Củ Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: A Deeper Look at the Unbelievable Underground Maze
Thursday, July 12, 2018 Vietnam 0 Comments

Củ Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Going back to one of my most preferred Asian destinations: Vietnam. Next to Thailand, I’d recommend Vietnam to any European and American budding backpacker, because it has all the precise elements of a good Asian travel induction – it’s inexpensive, it’s interesting, and it’s insane when it comes to delicious food!

Needless to say, I am an admirer of all things VN, and even if I have been there for a couple of times already, I find myself coming back for more Saigon good stuff! Quite recently, one of the interesting experiences I had was when I finally decided to go on the touristy task of visiting the Củ Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Known for its immense network of connecting underground tunnels, used for military campaigns during the infamous Vietnam War, the tunnels of Củ Chi are known worldwide for its historical relevance. Like Cambodia and certain parts of Asia, Saigon has been war stricken for a time, so seeing this place commands mixed emotions. There are actually whole day and half day cu chi tunnels tours and prices, but at the bare minimum, the entrance fee is quite affordable and the whole area is much improved and cleansed from its original war era atmosphere.

You would want to visit this place because you are interested to see how to find your way around the labyrinth of tunnels here, which were used by the Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during the war. It’s nowhere near The Hunger Games kind of survival maze game, but it sure is eye opening.

Growing up in a country colonized by westerners, you get so exposed to historical accounts of wars, deaths, and heroic ventures – and somehow want to know more about it. The tunnels of Củ Chi give that kind of overall learning and firsthand experience, especially with the way they show how everything is being served – from communication, doing demo of supply routes, showing makeshift hospitals, food rations, weapon caches, and living quarters of the locals there, the experience leading up to the visit was pretty hyped! I’ve decided to go for a tour instead of a DIY because the Củ Chi tunnel area is rather big, and it’s best explored with an official tour guide, so that you can access the areas with the right information and sequence.

This is a rather interesting fun fact that I’ve learned when I visited the place – did you know that: "Tunnel rats," as American soldiers who worked in the Cu Chi tunnels during the Vietnam War were known, used the evocative term "black echo" to describe the experience of being in the tunnels. According to my Vietnamese friends, the tunnels used to be smaller and dirtier, so it’ll very difficult to maneuver our way through the area.

But even nowadays, being cleaned up and adjusted for tourism purposes, it still is challenging to go around the tunnels; it’s not for the faint hearted and certainly not for the claustrophobes. Good thing though is that the tunnels have been divided into areas, one for the beginners, advanced, and the diehard tunnel fanatics – so you can opt to tap out after 100 meters, then go a bit further if you are brave enough to experience the whole thing.

Almost all the Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour offer hotel pick up and English tour guides – so it’ll be really easy to learn about how the extensive tunnels aided Vietnam’s historical victory. I would not want to spoil you with wordy details by revealing too much, because this is one of the (few) Vietnam experiences best seen through photos and videos and then be experienced…. so, here are the photos, then be sure to visit soon, okay?