Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City: Our Real Family Experience | Vietnam Travel Diary Day 6
After exploring Ho Chi Minh City and nearby places during our Vietnam trip, we decided to visit one of the most historically important places in Vietnam — the Cu Chi Tunnels.
We were travelling as a family of eight, so we wanted to find a practical and reasonably priced way to visit the tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City.
Instead of booking an expensive private tour, we checked Grab and decided to travel independently.
This is our real Cu Chi Tunnels experience, including our transportation, ticket cost, what we saw, and what we learned during the visit.
Planning Our Cu Chi Tunnels Visit
The Cu Chi Tunnels were approximately 50–60 km from our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Because we were a group of eight, we needed two cars.
When we checked Grab, the fare was around 500,000 VND per car for the journey to Cu Chi.
So for two cars, the initial transportation cost was approximately 1,000,000 VND.
We also discussed waiting with the drivers because we did not want to arrange another ride after finishing our visit.
The waiting arrangement was around 550,000 VND per car, depending on the agreement with the driver.
For us, travelling independently was convenient because we could spend our own time at the site.
If you are planning your Vietnam trip and want to understand your overall budget first, you can also read my detailed guide:
👉 Vietnam Trip Cost from India 2026
Our Journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi
The journey from Ho Chi Minh City towards Cu Chi took us away from the busy central areas.
As we travelled farther from the city, we saw more greenery, smaller roads and local surroundings.
The journey itself was interesting because it gave us a different view of Vietnam outside central Ho Chi Minh City.
We were also using Google Maps and Grab during our trip, so having internet access was very important.
If you are travelling to Vietnam for the first time, my Vietnam Airport Guide for Indian Travelers also contains practical information about arrival, transportation, currency and getting around.
Arriving at the Cu Chi Tunnels
After travelling for quite some time, we finally reached the Cu Chi Tunnels area.
The surroundings were green and peaceful, and the atmosphere was very different from the busy streets of central Ho Chi Minh City.
We purchased our entrance tickets.
The ticket price we paid was 135,000 VND per person.
Our 9-year-old child did not require a separate ticket according to our experience.
After entering, we started exploring the site.
Internal Transportation at Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels area is quite large, so there is an internal transportation option for visitors.
We paid approximately 20,000 VND for the internal ride.
This was separate from the Grab transportation we had taken from Ho Chi Minh City.
The internal ride helped us move around the site and reach different sections.
There was also a shooting activity area, but we did not participate in the shooting activity.
Our main purpose was to explore the historical site and understand the tunnel system.
Watching the Historical Film
During our visit, we were shown a short historical film explaining the background of the Cu Chi Tunnels.
The film helped us understand how the tunnel system was used and why it became such an important part of Vietnam's history.
For us, watching the film before exploring the tunnels made the experience easier to understand.
Exploring the Cu Chi Tunnel System
The most memorable part of our visit was seeing the underground tunnel sections.
The tunnels were very narrow and low.
In some sections, visitors had to bend down while moving through them.
It was difficult for us to imagine how people could live and work in such confined underground spaces.
Inside the tunnel area, we saw different sections that demonstrated how the underground system was organised.
There was also an underground hospital area.
Inside this section, we saw statues representing people and scenes from life in the tunnels.
Seeing these areas gave us a much better understanding of how the tunnel system functioned.
Old Tanks, Aircraft and Helicopters
One important thing I want to clarify is that the old tanks, aircraft and helicopters were displayed outside the underground tunnel sections.
We did not see these military vehicles inside the tunnels.
After coming out of the underground sections, we saw old military equipment displayed around the site.
There were old tanks, aircraft and helicopters.
We took plenty of photographs there.
For our family, these were things we had never seen up close before, so everyone was naturally excited to take pictures.
What We Saw Inside the Underground Areas
The underground sections were not simply long empty tunnels.
There were different areas showing how the tunnel system supported daily life.
We saw the hospital area and statues representing people and different activities.
The narrow spaces made us realise how challenging life underground must have been.
For us, this was one of the most memorable parts of the Cu Chi visit.
Our Cu Chi Tunnels Experience as a Family
Since we were travelling as a family, everyone's experience was slightly different.
Some parts were interesting because of the history, while other parts were simply surprising because of how small and narrow the underground spaces were.
Our children were also curious about the tunnels and the different things displayed around the site.
We took photographs throughout the visit and tried to learn as much as possible from the guide and the explanations provided there.
How Much Did Our Cu Chi Tunnels Visit Cost?
Here is approximately what we paid based on our own experience:
- Grab to Cu Chi: around 500,000 VND per car
- Two cars: around 1,000,000 VND
- Waiting arrangement: around 550,000 VND per car
- Entrance ticket: 135,000 VND per person
- Internal transportation: around 20,000 VND
Prices can change, so these are the prices we experienced during our September 2026 Vietnam trip, not fixed current prices.
Was Travelling by Grab a Good Option for Us?
For our family group, using Grab was convenient because we could travel independently.
We did not have to follow a fixed group-tour timetable.
However, the Cu Chi Tunnels are quite far from central Ho Chi Minh City, so you should consider the total transportation cost before deciding.
If you are travelling with a smaller group, compare the cost of Grab, organised tours and other transportation options before booking.
Visa Tip for Indian Travelers
Before our Vietnam trip, we also researched the Vietnam visa process ourselves.
Travel agents had quoted us approximately ₹4,500–₹7,500 per person for visa assistance.
Instead, I handled our Vietnam e-visas myself.
If you are an Indian traveller planning a Vietnam trip, you can read my detailed guide:
👉 Vietnam E-Visa Guide for Indian Travelers
I have also explained how I planned our trip myself and saved money on visa and flights:
👉 DIY Vietnam Guide: How I Saved Thousands on Visa & Flights
If you are confused about which type of visa you need, you can also read:
👉 Vietnam Tourist Visa vs Business Visa Guide
Our Vietnam Trip Was Not Only About Tourism
This Vietnam trip was special for me because I was not travelling only as a tourist.
Along with travelling with my family, I was also researching Vietnam's wholesale clothing markets and sourcing opportunities for my business.
Earlier in the trip, we visited An Dong and Tan Binh wholesale markets.
My Day 3 experience explains what we actually saw in these markets, including prices, products and my personal observations.
👉 Vietnam Travel & Business Diary Day 3 – An Dong & Tan Binh Markets
I have also written a detailed guide about wholesale clothing markets in Vietnam:
👉 Vietnam Wholesale Clothing Markets – Complete Guide
And if you are interested in importing clothes from Vietnam to India, you can read:
👉 How to Import Clothes from Vietnam to India
You can also read my guide about shipping:
👉 How to Ship Clothes from Vietnam to India
Our Previous Vietnam Experiences
Our Vietnam journey had already taken us through several different experiences.
On Day 1, we travelled from Mukerian to Saigon, beginning our international family trip.
👉 Mukerian to Saigon – Our Unforgettable Day 1 Vietnam Travel Experience
On Day 2, we explored Nguyen Hue Walking Street and experienced our first full day in Ho Chi Minh City.
👉 Vietnam Travel Diary Day 2 – Nguyen Hue Walking Street
On Day 3, we explored An Dong and Tan Binh markets for our business research.
On Day 4, we travelled from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau.
👉 Vietnam Travel Diary Day 4 – Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau
Our Vietnam diary continued with more experiences in Ho Chi Minh City.
👉 Day 5 – Our Ho Chi Minh City Experience
Quick Advice for Indian Travelers & Boutique Owners
If you are planning a Vietnam trip from India, don't assume that an expensive tour package is always necessary.
Do your own research about:
- Vietnam e-visa
- Flights
- Hotels
- Grab
- Local transportation
- Currency exchange
- Wholesale markets
- Shopping prices
- Travel insurance
For a family trip, small savings on different parts of the journey can make a meaningful difference to the total budget.
If you are travelling for business purposes, especially to explore clothing markets, don't just look at online information.
Visit the markets personally if possible.
Prices, quality, designs and wholesale quantities can look very different online compared with what you actually see in the market.
Our Final Thoughts on Cu Chi Tunnels
Our visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels was one of the most memorable experiences of our Vietnam trip.
The long journey from Ho Chi Minh City, the green surroundings, the historical film, the narrow underground tunnels, the hospital area and the old military equipment displayed outside all made this visit different from our other sightseeing experiences.
For us, the most surprising part was the size of the underground tunnels.
It was difficult to imagine living and working in such narrow spaces.
The visit also helped us understand an important part of Vietnam's history in a much more personal way.
For anyone planning a Vietnam trip from India, Cu Chi Tunnels can be a very different experience from simply visiting the attractions in central Ho Chi Minh City.
And for us, this was another memorable chapter in our Vietnam family travel diary.
This was our Vietnam Travel Diary – Day 6.
More real experiences from our Vietnam trip are coming next.
Useful Vietnam Guides from Dremza Online
👉 Vietnam Trip Cost from India 2026
👉 Vietnam E-Visa Guide for Indian Travelers
👉 DIY Vietnam Guide: How I Saved Thousands
👉 Vietnam Airport Guide for Indian Travelers
👉 Vietnam Wholesale Clothing Markets
👉 How to Import Clothes from Vietnam to India
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