Should you ebook sooner or later journey from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis it needs to be to the struggle tunnels. On this put up Iโm sharing how we organised our go to to the Cu Chi Tunnels at Ben Dinh, what to anticipate and why we although it was well worth the expense of reserving a guided tour.
*This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks*
The Cu Chi Tunnels are one in every of Vietnamโs high vacationer sights and welcome greater than 1.5 million guests annually. They’re an interesting relic of the American struggle in Vietnam when resistance fighters used native assets to out fox their enemies.
They have been a must-visit for Mr Tin Field. However we werenโt completely satisfied this was going to be a great day trip for our children. So I added a sweetener and booked a full day tour together with the Mykong Delta the place there could be a conventional lunch, boat rides and biking to lighten the temper.
Iโll be trustworthy and say we donโt often ebook full day excursions. They are often costly, impersonal and poorly organised for households who want a bit extra time. Lots additionally rides in your information and the way prepared they’re to entertain children.
So, we have been taking a punt on the tour.
Is it value visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels?
In my view the reply is sure. And right hereโs whyโฆ
If you understand extra concerning the First World Warfare in Europe than Vietnamโs wars with the occupying French and People then you may have quite a bit to study. And thereโs no higher method to do that in one of many areas the place historical past was made.
We additionally visited the Warfare Remnants Museum throughout our three days in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis nevertheless it was on the tunnels that we absorbed probably the most info. That is notably true in case you are visiting with kids. The museum was fairly disjointed and dry as compared.
The tunnels are interactive and should you get a great information like us thereโs loads of Horrible Historical past-style details to maintain all ages entertained.
What are the Cu Chi Tunnels?
The tunnels have been constructed by Cu Chi locals and resistance fighters between 1946 and 1968, first as a defence towards French colonial forces after which the People.
They served as a communication community between villages but additionally had assembly rooms, kitchens, medical amenities, dormitories and armouries.
It was potential to construct such a posh tunnel community due to the clay-like soil right here. It was so dense and secure that the tunnels have been capable of stretch 250km from the Cambodian border to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
Some cafes within the metropolis nonetheless have hidden entrances as a result of the house ownersโ grandparents have been linked to the resistance.
Itโs unimaginable to suppose a lot of this was accomplished with solely very fundamental instruments.
The tunnels have been in-built three ranges. The best was three meters underground. This was the place individuals lived and met as a result of there was extra oxygen from the floor.
The bottom stage was 10 to 12 meters down. That is the place the fighters retreated after they have been beneath assault. Itโs additionally the place there have been traps to seize โtunnel ratsโ โ the few enemy troopers sufficiently small to navigate the passages.
The Cu Chi tunnels you may go to at Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc have been made not less than two occasions bigger for vacationers so you may crouch your method by way of them.ย
Which is best, Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc tunnels?
We solely visited the Ben Dinh tunnels I so canโt provide you with a full comparability with Ben Duoc.
Nevertheless, from our analysis earlier than the journey I do know that Ben Duoc is a bit additional away from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis so there are fewer tour teams. I additionally know that each customer centres supply lots of the identical experiences.
At Ben Duoc additionally, you will discover:
A memorial temple
A lake
A captured C130 airplane
A bigger community of tunnels open to guests.
Handily Jenny and Jay from Travelynn Household may give you a full run down on the Cu Chu Tunnels at Den Duoc and the way to go to them independently.
Learn on to seek out out extra concerning the tunnels at Ben Dinh.
What are you able to see on the Cu Chi Tunnels at Ben Dinh?
There werenโt lots of different indicators across the web site so we have been glad we had our information, Khรดi, who defined what we have been seeing.
Through the two hour journey from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis to Ben Dinh, Khรดi had already begun to set the scene with insights into life in Vietnam now, the awkwardness that is still between the North and South, and the way we might have been slipping up with the language.
It seems that our poor grasp of the lingo meant that fairly than saying โthanksโ weโd been telling individuals to โshut upโ. Inflection is all the pieces when you’re talking Vietnamese. Fortunately they’re pretty individuals and arenโt offended when guests slip up.
Weapons museum
If you arrive at Ben Dinh the primary place you may go searching is an exhibition of weapons and bomb shells used within the struggle.
We had arrived at 8.30am, forward of nearly all of the excursions from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, so shortly moved on to the jungle above the tunnels earlier than it bought busy.
Hid entrances and man traps
Khรดi invited us to search for a tunnel entrance โ a problem which our ladies shortly jumped on. They knew it could be hidden and kicked up leaves till they discovered one within the clearing in entrance of us.
Khรดi demonstrated how the hatches have been camouflaged and the place to search for markings on the bushes that identified hidden entrances to pleasant forces.
The Viet Cong have been specialists in hiding their presence, concealing air shafts and smoke from their cooking fires.
You may as well see a staggering array of man traps on the tunnels. They have been fairly ingenious.
Some have been designed to kill or seize enemies whereas others have been designed to injure one enemy soldier and lure extra in. Frog and snake venom was used on metallic stakes to make traps even deadlier.
Assets and recycling
One thing else we learnt about was the resourcefulness of the Vietnamese fighters. They’d disarm unexplored bombs in juggle workshops and recycle the shells in addition to different discarded American gear.
Outdated tyres have been used to make the โHo Chi Minh sandalโ that tricked enemies into considering you have been strolling in the other way.
Are you able to go contained in the Cu Chi Tunnels at Ben Dinh?
Sure. There’s a 100 meter size of tunnel you can stoop by way of with a โsoldierโ to information you. The doorway is inside a bunker and down just a few steep steps.
Should you resolve you wish to flip again at this level thatโs no drawback. You’ll be able to have a look and climb again out.
This tunnel has been enlarged for the reason that twentieth Century. Khรดi defined to us that vacationers stored getting caught. So what you expertise right now is a sanitised model of the passages that might have been utilized in wartime.
There are shafts to the floor each 20 meters from the 40 meter level. so should youโre feeling hemmed in you may return to the floor early.
Iโm 5ft 7 and needed to crouch all the way down to get by way of the tunnels to the 60m level. Mr Tin Field, who’s 5ft 11 made all of it the best way to the top however needed to get on his fingers and knees at one level.
Are the Cu Chi Tunnels claustrophobic?
Sure. Should you get claustrophobic donโt try and enter the tunnel. You could be OK climbing into the bunker and looking into the tunnel however as soon as you might be inside it you can not flip round.
There are lights within the tunnel however not at common sufficient intervals that the entire size is properly illuminated. There are darkish areas between the electrical lights and the exit shafts.
The primary exit to the floor is at 40 meters.
The taking pictures vary
An exercise which prices further is the Cu Chi Tunnels taking pictures vary. The bullets value 60,000 VND every (about ยฃ1.85) and the minimal you should buy is 10.
We determined to not have a go at this. However as an alternative grabbed a chilly drink from the cafe subsequent to the vary for a 3rd of the value of a bullet.
Feeding the Viet Cong
In addition to seeing how the Viet Cong and Cu Chi locals fought through the struggle we bought an perception into how they lived.
Subsequent to the taking pictures vary there’s a kitchen the place you could possibly have a go a milling rice flour and see the way it was made into rice paper for spring rolls.
Our final cease was a area kitchen the place we tried tapioca produced from the Cassava root. This carbohydrate-rich tuber was a staple for the troopers because it was simple to reap underground.
It appears bland however is definitely fairly tasty when dipped in sugar and chilli.
What must you put on to go to the Cu Chi Tunnels?
We visited in August and regardless of it being properly earlier than lunch time and having loads of shade we have been nonetheless highly regarded. So put on snug, free clothes that you simplyโre not nervous about getting soiled.
It wasnโt muddy once we have been on the tunnels nevertheless it rained later within the day and I can think about the bottom getting sticky.
You want sneakers which can be snug for strolling in. You’ll stroll round 2km across the web site.
We wore strolling sandals and Crocs. Iโd forgotten to purchase the nine-year-old new KEEN sandals* earlier than our journey โ doh! โ however these are often my go-to journey shoe.
Hats and solar glasses are additionally a good suggestion. Additionally apply some mosquito spray.
Learn how to do the Cu Chi Tunnels
We booked a guided tour from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis that included visiting the Ben Dinh Cu Chi Tunnels and a half day journey across the Mykong Delta. Check out my Ho Chi Minh Metropolis itinerary for extra details about the Delta a part of our day.
I discussed earlier that we donโt at all times do guided excursions. We have now had dangerous experiences up to now as a result of households can usually get left behind.
Nevertheless, after doing a extremely enjoyable non-public avenue meals tour in Hanoi we requested the identical firm if they might discover us a small Cu Chi Tunnels tour.
Our journey was organized by way ofย TNK Journey. We had a good time with them and actually rated Khรดi for his data, humour and the tempo at which he led us. We have been picked up from our lodge in a luxurious mini bus, supplied water and lunch as a part of our full day tour.
There was a cease at a craft store and cafe on the best way to the tunnels. However there was no obligation to purchase something. We fortunately purchased a drink and a few snacks as breakfast had been early.
Related excursions for giant and small teams can be found by way ofย Get Your Information*. Iโd advocate reserving one which arrives on the tunnels at about 8am. Undoubtedly get there earlier than 9am to see them at their least busy.
We felt that we bought much more info from Khรดi than we’d have if weโd visited solo. There have been only a few info indicators and the tunnels workers weren’t very chatty.
We managed to remain forward of the wave of individuals all through our two hour go to. By the point we left at 10.40am the automotive park was full.
Are you able to go to with out a information?
Sure! You’ll be able to journey to the tunnels independently by taxi and even public transport and purchase an entrance ticket whenever you arrive. At Ben Dinh this prices 90,000 VND per particular person (about ยฃ2.75).
I’ve learn elsewhere that you’re not allowed to wander across the Cu Chi tunnels with out a information or member of workers. It was exhausting to inform if the opposite guests we noticed have been with a tour information like us or a member of the tunnels group.
Nevertheless at Ben Dinh there have been workers on the man traps, the taking pictures vary and the 100 meter part of tunnel. They have been there extra to make sure security fairly than to elucidate the place.
The place are the Cu Chi Tunnels?
The tunnel customer centres are a few hours exterior Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
Right hereโs a map of the place to seek out the Ben Dinh tunnels and the Ben Duoc Tunnels:
Summing up our go to to the Cu Chi Tunnels at Ben Dinh
This journey was a shock hit with our children. They cherished seeing the person traps and having the ability to step contained in the tunnels. It helped that we have been in a small group and our information pitched info at a family-friendly stage.ย
There was much more to see than I had anticipated. The tunnels arenโt simply tunnels. They’re a residing historical past museum with actions and experiences that aid you to get a greater understanding of the individuals concerned within the struggle.
In case you are staying in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis weโd positively advocate including the Cu Chi Tunnels to your itinerary. And when you’ve got greater than half a day to spare additionally think about visiting the Mykong Delta as a part of a full day tour*.
Extra studying about Vietnam journey
Ho Chi Minh Metropolis was the fourth cease throughout our 14 day Vietnam itinerary which began in Hanoi, together with an tour to the well-known Practice Road, after which moved on to Ha Lengthy Bay for a two evening cruise and on to Hoi An for 3 nights.
You’ll be able to meet up with the remainder of our journey by trying out my Instagram account the place there are three Tales about our two weeks in Vietnam.
Normally Iโd additionally advocate the Lonely Planetโs vacation spot information that can assist you plan your journey, however I purchased the Vietnam 2023 version and was a bit dissatisfied. A number of the data was generic and I noticed a number of errors.
Iโd counsel making an attempt the Tough Information* or Eyewitness journey information* as an alternative.
Disclosure: this put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks marked with *. Should you click on on one in every of these and make a purchase order I’ll earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the value you pay.