For those who e-book in the future journey from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis it must be to the conflict tunnels. On this publish 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 publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks*
The Cu Chi Tunnels are considered one of Vietnam’s prime vacationer points of interest and welcome greater than 1.5 million guests every year. They’re an interesting relic of the American conflict in Vietnam when resistance fighters used native sources 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 very good day trip for our youngsters. So I added a sweetener and booked a full day tour together with the Mykong Delta the place there can be a conventional lunch, boat rides and biking to lighten the temper.
I’ll be trustworthy and say we don’t often e-book full day excursions. They are often costly, impersonal and poorly organised for households who want a bit extra time. Rather a lot 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 value visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels?
For my part the reply is sure. And right here’s why…
If you realize extra concerning the First World Struggle in Europe than Vietnam’s wars with the occupying French and People then you will have rather a lot to be taught. And there’s no higher approach to do that in one of many areas the place historical past was made.
We additionally visited the Struggle Remnants Museum throughout our three days in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis however it was on the tunnels that we absorbed essentially the most info. That is significantly true if you’re visiting with kids. The museum was relatively disjointed and dry as compared.
The tunnels are interactive and should you get a very good information like us there’s 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 services, 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 homeowners’ grandparents have been linked to the resistance.
It’s unimaginable to suppose a lot of this was accomplished with solely very primary instruments.
The tunnels have been in-built 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 may go to at Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc have been made at the very least two instances bigger for vacationers so you may crouch your approach via them.
Which is best, 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 provide a whole lot 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 how one can 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 weren’t a whole lot 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 might have been slipping up with the language.
It seems that our poor grasp of the lingo meant that relatively than saying ‘thanks’ we’d been telling individuals to ‘shut up’. Inflection is every part if you end up talking Vietnamese. Fortunately they’re pretty individuals and aren’t 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 conflict.
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 obtained busy.
Hid entrances and man traps
Khôi invited us to search for a tunnel entrance – a problem which our women shortly jumped on. They knew it could 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 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 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 metallic stakes to make traps even deadlier.
Sources 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 tools.
Previous tyres have been used to make the ‘Ho Chi Minh sandal’ that tricked enemies into considering 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 via with a ‘soldier’ to information you. The doorway is inside a bunker and down a number of steep steps.
For those who resolve you wish to flip again at this level that’s no downside. You possibly can have a look and climb again out.
This tunnel has been enlarged for the reason that twentieth Century. Khôi defined to us that vacationers stored getting caught. So what you expertise in the present day 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 you’re feeling hemmed in you may return to the floor early.
I’m 5ft 7 and needed to crouch right down to get via the tunnels to the 60m level. Mr Tin Field, who’s 5ft 11 made all of it the way in which 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 looking into the tunnel however as soon as you’re inside it you can’t flip round.
There are lights within the tunnel however not at common sufficient intervals that the entire size is effectively illuminated. There are darkish areas between the electrical lights and the exit shafts.
The primary exit to the floor is at 40 meters.
The capturing vary
An exercise which prices additional is the Cu Chi Tunnels capturing vary. The bullets value 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 worth 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 conflict we obtained an perception into how they lived.
Subsequent to the capturing vary there’s a kitchen the place you 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 created from the Cassava root. This carbohydrate-rich tuber was a staple for the troopers because it was simple to reap underground.
It seems to be 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 effectively earlier than lunch time and having loads of shade we have been nonetheless highly regarded. So put on snug, unfastened clothes that you simply’re not fearful about getting soiled.
It wasn’t muddy once we have been on the tunnels however it rained later within the day and I can think about the bottom getting sticky.
You want sneakers which might be snug 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 often my go-to journey shoe.
Hats and solar glasses are additionally a good suggestion. Additionally apply some mosquito spray.
Tips on 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 don’t all the time do guided excursions. We’ve had dangerous experiences prior to now as a result of households can usually get left behind.
Nevertheless, after doing a very enjoyable personal road meals tour in Hanoi we requested the identical firm if they might discover us a small Cu Chi Tunnels tour.
Our journey was organized via 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 way in which 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.
Comparable excursions for giant and small teams can be found via 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 obtained much more info from Khôi than we might have if we’d 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 possibly can 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 £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 capturing vary and the 100 meter part of tunnel. They have been there extra to make sure security relatively than to elucidate the place.
The place are the Cu Chi Tunnels?
The tunnel customer centres are a few hours outdoors Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
Right here’s 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 youngsters. 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 info 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 allow you to to get a greater understanding of the individuals concerned within the conflict.
In case you are staying in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis we’d undoubtedly suggest including the Cu Chi Tunnels to your itinerary. And when you’ve got 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 and on to Hoi An for 3 nights.
You possibly can 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 I’d additionally suggest the Lonely Planet’s vacation spot information that will help you plan your journey, however I purchased the Vietnam 2023 version and was a bit dissatisfied. Quite a lot of the knowledge was generic and I noticed a number of errors.
I’d counsel attempting the Tough Information* or Eyewitness journey information* as a substitute.
Disclosure: this publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks marked with *. For those who click on on considered one of these and make a purchase order I’ll earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the worth you pay.
