Cu Chi Tour: Things That Travel and Tour Agency Did Not Tell You
As in the Top 7 most adventurous places in Southeast Asia and also one of the top 12 most attractive underground destinations in the world, Cu Chi gives you a distinctive tourism and travel experience when coming here. This old tunnel complex looks like a hidden maze. Tourists can glimpse a part of Vietnamese history as they actually were traveling through wartime.
Along with its hustle and bustling city center of Ho Chi Minh, Cu Chi brings a distinctive aspect, embracing historical events that attract international and local tourists. Explore the article below to discover the historical corners of Cu Chi and learn more about a series of Cu Chi tours.
I. Introduction to Cu Chi: What to expect
1. Location of Cu Chi tunnels
- Address: No. TL15, Phu Hiep, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh.
- Opening hours: from 8 am - 5 pm every day.
- Entrance fees (update 2023): Ben Duoc (VND 110.000/pax); Ben Dinh (VND 90.000/pax).
Located in the Cu Chi district, which is the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi is away from the city center of 70 kilometers. It includes Ben Dinh runners and Ben Duoc tunnels. This outskirt district is worth traveling to for its impressive historical meanings and complex tunnel networks, such as fresh fruit gardens and others.
2. Weather in Cu Chi
The weather in Cu Chi is another aspect for travelers to consider before visiting this place. With its tropical climate, Cu Chi features two seasons, including the rainy season from May to October and the dry season from November to April, which is the best time to travel to Cu Chi.
3. History of Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi is a giant underground tunnel system, initially built in the jungle terrain and also connected tunnels among different hamlets and communes in the Indochina War from 1945 to 1954 against the French colonial army. This tunnel served as a hiding place for Vietnam's revolutionary troops to commute.
During the Vietnam War, the tunnel was expanded into a complex for Communist soldiers to transport communications, support medical treatments, and take shelter from sudden aerial bombardment and attacks. As a center military headquarters, Cu Chi tunnels played a significant role in the forces of Vietnamese people's resistance to the American military. Besides, it also acted as a stronghold to form strategies and launch many military campaigns, particularly in the Tet Offensive in 1968.
II. How to get to Cu Chi
There are lots of ways to get to Cu Chi to enjoy Cu Chi tours. You can select one of the approaches below to know more:
1. By bus
Taking a bus going to Cu Chi is the cheapest way for tourists. You will catch bus No. 13 from 23-9 Park, which is near Pham Ngu Lao Street to the bus station of Cu Chi. And then, you move onto the bus No. 79 heading to Ben Duoc. It takes travelers about 2.5 hours and is around $1.
2. By taxi
Another way to get to Cu Chi is by taking a taxi, which is the most convenient way, but the most expensive way as well. It takes about 140 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi, and you have to pay up to $60 one-way.
3. By motorbike
Travelers can visit Cu Chi by taking motorbikes on their own or hire in the city of Ho Chi Minh. A 140-kilometer drive takes about 1.5 hours to reach the Ben Dinh section.
4. By boat
Finally, tourists can go to Cu Chi by boat, taking from Tan Cang Harbor, which slows down the Saigon River to get to Cu Chi in 1.5 hours. It is better to go on a morning boat at 7:30 am daily.
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III. Things to explore Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City
1. Explore the Cu Chi tunnel complex
Currently, Cu Chi tunnels act as an outdoor war accessible to travelers. You can explore the whole 120 kilometers of tunnel systems with various attractive activities:
- Ben Binh tunnels: It was rebuilt and enlarged to attract travelers. Therefore, it is crowded in the Cu Chi network. Lying next to the Saigon River, Ben Dinh has a perfect location, in which the Commissioners for Cu Chi led a group of troops and then escaped along the river in any emergency case from 1968 to 1975. Besides, you start visiting from a thatched hut that shows regional maps in the tunnels. Additionally, when travelers head into the forest, local guides can show them how dangerous booby traps are here. After 45 minutes of exploring the Cu Chi underground tour, travelers can see many old amenities in the tunnels.
- Ben Duoc Tunnels: With an area of 100 hectares, Ben Duoc Tunnels are bigger compared to Ben Dinh Tunnels, which take about 17 hectares. Until now, it is less touristy. As a favorite site for those who enjoy adventures, they can get hands-on experience in the ground city of Ho Chi Minh. It also allows tourists to challenge themselves to crawl and cramp through tunnels at a deeper level. Nowadays, the original tunnels of Ben Duoc are extended and restored by stunning lighting systems to make tourists’ journeys safer.
2. Go sightseeing around the Military liberation areas
It reenacts the time from 1961 to 1972 in South Vietnam, bringing travelers a vivid tourism experience as if they were traveling back in time. Visiting these places enables tourists a reflect on the Vietnam soldier's life and Cu Chi during the wartime. Some places are ruined by toxic chemicals and bombing raids.
3. Shooting guns and paintball guns
Besides remarkable underground exploring experiences, tourists can also emerge in fascinating military sports. Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc enable tourists to participate in shooting ranges such as AK-47s and M16s with the staff's instruction.
Coming here, you will be equipped with masks, armor, and guns in the natural jungle. The games help you experience the shooting activities and fighting spirits as the soldiers in the past.
4. Swimming pool in Ben Duoc tunnels
After participating in Cu Chi tunnel tours and military activities, travelers immerse themselves in the cool water and play water sports in the swimming pool. The fee for swimming here ranges from VND 50.000 for a person in 60 minutes.
5. Explore Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue station
Known as the Animal Rescue Station in Cu Chi, Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue station is situated between Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc, 8 kilometers from the central part of tourist areas. As the largest rescue center in Vietnam’s Southern part, Cu Chi Station expanded to about 4000 m2.
Established in 2016, Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station is home to protect 5500 rare animal species that are on the edge of extinction in Vietnam. Besides, it is home to several vulnerable creatures harmed by traps and long-time abuse.
● Address: No. 50, 15 Road, Cho Cu Ha hamlet, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh.
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IV. Explore Cu Chi Mekong Tour: travel and travel agents might not tell you
1. Cu Chi Tunnel private tour
Taking a Cu Chi tunnel private tour brings experiences that tourists can discover the rich heritage of Vietnam's culture and history. Besides, they can learn about the impressive underground world of Vietnam's tunnel networks from local guides and taste special tea and cassava.
Private Cu Chi Tunnels by car
- Departure time is from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm.
- Transportation: by car in the private Cu Chi Tunnel tours.
Itinerary:
- Learn the struggles of life in wartime to see how soldiers and civilians throughout the conflicts.
- Explore the complex Cu Chi tunnel systems with a wide area of countryside near Ho Chi Minh City.
- Start watching an introductory video of a long 25-year construction and then go underground in the 120-mile Cu Chi tunnel system offered a safe place for soldiers.
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2. Cu Chi tunnel entrance fee
Cu Chi tunnels entrance fees include VND 90.000/ person to enter Ben Duoc Tunnels and VND 110.000/person to enter Ben Dinh Tunnels.
- Cu Chi tunnel tour price
The Cu Chi tunnel tour price will depend on the period you go on a trip to Cu Chi. However, the cost for private Cu Chi Tunnels is $134 for a pax, $70 for two paxes, and $57 for three paxes.
- Cu Chi tour 1 day with Ho Chi Minh City
Itinerary: Reunification Palace - War Remnants Museum - Notre Dame Cathedral & Saigon Old Post Office - Ben Thanh Market - Cu Chi Tunnels.
Highlights:
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City in terms of famous destinations.
- Discover historical relics in Saigon.
- Explore Ben Thanh Market
- Take a tour around Cu Chi Tunnels
- Taste the local cuisines.
- Tour duration: 1 day
- Departure date: any time.
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