Cu Chi Tunnels

    One of the premier attractions for toursts, international and domestic, in the Ho Chi Minh City area is the Cu Chi tunnels. The Cu Chi tunnels are a 250 km (150 miles) system of tunnels that are about 40 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. Their construction began during the Vietnamese war with the French after WWII. They were greatly expanded during the Vietnam War. Guerilla fighters used them to hide from the French and US troops and to plan and wage small attacks. Later in the Vietnam War, the tunnels were also used as shelter to protect people from the bombing raids.
     The tunnels evolved into a three level system: 3 meters deep to move around and make attacks, 9 meters deep to live and sleep, and some tunnels even deeper to provide protection from the B-52 bombs. The entrances to the tunnels were very small and hidden by a leafy cover.

Pat in one of the tunnel entrances

     The tunnels were only about 20-30 cm tall (8-12 inches) but the rooms were of course bigger. Most of the tunnels have collapsed, but the government did restore and enlarge several to preserve the history of the tunnels.
     The tunnels had to have fresh air sources, so the people used some of the dirt they removed when they dug the tunnel and made fake termite mounds to hide the ventilation holes.

fake termite mound, ventilation holes on bottom left

The jungle above the tunnels was completely destroyed by bombs and napalm during the course of the war. In the 45 years since the end of the war, it has grown back.

view of jungle from our trail

Displays were placed along the trail as we walked thru the jungle. One display illustrated the booby traps that the Vietcong would set up in the jungle.

The traps were covered with sticks and leaves

Not every bomb that was dropped in the war actually exploded, so the guerillas would open the unexploded ordnance and use the explosive material for their own weapons. This mock-up should how they would open the bombs. It was not a very desirable job, since the friction of opening the bomb may set it off.

And of course, tanks and large weapons. Every museum or historical site has tanks and other military hardware on display, both abandoned US tanks and Russian and Chinese tanks.

The tunnel complex also had a shooting range where tourists could shoot an AK-47,  M-16 or M-60. We didn't participate in that activity. $2.50 USD per round fired and the guns were open sight. About half of our group of twelve did shoot the guns.

shooting range for AK-47, M-16, M-60

     Our tour guide also showed us the shoes made from old tires. At some point, the US troops burned the jungle and would then follow the guerilla's footprints in the ashes to the tunnel openings. Notice the heel and toe portions of the shoe in the picture. They are actually reversed relative to the sole. The Vietcong began making  them like this to cause confusion regarding which direction the guerilla had been walking.

shoes made from tires

Throughout this area, we saw numerous bomb craters.

B-52 bomb crater

     Our final activity at the complex was actually going into the tunnels and "walking" thru them. The aboveground entrance led into a small room and more steps led farther down into the tunnel.

As I noted, the tunnels were enlarged for tours, but not enough to stand. We had a guy on our tour with broad shoulders, and he could not fit in the tunnels. Phillip and I did fit!

Once in the tunnels, we had the option to travel 20 meters, 40 meters, or 60 meters. Both of us, and most of our group, bailed out after the first 20 meters.

I never thought I was claustrophobic, but I was very happy to see those stairs after 20 meters!
     I noticed that this post has two pictures of Phillip's back and two of the top of my head, so I'll end with a picture of our smiling faces.... smiling because we aren't still in those tunnels!

Phillip and Pat next to ..... a tank