We introduce how to get to the Cu Chi Tunnels, their structure, and basic information!
When it comes to Vietnam tourism, beaches and resorts are popular. However, the "Cu Chi Tunnel" introduced in this article offers a different kind of experience. This tunnel was used as a guerrilla base during the Vietnam War and is now preserved as a war historical site park.
Around the Cu Chi Tunnel, there is also a war memorial park where you can see various weapons, such as firearms and traps (booby traps) used by both the U.S. and Vietnamese armies.
You can also experience unique activities, such as test-firing firearms from the Vietnam War era at a shooting range. Check the detailed information below!
Traveling to and staying in Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) is best booked as a package!
What is the Cu Chi Tunnel?
The Cu Chi Tunnel is an underground tunnel located in Cu Chi, northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was one of the main sites during the Vietnam War and still strongly retains traces of the war today.
The tunnel stretches over 200 km in total length, with pits and traps placed at intervals. You can see various wartime ingenuity throughout.
Although the Vietnam War ended with America’s defeat, it is said that the secret to victory lay in this underground system. No matter how powerful their weapons were, the U.S. Army could not match the Vietnamese forces who knew the terrain of these complicated tunnels.
A tunnel system so complex that even the world’s strongest military admitted defeat—it's surprising that it still exists today.
There were living quarters inside the tunnel!?
The Cu Chi Tunnel was not only a battlefield but also served as a communication route with nearby villages and for transporting food and war supplies.
Even more astonishing, it was also used as a residential area. Inside the narrow tunnels, there were even schools and small theaters. It’s hard to imagine a school existing inside a tunnel.
The Cu Chi Tunnel, filled with surprising facts, has now been maintained as a war memorial and turned into a tourist attraction.
Address: Hamlet Phu Hiep, Ward Phu My Hung, Cu Chi
TEL/FAX: (028)37948830 / (028)37948761
Access: 2–3 hours by bus from Ho Chi Minh City
※ It is common to join a tour from Ho Chi Minh
Parking: None
Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Official site: http://www.cuchitunnel.org.vn/
How to get to the Cu Chi Tunnel
The basic way to visit the Cu Chi Tunnel is to join a tour. Tours often include hotel pick-up, guides, and meals. Compared to going on your own, tours offer much more convenience and peace of mind, so it’s worth considering.
If you want to go on your own, take Bus No. 13 from "23/9 Park" in central Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Bus Terminal. From there, transfer to Bus No. 79, which will take you to the nearest stop to the Cu Chi Tunnel. The trip takes about 2–3.5 hours one way, with costs ranging from a few dozen to a few hundred yen.
Once you arrive at the nearest stop, go straight through the gate in front of you. When you see a restaurant ahead, turn left and continue straight. You will then see a sign saying “entrance to the TUNNEL.” Keep walking, and you’ll arrive at the Cu Chi Tunnel.
Highlights of the Cu Chi Tunnel ① Various traps used during the war
It is said that the secret to defeating the U.S. Army, considered the strongest in the world, lay in the countless pits and traps scattered throughout the Cu Chi underground tunnels.
There were various kinds of pitfalls: some had sharp spikes inside, others impaled intruders with spears when they fell, and some had rotating boards that revealed spikes which pierced the body from all sides—falling into any of them meant certain death. Just thinking about it is terrifying!
In addition, there were large holes that allowed hidden shooting without being noticed by the enemy, booby traps, spikes coated with poison, and many other mechanisms. These likely led the Vietnamese army to victory.
Highlights of the Cu Chi Tunnel ② Tanks and bombs
Around the Cu Chi Tunnel, tanks that were actually used at the time are on display.
These were not placed there after the war, but are real tanks that became immobilized after hitting landmines. The bullet marks left all over them give a real sense that they remain exactly as they were back then.
Also in the exhibition area are bombs that were actually used at the time, and their heavy presence conveys the terror of war.
Highlights of the Cu Chi Tunnel ③ Exploring underground passages and shooting experience
To enter and explore the Cu Chi Tunnel, you first need to go down a set of stairs. These stairs are very narrow, so larger men may already struggle at this point.
Today, the tunnels have been widened for tourists, but they are still narrow, meaning the original ones must have been even tighter. Inside the tunnels, the spaces are so cramped that you have to move while crouching.
Near the entrance there are lights, but as you go deeper inside it becomes pitch dark, so caution is necessary.
The tunnel has multiple levels
The tunnel system has three underground levels. Normally, people stayed on the first level, but when attacked by the U.S. Army they hid in the sturdier second level, and when water was needed, they evacuated to the third level, which connected to the river.
The fact that there were schools and small theaters in such a confined space now makes sense—there was indeed room for them.
Highlights of the Cu Chi Tunnel ④ You can even try shooting!?
The shooting experience includes a wide variety of rifles such as the M16 and AK47, which were used by both armies at the time. It feels like stepping into a movie. Handling firearms is something impossible to do in some countries, making it a truly extraordinary experience.
Since the old guns are very loud, be sure not to forget to wear earplugs.
Joining a tour
To fully enjoy visiting the Cu Chi Tunnel, joining a tour is recommended! Many affordable tour plans are available, including those with shuttle buses from Ho Chi Minh City, sightseeing guides, or lunch included. In particular, hearing behind-the-scenes stories about the Vietnam War from local guides makes the experience very interesting and meaningful.
As Ho Chi Minh City is a central hub with many tourists and travel agencies, you can even join a tour on the same day. Some hotels also offer tour bookings directly, so it is worth checking.
◎ Summary of the Cu Chi Tunnel
The Cu Chi Tunnel is a narrow and stifling place that lets you experience the hardships of the Vietnamese army at the time, leaving you exhausted after the visit.
You can also enjoy light meals on-site. At the eateries, you can try “tapioca,” which soldiers ate during the war. While tapioca drinks became trendy in some countries, soldiers had already been eating it as a snack decades ago.
The Cu Chi Tunnel is a place where you can see and experience history with your own eyes and learn about the Vietnam War. Be sure to visit at least once.