Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour by speedboat to Ben Dinh
2,399,000 VND per person on Les Rives's site, seen
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam's southern metropolis on the Saigon River, with colonial landmarks, Ben Thanh Market and Cho Lon, which since July 2025 also takes in the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.
Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
When should I visit Ho Chi Minh City?
Vietnam's tourism authority describes a dry season from December to April in Ho Chi Minh City. From May to November the rainy season brings short afternoon showers.
How do I get to Ho Chi Minh City?
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is about 7 km from the centre (vietnam.travel).
- Flights from Hanoi average about 2 hours 10 minutes (Vietnam Airlines); the SE1 train takes about 33 hours (Seat61).
- Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai province is due to start commercial operations on 1 December 2026 (DTiNews, September 2026), so check which airport your flight uses.
Tours and experiences from Ho Chi Minh City
Decide before you go
Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc: which Cu Chi Tunnels site should I visit?
Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc? How the two Cu Chi Tunnels sites differ in history, crowds, tunnels and travel time, with the 2026 ticket price for foreign visitors.
Should I apply for a Vietnam e-visa myself or use an agency?
Apply on evisa.gov.vn for US$25 single or US$50 multiple entry, or pay an agency more for form checks and support. What each route costs and what it adds.
Questions people ask
Is it Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon?
Ho Chi Minh City is the city's name, and Saigon is still widely used, including for the central Sai Gon ward and the river. Since 1 July 2025 the city also includes the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, so Vung Tau is now part of it.
Does Ho Chi Minh City have a metro?
Yes. Metro Line 1 opened on 22 December 2024. It runs 19.7 km from Ben Thanh in the centre to Suoi Tien, with 14 stations, and is an alternative to road traffic for trips along that line.
How far are the Cu Chi Tunnels from the city?
The tunnel complex is about 70 km north-west of the city centre, according to the site itself. Tours take 1.5 to 2 hours by road or about 1 hour 20 minutes by speedboat. Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc are two sections about 13 km apart.
Sources
Checked on by the Top Tours Vietnam editor. Rules and prices change: the sources below are where we checked them.
- vietnam.travel, Ho Chi Minh City checked
- Wikidata, Ho Chi Minh City (coordinates) checked
- DTiNews, 29 September 2026: Long Thanh airport to begin commercial operations in December checked
- Asia News Network, 23 December 2024: Metro Line 1 opens checked
- Cu Chi Tunnels historic site, introduction (distance) checked . The site answers over plain http only.
- Les Rives, Cu Chi Tunnels Tour by Speedboat (boat time) checked
- VnExpress, 11 April 2025: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc are 13 km apart checked
- Vietnam Airlines, flights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City checked
- Seat61, Vietnam train guide (timetable updated 10 June 2026) checked
- Vietnam News, 12 June 2025: National Assembly resolution cutting provinces and cities from 63 to 34 checked
Nearby
Mekong DeltaĐồng bằng sông Cửu Long
The river delta south-west of Ho Chi Minh City, with orchards, canals and floating markets, seen on day trips to My Tho and Ben Tre or on overnight stays in Can Tho.
Phu QuocPhú Quốc
An island off Vietnam's south-west coast, now the Phu Quoc special zone of An Giang province, with beaches, an international airport and a visa exemption for foreigners who arrive directly.