How to get to the Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Douc) by Public Bus - Travel Like Anna

Saving money on chi tunnels ben douc does not need to be complicated. Here is a clear, no nonsense rundown of what works and how to make the most of it.

Key Takeaways

• There are two sets of tunnels: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc.
• Ben Dinh is the most touristy one since it’s easier for tour buses to reach it.
• Worth noting: ben Duoc is the best one in my opinion since it’s not touristy.
• I can’t find a reliable source to verify this.

Where the Real Savings Hide

(Please note this post was written in 2019 but some readers just did this trip in June 2024 and confirmed the bus numbers and route are the same!) Why visit the Cu Chi Tunnels? Cu Chi is a rural area about 30 to 40 km from Ho Chi Min that’s famous for a legendary spiderweb of tunnels used in the 1960s by the Viet Cong to control the area during the Vietnam War.

• There were only a handful of people when we went. (I’ve found conflicting sources that state that Ben Dinh was constructed only for tourists and Ben Douc is part of the real tunnel network.
• Lonely Planet says that Ben Douc was widened for tourists but is less touristy. (There are stairs going into some of the tunnels, which clearly can’t be original.) Once you are inside the tunnels, they are pretty tight!
• More importantly, while it’s straightforward to find tours to visit Ben Dinh, there aren’t numerous tours going to Ben Douc.
• I recommend taking the public buses (they have air conditioning!) to Ben Douc for a more authentic experience without the crowds!

A Closer Look at Chi Tunnels Ben Douc

Logistics:Time: 6-8 hoursTotal Cost:$5.15 USDBus - 32,000 dong roundtrip ($1.37 USD)Entrance fee - 90,000 dong ($3.78 USD) The buses to the Ben Douc tunnel (Cu Chi Tunnels) are straightforward but have air conditioning so they are pretty comfortable. The trip from Ho Chi Minh takes about 2.5 hours one-method on two buses.

• Remember that bus Route to Ben Douc Tunnel From Ho Chi Minh City First, take Bus 13 from Ho Chi Minh (Cong Vien 23/9 bus terminal in District 1).
• This station is just past the September 23rd park.
• It’s large so you can’t miss it so keep walking if you don’t see it yet.
• Here’s the address on Google Maps: 210Bis/, 7 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam.

What to Know About Chi Tunnels Ben Douc

As a rule, take the bus to the end of the line, which is the suburban district of Cu Chi. Depending on traffic, it can take 1.5-2 hours. (Cost: 10,000 dong each method)From Cu Chi, take Bus 79.

• Ask the driver to let you off at Ben Douc. (There will likely be a few other travelers on the bus so you won’t be alone.
• Plus, the driver knows that’s where all the foreigners are going.) This takes about 30-45 minutes.  (Cost: 6,000 dong each method.) Both buses had air conditioning!
• In short, the total cost of both buses was $1.37 USD.
• From the bus stop, follow the signs to the entrance.

How Chi Tunnels Ben Douc Really Works

You’ll have to walk a little further to where the tour starts. The entrance fee is 90,000 dong ($3.78 USD).

• Worth noting: this is a genuinely short walk - 10 minutes or so.
• In this photo, I’m climbing into one of the small entrances to the tunnels.
• There are wider entrances with stairs (see first photo in post) for going into most of the tunnels.
• Ben Douc Tour Information We did an English tour, and there were about 10 people on our tour.

Getting the Most From Chi Tunnels Ben Douc

More importantly, the tour follows a trail through the woods so it’s an straightforward walk to the different tunnels and displays. First, they reveal you a propaganda video.  There are plenty of displays of the traps and models of how various rooms were used in the tunnels.

• The first tunnel is genuinely short but worth doing.
• There are a few other tunnels you can go through and a 30-meter-long one at the end.
• Remember that if you’re claustrophobic, avoid the long one.
• The tunnels are tight - you’re hunched over most of the time.

Tips That Make a Difference

My backpack was in the method a bit, but the guide said not to leave it outside for safety reasons.By the bus stops, there are a few small shops and a restaurant by the entrance. (Bring water and snacks with you since prices are greater here!) There are technically two roads to the entrance. We got dropped off at the farther entrance and walked back to the reduce entrance. (See map at bottom of the post.) There are several old helicopters and tanks near this entrance on display.

• As a rule, we only waited about 10 minutes for the return bus.
• I heard the last bus was near 7 p.m. but can’t verify that.
• Be sure to ask when you get off the bus!  This is a iPhone shot of the traffic on your method back into Ho Chi Minh during rush hour on a Friday night!
• The sidewalks were covered with motorbikes so you couldn’t even walk!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

In short, how long does it take to get to the Chu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City?  We left about 10 a.m. and got back near 5-6 p.m. We got stuck in the worst traffic I’ve ever seen in my life on our method back.

• We sat still for about 30-45 minutes.
• We thought about walking but motorbikes were driving on the sidewalk so there was no point in trying to walk! (Check out the video in my Instagram story on Vietnam to see it!) I’d recommend going earlier in the day and getting back earlier. Overall, it was one of the best days I had in Vietnam.
• Worth noting: it was a excellent method to escape the chaos of HCMC and avoid the mainstream tourist trail.
• It felt like a much more authentic visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on chi tunnels ben douc?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Cu Chi is a rural area about 30 to 40 km from Ho Chi Min that’s famous for a legendary spiderweb of tunnels used in the 1960s by the Viet Cong to control the area during the Vietnam War.

Is it worth shopping around for chi tunnels ben douc?

Usually yes. There were only a handful of people when we went. (I’ve found conflicting sources that state that Ben Dinh was constructed only for tourists and Ben Douc is part of the real tunnel network.

Smart Ways to Save More on Chi Tunnels Ben Douc

• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.
• Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, line up chi tunnels ben douc against current promotions and any codes you can stack. Small habits like these add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at savingswitch.com.