Cu Chi Tunnels Ho Chi Minh
by MO O. Travel ExpertSouth Vietnam (in particular, the Ku Chi region) was a hotbed of underground resistance during the American expansion. Now this suburban area is called the underground village: its labyrinths stretch 187 km underground - from to Saigon the Cambodian border. Tunnels have been dug for 15 years with improvised means right under the noses of the unsuspecting American infantry.
The small village of Ku-Chi, which took its name from rubber, would have remained one of the inconspicuous villages in which American troops carried out "actions to clean up the area," if not for the amazing perseverance and hard work of local residents. The tunnel system they created, some of which even has several "floors", includes countless entrances, living quarters, warehouses, weapons shops, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Above the main tunnel, there is a 4-meter brickwork.
The tunnel can withstand heavy artillery fire and the explosion of a 100-kilogram bomb.Tall American soldiers could not enter the labyrinths, and those who succeeded were met with numerous traps - so only a few returned from there. Today, the Cu Chi tunnels have become the main tourist attraction, providing a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the underground life of the Vietnamese guerrillas.
What to watch
There is a museum complex in the tunnels for tourists. It is a network of underground passages and sections of some internal premises with sculptural models depicting the everyday life of Vietnamese soldiers. For the convenience of exploring the territory for tourists, huts are equipped where you can sit down, have a snack and watch a video chronicle of the Vietnam War.
The main attraction of the complex is the hand-dug underground tunnels, during the war they could accommodate up to 16 thousand people. At a depth of 10-15 m, the premises of the barracks, operating rooms, ammunition storage facilities and workshops for their production, as well as training classes and headquarters, have been preserved.
Those who wish can try to squeeze into narrow (60 to 120 cm wide) passages, but this can only be done by miniature people with a build like the Vietnamese. It is dark and stuffy inside - people with claustrophobia are contraindicated there.
The guerrillas defended their tunnels as best they could: they were inaccessible to large American soldiers, moreover, they were perfectly camouflaged and protected by traps and traps. A whole collection of such devices has been collected on the surface.
To better immerse yourself in the atmosphere of hostilities, you can shoot at the local shooting range from various weapons, even from a machine gun. The pleasure costs 300,000 VND for 10 shots, it is best to try it on beforehand, since the place for shooting is not for everyone in height.
Practical information
Address: Phu My Hung, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City. GPS coordinates: 11.145330, 106.464172.
Visiting the tunnels is part of a day trip at any travel agency in Ho Chi Minh City. It costs from 2,335,000 VND . Prices on the page are for September 2018.
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Created on Mar 16th 2021 21:05. Viewed 255 times.