Ben Dinh in Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Dinh Tunnels, a section of the Cu Chi Tunnels network, are famous worldwide and used during the Vietnam War. Located around 50 kilometers in the north of Ho Chi Minh City, it is preserved well until now. When coming to this place, you can know more about the life of the North Vietnamese and explore a specifically designed establishment used by Vietnamese soldiers as their base of operations during their resistance against the American forces.

History of Ben Dinh

Cu Chi Tunnels, the complex underground tunnels, were built for locals from 1948 and then a secret base. From 1945 to 1975, this was expanded and served for military and local purposes.

Cu Chi Tunnels are divided into many levels with 250 kilometers in length. The well-preserved Cu Chi Tunnels area includes two sections. They are Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc. 

Ben Dinh is nearer to the city center. To Ben Duoc, it is also further away from Ho Chi Minh City compared to Ben Dinh (30 minutes extra time).

Besides Saigon River, the Ben Dinh Tunnels, the base of Cu Chu District Commissioners, are the perfect location for military purposes. They could get away from US soldiers when they found their location. 

Highlights of Ben Dinh

When entering Ben Dinh, you can see the whole map of all tunnel system. Then you can see bunkers and watch documentaries about the place. 

The journey of discovering the tunnels starts with a small door. In the tunnels, you can see their weapons against their enemies, meeting room, surgery room, weapon storage, etc.

Besides the tunnels, you can see a tank body in the woods, weapons, a B52 crater, etc. and know how to make soldiers’ clothes and recycle broken tires to have their rubber shoes.

What to Do in Ben Dinh

There are many activities for you at Ben Dinh. You can discover the area, go deeply into the tunnels, see the traps, take the photos, and shoot in a shooting range!

Ben Dinh has a shooting range. If you want to shoot, your health has to be in good conditions and your age is above 18. There are so many kinds of guns, from AK 47, M16 to Machine gun M30 and M60. The price of bullets is variable. The cheapest is CARBIN (US$ 1.1 / bullet) to the most expensive – AK 47, M60 (US$ 1.8 / bullet). 

What & Where to Eat?

In Cu Chi, there are two things you must taste.

1. Local Beef

This is boiled beef with the meat meticulously cooked with spices and herbs to make the meat soft, sweet and delicious. Guests should wrap the meat with cucumber, vegetables and dip the roll into a bowl of fish sauce to enjoy.

Address: 8 Nguyen Giao Street, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 8:30 – 20:30 daily

Price: from US $ 5.5 to 7.5 

2. Nuoc Mia Sau Rieng (Durian Sugarcane Juice)

This juice will help you restrain your energy after a rough tour. With a durian favor, this can make you feel amazing!

Address: 259A Quoc Lo 22, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 7:00 – 18:00 daily

Price: 20,000 VND (0.8 USD)

Entrance fee: 110,000 VND/person

How to Get to Ben Dinh

1. By Motorbike or Car

Most tour companies always have tours to Ben Dinh by motorbike or car. It will take around 1,5 hours from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. They are mainly having half-day tours, that will help you know more about this land!

>> Check Out Our Half-day Cycling Tour to Cu Chi Tunnels!

2. By Boat

If you are interested in discovering by boats, there are a couple of boat tour services offering service to the Cu Chi Tunnels such as the Saigon Boat Company or Saigon River Tour, Les Rives.

>> Enjoy Sunset City Tour on Saigon River by Speedboat With Us!

3. By Taxi

If you go there by bus, you will pay about 65 USD in both ways as it is a 120-kilometer journey.

4. By Public Bus

Apart from taking a motorcycle or a car by yourself, you can also take the public bus to the Ben Dinh Tunnel. You only need to catch the bus to get to Ben Dinh. Take bus #70. The total traveling time is about two and a half hours and the price will be about 26,000 VND (just over 1 USD).