Cu Chi Tunnels Ben Duoc: Small-Group Tour with Pickup

Summary

Ben Duoc’s tunnels echo with old stories and quiet courage

You’ll step quietly into Ben Duoc’s less crowded Cu Chi Tunnels with a local guide who knows every story and shortcut. Crawl through narrow passageways, see hidden kitchens and traps up close, then share lunch nearby before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City — probably still thinking about what you saw underground.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed wasn’t the tunnels — it was this odd hush in the air as we got off the van near Ben Duoc. Not silent exactly, but softer than Ho Chi Minh City. Our guide, Minh, handed out bottled water and grinned like he’d seen this all before. “You ready to crawl?” he asked. I thought I was, but honestly, I had no idea what squeezing through those Cu Chi Tunnels would feel like.

The drive took about an hour and a half from downtown Saigon — long enough for me to wonder if we were lost at one point (we weren’t). When we finally reached the site, there were hardly any crowds. Minh said most tourists go to Ben Dinh instead. He seemed proud of that; “This is where locals bring their families,” he told us. The air smelled faintly of earth and something smokier near the old kitchen vents. I tried ducking into one of the entrances — my knees complained right away, but it was cooler underground than I expected. You could hear your own breath bouncing back at you.

Minh showed us how they cooked without giving away their position — clever stuff with bamboo pipes and tiny fires. There was a moment when he pointed out a trapdoor hidden in plain sight; someone in our group actually stepped right over it without noticing (I almost did too). We laughed about it later over lunch at a nearby spot — nothing fancy, just rice and pork and some pickled vegetables that tasted way better than they looked. If you want to try the shooting range, you can — I skipped it because honestly, just crawling through those tight spaces was enough adrenaline for me.

I still think about how dark it got inside those tunnels when Minh switched off his flashlight for a second. Just pitch black and this weird sense of time slowing down. It’s hard not to imagine what life must have been like down there decades ago — waiting for nightfall, listening for footsteps above. The ride back felt quieter somehow, even though the city noise picked up again as soon as we hit District 1.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Ben Duoc Cu Chi Tunnels

• Pickup from central hotels or meet point
• Drive 1.5 hours to Ben Duoc Tunnels
• Explore tunnel system and passageways
• Learn about guerrilla daily life
• Crawl through tunnels
• See kitchens and living quarters
• Learn about traps and weapons
• Visit weapon rooms
• Try shooting range with war guns
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Top questions

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

The tour lasts around 7 hours including travel from Ho Chi Minh City.

Is hotel pickup included in this Cu Chi Tunnels tour?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels in Districts 1, 3, and 4.

Can you crawl inside the tunnels during the tour?

Yes, you can crawl short distances through parts of the tunnel system if you wish.

Is lunch included on this day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels?

Lunch is included if you select the VIP option; otherwise you can buy your own at a nearby restaurant.

Are there fewer tourists at Ben Duoc compared to Ben Dinh?

Yes, Ben Duoc is less crowded and more popular with locals than tourists.

Is there an age limit for using the shooting range?

You must be over 18 years old to participate in shooting activities at the range.

How far are Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City?

The tunnels are about 1.5 hours by car from central Ho Chi Minh City.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from centrally located hotels in Districts 1, 3 or 4 (or meeting point), entry ticket to Ben Duoc Cu Chi Tunnels with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide beside you throughout, transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, a bottle of water for each guest, plus lunch if you choose that option before heading back into town together.