Review Ben Duoc ‘Less-Crowded’ Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Tour Joy Journeys

When planning a visit to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, choosing the right tour can significantly impact your experience. Among the various options available, the Ben Duoc Cu Chi Tunnels tour from Joy Journeys has earned a reputation for offering a more authentic and less crowded alternative to the standard tourist experience. This comprehensive review examines whether this tour lives up to its promises, based on visitor experiences and the latest information as of May 2025.

About Joy Journeys and the Tour

Joy Journeys has established itself as a premier tour operator in Ho Chi Minh City, specializing in small-group experiences that prioritize authenticity and personalized service. Their Ben Duoc Cu Chi Tunnels tour stands out for its commitment to maintaining small group sizes-a maximum of 10 participants-ensuring each guest receives individualized attention throughout the experience.

The Ben Duoc Half-Day Tour typically runs for 6-7 hours, including transportation time from Ho Chi Minh City. The tour package includes comfortable air-conditioned transportation, an English-speaking guide, entry fees to the Ben Duoc tunnel complex, two bottles of water per guest, sweet bread snacks, and convenient hotel pickup and drop-off service from accommodations in Districts 1 and 4.

According to the Joy Journeys Cu Chi Tunnels review section on TripAdvisor, this tour has maintained an impressive 5.0 rating based on approximately 600 reviews, with 98% of travelers recommending the experience. One reviewer noted: “Absolutely amazing! Ken was the perfect guide. This tour exceeded my expectations. I loved that it was only a small group. The bus was very comfortable for the journey.”

The “Less-Crowded” Claim: Was it True?

The less crowded Cu Chi Tunnels tour claim appears to be legitimate based on multiple visitor accounts. Ben Duoc consistently receives fewer visitors than the more accessible Ben Dinh site, primarily because it’s located further from Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 70km compared to Ben Dinh’s 50km).

According to travelers who have experienced both sites, is Ben Duoc less crowded than Ben Dinh? The answer is a resounding yes. One TripAdvisor reviewer shared: “I haven’t been to Ben Dinh but went to Ben Duoc and only saw one other tour group while there. Got to go through 5-6 different tunnels. Just our small group every time.” Another mentioned, “Ben Duoc is more okay and less group tours, less busy.”

The best time to visit Ben Duoc Cu Chi Tunnels to further minimize crowds is early morning. Several reviews suggest requesting an early departure (6:30-7:00 am) if booking a private tour. As one traveler advised: “If you book private tour, you request for early departure 06:30-06:45-07:00 am, it takes you less than 2 hours to arrive. A lot of group tours to Ben Duoc depart from Saigon at 07:30-08:00 am. By the time you reach there, there are a lot of tourists too.”

For those wondering how to avoid crowds at Cu Chi Tunnels, the combination of choosing Ben Duoc over Ben Dinh and opting for an early morning departure seems to be the most effective strategy.

The Tour Experience: A Detailed Breakdown

Transportation

The Joy Journeys Ben Duoc half day tour review consistently mentions the quality of transportation provided. The company uses comfortable 16-seat minivans limited to just 10 passengers, ensuring everyone has ample space during the journey. Air conditioning works effectively-an important consideration given Vietnam’s tropical climate.

The pickup process typically begins between 7:00-7:30 AM from hotels in Districts 1 and 4, with the exact time confirmed the night before departure. The journey to Ben Duoc takes approximately 2 hours, with a brief stop at a handicraft workshop along the way-a common practice among Vietnam tours that allows for a quick restroom break and refreshments.

The Guide

A standout feature in almost every Joy Journeys Cu Chi Tunnels review is the quality of their guides. Fluent in English and deeply knowledgeable about Vietnamese history, these guides transform what could be a simple sightseeing trip into an educational journey through Vietnam’s complex past.

One visitor noted: “Our guide Tri was exceptional with so much relevant and historical information to be shared – his English was of a very high standard and he had a friendly, positive disposition with a great sense of humor.” Another mentioned that their guide’s father had actually fought during the war, adding personal stories that created “an emotional dimension to the history.”

The guides excel at balancing historical facts with engaging storytelling, creating a more immersive learning experience while maintaining sensitivity around the complex and sometimes difficult aspects of war history.

Activities at Ben Duoc

The authentic Cu Chi Tunnels experience at Ben Duoc includes several key activities that help visitors understand the ingenuity and resilience of those who lived and fought from these underground passages.

Upon arrival, groups typically watch a documentary providing historical context about the tunnels and their strategic importance during the Vietnam War. Visitors then explore reconstructed living areas, including kitchens, bedrooms, storage facilities, field hospitals, and command centers.

The highlight for many is crawling through sections of the tunnels themselves. While widened for tourists, these passages still provide a sense of the challenging conditions faced by those who used them during wartime. As one guide explains, “The highlight of the tour is when you can experience crawling into the Tunnels to feel what it was like during the war.”

Additional activities include:

• Crawl through and experience the underground Cu Chi Tunnels.
• Examining the infamous booby traps used during the war
• Exploring an ex-US Army tank from the Vietnam War
• Visiting the underground Hoang Cam kitchen
• Tasting locally grown tapioca (a staple food during wartime) with pandan tea
• Viewing Viet Cong propaganda displays
• Visiting the Memorial Temple honoring fallen soldiers (unique to Ben Duoc) 

The optional shooting range at Ben Duoc is conveniently located away from the main historical area, meaning noise doesn’t disrupt the experience for those choosing not to participate-another advantage over Ben Dinh.

Overall Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Ben Duoc creates a more reflective and educational environment compared to Ben Dinh. The site’s larger area (approximately 100 hectares compared to Ben Dinh’s 17 hectares) allows visitors to better appreciate the scale of the tunnel network and the surrounding jungle environment that helped conceal it.

As one visitor noted: “The lack of busloads of tourists allows for a much more tranquil experience, allowing visitors a more authentic Vietnam experience.” This peaceful atmosphere facilitates deeper reflection on the historical significance of the site and the remarkable resilience demonstrated by those who lived and fought there.

What We Liked

Based on numerous Joy Journeys Ben Duoc half day tour reviews, here are the most frequently praised aspects of the experience:

1. The small group size: Limited to 10 people maximum, ensuring personalized attention and a more intimate experience. 
2. Knowledgeable guides: Consistently praised for their excellent English, historical knowledge, and engaging presentation style. 
3. Less crowded experience: The Ben Duoc site receives significantly fewer visitors than Ben Dinh, allowing for a more peaceful and authentic experience. 
4. Comprehensive activities: The tour covers all key aspects of the tunnels, from the documentary introduction to crawling through tunnels and sampling traditional foods. 
5. The Memorial Temple: Unique to Ben Duoc, this memorial adds an important historical and cultural dimension to the experience. 
6. Comfortable transportation: Air-conditioned vehicles with sufficient space for all passengers. 
7. Authentic experience: The less modified tunnels at Ben Duoc provide a more realistic glimpse into wartime conditions. 

What Could Be Improved

Even the most highly-rated tours have room for improvement. Based on the available reviews, a few potential drawbacks of the Ben Duoc Cu Chi Tunnels tour include:

1. Distance: The longer travel time to Ben Duoc (approximately 2 hours each way) means a significant portion of the half-day tour is spent in transit. 
2. Early departure: The 7:00-7:30 AM pickup time may be challenging for some travelers, especially those who aren’t early risers. 
3. Handicraft stop: While brief, some travelers mentioned the obligatory handicraft workshop stop felt like a commercial addition to an otherwise educational tour. 
4. Physical demands: The Ben Duoc tunnels, while widened for tourists, remain narrower and more challenging than those at Ben Dinh, which might be difficult for larger individuals or those with mobility issues.

Value for Money

Priced at approximately $32 per person (rates vary by group size), the Ben Duoc Cu Chi Tunnels tour from Joy Journeys offers exceptional value compared to many alternatives. The comprehensive inclusions-transportation, guide service, entrance fees, refreshments, and the small group format-justify the cost, especially considering the superior experience at the less crowded Ben Duoc site.

When comparing various Cu Chi tunnel tour options, it’s worth noting that the cheapest alternatives typically visit the more crowded Ben Dinh site with larger groups, potentially diminishing the overall experience. The modest premium for Joy Journeys’ Ben Duoc tour delivers significant enhancements in quality, authenticity, and comfort.

Would We Recommend This Tour?

Based on consistent positive feedback and the unique advantages of the Ben Duoc site, we would highly recommend the Joy Journeys Ben Duoc Half-Day Tour for travelers seeking a more authentic and less commercialized Cu Chi Tunnels experience.

This tour is particularly well-suited for:

• History enthusiasts wanting deeper insights into the Vietnam War 
• Photographers seeking less crowded conditions 
• Travelers who value educational experiences over convenience 
• Those who prefer small group dynamics over large tour buses 
• Visitors seeking a more authentic tunnel experience, even if it means traveling further 

For families with children or travelers with significant mobility concerns, the Ben Dinh site with its wider tunnels might be more appropriate, though Ben Duoc offers plenty of above-ground exhibits for those who prefer not to crawl through the tunnels.

FAQs

How to book the Joy Journeys Ben Duoc tour?

The tour can be booked directly through the Joy Journeys website (joyjourneys.com.vn), via email ([email protected]), by phone (+84 (0) 868.17.66.79), or through platforms like Viator, GetYourGuide, or TripAdvisor. Online booking allows you to secure your spot with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.

What are the departure times for the tour?

The Ben Duoc Half-Day Tour typically departs between 7:00-7:30 AM, with exact pickup times confirmed the night before. The tour lasts approximately 6-7 hours, returning to Ho Chi Minh City around 2:00-3:00 PM.

What is the cancellation policy?

Joy Journeys offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour, providing flexibility if your travel plans change. In case of unforeseen circumstances like extreme weather, the company typically offers a full refund or the option to reschedule.

If you’re seeking a less crowded, more authentic perspective on this significant chapter of Vietnamese history, the Ben Duoc Half-Day Tour with Joy Journeys offers one of the most highly-rated and thoughtfully designed Vietnam tours available. Their commitment to small groups, knowledgeable guides, and the superior Ben Duoc location combine to create an educational and memorable experience that consistently earns five-star reviews from travelers worldwide.