At its peak, the tunnels also housed sleeping quarters and kitchens. Now part of a vietnam war memorial park in ho chi minh city formerly saigon, the cu chi tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction. Viet cong and nva tunnels and field fortifications of the vietnam war. The communist viet cong vc army was essentially a guerilla force. Cu chi tunnels used by the viet cong during the vietnam war, the cu chi tunnels are a network of underground tunnels stretching more than 124 miles 200 kilometers. And the tunnels even existed near some major cities. Jul 12, 2012 the cu chi tunnels were built over a period of 25 years that began sometime in the late 1940s during the war against the french. Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the vietnam war, and were the viet congs base of operations for the t. Chi is een immens netwerk van ondergrondse tunnels in het district c. Army sketch of the tunnels provides a sense of how the underground network worked.
While the south was fighting the north, they were also fighting another group, the vietcong, who were a militant group from the south who sympathized with the north. I should have skipped the cu chi tunnels tour frugal. But what began as a fairly rudimentary system of tunnels quickly became a sophisticated labyrinth beneath vietnam when it was later utilized by the viet cong to combat the u. Attacks on saigon were launched from the cu chi tunnels complex. A worthwhile half day trip, the cu chi tunnels tell a fascinating tale of courage and endurance during the vietnam war against us. The australians and new zealanders were anzacs were often overrepresented as tunnel rats per their numbers in the vietnam war. Why the viet congs tunnels were so effective in vietnam. Travel back to the times of the americanvietnam war by visiting the legendary cu chi tunnels, accompanied by a local student guide on a motorbike. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
Viet minh forces initially developed a complex system of underground tunnels to combat the french colonial invasion of vietnam known as the cu chi tunnels. First, you should know that cu chi and the cao dai temple are not at all near each other, which means youll spend most of the day on the bus. Head to head battles were discouraged, especially against the americans, in favor of hit and run tactics and the use of nonconventional weapons such as traps and improvised devices. Cu chi is located on the outskirts of ho chi minh city, about 70km from the city. The first tunnels were built in 1948 and divided into two different communes. A dangerous underground warzone in the vietnam war the vietnam war pitted north vietnam against south vietnam. Their unofficial moto was non gratum anus rodentum in latin. The cu chi tunnels are a network of underground tunnels, carved out by hand, located 55 miles northwest of ho chi minh city saigon. The cu chi tunnels with subtitles as told by americas former enemy duration. This system was dug by the viet minh resistance army and the national liberation front of south vietnam during the indochina war and the vietnam war.
In the interest of full disclosure, one mile at a time earns a referral bonus for purchases made through some of the below links. The underground tunnels of cu chi, vietnam amusing planet. The tunnels were used by viet cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous north vietnamese fighters. The cu chi tunnels, a mickey grant film, is the story of life underground told by the people who lived the experience. Soldiers seen slowly lowering a tunnel rat into a tunnel during operation oregon in vietnam. Interesting tunnel facts channel tunnel, cu chi tunnels. The tunnels were used frequently during the vietnam war by viet cong to store food and weapons, hide, communicate, and provide sheltered areas for medical attention. Because this is a popular attraction with vietnamese school children and holiday. And by bus, i mean the cramped minivan clearly designed to hold tiny vietnamese people, with no ac, on a ridiculously hot and humid day.
Top 10 ingenious features of the cu chi tunnels listverse. The cu chi tunnels, northwest of ho chi minh city, were part of a much larger underground tunnel network used by the viet cong in the. Read on and enjoy all our tunnel facts, information and fun trivia for kids. Astoundingly, given their great length, the tunnels were dug with bare hands or very simple tools during the french occupation in the 1940s, and further expanded during the american war better known in this hemisphere as the vietnam war in the 1960s. Tunnel rats were us, australian and newzelander soldiers who went inside viet congvc tunnels to kill any vc inside, gather any intel, recover arms and finally demolish the tunnels by planting explosives. It is a story told by a surgeon, an artist, and actress, an engineer, and the few survivors of the guerilla band who left the tunnels each night to fight against an enemy of vastly superior strength.
Apr 20, 2019 one of the places we felt we couldnt miss were the cu chi tunnels an extensive network of tunnels like 75 miles worth that were handcarved during the french occupation, and then expanded during the later conflicts in the 1960s and 70s. Todays destination is the cu chi tunnels in vietnam. The cu chi tunnels history road private scooter tour. We are specialised on organizing tour to cu chi tunnels and any combination tour with cu chi tunnels. Consisting of an enormous network of intertwining underground tunnels situated in the cu chi district of ho chi minh city, the cu chi are only a part of a much bigger grid of covert tunnels constructed by the north vietnamese soldiers during the vietnam war. This is one of the 7 most exotic destinations in southeast asia. There was a living civilization struggling and surviving underground for years on end. You can visit cu chi from ho chi minh city on a day tour. And yet, the thing that we found most interesting was when our guide showed us the plants of the jungle. Dec 06, 2012 for more information about travel today show or want to be the travel correspondent on our show. Furthermore, it is also listed as one of the worlds legit places by the new.
Saigon was the capital city of south vietnam and the tunnels served as a means to move supplies, communications, troops, and equipment, while also providing the ability to perform sneak attacks. Located about 60 km northwest of ho chi minh city, the cu chi tunnel network is a vast labyrinth of underground tunnels stretching to the cambodian border. However, at the time of the vietnam war, ho chi minh city was named saigon and it was the capital city of south vietnam. Find out more about the elaborate network of underground tunnels used as hideouts, living quarters and supply.
Peasants day farmed paddy fields and at sunset, excavating tunnels. The site has over 120km of underground tunnels, with trapdoors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities, armoury. Located 75 kilometres northwest of ho chi min city, the cu chi tunnels are an elaborate underground network made up of 250 km 155 mi. May 16, 2019 in fact, the tunnels entrances are also covered by plenty of lids and leaves, so it is really difficult for the enemies to find them. Facts about tunnels of cu chi peasants day farmed paddy fields and at sunset, excavating tunnels. Facts about cu chi tunnels the underground war slideshare. The tunnels were dug with simple tools and bare hands during the french occupation in the 1940s, and further expanded during the vietnam war in the 1960s to provide. Cu chi tunnels were formed during the resistance war against french colonialism 1946 1948. Cu chi tunnels were dug on a laterite clay area, so it is durable and less prone to landslides. History the tunnels of cu chi were built over a period of 25 years that began sometime in the late 1940s. The cu chi tunnels are an elaborate underground community made up of 250 km of tunnels and chambers below the city understand. Cu chi is about 40 km northwest of ho chi minh city in southern vietnam. Cu chi tunnels facts the communist viet cong vc army was essentially a guerilla force and therefore relied on nontraditional tactics when they faced the americans and south vietnamese. Cu chi tunnels are among the top 7 most exotic destinations in southeast asia and are listed as one of the worlds coolest places by the new.
Cu chi tunnels ho chi minh city 2020 all you need to know. Cu chi tunnels half day tour by luxury speedboat les rives. The cu chi tunnels tour is located northwest of present day ho chi minh city. Learn about famous tunnels such as the lincoln tunnel and channel tunnel, read how the cu chi tunnels were used in the vietnam war and understand what a tunnel boring machine is. Cu chi tunnels ho chi minh city 2020 all you need to. War underground, chu chi district, operation crimp, the guerillas of the viet cong, the tunnels, survival underground, born in a tunnel, the tunnel rats, not worth a rats ass, stop the americans. In addition to providing underground shelter, the cu chi tunnels served. Because this is a popular attraction with vietnamese school children and holidaymakers, we set out early to avoid large. Chi are an immense network of connecting tunnels located in the c.
Cu chi tunnels, ho chi minh city ticket price timings. The tunnels are 200 km long and are steeped in history and legends of war. See all 438 cu chi tunnels tickets and tours on tripadvisor. A total of 220 kilometers of tunnels divided in 3 levels to 6 meters, 8 meters and 10 meters deep underground, where they arrived to live more than 10,000 people. History of cu chi tunnels lonely planet travel information. For travelers on a budget, this group tour of up to 20 people offers great value, including hotel pickup, roundtrip transport, a guided tour of the tunnels,included entrance fee. Cu chi tunnels half day tour by speedboat is one of les rives best selling tours, you will travel like a vip and arrive hours before the large bus tour groups to the famous cu chi tunnels historical site also pronounced as chu chi tunnels by some foreigners. Nov 18, 2015 facts about cu chi tunnels the underground war 1. In all, at least 45,000 vietnamese men and women are said to have died defending the cu chi tunnels over the course of the vietnam war. The cu chi tunnels were built over a period of 25 years that began sometime in the late 1940s during the war against the french. Cu chi tunnels are among the top 7 most exotic destinations in southeast asia and are listed as one of the worlds coolest places by the new york time. Additionally, saigon was the epicenter if us efforts to destroy the resistance of the north vietnamese army. These are products and services we use ourselves, and are the best. Take a fun trip along saigon river on a comfortable luxury speedboat, bike through villages, plantations, the green rubber forest and explore the cu chi tunnels, a small sample of the immense network of tunnels during the usvietnam conflict.
What you need to know about visiting these vietnam war sites. The excavations were used mostly for communication between villages and to evade french army sweeps of the area. In stark contrast with its tiny passageways, the historical significance of cu chi tunnels is far and wide. The tunnel system is located deep underground, can withstand the destructive power of the largest blockbusters of the us military. Cu chi travel ho chi minh city region, vietnam lonely. Cu chi tunnels can be crowded, so we recommend booking etickets ahead of time to secure your spot.
Chi district of ho chi minh city saigon, vietnam, and are part of a much. The viet minh built the first dugouts and tunnels in the hard, red earth of cu chi ideal for their construction during the war against the french. A complete guide to the cu chi tunnels including tips. The chu chi tunnels are part of a massive war museum in ho chi minh. The cu chi tunnels found under the cu chi district of ho chi minh city in vietnam are a complex network of connecting tunnels that form part of an even larger network that spread throughout vietnam.
The cu chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the vietnam war, and were the viet congs base of operations for the tet offensive in 1968. The cu chi tunnels was a systematic tunnel network created by the viet cong during the 1940s when the french occupied vietnam as a hiding place and expanded in the 1960s when the americans got involved for military purposes. For more information about travel today show or want to be the travel correspondent on our show. Cu chi travel ho chi minh city region, vietnam lonely planet. In addition to providing underground shelter, the cu chi tunnels served a key role during combat operations, including as a base for communist attacks against nearby. This somewhat ridiculous diorama shows how there were layers to the tunnels, and a complex. We are fully licensed by the ho chi minh authority for planning and investment and the vietnam national administration of tourism. Tunnel rat was the term used for american, australian, and new zealand soldiers who went into the tunnels in search of vc soldiers andor caches. Crawl into the underground labyrinth and see for yourself how the viet cong managed to survive in an elaborate system of tunnels while the americans forces warred overground. Cu chi tunnels have been being renowned to not only vietnamese locals, but also tourists. In the darkness of night, men and women of all ages dug the great network of tunnels by hand. Apr 07, 2018 cu chi tunnels are among the top 7 most exotic destinations in southeast asia and are listed as one of the worlds coolest places by the new york time. They were the improvised response of a poorly equipped peasant army to its enemys hightech ordnance, helicopters, artillery, bombers and chemical weapons. Chi has been preserved by the government of vietnam, 3 and turned into a war memorial park with two different tunnel display sites, ben dinh and ben duoc.
The cu chi tunnels are an elaborate underground network from which the viet cong launched a formidable offensive, safe from u. Video showing cu chi tunnels complex tourist shooting an m60 machinegun at cu chi tunnels complex the 75mile 121 kmlong complex of tunnels at c. We booked ours tour with happy tour and we were off in a comfortable minibus to see one of the most famous battlegrounds on earth. About a two hours drive from the former south vietnam capital, cu chi tunnels today comprise a popular saigon tourist destination that provides visitors with an evocative look at vietnam war history. Communist forces began digging a network of tunnels under the jungle terrain. Sep 24, 20 crawling through cu chi tunnels 3 minutes of hell. A fascinating 200 km system of underground tunnels. The real facts of cu chi tunnels vietnam 2012 youtube. Dec 14, 2019 the cu chi tunnels even had makeshift hospitals where wounds were tended and children were born. I should have skipped the cu chi tunnels tour frugal frolicker. This tunnel is about 200 km long, built for use during periods of war. Located some 60 kilometers to the northwest of ho chi minh city, the cu chi tunnel network is an extensive labyrinth of underground tunnels stretching all the way to the cambodian border. Cu chi tunnels are an underground defense system in cu chi district, 70 km northwest of ho chi minh city.
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