About Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi systems were built in the years 1946-1948, the period of the resistance war against the French colonialists. The first tunnel system was built in two communes, Tan Phu Trung and Phuoc Vinh An. When newly built, tunnels were just short shelters with a simple structure for soldiers to hide and hide documents. Later, when it came to the period of the anti-American resistance war, the tunnels were expanded to become more complex and complete.
Each village in Cu Chi built its base, which was later linked together to facilitate movement. Therefore, they combined the bunkers into a large-scale system with a total length of more than 200 km combined with about 500 km of trenches to create a “heaven and earth hammock”, making the enemy terrified. In the tunnels are built stoppers at important points to prevent the enemy or chemical poisons sprayed by the enemy.
Cu Chi Tunnels historical relic includes:
Ben Duoc Tunnels (Saigon – Gia Dinh Military Zone Base (Zone A)
The base of Saigon – Gia Dinh Party Committee (Zone B)
Ben Dinh Tunnels (Based on Cu Chi District Party Committee)
The tunnel system is extremely complex, from the main road there will be countless small roads connecting, or independently depending on the terrain. Many branches are leading to the banks of the Saigon River so that when the situation is critical, our troops and people can cross the river to the base area of Ben Cat (Binh Duong).
Cu Chi Tunnels is about 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Before the French Colonial War (1945-1954), the Cu Chi Tunnels were used to hide weapons and important documents The Vietnamese army used the Cu Chi Tunnels to hide because the design of the tunnels had only one mouth to go up and down, there was a hole to breathe so when the enemy walked on the ground it was difficult to detect the cellar. Cu Chi Tunnels were subsequently developed and more tunnel systems were built for Vietnamese troops to hide during the day and night climb to operate. In the anti-American resistance, the Cu Chi Tunnels grew strongest. The anti-enemy movement took place drastically and there were many civilians involved in the construction of the land. With simple instruments such as bars and shells, the Vietnamese people created an extremely extensive geodetic system and formed an underground military base.
Cu Chi Tunnels entered the history of the heroic struggle of the Vietnamese people as a legend of the 20th century and became a world-famous landmark. This is a unique pirate miracle with a no-two with about 250 km of tunnels shining wide as a spider network in the ground, there are constructions interconnected with the earth, such as Battle, water, combat drive, food cellar, sleep, gathering, living, military medicine, food marks warehouse, Hoang Cam kitchen.
Interesting things travelers may not know about Cu Chi Tunnels
1. Underground digging
Source: Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Relic Site
Cu Chi Tunnels system runs perpendicularly in the ground, from the spine (main line) radiating out countless short, long branches, merging, or ending independently depending on the terrain. There are many branches spread out to the Saigon River so that when the situation is critical, you can cross the river to the base area of Ben Cat – Binh Duong Province. The tunnel was not very deep but was resistant to artillery and the weight of tanks, armored vehicles, and deep sections resisted small bombs. Some sections are structured from two to three floors (the upper floor is called the “top” and the lower floor is known as the “bottom”). Up and down between the floors, there is a secret cellar cover. In the ground, some nodes block the necessary points to stop the enemy or chemical poisons sprayed. There are short sections, which must be very light to get through. Along the tunnel, there is an evaporative hole above which is discreetly disguised and spread to the ground with multiple secret doors. Numerous doors are structured into combat drives, and sniper guns are very versatile. This is a surprise for the enemy. Under the terrestrial sections in the vulnerable area, there are cellars, hole holes, traps…
Around the upward and downward tunnel doors are arranged many cellars, hole holes, and left mines (called death land), there are also large anti-tank mines and anti-helicopter bomb launchers, to prevent enemy troops from approaching.
2. Ventilations
The passages in the Cu Chi Tunnels are tiny, they have to be leaned to the ground. When closing the cave again will be covered above with dry leaves, and soil to avoid being detected by the enemy. The air is taken into the terrestrial circuit through the ventilation holes. Along the way, every 10 to 15 meters, there were secret vents and ventilation on the ground, disguised as an extrusion.
3. The structure of Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi Tunnels are divided into 3 floors including:
First floor: The first floor of the Cu Chi Tunnel is 2.5-3 meters deep underground. This height only matches a man who climbs down and lies on the edge of the forest. The 1st floor has a well for living and use for the entire tunnel.
Second Floor: 4-6 meters deep from the ground, capable of resisting small bombs. The way up and down between the basements is arranged by secret holes. On discreet masks, it looks like thermite dams, along tunnels with wind.
Third floor: 8 to 10 even 12 meters deep. Tunnels with large tunnels to rest, a place to store weapons, food, wells, fireplaces, a commander, anatomy… There are also large roofs and arches. Air roof, clever makeup to watch movies and art.
4. Recycling American weaponry
Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, tourists can visit the storage of wartime weapons with the U.S. and those that have been recycled to be displayed as evidence of war. You’ll be exploring a variety of weapons and guns and learn more about interesting historical stories.
5. Secret entranceways:
Source: Photo documentary – Tuoi Tre Newspaper
Cu Chi Tunnels are a secret underground fortification system under the ground, these fortification systems are camouflaged very deep and very carefully in the tropical jungle. The purpose of the Cu Chi tunnel system – was to deliver surprise attacks on the enemy during the years of the US military’s war in Vietnam.
The system of tunnels – fortifications have been researched and calculated very carefully with the calculation that it can attack and destroy the enemy from all sides. The complex network of zigzag tunnels spreads in all directions from the main tunnel axis and spreads out into countless branches, some of which are secret shelters, others that suddenly become dead ends. due to the special conditions of the terrain.
But the clever and skillful Vietnamese guerrillas, to save energy and time, dug tunnels that were not very deep, but calculated the design so that, even in the cases of tanks and armored vehicles moving moved on the roof of the tunnel, the top was shelled and bombed – the tunnels did not collapse, subside, collapse and still serve the people who built them.
6. Narrow and dark tunnels
The inside of the tunnels is very narrow and dark, so it is very difficult to move through the alleys of the tunnels. The tunnel is 120m long and deep. Because of being embellished as a tourist attraction, the tunnels for visitors have been enlarged to accommodate visitors moving comfortably, but for many people, the passage in the tunnel is still quite small and narrow. especially for those of you who are tall. Even in some places, you have to bend your back and move with your knees to get through and in such a narrow space, the feeling of shortness of breath because of lack of oxygen is also easy to appear.
Things to do in Cu Chi Tunnels
Visit the re-enactment of the liberated military zone
When visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, tourists will experience ancient war scenery through recreated spaces and visitors will better understand the participation of the Vietnamese army in the resistance process here. The war zone is divided into two spaces as follows:
Space 1: Repeat the war period from 1961 to 1964. This space reproduces the lives of the Vietnamese people of wartime despite their hardships but still retains the spirit of optimism and enthusiasm to participate in the resistance.
Space 2: This is the time when war is the most violent and painful. Tourists will witness sad landscapes such as devastated rice fields, killed animals, burned houses, and countless other casualties occurring during wartime.
Explore Rice Paper Village
The rice paper village in Cu Chi Tunnels is considered to be one of the oldest trade villages in Ho Chi Minh City and carries many traditional values. Rice paper furnaces are passed from this era to the present day. Tourists can experience making rice paper in the cottage village, this will be an interesting and unforgettable experience during a trip to Vietnam.
Try shooting and real gun shooting
In the Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh area, there are shooting experiences for tourists. This discipline requires that tourists must be in good health because the gun is quite heavy and can hurt your hand if you are not careful. The shooting service at Cu Chi Tunnels is only available for tourists over the age of 16 and this is a favorite experience for many tourists.
Visit the booby trap exhibition
Source: Viettimes
During the war, the Vietnamese army did not have many modern weapons, so raw weaponry played a very important role. Although it is a homemade weapon, it is the obsession of the enemy invader. Vietnamese warriors created simple traps, but it was the danger for the enemy, and the traps that are today being displayed in the Cu Chi tunnels systems
Tiger traps: This is an extremely dangerous trap because if you fall here, you can be hit by underground knives and endanger your life.
Fish trap: The shape looks like a fish basket but contains sharp noses when hitting the leg that can be difficult to move and cause pain. This is the trap that makes many tourists curious when visiting Cu Chi Tunnels.
Wings trap: This trap is simple at first glance, but it causes huge damage if stepped up it will cause holes in the body.
Many other dangerous traps can cause tourists to catch chicken skin when visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels. It is also an attraction that visitors should visit once in their lives to better understand the history of Vietnam and the difficulties of the Vietnamese people during the war.
Crawling through Cu Chi Tunnels
Upon arrival at the Cu Chi Tunnels, tourists will experience crawling under the basement. This will be an experience and unforgettable in life because you will have to crawl in a narrow space with dim light. Experience reality and you will imagine how hard the ancient Vietnamese soldiers were. Some note when crawling at Cu Chi Tunnels is to wear comfortable clothes for convenient movement.
Visit Ben Duoc Temple - Cu Chi Tunnels
This is where you will see the tunnels with deep underground structures such as military cellars, weapons cellars, ventilation holes, kitchens, water wells, and clothes sewing houses. You are also lit in memory of the national heroes who fell on this land and sacrificed for national independence.
Try warzone food - tapioca
Wartime is hard for everyone. Food is something that people separately seek in the war. After some activities, you will try some local tea and tapioca that sustained VC fighters for years, to partly understand how people here spent their time many years ago in the war
Watch the history document film of Cu Chi Tunnels
Tourists will be introduced to the history of the formation of the Cu Chi Tunnels, the periods of war, and the life of the ancient Vietnamese people. This is a historical film with many memories of a difficult time past and they can be printed deep into your mind.
Should travelers go to Cu Chi Tunnels on their own or go on a tour?
If this is your first time visiting Vietnam, choose to take a tour. Taking a tour will save you a lot of time as well as a necessary amount of cost. During the tour, tourists will be picked up from the hotel to the Cu Chi Tunnels and after the tour is completed, visitors will be taken home. If you travel solo to Cu Chi Tunnels, you will lose a lot of costs, and time as well as having to scan the map regularly when arriving here. The hot sun will also make you exhausted. Tourists will be packed with all the attractions at a reasonable, reasonable cost and avoid unnecessary risks during the trip. In addition, following the tour you will buy entrance tickets with more attractive offers, suitable for travelers who go with friends or travel with a crowded family. AN Tours Vietnam is one of the tour companies with the most attractive and interesting Cu Chi Tunnels tour with enthusiastic, friendly guides giving tourists a great experience.
Experience AN Tours Vietnam - Private Cu Chi Tunnel Tour With Rice Paper Village
Coming with AN Tours Vietnam, you’ll get the experience of having a non-stop at Cu Chi Tunnels. This is a private tour and you will not feel bothered. The highlights of the Private Cu Chi Tunnels Tour With Rice Paper Village at AN Tours Vietnam will include a tour of the traditional rice paper-making village, a shooting experience, and a walk down the tunnels to explore the inside.
Timeline includes:
- Hotel pick up
- Saigon rural road trip
- Rice paper village
- Handmade rice paper workshop
- Crawling Cu Chi Tunnels
- A brief video of the war
- Weapon and trap exhibition
- Local tea and tapioca
- Real gun shooting
- Cu Chi Tunnels memorial temple
Cu Chi Tunnels is a must-visit place when traveling to Vietnam because it brings many historical meanings and offers interesting experiences for tourists. For more detailed information and booking tours, please contact AN Tours Vietnam for the most detailed guidance.
See more at: https://antoursvietnam.com/
