CU CHI TUNNELS IN HO CHI MINH

The Cu Chi Tunnels are basically a huge war museum offering visitors a sneak peak at the underground life of Viet Cong-era soldiers. Comprising more than 120km of tunnels, they were first started around 1948 when the Viet Cong were fighting the French.

Nowadays, the restored tunnels are one of Vietnam’s top attractions and are especially popular with non-Vietnamese tourists. People follow the routes of the underground army and before entering the tunnels visitors will have the chance to watch a short movie and get to understand beforehand how this unusual tunnel system actually works.

From 1948, the work never stopped and resulted in a massive collection of tunnels that were eventually used in the war with the American also. Meeting rooms, hospitals, accommodation, operating theatres and mess halls are among the underground rooms found in the Cu Chi Tunnels.

The tunnels were designed with several levels and effective air filtration systems to help them to survive the Cu Chi carpet-bombing by the Americans and were dug so deep that tanks could pass overhead without causing any damage to the tunnels.

This underground maze is a bit over an hour’s drive northwest from Ho Chi Minh City. While there expect to try many interesting activities such as a chance to fire an M16 assault rifle for fun or food testing – trying similar types of meals that the underground fighters had to live with years ago. Other facilities include souvenir shops, a restaurant as well as a mini-hotel.