Ben Dinh Tunnels in Cu Chi is a famous historical site that attracts tourists when they come to Saigon. It is not only a living witness to the arduous years of resistance but also a testament to the intelligence and resilience of the Vietnamese people. Join us on a tour of the tunnels to learn more about the past and the values that have shaped the Vietnamese spirit today.
General information of Ben Dinh Tunnels
- Address: Ben Dinh Hamlet, Nhuan Duc Commune, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 7 am – 5 pm (Monday to Sunday)
- Entrance fee: 20,000 VND for Vietnamese and 110,000 VND for foreigners
Ben Dinh Cu Chi Tunnels is located in Ben Dinh Hamlet, Nhuan Duc Commune, Cu Chi District, Saigon. Ben Dinh Tunnels is part of the famous Cu Chi Tunnels system, located about 50km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City center. This is one of the largest and most complex tunnels during the Vietnam War with an area of 17 hectares, dug and developed by the army and people of Cu Chi from the time of the resistance war against France to the Vietnam War. Ben Dinh Tunnels were built with a military role, as a place to fight against enemy attacks. Thanks to its many terrain positions, this place used to be a basic base during the war.
Nowadays, Ben Dinh Tunnels is a place that attracts tourists to learn about the history and patriotic fighting spirit of our nation. This place is not only a testament to the indomitable spirit of the people and soldiers of Cu Chi in the two resistance wars against foreign invaders but also a place to educate historical traditions and patriotism for the current young generation. With a tunnel system of nearly 250km wide, including many different floors and niches, Ben Dinh Tunnels is a destination not to be missed for those who want to learn about the history of war and military technology of Vietnam when traveling to Saigon.
The complex underground layout of the Ben Dinh Tunnels
> > > After exploring the Ben Dinh Tunnels, why not dive deeper into the rich history and vibrant culture of the city? Our guided Ho Chi Minh City tours will take you through iconic landmarks, bustling markets, and hidden gems, ensuring you don’t miss a thing. Let’s discover the best tours to complete your adventure!
Significant and history of Ben Dinh Tunnels
Ben Dinh Cu Chi Tunnels in Saigon belong to the Cu Chi Tunnels system built during the nation’s resistance war against the French (from 1946 to 1948). At first, there were four tunnels, then they were developed and expanded to fight against French colonialism. When the French attacked Cu Chi, the district committee’s operating bases were moved to many places. From 1964 to 1967, Cu Chi Tunnels were divided into many different branches, of which Ben Dinh was the most convenient location and the main tourist attraction for visitors when coming here.
Ben Dinh Tunnels were built like battle formations and were diversified to meet the needs of fighting against foreign invaders. To build the current map of Ben Dinh Tunnels, Cu Chi soldiers and people took turns digging underground tunnels day and night with only rudimentary tools. Some sections of the Ben Dinh tunnels were destroyed by tanks and bombs, but the people still persevered in creating and solidifying them to the appearance they have today.
With unique architecture and great historical significance, the Ben Dinh tunnels relic was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a witness to the resounding victories of the Vietnamese army and helps educate the younger generation about responsibility and courage.
Ben Dinh Tunnels played a very important role in the war in the past
How to get to Ben Dinh Tunnels
Ben Dinh Tunnels is about 45km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, so you can easily get here by many different means of transport such as buses, cars, motorbikes, etc. Some ways of transportation you can refer to from the city center are:
- By tour: this is the most convenient and popular way to get to Ben Dinh Tunnels. Day tours will include round-trip tickets, and English-speaking guides and can stop at other historical sites. You can book these tours through travel agencies, hotels or online platforms at a price of about $20-$50 per person depending on the number of people and other amenities.
- By private car or taxi: although the price is a bit more expensive, about $50-$80 for a round trip, it brings comfort and flexibility to your trip. Travel time can take about 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic conditions.
- By bus: This is the most economical way to get to Ben Dinh Tunnels, costing only about $1.50 one way. However, you will need to change at least 2 bus lines to get there, so the travel time can be as long as 2.5-3 hours.
- By water: You can also travel to Ben Dinh Tunnels by canoe on the Saigon River. This way you will be able to enjoy the beautiful river scenery along the way. The departure point is Bach Dang Wharf.
Must-try activities when visiting Ben Dinh Tunnels
Explore the complex tunnel system
The highlight of the Ben Dinh Tunnels is the underground tunnel system of more than 250km, which was an important communication and storage network for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Today, you can crawl through the tunnels, which have been slightly expanded to serve tourists, but they still give a realistic sense of the difficult life underground, with humid air and extremely narrow spaces. This is one of the most authentic ways to experience part of the large tunnel system with diverse and special constructions such as:
- Living area: These are living spaces designed deep underground, where soldiers and villagers took shelter during the war. These spaces often include small bedrooms, where food and necessities are stored.
- Command center: This is an important area in the tunnels, where activities, plans and campaign direction take place. The command center usually includes a larger room, equipped with strategic maps and communication equipment.
- Storage: There are also areas in the tunnels where supplies, weapons and ammunition are stored. These storage areas are often carefully concealed to avoid enemy detection and attack.
Some main spaces of the tunnel system
Watch war documentaries and exhibitions
Coming to Ben Dinh Tunnels, visitors will first watch short documentaries in the hall and listen to the tour guide introduce the history of the formation and development of the Cu Chi tunnel system. Documentaries are often shown in a dedicated area, providing a detailed look at life, fighting, and organisation in the underground tunnels. Through that, you can see the complexity of the tunnel network and understand the unique guerrilla tactics that the army and people of Cu Chi used to fight the enemy. These films also convey touching stories about the sacrifice, courage and resilience of soldiers and civilians during the war.
When visiting the exhibition area at Ben Dinh Tunnels, you will discover a special part of Vietnam’s history. The exhibition area includes many homemade weapon storage bunkers, secret meeting rooms and common living spaces that are elaborately recreated to describe the daily life of soldiers during wartime. Visitors will also have the chance to see the legendary M41 tank, a trophy that the Vietnamese army captured in the old war. In particular, visitors will be able to take photos on the tank as a souvenir.
Visitors will watch a documentary and listen to a narration about the tunnels before starting their exploration
Experience real shooting at the shooting range
An interesting experience that many visitors especially love when coming to Ben Dinh Tunnels is participating in the shooting game. Visitors will be able to choose a gun with shooting instructions under professional supervision. The shooting range allows you to try your hand at real weapons used in the Vietnam War, including AK-47, M16 and Carbine rifles. This is not only an opportunity to learn about military history but also helps you get a real feel for what happened during the war.
The shooting range is strictly managed, with strict safety measures. You will be carefully instructed on how to use the gun safely before practising shooting real bullets at the target. The price of bullets is about $1.5 per round, with a minimum of 10 rounds per purchase. This is a powerful and exciting way to feel the power of these historical weapons.
Experience a real shooting game is the most favorite activity in Ben Dinh Tunnels
Enjoy wartime cuisine
At Ben Dinh Tunnels, you will have the opportunity to enjoy wartime cuisine, a special experience that recreates the life of the people and the army underground during the war years. Witness the famous Hoang Cam kitchen that cooked for the army and people without being detected by the enemy.
After exploring the tunnels, take a break and taste a traditional meal of the soldiers during the war – boiled cassava (a starchy vegetable) served with crushed peanuts and salt, accompanied by hot green tea. This simple meal was the main meal of the soldiers who had to survive with minimal food sources in the tunnels, giving you a true look at survival during wartime.
Visitors will get to enjoy a popular wartime dish after exploring the tunnels
Some helpful tips for your trip to the tunnels
To ensure your visit to Ben Dinh Tunnels goes smoothly and is enjoyable, here are some essential tips to help you get the most out of your experience.
- This is a popular tourist destination, especially with international visitors, so arrive as early as possible to avoid long queues to enter the tunnels.
- Wear comfortable, dark-colored clothing and sneakers for easy movement and exploration of the tunnels. Choose closed-toe shoes or sneakers, aand void sandals or flip-flops. You should limit the amount of bulky items you bring, bringing only a small bag with essentials such as water, some snacks and insect repellent.
- The tunnels are narrow, dark and require crawling or stooping to navigate. If you suffer from claustrophobia, knee or breathing problems, you may want to try the shortest tunnel first or Skip the tunnels and explore the bunkers and exhibits instead.
- You can visit Ben Dinh Tunnels at any time of the year, but keep in mind that the rainy season can make it more difficult to get in and out of the tunnels.
- If you are participating in shooting games or similar activities, pay attention to the instructions of the staff to ensure safety and an enjoyable experience. Don’t forget to bring cash to pay for bullets or snacks because they only accept payment in VND.
Ben Dinh Tunnels in Cu Chi is an ideal destination to learn about the heroic history of Vietnam and the resilient fighting spirit of the army during the resistance war against France. Hopefully, the above sharing will help you have the most complete visit to this meaningful destination when travelling to Saigon.
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