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How much does a Cu Chi Tunnels tour cost from Saigon?

Published · 4 min read
Quick Answer

Group tours from District 1 run 400,000–700,000 VND per person including transport, English guide, and entry fee. Entry alone (no tour) is 110,000 VND at Ben Duoc or 140,000 VND at Ben Dinh. Private tours run 1,200,000–2,000,000 VND per person. Budget travelers going independently pay about 200,000–250,000 VND total (bus + entry) but spend 4–5 hours on transport.

VERIFIED · MAY 2026 Read below ↓

The Cu Chi Tunnels operate on a clear pricing structure. What varies is how much transport and guiding you’re willing to organize yourself versus paying for convenience.

Tour prices from District 1 (2026)

Tour typePrice per personIncludes
Budget group tour (half day)400,000–550,000 VNDTransport, English guide, entry
Standard group tour (half day)550,000–700,000 VNDAbove + better guide, smaller group
Private tour (half day)1,200,000–1,800,000 VNDPrivate vehicle, dedicated guide
Private tour (full day)1,500,000–2,200,000 VNDAbove + more sites, lunch sometimes

Group tours typically depart 7:30–8:30am from hotels in District 1, arrive Cu Chi around 9:30am, spend 2–2.5 hours at the site, and return to Saigon by 1–2pm.

Site entry fees (going independently)

  • Ben Dinh (closer, more popular): 140,000 VND adults, 70,000 VND children
  • Ben Duoc (further, more authentic): 110,000 VND adults, 60,000 VND children

Site guides (hired at the entrance): 150,000–200,000 VND for a 90-minute group walk. Worth paying even if you go independently.

The shooting range (optional, extra cost)

The shooting range at Ben Dinh site charges per round:

  • AK-47: 50,000 VND per round
  • M-16: 50,000 VND per round
  • Packages: 10 rounds for 500,000 VND (most vendors)

Not included in any standard tour price. Completely optional.

Hidden costs to know

Some budget tour operators advertise low headline prices (300,000–350,000 VND) but stop at souvenir shops and rubber plantations that slow the day down and where guides expect commissions. Check recent reviews for mention of “shopping stops” — the better operators don’t include them.

For the full picture on whether Cu Chi is worth the trip, see are the Cu Chi Tunnels worth visiting from Saigon? For booking platforms and operator selection, see how to book a reliable Cu Chi Tunnels tour For combining with the Mekong Delta in one day, see can I visit both Cu Chi and Mekong Delta in one day?

Also asked

Related questions, answered.

What does the Cu Chi Tunnels entry fee include?
The 110,000–140,000 VND entry fee covers access to the site, the introductory film, and the surface exhibits including reconstructed traps and bomb craters. It does not include a guide — guides are hired separately at the entrance for 150,000–200,000 VND for a group explanation. The shooting range costs extra: roughly 200,000–500,000 VND for 10–15 rounds depending on weapon type.
Is the budget group tour worth it compared to a private tour?
For most visitors, the budget group tour (400,000–600,000 VND) is fully adequate — you get transport, an English-speaking guide, and entry. The guide quality varies; better-reviewed operators deliver better guides. Private tours (1.5M–2M VND) are worth considering for groups of 3–4 people where the per-person cost approaches the group tour price, or for travelers who want flexible timing and personalized explanations.
Can I go to Cu Chi Tunnels by public bus to save money?
Yes, but it's time-intensive. Take bus 13 from Bến Thành to Củ Chi bus station (about 2 hours, 10,000 VND), then a xe ôm to the tunnel site (15–20 minutes, 50,000–80,000 VND). Total transport cost each way: around 90,000 VND. Total round trip with entry: roughly 300,000–350,000 VND. The trade-off is 4–5 hours of travel for a 2-hour site visit. Group tours solve the transport problem for an additional 250,000–350,000 VND per person.
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