Day trip from Ho Chi Minh City
Cu Chi Tunnels Day Trip
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a 250-km underground network used by the Viet Cong during the American War, now a half-day trip from Saigon. Ben Duoc is the quieter, more authentic site; Ben Dinh is closer but heavily tourist-staged. Allow 4–5 hours total with transport.
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a 250-km underground network used by the Viet Cong during the American War, now a half-day trip from Saigon. Ben Duoc is the quieter, more authentic site; Ben Dinh is closer but heavily tourist-staged. Allow 4–5 hours total with transport.
- Duration
- 5h
- From
- USD 20
- Departs
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Updated
- April 2026
The site
Cu Chi is not a single tunnel but a 250 km network that once stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border. Today you'll see restored entry hatches, widened tourist crawl-through sections, booby-trap displays, a 1960s-era film, and a shooting range.
Logistics
- Ben Duoc (2 hours from central HCMC, ~70 km) — recommended.
- Ben Dinh (1.5 hours, ~45 km) — closer, busier, more theatrical.
- Combine with Saigon city tour on a half-day itinerary if you're short on time.
Frequently asked questions
Ben Duoc or Ben Dinh — which Cu Chi Tunnels?
Ben Duoc. It's further (2 hours vs 1.5) but quieter, better preserved, and less theatrical. Ben Dinh is busier with bigger tour groups and more staged demonstrations.
Should I take the bus or the speedboat to Cu Chi?
Bus for budget ($15–25), speedboat for comfort ($45–70). The speedboat cuts total time by an hour and travels up the Saigon River — a much nicer journey than the highway.
How long does the Cu Chi Tunnels visit take?
On site: 2 hours. With transport: 4.5–5 hours from central Saigon by road, or 3.5 hours by speedboat.