Cu Chi Tunnels Tours from Ho Chi Minh City: 7 Ways to Go (2026)
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The Cu Chi Tunnels are roughly 45–50 km from central Ho Chi Minh City, and most tours cover them in 5–6 hours, from about USD 55 for a small group to about USD 90 by speedboat. Budget bus tours start near USD 5 but usually exclude the ticket. Pick Ben Duoc for a quieter visit, Ben Dinh for the busier site, and a private car if you want your own pace.
| Tour | Duration | From (as listed) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget half-day bus tour | Half day | USD 5 (transport only) | Tight budgets |
| Small-group half-day tour (Ben Duoc) | 6 hours | USD 55 | Quieter visit, first-timers |
| Half-day speedboat tour | About 6 hours | USD 90 | Travellers who want a river ride |
| Cu Chi and Cao Dai full day | 5–12 hours | USD 62 | Culture and history combined |
| Private car with driver | Flexible | USD 60 (taxi, round trip) | Families, own pace |
| Cu Chi and Mekong Delta combo | Full day | – | One day, two highlights |
| Public bus (DIY) | About 2.5 hours each way | – | Independent budget travellers |
Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc: which site?
Two sections of the tunnel network are open to visitors. Ben Dinh is about 45–50 km from the city and is the busier one. Ben Duoc is about 55–70 km away, quieter, and has a Monument Temple.
Sources disagree on fees and hours, so treat these as a guide. Local Vietnam (updated June 2023) lists VND 110,000 for Ben Dinh and VND 90,000 for Ben Duoc, open daily 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Innoviet lists VND 125,000 and opening from 7:00 am. Check the current ticket price before you go.
The 7 best Cu Chi Tunnels tour options
1. Budget half-day bus tour — transport only, large groups
Local Vietnam describes budget bus tours from about USD 5 that usually include transport only: no lunch and no entrance ticket.
Add the ticket (VND 90,000–125,000, depending on site and source) and the real cost rises. The downside is the group size. Large groups leave little time at each stop, so it suits travellers who mostly want to tick the site off cheaply.
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2. Small-group half-day tour to Ben Duoc — 6 hours
Innoviet lists its Small Group Cu Chi Tunnels Tour (Ben Duoc) at 55–95 for 6 hours, with the currency selector showing USD. It suits travellers who prefer fewer people and a quieter site. Tours generally include the entrance fee and a guide. The downside is the price gap over a bus tour and a fixed schedule. Confirm what is included before booking.
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3. Half-day speedboat tour — river out, road back
Mekong Delta Tours lists a half-day Cu Chi speedboat trip from USD 90 per person, with a 7:00 am hotel pickup and a 7:20 am boat departure from central District 1.
An Expedia listing reports a similar tour at USD 89 for 6 hours. That price is undated, so check it.
It suits travellers who want the river ride as part of the day. The downside is cost: it is the priciest half-day option here, and the boat leg adds nothing to the tunnel experience itself.
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4. Cu Chi and Cao Dai Temple full day — tunnels plus Tay Ninh
Several operators pair the tunnels with the Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh. Listings reported on Expedia and Travelocity show shared tours from USD 62 to USD 105 per person, with durations from 5 to 12 hours, and a private version at USD 157 for 9 hours 30 minutes.
Some add Black Virgin Mountain. No dates were shown.
It suits travellers who want two sights in one outing. The downside is the length. The 10–12 hour versions are long days, and the 5-hour version is rushed.
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5. Private car with driver — your own pace
Local Vietnam puts a taxi at about USD 60 for the round trip of around 120 km, a 2023 figure. Innoviet notes a private car with driver costs more than a tour for solo travellers or couples.
Private transport suits families, groups of three or four who can split the fare, and anyone wanting to arrive early or visit Ben Duoc. The downside is that a driver is not a guide. Check whether your fare includes waiting time and the entrance ticket.
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6. Cu Chi and Mekong Delta combo — two highlights in a day
Innoviet lists a Cu Chi and Mekong Delta VIP tour by limousine for small groups of 2–12, with lunch and beer included. It gave no price. Mekong Delta Tours also offers a one-day cruise combining both sites, again without a price on the page I found.
This suits travellers with a single free day. The downside is a lot of road time, so treat quotes as unconfirmed until you see them.
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7. Public bus — slowest, cheapest
Local Vietnam describes reaching Ben Duoc by public bus in about 2.5 hours, using bus 13 then bus 79, at VND 26,000. Ben Dinh by car or bus tour takes about 1.5 hours.
It suits independent travellers who are comfortable with local buses. The downside is the time. You also pay the entrance fee separately, and the Innoviet guide notes the ticket includes a guide for DIY visitors.
Who should skip the tunnels or the underground section
The tunnels are narrow, and the sites say so plainly. Local Vietnam notes they were widened for tourists but are still tight. Innoviet reports a 20 m fighting bunker that needs walking half-squatted, calls it “not for everybody”, and says it is fine to skip the crawl.
Think twice if you:
– Are claustrophobic. Another comparison notes that even widened tunnels feel tight after 40 to 50 metres, though Ben Dinh has exits roughly every 20 metres. – Have knee, back or mobility problems. Entry points involve steps and low ceilings. – Are travelling with very young children. Check the shooting range rule (16 and over) at the site.
Neither guide discusses heat in detail, but Innoviet recommends the dry season, November to April, as the best time. The guided underground section takes about 45 minutes to an hour, and you can stay above ground and still see the exhibits.
Where to stay
Most tours pick up from central hotels, so a base in District 1 gets you the earliest pickups. Our Ho Chi Minh City travel guide covers the neighbourhoods, and the best Ho Chi Minh City tours page lists other options if the tunnels are one stop among many.
If you want more than the tunnels, see day trips from Ho Chi Minh City. For hotel areas by budget, read where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Cu Chi Tunnels tour take?
Half-day tours run about 5–6 hours including transport. Combination tours with the Cao Dai Temple or the Mekong Delta take most of a day, with listings ranging from 5 to 12 hours. The guided underground section itself takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
How much is the Cu Chi Tunnels entry fee?
Local Vietnam lists VND 110,000 at Ben Dinh and VND 90,000 at Ben Duoc. Innoviet lists VND 125,000. Most regular tours include the ticket, while budget bus tours often do not. Confirm the current price with your operator.
What time do the Cu Chi Tunnels open?
Sources give daily hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm or 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Both sites share the same hours. Because the sources differ, check with the site or your tour operator before planning an early start.
Which is better, Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc?
Ben Dinh is closer to the city and busier. Ben Duoc is farther away and quieter, with a Monument Temple. Choose Ben Duoc if you want fewer crowds and Ben Dinh if you want the shortest trip.
Is the Cu Chi Tunnels tour suitable for claustrophobic people?
Not for the crawl. The tunnels have been widened for visitors but remain tight, and the guides advise skipping the longer sections if you are uneasy. You can still see the above-ground exhibits and demonstrations.