit when visitors come to the Cu Chi Historical Relic Sites because travelers will be surprised at the creativity of Viet Cong troops in using elementary tools to create traps against American soldiers. There, visitors will learn why American soldiers see Vietnamese traps as a horror. There are some traps tourists should see when coming to the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam

• Punji Sticks: These are traps made of pointed bamboo sticks that are frequently covered with urine, excrement, or another substance that would infect the victim. The Viet Cong would dig a hole, insert the sticks, and cover it with a thin frame. The victim would fall through the cover onto the spikes below
• Grenade-In-A-Can: Two cans were hung from trees on opposite sides of a path. The grenades’ safety pins are removed, and the explosives are placed in cans, which hold the striker levers in place. Each grenade was then attached to the tripwire. When the line was tripped, the grenades were yanked from the cans and detonated immediately. This might also be accomplished with a single can and a stake.
• Cartridge Trap: This trap was terrible since it was so difficult to detect. A cartridge, or round of ammunition, would be placed in a piece of bamboo and dropped into a shallow hole in the ground. A board and a nail were at the bottom of the bamboo. Walking on the cartridge would push the nail into the primer, converting the nail into a firing pin and sending the bullet upward into the unsuspecting victim’s foot.
• Bamboo Whip: The whip was another sharpened bamboo trap, consisting of spikes on a long bamboo rod. A tripwire-attached catch was used to bring the pole back into an arc. When the wire is tripped, the catch snaps, launching foot-long spikes into a trooper’s chest at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.
• Tiger Traps: Dig a hole below, fill it with sharp bamboo or iron spikes, and cover it with dry leaves. You are moving gently in the path, and imagine what will happen how painful it is when you accidentally fall on one leg there.

Furthermore, there are many different sorts of traps that were not listed above that you can explore at The Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam to admire the resourcefulness of Vietnamese people throughout the war.

2. Exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam

2.1 Best time to visit Cu Chi Tunnels

Ho Chi Minh City, like other Southern provinces, does not have 4 seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, like in the North, but only has 2 distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season usually takes place from May to November. During this season, the climate is often hot and humid, with high temperatures and lots of rain. As for the dry season, it usually takes place from December to April of the following year. During this season, the climate is dry, the temperature is high, and there is little rain. So the best time to visit Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam should be from December to May because this is the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season, so the climate is very ideal for traveling here.

2.2 Cu Chi Tunnels entrance fee

Opening hour: From 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, open all days in the week, including holidays.

The Cu Chi Tunnels entrance fee is as follows:

• Range from 35,000 VND to 70,000 VND for adult
• Children from 7 to 16 years old, pupils, and students: 50% of the adult ticket price
• People with disabilities, armed forces, children under 7 years old, the elderly, people with meritorious services to the revolution, and poor households: Free.
• If you want to visit the Military Liberation Zone’s reenactment areas, buy additional tickets for 65,000 VND per person.
• Ben Duoc Tunnels: 110.000 VND/ person 
• Ben Dinh Tunnels: 90.000 VND/ person

2.3 How to go to Cu Chi Tunnel?

Many visitors will also wonder how to go to the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam. Visitors will have many different options to visit the Vietnam underground tunnel systems. Below are some suggestions for choosing a transfer way that suits your preferences and itinerary.

By bus: A bus is the cheapest but most time-consuming alternative, taking 2.5 hours and approximately 25,000 VND to reach the Cu Chi Tunnels area.

• To go to Ben Duoc Tunnels, take bus 13 (Ben Thanh – Cu Chi) or bus 94 (Cho Lon – Cu Chi) to Cu Chi dock. Then, take bus no.79 (Cu Chi – Dau Tieng) to the Ben Duoc tunnels.
• To go to Ben Dinh Tunnels, take bus 13 (Ben Thanh – Cu Chi) or bus 94 (Cho Lon – Cu Chi) to An Suong dock. Then transfer to bus 122 (An Suong – Tan Quy) to Tan Quy station. Finally, to reach the Ben Dinh tunnels, take bus 70 (Tan Quy – Ben Suc).

By private car: A private car can be a flexible and comfortable way to explore Cu Chi Tunnels. Book a reputable private car service, and the driver will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, so you do not have to move between any dock to grab a bus.

By motorbike: If you want to experience Vietnam traffic, rent a motorbike and drive yourself to the Cu Chi Tunnels. It is an exciting way cause you can control your itinerary and time or even stop at any place to take a picture. Remember to check the weather forecast and maps before setting out.

By boat/Canoe: Traveling through the Cu Chi Tunnels by boat or canoe will provide a unique experience. You will have a chance to savor the daily activities of local people and the city’s scenery on both river banks. You can take a speedboat (the first boat leaves at 7:30 a.m. every day) along the Saigon River from Tan Cang port to Cu Chi in 75 minutes.

2.4 Cu Chi Tunnels Trip

Pack your bags and reserve your spot on the Cu Chi Tunnels trip to experience and explore the basements dug by the Vietnamese army and people during the conflict. You will not be disappointed with the Cu Chi Tunnels Tour! Visitors will be astonished by the interconnecting tunnels that resemble spider webs and depict Vietnam’s iconic war events, providing visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience that cannot be found anywhere else.

2.5 Cu Chi Tunnels Foods

When you travel to Cu Chi Tunnels, do not miss a chance to bask in the diverse cuisine here. Cu Chi District is between the dynamic Ho Chi Minh City and the rich culture of Tay Ninh Province. Therefore, Cu Chi is deeply absorbed in the diverse cuisine between the distinct areas. After visiting Cu Chi Tunnels, you can choose any local restaurants around this historical site to savor Cu Chi Tunnels food. From budget to high-quality restaurants, it offers an authentic culinary experience for the local cuisine. Some of the highlight specialties of Cu Chi cuisine made the district’s name, including the top 04 delicious foods: Cu Chi roasted calf, young jackfruit mixed with meat, boiled fresh bamboo shoots mixed with shrimp and meat, and steamed cassava with coconut water.

3. Experiencing the Cu Chi Tunnels

3.1 Explore the Tunnels

This is unquestionably the primary draw of the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Relic Area. You will be able to tour and explore every corner of the 120m long, two-story tunnel system. Experience the delicacies of potatoes, cassava, and tubers dipped in sesame salt that Hoang Cam’s kitchen used to prepare for locals and soldiers. The Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam was constructed of clay mixed with laterite, making it extremely robust and virtually free of landslides. Furthermore, the vents are designed to look on the ground and blend in quietly, so you may feel safe when visiting. However, because the road is fairly narrow, you may have to bend over and move on your knees at points, making it difficult to breathe, so keep your health and physical condition in mind before participating in proceeding through the tunnels.

3.2 Visit the War Remnants

As the name implies, War Remnants is where you may see movies about the magnificent historical years of the Cu Chi warriors and people from 1961 to 1972. This space is divided into three major areas:

• Space 1: Recreating the fighting, working, studying, and living lives of the people, officers, and guerrilla soldiers of Cu Chi through very vivid models.
• Space 2: Recreating the damage of the hamlet with bomb fragments and bullet casings left in Cu Chi, as well as the people’s hard existence during the time of fierce battle.
• Space 3: Recreating the harsh, arid area of Cu Chi after the devastation of bombs and bullets, there are only corpses of tanks and airplanes everywhere, forcing soldiers and civilians to live underground.

3.3 Cu Chi tunnels shooting range

The Cu Chi tunnels shooting range is a popular destination for young people and those who enjoy thrilling sports. You can choose defense shooting if you go to the individual. Defense sports shooting allows you to put your rifle shooting talents to the test while also learning how to disassemble and assemble guns under the supervision of specialists. The price of a bullet for each type of gun ranges from 40,000 VND to 60,000 VND. This is an intriguing experience for individuals who wish to try their hand at handling a weapon.

3.4 Visit the Cu Chi Tunnel Ben Duoc

Ben Duoc Tunnels cover 100 hectares, which is five times the size of Ben Dinh Tunnels (17 hectares). As a result, the journey distance is likewise greater. However, in the southern portion of Vietnam, Ben Duoc provides the most practical experience of combat. You may observe how difficult life might be in these tiny tunnels and attempt to challenge yourself to beat the odds. While Ben Dinh has a variety of enjoyable activities, Ben Duoc has a number of noteworthy historical monuments, such as Ben Duoc Memorial Temple and Hoang Cam Kitchen

3.5 Playing Paintball Guns

If you go with a large group and want to play together, then choose paintball shooting. Players in paintball shooting will be outfitted with masks, outfits, armor, and guns for fighting in the natural forest. These war simulator games will not only allow you to feel the shooting, teamwork, and fighting spirit of former troops but also give you the opportunity to show your coordination skills with teammates, your judgment ability, and your reaction speed. The cost of this service is 50,000 VND per person for each 60-minute session, and the price of bullets is 3,000 VND per bullet.

4. Tips and Tricks

• Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam, you don’t need to worry too much about eating because among the ruins there is a food court providing drinks and fast food; or you can automatically provide food outside and enjoy it on-site as an extension.
• If you are interested in buying souvenirs from the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Relic Area, you can visit the souvenir shop to buy some items made from bullet shells, such as lighters, pens, lamps, etc. Handicraft products are made from rattan and bamboo.
• For ease of movement, wear neat, dark-colored clothing and athletic shoes when visiting the tunnels.
• Don’t forget to apply sunscreen and spray insect repellent to protect your skin
• The entrance cost is higher during the holidays, but there are more activities for tourists.

Hopefully, with the recent sharing, you will have a journey to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels in the most convenient and complete way! If you intend to visit this location soon, save the essential information recommended by… above.