Saigon Attractions #4 The Cu Chi Tunnels.

To the north west of Saigon lies the village of Cu Chi, just beyond here is a truly fascinating place of interest. The Cu Chi Tunnels are worthy of inclusion on any Vietnam holiday itinerary.

A rusting tank at the Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are an enormous network of tunnels that stretch for hundreds of miles underneath the surrounding countryside. They are part of an even larger network that are all inter-connected. The tunnels were used as a hiding place by the Vietcong soldiers during the Vietnam War. The soldiers lived for months at a time in these tunnels, using them as communication and supply routes, storing weapons and food, military hospitals and just about everything else that is needed in battle.

Some of the entrances are so well disguised they are impossible to spot
The conditions here during the conflict were appalling and soldiers suffered unknown amounts of hardship. The tunnels were infested with insects, rats and poisonous snakes, centipedes and scorpions. It was said after the war that more soldiers died here from disease than at the hands of the Americans. The stoicism of these troops is difficult to comprehend. Air was in short supply and many suffocated as the tunnels became blocked with bodies.

The Vietcong laid booby traps throughout the system, so that in the event of being discovered it would still be too dangerous for the enemy forces to follow them through the network. Pits containing spiked bamboo were dug and other sections had explosives ready to detonate.

Most of the time the soldiers would spend the daylight hours in the tunnels and would come out under cover of dark for respite and to make raids on American bases. They would steal food and provisions and then head back to whence they came. The Americans knew of their existence but such was the degree of camouflage they never discovered them. The GIs referred to the tunnels as “Black Echo” In particularly heavy periods of bombing, the Vietcong would remain underground for many consecutive days and nights. One can but imagine their state of mind, when they finally emerged.

Welcome to “black echo”, one of the main entrances for tourists
During operation Crimp which started on January 7th 19600, B-52 bombers dropped immense loads of bombs all over the area, trying to obliterate the tunnels. This large forested area was turned into a scorched piece of earth. Each bomber carried 30 tons of bombs on each run and made hundreds of runs. Still they could not determine the main part of the system. They managed only to uncover a few entrances, which they then blocked by throwing in hand grenades.

A 75 mile section of the complex has been designated as a tourist area and receives thousands of visitors. Visitors can crawl through some of the safer areas and experience something of the claustrophobia environment in which the soldiers lived. Some sections have even been made bigger to accommodate larger western bodies. Lighting has been installed and there are also above ground things of interest. For those inclined, there is a firing range where you are able to fire assault rifles and even M-16, AK-47 and larger machine guns like the M-60.

It is well worth a visit and can be reached by taxi, bus and even boat from the riverfront in Saigon.

!steemitworldmap 11.160739 lat 106.464460 long The Cu Chi Tunnels D3SCR

For other Saigon attractions see also:

#1 Suoi Tien Theme Park https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/attractions-in-ho-chi-minh-city-suoi-tien-theme-park

#2 Vinh Nghiem pagodahttps://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-vinh-nghiem-pagoda

#3 Notre Dame Basilica https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-s-magnificent-notre-dame-basilica

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