During the Vietnam war, one of the strategic advantages the Viet Cong had were a vast network of tunnels. These tunnel systems allowed the Vietnamese soldiers the ability to move from position to position undetected. The tunnels were often built in tiers with areas for storing munitions, treating wounded, cooking and even run off for water. One of these tunnel systems that was very close to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was the Cu Chi Tunnels. On my recent visit to Vietnam, my wife and I visited the Cu Chi Tunnels to see them firsthand.
Park employee demonstrating hidden entrance
The first thing I noticed when we arrived at the Cu Chi Tunnels was the ground, which was very hard. It is a clay like earth conducive to supporting the tunnels without any additional structures. The tunnels themselves were incredibly narrow, which also limited the need for additional support. The Cu Chi Tunnels are difficult to detect from above ground. Breathing vents are disguised as termite mounds, or disguised in the root systems of trees. Most of the entrances are too small for the average American to even enter. There are some bunker systems where entry is less of a challenge. The first photo above was taken as I navigated the tunnels approximately thirty feet below ground. Only go down if you are not claustrophobic. There is NO turning around. Forget that idea. It was so tight that both of my shoulders scraped the side walls at times.
Typical pit style booby trap
The Cu Chi Tunnels is designed like a memorial park, run by the Vietnamese government. The tunnel system includes about 75 miles worth of tunnels, but the park only covers an area of the tunnel systems. Park employees are stationed around at various locations to give demonstrations to visitors. A photo above depicts one of the park employees exiting from a hidden tunnel entrance. Prior to him popping up, it just looked like a leaf strewn area under the trees. The park also has demonstrations of the various low tech traps used by the Viet Cong in this area. A variety of pungi pits and traps are displayed.
Mannequins posed at campsite in military uniforms
The park also uses mannequins to demonstrate what life might have been like for the Viet Cong during the war era. There are various campsites, weapons manufacturing areas, cook sites, etc. It all looks pretty ideal. In real life, while strategically effective, the tunnels were also very difficult for those who lived in them. Malaria and intestinal issues were rampant in the tunnels. During periods of shelling, the Viet Cong had to stay below ground for days at a time. The combination of close quarters, illness, centipedes, scorpions and vermin made life tough.
Classroom
In addition to the self-guided tour through the park, there is a classroom where a video talks about the site. It is a typical communist propaganda video. Prior to the video, a spokesperson talks about the tunnel system and gives a similarly shaded version of events during the Vietnam war. It's a communist country. It is their country. I get that. As a visitor, I enjoyed my visit to the tunnels and took the propaganda with the proverbial grain of salt. All good.
View from inside bunker leading to tunnel
Entrance to the park runs approximately five dollars US (110,000 dong). Visitors are given a ticket and then directed to a tunnel that leads into the park. There is a decent amount of walking at the site. The tunnels are about an hour drive from the central area of Ho Chi Minh City. They are open from 7AM until 5PM. There are public buses that will take your from the city to the tunnels for less than a dollar. If you are not traveling with a tour group, it may be worth a few extra dollars to buy an inclusive trip from a local tour agency.
These photos are all mine.