Summary
The Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam are a fascinating 200 km system of underground tunnels. You can visit Cu Chi from Ho Chi Minh City on a day tour. Setting off in a comfortable minibus, we left Ho Chi Minh on a full-day tour to explore the famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War.
Our tour was spent at the tunnels and ended at the War Remnants Museum. If you are interested in the history of Vietnam and the Vietnam War, this should be added to your Ho Chi Minh City or Vietnam itinerary.
Cu Chi Tunnels Vietnam
Remember all those old war movies where the US soldier ran after a rebel in the jungle, only to have him disappear in plain sight? How did the Vietnamese soldier manage such clever evasion? A visit to the Cu Chi tunnels reveals the secret.
This masterful tunnel system was constructed right under the noses of the US army. The Americans knew the tunnels were somewhere nearby, yet they just couldn’t find them. However, they certainly tried.
Bombing with Napalm and Agent Orange
Agent Orange, napalm, and incessant bombing were used to locate the elusive tunnel system. The jungle was completely ravaged and stripped bare during the Vietnam War. Although it was ruined by man, Mother Nature is resilient, and today it thrives in lush greenery.
How Vietnam Outsmarted the Americans
Our guide, a former translator for the Americans, shared the tactics of the North Vietnamese. They could vanish into the jungle by slipping through cave entrances cleverly disguised beneath termite hills. Cayenne pepper was scattered around openings to mask their scent from search dogs.
We learned that the Vietcong wore sandals fashioned from tires to prevent jungle rot, allowing them to navigate effortlessly, while the Americans struggled with rotten feet inside their boots. Ironically, the simple sandals turned out to be their best defense.
Booby Traps inside the Tunnels
We also learned about the booby traps set up, lying in wait for American soldiers near cave entrances. It’s hard to imagine the fear faced by the American tunnel rats as they entered these narrow passages.
A tunnel rat was tasked with exploring a cave when an opening was found. They ventured into darkness, aware that bamboo spikes or other lethal traps could be lurking around the corner.
What To Expect on the Cu Chi Tunnel Tour
The tour is incredibly engaging. If you pay attention to your guide, you will gain extensive knowledge about the guerrilla warfare that transpired in these jungles.
Visitors can explore two main sections: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc of the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Ben Dinh is located 50km from Ho Chi Minh, while Ben Duoc is 70 km from the city. We learned how the Viet Cong used checkered scarves to signify their allegiance to the North without alerting the Americans.
Farmers discreetly supplied food to soldiers who lived underground in the Cu Chi Tunnels for extended periods. They had constructed an entire society beneath the surface.
Different Rooms and Levels of the Tunnel System
Within the tunnel system, there were various rooms designated for planning and meetings. An entire underground civilization existed.
Kitchens were also built underground, utilized primarily in the early mornings. The morning fog concealed the smoke, enabling them to avoid detection by American forces.
The Cu Chi Tunnels had makeshift hospitals where injuries were treated and where children were born. A thriving community endured and survived underground for years.
How the Vietcong Tracked American Soldiers
Interestingly, our guide showed us how the jungle plants communicated movement. As you walked by, leaves would bend and curl, indicating your presence. Thus, tracking the enemy became remarkably straightforward when one understood this secret. There was no means of moving through the jungle unnoticed when the foliage revealed your presence. Incredible.
Cu Chi Tunnels Original Entrance
The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the experience of crawling through the tunnels’ original entrance. We had the option to slip into a tiny opening and traverse 150 meters to the next exit. Only five in our group opted for this challenge, which vividly demonstrated the uncomfortable conditions.
I discovered my claustrophobia during our underground expedition. The dim lights flickered off for a moment as we crawled in darkness.
Earlier, I noticed lights leading to another direction through a different tunnel, triggering a panic that we had lost our way. With the tunnel system stretching for hundreds of kilometers, irrational fears of becoming trapped in the maze gripped me.
Check out my Cu Chi Tunnels video of our crawl through the original entrance.
Fortunately, the lights returned just in time to let three bats glide past our heads. I was ready to escape the confines of the tunnel. It’s astonishing how individuals could endure such conditions for hours, let alone years.
Unlike the Vietnam War, we didn’t worry about encountering hostile forces within the tunnels, nor were we concerned about bombings, malaria, lice, infections, or starvation. Our only concern was reaching our next point to ensure we could catch our bus back to the city in time for dinner. That was more than enough for me.
War Remnants Museum
Part of the Cu Chi Tunnel tour involved a visit to the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Upon our arrival at the museum, we were left to explore at our own pace. This marked the conclusion of our tour, so we had to find our own way back to our lodging. Fortunately, getting around Ho Chi Minh is straightforward, and the museum is centrally situated. The War Remnants Museum provides an emotional perspective on the impacts of war.
Horrors of Napalm and Torture
Images of napalm victims and torture victims adorned the walls of the museum, stark reminders of the horrors of war. Tools used for torture and death were on display, accompanied by haunting photos illustrating the devastating impacts of Agent Orange.
Outside, you will observe tanks, bombs, and planes. The museum houses torture chambers and cages used to confine POWs. Visiting the museum is a challenging experience, yet it offers valuable insights into the devastating consequences of war, prompting reflections on the senselessness of violence and suffering.
Photographers of the Vietnam War
A special exhibit honors the photographers and correspondents who tragically lost their lives while covering the war. This heartfelt tribute is a testament to the individuals who informed the world about the atrocities occurring in Vietnam.
Kim Phuc, the girl famously photographed fleeing in pain from a napalm attack, is featured in the display. I had the privilege of meeting Kim Phuc here in Canada, where she now resides.
She travels extensively, sharing her experiences about war, peace, and healing through faith. I previously wrote about her in my Girl in the Picture Post.
The Cu Chi Tunnels tour offers a captivating experience originating from Ho Chi Minh City. While it may have a touristy aspect, it remains an important site in history worth visiting. Being in a location where significant historical events unfolded is always a profound experience.
How to Get to the Cu Chi Tunnels
We recommend embarking on an organized tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels departing from Ho Chi Minh City. Alternatively, you could opt for a motorbike tour, hire a private car, or rent a motorcycle if you feel comfortable riding. You could then join a tour upon reaching the tunnels.
