For those who guide at some point journey from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis it needs to be to the struggle tunnels. On this submit I’m sharing how we organised our go to to the Cu Chi Tunnels at Ben Dinh, what to anticipate and why we although it was definitely worth the expense of reserving a guided tour.
*This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
The Cu Chi Tunnels are one in every of Vietnam’s high vacationer points of interest 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 weren’t completely satisfied this was going to be a great time out 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 standard lunch, boat rides and biking to lighten the temper.
I’ll be sincere and say we don’t normally guide full day excursions. They are often costly, impersonal and poorly organised for households who want a bit extra time. Loads additionally rides in your information and the way prepared they’re to entertain youngsters.
So, we have been taking a punt on the tour.
Is it price visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels?
In my view the reply is sure. And right here’s why…
If you recognize extra in regards to the First World Battle in Europe than Vietnam’s wars with the occupying French and Individuals then you might have quite a bit to study. And there’s no higher approach to do that in one of many areas the place historical past was made.
We additionally visited the Battle Remnants Museum throughout our three days in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis but it surely was on the tunnels that we absorbed essentially the most data. That is notably true in case you are visiting with kids. The museum was quite disjointed and dry compared.
The tunnels are interactive and if you happen to get a great information like us there’s loads of Horrible Historical past-style information 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 Individuals.
They served as a communication community between villages but additionally had assembly rooms, kitchens, medical services, dormitories and armouries.
It was doable to construct such a fancy tunnel community due to the clay-like soil right here. It was so dense and steady 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 homeowners’ grandparents have been linked to the resistance.
It’s unimaginable to suppose a lot of this was performed with solely very primary instruments.
The tunnels have been inbuilt three ranges. The very 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 once they have been below assault. It’s additionally the place there have been traps to seize ‘tunnel rats’ – the few enemy troopers sufficiently small to navigate the passages.
The Cu Chi tunnels you’ll be able to go to at Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc have been made no less than two instances bigger for vacationers so you’ll be able to crouch your approach by way of them.
Which is healthier, Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc tunnels?
We solely visited the Ben Dinh tunnels I so can’t 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 can provide you a full run down on the Cu Chu Tunnels at Den Duoc and easy methods to go to them independently.
Learn on to search out out extra in regards to the tunnels at Ben Dinh.
What are you able to see on the Cu Chi Tunnels at Ben Dinh?
There weren’t lots of different indicators across the web site so we have been glad we had our information, Khôi, who defined what we have been seeing.
Through the two hour journey from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis to Ben Dinh, Khôi had already begun to set the scene with insights into life in Vietnam now, the awkwardness that continues to be between the North and South, and the way we could have been slipping up with the language.
It seems that our poor grasp of the lingo meant that quite than saying ‘thanks’ we’d been telling individuals to ‘shut up’. Inflection is every little thing if you find yourself talking Vietnamese. Fortunately they’re beautiful individuals and aren’t offended when guests slip up.
Weapons museum
Once you arrive at Ben Dinh the primary place you’ll be able to 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 received busy.
Hid entrances and man traps
Khôi invited us to search for a tunnel entrance – a problem which our ladies shortly jumped on. They knew it might be hidden and kicked up leaves till they discovered one within the clearing in entrance of us.
Khôi demonstrated how the hatches have been camouflaged and the place to search for markings on the timber 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 too can 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 steel 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.
Previous tyres have been used to make the ‘Ho Chi Minh sandal’ that tricked enemies into pondering you have been strolling in the wrong 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 could stoop by way of with a ‘soldier’ to information you. The doorway is inside a bunker and down a couple of steep steps.
For those who determine you need to flip again at this level that’s no downside. You may have a look and climb again out.
This tunnel has been enlarged for the reason that twentieth Century. Khôi defined to us that vacationers saved getting caught. So what you expertise at present is a sanitised model of the passages that may have been utilized in wartime.
There are shafts to the floor each 20 meters from the 40 meter level. so if you happen to’re feeling hemmed in you’ll be able to return to the floor early.
I’m 5ft 7 and needed to crouch right 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 tip however needed to get on his palms and knees at one level.
Are the Cu Chi Tunnels claustrophobic?
Sure. For those who get claustrophobic don’t try to enter the tunnel. You is perhaps OK climbing into the bunker and having a look into the tunnel however as soon as you might be inside it you can’t 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 additional is the Cu Chi Tunnels taking pictures vary. The bullets price 60,000 VND every (about £1.85) and the minimal you should purchase is 10.
We determined to not have a go at this. However as a substitute 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 in the course of the struggle we received an perception into how they lived.
Subsequent to the taking pictures vary there’s a kitchen the place you possibly can 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 discipline kitchen the place we tried tapioca constituted of the Cassava root. This carbohydrate-rich tuber was a staple for the troopers because it was straightforward to reap underground.
It seems bland however is definitely fairly tasty when dipped in sugar and chilli.
What do you have to 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 extremely popular. So put on comfy, unfastened clothes that you just’re not anxious about getting soiled.
It wasn’t muddy once we have been on the tunnels but it surely rained later within the day and I can think about the bottom getting sticky.
You want sneakers which are comfy for strolling in. You’ll stroll round 2km across the web site.
We wore strolling sandals and Crocs. I’d forgotten to purchase the nine-year-old new KEEN sandals* earlier than our journey – doh! – however these are normally my go-to journey shoe.
Hats and solar glasses are additionally a good suggestion. Additionally apply some mosquito spray.
How you can 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 don’t all the time do guided excursions. We now have had dangerous experiences prior to now as a result of households can typically get left behind.
Nevertheless, after doing a extremely enjoyable personal road meals tour in Hanoi we requested the identical firm if they may discover us a small Cu Chi Tunnels tour.
Our journey was organized by way of TNK Journey. We had a good time with them and actually rated Khôi for his data, humour and the tempo at which he led us. We have been picked up from our resort in a luxurious mini bus, offered 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 big and small teams can be found by way of Get Your Information*. I’d suggest 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 received much more data from Khôi than we’d have if we’d visited solo. There have been only a few data 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 automobile park was full.
Are you able to go to with out a information?
Sure! You may journey to the tunnels independently by taxi and even public transport and purchase an entrance ticket while you arrive. At Ben Dinh this prices 90,000 VND per individual (about £2.75).
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 arduous to inform if the opposite guests we noticed have been with a tour information like us or a member of the tunnels workforce.
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 quite than to clarify the place.
The place are the Cu Chi Tunnels?
The tunnel customer centres are a few hours exterior Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
Right here’s a map of the place to search 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 liked seeing the person traps and with the ability to step contained in the tunnels. It helped that we have been in a small group and our information pitched data at a family-friendly stage.
There was much more to see than I had anticipated. The tunnels aren’t simply tunnels. They’re a residing historical past museum with actions and experiences that provide help to to get a greater understanding of the individuals concerned within the struggle.
If you’re staying in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis we’d positively suggest including the Cu Chi Tunnels to your itinerary. And if in case you have greater than half a day to spare additionally contemplate 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 Prepare Avenue, after which moved on to Ha Lengthy Bay for a two evening cruise.
Our subsequent cease was vibrant Hoi An for 3 nights after which Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
The ultimate cease for us was a a 5 star seashore resort in Phu Quoc for a 3 evening keep earlier than we flew residence.
You may meet up with the remainder of our journey by testing my Instagram account the place there are three Tales about our two weeks in Vietnam.
Often I’d additionally suggest the Lonely Planet’s vacation spot information that can assist you plan your journey, however I purchased the Vietnam 2023 version and was a bit upset. Plenty of the data was generic and I noticed a number of errors.
I’d counsel making an attempt the Tough Information* or Eyewitness journey information* as a substitute.
Disclosure: this submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks marked with *. For those who click on on one in every of these and make a purchase order I could earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the value you pay.