Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are a massive network of interconnected tunnels found in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, and are part of a much bigger network of tunnels that underpin much of the country. The Cu Chi tunnels were the site of various military campaigns during the Vietnam War, including the Viet Cong’s Tet Offensive in 1968.

Viet Cong soldiers used the tunnels as hiding places during combat, as well as communication and supply channels, hospitals, food and weapon stockpiles, and residential accommodations for a large number of North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel networks were critical to the Viet Cong’s resistance against American forces and assisted in countering the expanding American military effort.

The circumstances inside the tunnels were described as “Black Echo” by American forces. Life in the tunnels was arduous for the Viet Cong. There was little air, food, or water, and the tunnels were infested with ants, deadly centipedes, snakes, scorpions, spiders, and rodents. Soldiers would spend the most of the day in the tunnels working or resting, and would only come out at night to hunt for supplies, maintain their crops, or confront the enemy in battle. During instances of intense bombing or American troop movement, they were sometimes compelled to remain underground for several days at a time. Sickness was common among those living in the tunnels, particularly malaria, which was the second leading cause of death after battle wounds. According to a captured Viet Cong report, at any given moment, half of a People’s Liberation Armed Forces (PLAF) unit had malaria and “100% had intestinal parasites of significance.”

The government of Vietnam has conserved the 75-mile (121 km) long Cu Chi tunnel complex and transformed it into a war memorial park with two different tunnel display sites, Ben Dinh and Ben Duc. Visitors are welcome to crawl around in the safest areas of the tunnel system, which is a popular tourist destination in Vietnam. Part of the ancient tunnel system can be found at the Ben Duoc site, while the Ben Dinh site, which is closer to Saigon, features tunnel restorations and some tunnels have been made larger to accommodate tourists. Low-power lights have been installed in the tunnels at both sites to make going through them easier, and both sites contain exhibitions of the various sorts of booby traps that were deployed. Underground conference rooms where campaigns like the Tet Offensive in 1968 were planned have been refurbished.

Above-ground activities include caged monkeys, gift shops, and a shooting range.