Are Cu Chi Tunnels worth visiting? What I expected vs what I found

If you’re planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City, chances are you’ve heard of the Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast underground network was used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War (known locally as the American War). It’s one of the most visited historical sites in Vietnam – but is it actually worth your time?

I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it when we booked our visit. War sites aren’t usually my thing – I’m not a fan of dark tourism. Plus, I was worried it might feel overly touristy or fake, as some reviews talked about a tourist trap. But since it’s often listed as a must-see in Ho Chi Minh City and easy to fit into a day, we decided to include it on our two-week itinerary in Vietnam. Here’s my experience to help you decide if it’s worth it for you.

What are the Cu Chi Tunnels?

Located about 1.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are part of a 250 km network of underground passageways that were used by Vietnamese soldiers during the war. These tunnels served as hiding spots, supply routes, living quarters and even hospitals. Today, you can visit parts of this network to learn more about the war from a Vietnamese perspective and see how people survived in such difficult conditions.

What I expected vs what I experienced

A better experience than expected

I was expecting a crowded site, long queues, and a sort of theme-park version of history with not much to learn. But we had a very different experience. We chose a small group tour (10 people), and often found ourselves walking around with just our group. The site is surprisingly large and groups spread quickly, so it never felt overwhelming. Sure, some parts are recreated, but it felt more like a historical reconstitution to help visitors understand the context rather than a ‘Disneyland’ experience, as some reviews warned.

What impressed me most was how interactive the visit was. Although we went to Ben Dinh, which is known not to be as good as the second tunnel site Ben Duoc, there were a lot more things to see and do than I expected. We saw traps used during the war, hidden tunnel entrances, bunkers, kitchens, tasted wartime cassava, and more. The chance to enter an original tunnel and crawl through a section that’s been made safe for tourists made the experience feel very real. It wasn’t just another museum visit; you could genuinely start to imagine what life might have been like underground and trying to trick the Americans.

The controversial shooting range

The only exception was the shooting station, which I didn’t enjoy. It was loud, smelt of gunpowder, and many people were waiting for those in their group who wanted to shoot (note: it’s an extra cost). If you’re not into firearms, that’s a part you might want to skip. Also, be aware that you’ll hear gunshots throughout the entire visit. While it contributes to the war-like atmosphere, it can be distressing for some visitors. Personally, I found the shooting range in rather poor taste. It seemed to fuel interest in war weapons more than encouraging reflection or promoting peace. To me, it felt somewhat inappropriate at a site like Cu Chi, where many people suffered.

A complex balance between tourism attraction and respect for the war site

Some may feel the Cu Chi Tunnels don’t treat the site seriously enough, considering many people died there. The visit felt indeed lighter than I expected. As keeping some emotional distance often helps me focus better on the information and stay more engaged, I didn’t mind the lighter tone. But respect still matters and, at times, the site felt more like a tourist attraction than a place of remembrance, especially when visitors were posing for photos. I’m sure it would make some visitors feel uncomfortable as it’s one of the common pitfalls of dark tourism.

A better way to learn about the war?

Earlier that same day, we also visited the War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace. But the Cu Chi Tunnels stood out for me. They brought history to life in a way that was physical, visual and emotional, without shocking images. And the interactivity and originality of the site make it intriguing.

Our guide from TNK Travel, Felix, was excellent – passionate, knowledgeable, and honest. We never felt rushed, and he really brought the visit to life. I can imagine the experience wouldn’t be as enjoyable with a cheaper tour or a guide who just goes through the motions without sharing much context or insight.

When you visit the Cu Chi Tunnels or other war-related sites in Vietnam, you’ll notice that the history is told from a particular perspective. But it’s a perspective we don’t often hear. Seeing the Cu Chi Tunnels helped me better understand how the war is remembered in Vietnam, and I found it valuable to learn about it from the Vietnamese point of view.

Can anybody go into the Cu Chi Tunnels?

You’ll have two opportunities to get inside the tunnels: the original narrow entrance and a longer section of a few hundred metres that’s been made safe for tourists.

Only 3 people in our group tried the original tunnel entrance, which is too narrow for many visitors to fit through. I managed to get in, but as I’m short and don’t have much upper-body strength, I couldn’t pull myself out without help!

A couple more went inside the section that’s been strengthened for tourists, but they didn’t last long once it started to narrow. And that was in Ben Dinh, where the tunnels are not as narrow as in Ben Duoc. There are many exits if you don’t want to go all the way, so you don’t have to suffer for long if you don’t feel at ease. It’s definitely not for everyone: people with limited mobility or claustrophobia will want to skip it.

For us, it was easy. We’re rather short and didn’t even have to be on our knees, but we had to crouch. I’d been recovering from a knee injury and only attempted it because my physio back in Brisbane had done the visit before and reassured me it would be fine.

Is it worth it if you don’t go into the tunnels?

Absolutely, if you’re with a good guide. Even if you stay above ground, there’s plenty to see, learn, and experience. We actually spent very little time inside the tunnels. Still, on the way back, everyone in our group – even those who didn’t go in – had positive feedback about the visit. They were a lot less positive about the visit of the Independence Palace, so I suppose they were honest.

I found the site well designed to give visitors insight into the resilience and resourcefulness of the Vietnamese people during the war. You’ll still get to see tunnel entrances, understand the network, and even go inside some parts where the roof has been removed. You’ll be surprised by the size and ingenuity of the tunnels, even without crawling inside.

Where are the Cu Chi Tunnels

The tunnels are located in Cu Chi District, about 50 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Most visitors go as part of a guided tour, and it’s very easy to organise. You can do a half-day tour or a full-day city tour that includes other attractions, like we did.

There are two sites: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc. We visited Ben Dinh, which is closer to Ho Chi Minh City and more popular with international tours, while Ben Duoc (about 30 minutes further) is said to be more authentic and less crowded. Most tours will take you to Ben Dinh so if you prefer to go to Ben Duoc, you’ll need to look for this specifically.

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