Cu Chi

Cu Chi is a historic district about 40 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, famous for the Cu Chi Tunnels—a massive 250 km underground network dug during French occupation in the 1940s and expanded during the Vietnam War. The tunnels served as a complete underground community where people slept, ate, planned attacks, healed the sick, and even gave birth. Over 10,000 lives were lost defending this area despite intense bombing campaigns.

Tour buses depart Ho Chi Minh City around 08:00 for approximately US$5 per person for a half-day guided trip (not including tunnel admission), with 90 minutes travel time and about 1.5 hours touring. Private car tours from operators on Phan Dinh Phung cost US$35-50 return. Independent travelers can take bus 65 from Ben Thanh bus station, switching to bus 13 after a few stops, for 7,000 dong (about 1.5 hours). Bus 79 also reaches the area in about 45 minutes for 6,000 dong, stopping at a T-junction with Ben Duoc on the left and Ben Dinh on the right. From the Cu Chi bus station, negotiate a motorbike for the 20-minute ride for around 100,000 dong return.

The tunnels can be visited year-round, though mornings are recommended to avoid afternoon heat. Buses typically depart Ho Chi Minh City around 08:00, making early starts ideal. The site is less crowded on weekdays. Be aware that buses can be very warm and crowded, especially during peak tourist season.

For those staying overnight, Levy's Hotel offers rooms at 24A Street 12A, Quarter 8, accessible from Sai Gon along Highway 22. Single rooms cost 160,000 dong per night, while double rooms range from 200,000-300,000 dong. Most visitors, however, choose to stay in Ho Chi Minh City and visit as a day trip.

Food stalls selling drinks and light fare are available near the tunnel entrances. A kiosk or small restaurant mid-way along the walking track offers drinks, food, and ice cream at reasonable prices. At the end of the track near Ben Duoc, visitors can sample traditional Tapiaco (Asian Potato). A starch-based lunch is served at Ben Duoc with a donation box available.

A well-defined walking track loops around the tunnel complex, with mock-ups in the Revolutionary Tradition Area showing how people lived during the struggle. Visitors can crawl through a 30-meter section of tunnel (not recommended for claustrophobics), see examples of wartime traps, and observe bomb crater remnants. The firing range outside the complex (2.5 km away) offers the chance to shoot historical weapons including AK-47, M16, M60, and other rifles for 60,000 dong per bullet (February 2018), with a minimum of 10 bullets required. Hearing protection is provided.

The main safety concern involves bats living in the tunnel areas, particularly at Ben Dinh. If bitten or scratched by a bat, seek hospital care immediately as bats may carry rabies. The tunnel crawl (30-meter section) is not recommended for claustrophobic individuals. Some guides may rush tours—visitors should indicate if they want more time at certain areas. While buses can be warm and crowded, conditions are manageable.

Ho Chi Minh City is the primary onward destination, easily reached by the same buses that brought visitors. For those continuing north, Tay Ninh is accessible by public bus in about 2 hours. The Ben Duoc tunnels are further from Ho Chi Minh City and many local Vietnamese visit there, offering a slightly different experience than the more tourist-focused Ben Dinh site.