Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an underground tunnel system located 40 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh City, in the western part of Phu My Hung commune, Cu Chi District. Spanning a total length of 200 kilometers, they were constructed by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.

The Cu Chi Tunnels were first built during the First Indochina War against France and played a crucial role in all the wars Vietnam went through, such as on January 1, 1968, when the Viet Cong utilized this tunnel system to launch surprise attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, Tan Son Nhat International Airport, American military bases, and the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Vietnam. Today, it is one of the most famous and immersive attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. The Cu Chi Tunnels feature facilities such as hospitals, meeting rooms, sleeping quarters, and combat rooms, forming an exceptionally well-planned underground city. However, life underground during the war was extremely harsh: for most of the day, soldiers would hide in the tunnels to work or rest, only emerging at night to fight or search for supplies like food, water, and ammunition. Sometimes, due to continuous enemy bombings, soldiers were unable to leave the tunnels for extended periods, suffering from severe shortages of water and food. The tunnels were also infested with ants, poisonous centipedes, spiders, mosquitoes, and other insects, leading to widespread illness and malaria infections. As a result, the site also serves as an educational reminder of the value of the hard-won peace we enjoy today.

Củ Chi Tunnels

Must-visit reason: One of the most famous and immersive attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

Continent: Asia

Country/Region: Vietnam

Province/State: Ho Chi Minh City

City: Ho Chi Minh City