Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi tunnels are a stark reminder of the Vietnam War. These are located near the village of Ben Suc, 75 kilometers northwest of Saigon. Though the construction of these tunnels began in 1948, so that the Viet Minh (the communist revolutionary national liberation movement led by Ho Chi Minh), could hide during the French aggression, it grew in complexity over the years with the interconnection of individual tunnels. By 1965, it had nearly 200 kilometers of connected tunnel network.

These tunnels were also ingeniously used as complete living premises with sleeping chambers, kitchen areas and even medical clinics where blood transfusions were conducted. However, living in these tunnels was never easy and it was the Vietnamese resilience, which saw the soldiers through. The tunnels had concealed entrances and booby traps, which protected the inmates, in the event the tunnel was discovered. A staggering 16,000 guerrillas could take shelter in these tunnels at a time. The tunnels are now preserved by the Vietnamese government and serve as a war memorial structure.