The Tunnels of Cu Chi in Vietnam are a relatively modern phenomenon, but their fame has shortly and deservedly became worldwide. They are a great symbol ofthe Vietnamese determination to remain free of Western colonists.
The tunnels were built in the late 1940s and were meant to be a hideout for weapons and ammunition in the times when the Vietnamese were trying to cast the French out of their country.
By the mid 1960s more than 250km (155mi) of tunnels were spread under the town of Cu Chi and the surrounding areas. It gave excellent communication to the Viet Cong fighters in the area who could infiltrate Saigon itself this way. One of the tunnels also ran just underneath an American army base situated there.
The tunnels were a small settlement-like habitat with functional hospitals, kitchens, classrooms, and even a small cinema. It has four levels, which were built up in an extremely hard way, not only because of the poisonous animals living in the area, but also because they had to be made strong enough not to collapse.
Either way the tunnels were a necessary tool to the Viet Cong in winning the Vietnam War.
WHERE IS IT In Vietnam, north by road from Ho Chi Minh
HOW TO GET THERE Take an organized tour from Ho Chi Minh, and while in the city take a look around to gain a perspective of the importance of the tunnels.
