Currently, this place is one of the famous national relics. It brings you an interesting experience on your trip to Ho Chi Minh City. Let’s explore this famous and unique place with Origin Vietnam.
1. Where Are Cu Chi Tunnels?
The Cu Chi Tunnels relic site is located on Provincial Road 15, Phu Hiep Hamlet, Phu My Hung Commune, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is located about 55 km from the city center and about 52 km northwest of Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
2. How Is Cu Chi Tunnels Unique?
Cu Chi tunnels are a unique “wonder” built during the resistance war against French colonialism in 1946 – 1948. It has a 250 km long tunnel system, inside there are structures such as kitchens, trenches, infirmaries, rooms, etc.
This place is also likened to the creative and changing battle formation of the Cu Chi army and people during 30 years of fighting against invaders. In particular, this relic site is one of the 6 most special man-made structures in the world and one of the 7 most unusual destinations in Southeast Asia.
Not only a historical relic, Cu Chi tunnels are also an attractive eco-tourism destination. With a cool, fresh green space, you can participate in experiential activities such as shooting, throwing grenades, or enjoying rustic dishes with a strong rural flavor.
3. When Is The Best Time To Visit Cu Chi Tunnels?
To have a complete trip to Cu Chi, you need to carefully study the weather. Because it is located next to Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi also has a tropical monsoon climate, near the equator. Therefore, the weather is divisive into 2 distinct seasons: rainy season and dry season, with an average temperature of about 26.6 degrees Celsius.
In fact, you can come to Cu Chi in any season because the weather here is cool and pleasant all year round. But according to the experience of previous tourists traveling to Saigon. The most ideal time to travel here is in the dry season, from December to May of the following year.
During this time, the weather is mildly sunny and there is little rain. It facilitates travel, sightseeing, exploring the relic site and participating in other outdoor activities. In addition, on weekends, Cu Chi is also quite crowded with tourists. To ensure a smooth trip, you should check the weather forecast in advance and go on weekdays.
4. How To Get To Cu Chi Tunnels?
To travel to Cu Chi Tunnels, you can choose from many different means of transportation, specifically:
4.1 By motorbike, self-driving car:
Starting from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, you can go from Ben Thanh via Cach Mang Thang 8 Street, then continue on Truong Chinh Street, An Suong Bridge, National Highway 22, Ba Trieu, Trung Nu Vuong, … Then, you continue straight through Hoc Mon town, cross Sang Bridge, follow Provincial Road 15, to Sang Bridge. Continue through Tan Quy intersection, Ben Nay bridge, Phu Hoa Dong market to reach the Cu Chi tunnels historical site.
4.2 By taxi:
If you have a lot of luggage and want a comfortable and convenient trip, a taxi is probably the most suitable means of transport. However, you also need to consider carefully because with a distance of about 60 km from the city center, the taxi fare will fluctuate around 500,000 – 600,000 VND/trip.
4.3 By bus:
If you have a lot of time on your trip and want to save money, the bus is also considered a suitable means of transport. You can go to Ben Thanh market and take bus number 13 to Cu Chi bus station. Then, you continue to take bus 79 to Cu Chi tunnels. The travel time of the bus is about 2 and a half hours, so if you have time, you should choose this means of transport.
4.4 By Canoe, boat:
This will definitely be the most unique and strange means of transport to travel to Cu Chi tunnels. In addition, this means of transport can also help visitors comfortably admire and visit the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river and check-in on the boat. This is an interesting travel experience that you should not miss.
5. Opening Hours And Ticket Prices To Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
- Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:00 all days of the week.
- Ticket price: 70,000 VND/person/trip.
6. History of Cu Chi Tunnels
The history of Cu Chi tunnels is closely associated with the resistance war against the French, the period of 1946 – 1948. The project was carried out by the army and people of Tan Phu Trung commune and Phuoc Vinh An commune to hide and store weapons and military equipment.
Initially, each village here had its own base. However, due to the need for travel, they connected with each other to create a complete system. The Cu Chi tunnel project now connects 6 communes in the North of the Cu Chi tunnel. From this project, soldiers and militia can easily communicate, hide forces, and discuss revolutionary plans.
From 1961 to 1965, this project was developed into many interconnected branches. The top of this project was also equipped with many nail holes, bell tunnels, minefields, etc. to serve the fighting of the army and people of Cu Chi.
7. Exploring The Diagram And Structure Of The Cu Chi Tunnels
7.1 In terms of depth, the tunnel is divided into 3 floors
- First floor (about 3m deep): Can withstand artillery shells as well as the weight of tanks and armored vehicles. This place is mainly ventilation pipes, traps, kitchens, etc.
- Second floor (depth about 5m): Can withstand small bombs. This floor is mostly passages with a series of traps, spikes, some resting areas, shelters and ambushes.
- Third floor (depth about 8 to 10m, some sections up to 12m): Can withstand most types of bombs. The last floor of the tunnel includes resting places for cadres, medical stations, weapons reserves, cultural activities and combat planning meetings.
7.2 Regarding the area, Cu Chi Tunnels are divided into 3 main areas
- Ben Duoc Tunnels (Saigon – Gia Dinh Military Region Base (Area A): 66,586.4 m2.
- Saigon – Gia Dinh Regional Party Committee Base (Area B): 16,664.8 m2.
- Ben Dinh Tunnels (Cu Chi District Party Committee Base): 67,086.2 m2.
7.3 Cu Chi Tunnels are divided into 2 protection areas.
7.3.1 Protection Area I includes a part of the tunnel system and some reused and simulated works:
- Saigon – Gia Dinh Military Region Base (Area A).
- The group of works includes a ventilation shaft and two tunnel mouths leading to the Saigon River.
- Saigon – Cho Lon Regional Party Committee Base (Area B).
- Ben Dinh Tunnels.
7.3.2 Protection Area II includes a part surrounding Protection Area I of Area A, Area B, Ben Dinh Tunnels and a Other works are as follows:
- Ben Duoc Martyrs Memorial Temple.
- Liberated Zone Reenactment Area.
- East Sea Architectural Landscape Simulation Area.
- Cedar Falls Sweep Battle Model Exhibition House.
- The Temple is located in the Saigon – Cho Lon – Gia Dinh Revolutionary Traditional Area.
In addition, Cu Chi Tunnels also includes a sports shooting range, offices, hotel areas, restaurants, parking lots, etc.
8. Activities And Experiences When Traveling To Cu Chi Tunnels
8.1 Visiting Cu Chi tunnels
It would be a mistake to visit Cu Chi tunnels without exploring the tunnels deep underground. You can admire the tunnels – where the Vietnamese army and people operated during the war. The tunnel is 120m long with 2 floors, which will bring you many interesting experiences.
In addition, you can also enjoy dishes with strong local flavors. These are dishes that people in the past still ate in the tunnels such as: potatoes, cassava, yams with sesame salt, etc.
8.2 Exploring the war zone reenactment area in Cu Chi tunnels tourist area
As one of the famous historical sites, the meaning of Cu Chi tunnels is also associated with history and war. When coming to this place, you should experience exploring the war zone reenactment area.
Here, you will see slow-motion footage of the entire life and fighting scene of the army and people of Cu Chi when living in this land. In addition, you can also admire many models of famous historical relics of Vietnam recreated at this tourist destination such as: Long Bien bridge, One Pillar Pagoda, Dragon wharf, Saigon bridge, etc.
8.3 Trying your hand at the shooting area inside Cu Chi tunnels
Tourists coming to Cu Chi tunnels are also quite interested in the activity of disassembling and assembling guns and trying their shooting skills. You will be enthusiastically guided by the staff of this tourist area. Normally, this place also attracts a lot of tourists, especially international tourists.
8.4 Visiting the swimming pool area simulating the East Sea
Cu Chi tunnels are also known as one of the famous Cu Chi tourist areas with a variety of different activities. After visiting the tunnels and military activities, you can immerse yourself in the clear blue water at the swimming pool simulating the East Sea.
8.5 Enjoying Trung An fruit garden in the Cu Chi tunnels relic site
When you come to this tourist destination, you will be extremely excited to visit the gardens and enjoy many delicious fruits. Trung An fruit garden is quite famous here, you can pick and enjoy many delicious fruits right in the garden such as: rambutan, plum, jackfruit, durian, …
8.6 Visiting the wildlife rescue station
The Cu Chi tunnels map will guide you to visit the wildlife rescue station, this place is only about 1km from the center of the tourist area, located between Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh. This is also the largest rescue station in the southern region of Vietnam with more than 3,600 rare animal species. When coming to this tourist destination, you can freely play with animals as well as listen to stories told by the staff about the animals here.
9. Specialties When Traveling To Cu Chi Tunnels
When traveling to Cu Chi tunnels, you can enjoy delicious dishes at famous restaurants. It will help you have the most complete trip.
9.1 Famous restaurants here
When stopping here, you can choose two restaurants that are highly appreciated by many culinary enthusiasts. Such as:
- Ben Duoc Restaurant: With a large, airy space, diverse food menu and professional service style, Ben Duoc Restaurant is an ideal stop for many tourists. When coming here, you can enjoy rice paper with baby fish, sour soup with giang leaves, … and many other delicious dishes at affordable prices.
- Ben Dinh Restaurant: Ben Dinh Restaurant is built in a spacious area and serves rice dishes and rice plates according to visitors’ requests. Reasonable prices and attentive service are also big pluses for the restaurant.
9.2 Local specialties
When you come to this relic site, you can enjoy some of the following dishes:
- Bun gio heo Minh Quy: This will probably be the ideal dish for the morning to start your journey to visit the Cu Chi tunnels tourist destination. The restaurant is also open all day so you can enjoy it anytime.
- Boiled cassava with salt: This is a dish associated with many local people and the Vietnamese army when living in this tunnel. Therefore, many tourists have enjoyed this dish to somewhat feel the real life in the tunnels.
- Cu Chi beef: Beef is processed into many delicious dishes that are also very famous in Cu Chi. You can easily find this dish at many restaurants along the way to Cu Chi tunnels.
- Desserts: After the journey to explore the tunnels, you can enjoy delicious desserts with your family and friends that are full of the flavors of the people of Southern Vietnam.
- Sugarcane juice with durian: Sugarcane juice shops here are open from 6am to 8pm, priced at only 10,000 VND/cup. You can choose this drink to quench your thirst when traveling to Cu Chi tunnels.
10. Accommodation When Traveling To Cu Chi Tunnels
Since this is a day trip, after participating in the exciting activities here. You can return to Ho Chi Minh City to relax and stay overnight. However, if you want to stay overnight here, you can refer to some of the following places to stay:
- Kim Ngoc Resort. Address: 29 Pham Thi Trich, Hamlet 1, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Golden Emerald Resort. Address: 29 Pham Thi Trich, Hamlet 1, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Les Hameaux de l’Orient. Address: Trung Lap Thuong, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Thanh Thuy Hotel. Address: 446 Nguyen Thi Lang, Phuoc Vinh An, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Vuon Nha Ngoai Garden Homestay. Address: 712 Nguyen Van Kha Street, Phu Hoa Dong, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Myn’s Homestay. Address: Bau Lach, Pham Van Coi, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Anh Khoi Homestay. Address: Phuoc Hiep, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Paradise Hotel. Address: No. 41 Nguyen Van Hoai, Tan An Hoi, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Thanh Vinh Hotel. Address: No. 1/9 Dinh Chuong Duong, Ward 1, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Phuong Anh Guesthouse. Address: 20 Street No. 156, Binh My, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Hieu Hanh Guesthouse. Address: 2 Street No. Nguyen Thi Ru, Cu Chi Town, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Tuong Vy Guesthouse. Address: Phu Hoa Dong, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Cu Chi Boutique Farmstay. Address: No. 14, Street 393, Cay Sop Hamlet, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City.
11. Some Important Notes When Traveling To Cu Chi Tunnels
To have the most complete visit to the historical site of Cu Chi Tunnels. Don’t forget to note the following necessary notes:
- Clothes: You should choose comfortable, neat clothes. It creates favorable conditions for tunneling, sightseeing and other exploration activities.
- Find out the operating hours in advance: Know the opening and closing times of Cu Chi Tunnels. It will help you plan the most complete tour.
- Necessary personal items: You can prepare more drinking water, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, … on this tour.
- Book in advance: If you intend to stay here, you should book in advance to avoid the situation of no rooms available during peak times.
- You should wear soft and low-soled sneakers for more comfort when moving.
- For tourists who are afraid of narrow spaces or have low blood pressure, they should not go into small tunnels.
Cu Chi Tunnels is one of the famous tourist attractions in Saigon, promising to bring memorable experiences to visitors from all over. With a maze-like tunnel system and many unique services, this is a destination to explore the historical culture, the heroic war relics of the Vietnamese people that many tourists love.
Join Origin Vietnam – a reputable tour operator. We will accompany you on the Saigon tour to explore this heroic historical war site of the Vietnamese people with interesting activities and memorable experiences.
