Cu Chi Ben Duoc Tunnels: Small Group Half-Day Tour & Pickup

Summary

Ben Duoc’s quieter Cu Chi tunnels with real stories and lunch

You’ll walk quiet forest paths at Ben Duoc, hear local stories from your guide, crawl through narrow Cu Chi Tunnels (if you want), and snack on fresh tapioca just like wartime soldiers did. This small-group day trip includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Ho Chi Minh City so you can focus on what you’re feeling—not logistics.

What’s the experience like?

You hear it before you see it—the soft crunch of sandals on red dust as we step out at Ben Duoc. Our guide, Hieu, waves us over to a shaded spot under the trees. He’s got this easy smile and keeps switching between English and Vietnamese with the driver. The air smells faintly smoky, almost earthy, which I guess makes sense once you see those old tunnel entrances carved into the ground. I didn’t expect to feel nervous just looking at them.

The drive from Ho Chi Minh City isn’t too long—maybe an hour and a half?—but it’s enough for the city noise to fade out. Hieu tells us about his uncle who fought here. There’s something different about being in a small group; nobody rushes or crowds you. We crouch by a rusty US Army tank (it’s weirdly smaller than I thought), and Hieu points out where booby traps used to be set up. He laughs when someone asks if he’s ever crawled through the tunnels himself (“Only when my boss makes me!”). The main keyword here is Cu Chi Tunnels tour, but honestly it feels more like time travel than tourism.

I tried crawling inside one of the tunnels—a tight squeeze, almost pitch black except for Hieu’s flashlight beam bouncing ahead. My knees still remember that rough clay texture. When we came out, there was this simple plate of boiled tapioca waiting for us. It tasted plain but sweet, dipped in crushed peanuts. I think about how people lived on that during the war; it hits different when you’re sitting right there next to the tunnel entrance with cicadas buzzing overhead.

On the way back, everyone was quieter than before—not sad exactly, just thoughtful. The whole half-day trip from Saigon to Ben Duoc gave me more perspective than any museum could have managed. And yeah, I still think about that first breath of cool air after crawling up from underground—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour

• Pickup from District 1, 3, 4 hotels
• Travel to Cu Chi Tunnels
• Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and war history
• Experience crawling inside tunnels
• See booby traps and ex-US Army tank
• Taste local Viet Cong food, tapioca
• Witness Viet Cong propaganda and underground kitchen
• Return to hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Top questions

How long does the Cu Chi Ben Duoc Tunnels tour take?

The half-day tour lasts around 5-6 hours including pickup and drop-off from central Ho Chi Minh City.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cu Chi Tunnels tour?

Yes, pickup is included from accommodations in District 1, 3, or 4 of Ho Chi Minh City.

Are meals provided during the Ben Duoc tunnels tour?

You’ll taste local tapioca near the tunnels; full meals are not included.

How crowded is Ben Duoc compared to other Cu Chi sites?

Ben Duoc is known for being less crowded and more peaceful than the main tourist area at Ben Dinh.

Can children join this Cu Chi Tunnels day trip?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and specialized infant seats are available upon request.

Will we have a local guide during our visit?

Yes, a knowledgeable local guide leads your group throughout the experience.

What should I wear for crawling in Cu Chi Tunnels?

Wear comfortable clothes that can get dusty; closed shoes are recommended for crawling inside tunnels.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Districts 1, 3 or 4 in Ho Chi Minh City, bottled water along the way, all entry fees at Ben Duoc Cu Chi Tunnels, guidance from a local expert throughout the tour, plus a taste of boiled tapioca served right beside the historic tunnels before heading back to your hotel by air-conditioned vehicle.