In the cu chi district alone, there were over 40mi. The site has over 120km of underground tunnels, with trapdoors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities, armoury. If youre not sure which to choose, learn more about installing packages. The cu chi tunnels are a must if you are travelling to ho chi minh city, vietnam. Not only were these tunnels small inside, they were also loaded with boobie traps. Young women in the black pajamas of the vietcong flit through the woods. A man in green fatigues picks his way down a narrow trail, leading a small platoon of foreign tourists. Traveling by airconditioned vehicle as well as speedboat on the saigon river, youll explore the vast network of underground tunnels used as hideouts for fighters, food and weapons during the vietnam war. At its peak the cu chi tunnel network covered some 250 kilometres from the cambodian border in the west to the outskirts of what was then saigon. Cu chi tunnels ho chi minh city 2020 all you need to know. This smallgroup tour operates with a maximum of eight people.
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. Visit cu chi tunnels explore the dark catacombs of death near. The cu chi tunnels with subtitles as told by americas. See all 440 cu chi tunnels tickets and tours on tripadvisor. Soldiers seen slowly lowering a tunnel rat into a tunnel during operation oregon in vietnam. The vietnam war ended with the fall of saigon in 1975. The iron triangle was a known viet cong stronghold. Offering you an opportunity to experience two of the most mustvisit attractions in ho chi minh city. Cu chi tunnels tours reserves the right to cancel, reschedule or amend any itinerary in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control. The tunnels themselves were opened up so that the larger american bodies could enter them but there was a demonstration by a vietnamese of some of the smaller entries. It was of strategic significance because it straddled the main land and the river routes used by. The cu chi village the village of cu chi is situated about 40km northwest of ho chi minh city.
Cu chi travel ho chi minh city region, vietnam lonely planet. From time to time, we may make a decision to merge a. I served in vietnam in 196768 in a support role, and was always amazed by the. It is legendary for its network of tunnels, which extend over 220km, and is a popular. 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.
Sep 23, 2015 the cu chi tunnels can easily be visited from saigon officially ho chi minh city as a halfday trip. Smallgroup tour of ho chi minh city including cu chi tunnels. 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. Because of their inside connection, the vc in the cu chi district and the iron. Min city and served as a stronghold of the viet cong throughout the vietnam war. This includes alterations to cruise itineraries and schedules including change of embarkation and disembarkation points. If you are looking to experience more of the local culture and hang out with the locals as they go about their daily lives, this is the best way to do it. Cu chi tunnels tours may require a doctors certificate prior to confirmation for each traveler that is over 70 years of age or has a preexisting medical condition. Most of these people were vc sympathizers who gathered intelligence for the vc from across the base.
At its height, the tunnels stretched from saigon to the cambodian border. At the peak of the vietnam war, the network of tunnels in the iron triangle and cu chi linked viet cong vc support bases over a distance of some 250 km, from the ho chi minh trail and cambodian border to the outskirts saigon. If youre searching for the best cu chi tunnels tour from ho chi minh city, consider a speedboat, cycling and tunnel tour with les rives and their partner grasshopper adventures. Explore cu chi holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. From the preceding map you can see the proximity of the iron triangle to cu chi base. Most organized group tours to the cu chi tunnels by road. They were originally dug as hiding places for the viet minh. Ho chi minh city down the secret passages of cu chi tunnels. May 20, 2017 the cu chi tunnels or vietnam war tunnels are situated to the north of ho chi minh saigon city, its around a 1 hour drive from the centre of ho chi minh to the cu chi tunnels on a mini bus. Prior to descending into the tunnels, youll see a short video which summarizes the installations use. On this fullday tour from ho chi minh city, combine a speedboat ride on the saigon river to the cu chi tunnels with a 2. This went on until they finally cleared all the tunnels lying within the camp. Army sketch of the tunnels provides a sense of how the underground network worked.
The tunnels of cu chi quotes showing 14 of 4 this is how i see humanity. Cu chi travel ho chi minh city region, vietnam lonely. I spent over 3 years making this the cu chi tunnels and rebuilt the tunnels on a stage in saigon. Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the vietnam war, and were the viet congs base of operations for the t. At the height of the vietnam conflict, a complex system of secret underground tunnels sprawled from cu chi province to the edge of saigon. This procedure is important as it will give us a correct view of your fitness level so that we can in some cases arrange better medical assistance for you to maximize your. The best way to see the cu chi tunnels and avoid the crowds. Cu chi tunnels by speed boat on the saigon river tnk. Most people join one of the thousands of organized tours being sold on pham ngu lao street. Learn about their lives, culture, and customs and get an insight into the recent past through local eyes. You will visit a secret printing house covered as a guitar shop and used during the indochina war for publishing propaganda tracts in 1952 1957. Located about 70 km to the northwest of hcmc, cu chi tunnel is the miniature of the creative and transformed battle of cu chi people and soldiers. Seeing as the tunnels were fairly narrow and short, tunnel rats tended to be smaller men who would spend countless hours in the tunnels searching for boobie traps and enemy. Cu chi base camp relied on local workers for support.
Pdf why were the soil tunnels of cu chi and iron triangle in. Before arriving at the cu chi tunnels, well visit with some local friends and gain an insight into local life in the area, both past and present. This was the reality of warfare in the tunnels of cu chi, the viet congs underground fortress dug beneath the jungles of south vietnam. We are fully licensed by the ho chi minh authority for planning and investment and the vietnam national administration of tourism. Cu chi tunnels ho chi minh city vietnam home facebook. Depart cu chi tunnels and return to ho chi minh city.
Now, you can visit the legendary tunnels by speedboat along the saigon river bank up to the historic site of cu chi. The cu chi tunnels became legendary during the vn war for giving the vc control of a large rural area this close to saigon. It is a lesson that one can take home from the cu chi tunnels. Chi are an immense network of connecting tunnels located in the c. On the pleasant drive to the cu chi tunnels, known during the vietnam war time as the iron triangle, youll encounter a rubber plantation and authentic rice paddies in the countryside. A package which includes best selling cu chi tunnels tour and a ticket to enjoy an unique fine dining river cruise, a worldclass dining experience on board the beautifully decorated saigon princess. Cu chi tunnels ho chi minh city 2020 all you need to. The vast cu chi tunnels 155 miles long weaved its way under villages while serving as a military base for the viet cong. Experience the cu chi tunnels of vietnam on this smallgroup day tour from ho chi minh city with an informative guide.
Fare is cheap yet the airconditioning system is terrible because i was perspiring for most of the trip. They offer visitors a sneakpeek at the underground life of vietnamese soldiers back in 1948. An american soldier carefully examines a vietcong tunnel. Whilst the amount of time spent on site isnt excessively lengthy, the time taken to get here can vary greatly. A package that includes cu chi tunnels trip by boat and bicycle and romantic sunset cruise comes at good value hardly found elsewhere. The cu chi tunnels can easily be visited from saigon officially ho chi minh city as a halfday trip. Cu chi tunnels is a defense system in the ground in cu chi district, which was implemented by national liberation front for south vietnam in indochina war and vietnam war. The tunnel system includes numerous clinics, rooms, kitchens, storage, office, and system of underground. With an informative guide, youll explore the historic cu chi tunnels, witness life along the river, see rural villages and have lunch at a local restaurant. Cu chi tunnels ho chi minh city vietnam february 6, 2018 an 1hour drive will take you to the famous cu chi tunnels where you will spend the next couple of hours exploring the area and learning more about the history and the incredible tenacity and ingenuity of its inhabitants. Located 60km from ho chi minh city, cu chi is now considered a heroic district for its role during the american war in vietnam. At the peak of the vietnam war, the network of tunnels in the iron triangle and cu chi linked viet cong vc support bases over a distance of some 250 km, from. The cu chi tunnels or vietnam war tunnels are situated to the north of ho chi minh saigon city, its around a 1 hour drive from the centre of ho chi minh to the cu chi tunnels on a mini bus.
Book your tickets online for cu chi tunnels, ho chi minh city. Drive from saigon for around 1 hour to cu chi where the remains of the vast network of viet cong underground tunnels can still be seen today. When enemies come to your country, destroy the countryside and your village, kill your countrymen, your comrades and the defenseless wounded, you have to kill them and defend your compatriots. Tunnels of cu chi 780 hits cu chi tunnels 9,080 hits. Read the tunnels of cu chi pdf a harrowing account of americas tunnel rats in the underground battlefields of vietnam by tom mangold. A travel package with 4 days in ho chi minh city is a best in better of your choice, this travel route will bring you to visit all highlights in southern part of vietnam such as ho chi minh city tour, cu chi tunnels and mekong river delta. This is partly timing and partly because we visited the less crowded ben duoc tunnels, rather than the closer and more popular ben dinh tunnels. Ventilation shafts were made to blend in with the natural habitat. In these burrows, the viet cong cached their weapons, tended their wounded, and prepared to strike. Jan 18, 2014 it is a lesson that one can take home from the cu chi tunnels. Cu chi tunnels ho chi minh city all you need to know.
The tunnels of cu chi tom mangold pdf a harrowing account of. It is believed that over 45,000 vietnamese men and women died protecting the cu chi tunnel system during the war. The network, parts of which were several stories deep, included innumerable. Cu chi underground tunnels half day tour tnk travel.
Cu chi district of ho chi minh city saigon, vietnam, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. Cu chi tunnels is currently one of the alluring sights attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. Tunnels were often dug by hand, only a short distance at a time. Arrive back at saigons pier and be picked up by your motorbike driver for our saigon underground city tour. Smallgroup cu chi tunnels boat and bike tour 2020 ho. Cu chi has long been famous around the world for its intricate network of tunnels, tied to the glorious history of the southern land. One of the more remarkable but littleknown campaigns of the. Why were the soil tunnels of cu chi and iron triangle in. Cu chi tunnels halfday joining tour by gray line vietnam. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. Featured tours to cu chi tunnels les rives authentic river. How to visit the cu chi tunnels on your own bona travels.
Best tips for catching the bus to the cu chi tunnels ho. The biggest tunnel systems were in the iron triangle and the cu chi district, only 20 miles from saigon. Surprisingly, we saw only a handful of other tourists on our day trip, even though the tunnels are known for being jam packed. Chi district of ho chi minh city saigon, vietnam, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. Read on for all the tips and stories to help make your trip as easy as possible.
This is a combination of les rives cu chi historical site tour by speedboat and saigon underground city tour by motorbike. The town and district was a significant site during the vietnamamerican war, as it not only served as a base for one of the battalions of the us army from 1967, but the tunnels in the area was also the headquarters of the viet cong army. Visit cu chi tunnels and learn about the vietnam war. Cu chi tunnels and saigon underground city tour les rives. The tunnels of cu chi is a war classic of unbearable tension and unforgettable heroes. These tunnels allowed whole units to move throughout south vietnam undetected and protected the viet cong from the uss superior firepower. Following the war, the vietnamese government set out to preserve the old tunnel system and today tourists can visit and tour the cu chi tunnel systems. The best cu chi tunnels tour our speedboat spreads ripples through the. 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. Cu chi, vietnam the rattle and pop of automatic weapons greet a visitor. Jun 27, 2012 i spent over 3 years making this the cu chi tunnels and rebuilt the tunnels on a stage in saigon.
Initially built by viet minh guerillas fighting the french after world war ii, they assumed a central role in the wider conflict against the us backed south vietnamese government in the 1960s and 70s. Communist forces began digging a network of tunnels under the jungle terrain of south vietnam in the late 1940s, during their war of independence from french colonial authority. I am on a budget but have limited time and wouldnt. Tunnelling into the cu chi tunnels vietnam war tunnels.
May 12, 2017 the cu chi village the village of cu chi is situated about 40km northwest of ho chi minh city. From saigon we will head northwest to the cu chi tunnels, one of the very few monuments remained from the vietnam war. Buy a cheap copy of the tunnels of cu chi book by tom mangold. Tunnelling into the cu chi tunnels vietnam war tunnels ho. Thats wonderful in helping us sketch an image in our heads before arriving at the place. The 10 closest hotels to cu chi tunnels tripadvisor. It is legendary for its network of tunnels, which extend over 220km, and is a popular destination for both vietnamese and foreign visitors. On the same day, you will visit the cu chi tunnels and explore the secret places of saigon that affected resistance during the indochina and vietnam wars. We are specialised on organizing tour to cu chi tunnels and any combination tour with cu chi tunnels.
Nov 28, 2016 catching the bus to the cu chi tunnels is a great adventure. This ho chi minh tour has plenty in store for you, at a low price. Our team is made up of experienced and dedicated tour operators and guides who will be by your side throughout your journey in vietnam especially to the cu chi tunnels. Cu chi tunnels can be crowded, so we recommend booking etickets ahead of time to secure your spot. The chu chi tunnels are part of a massive war museum in ho chi minh. The walk through the woods required a little mosquito repellent. At first glance there is scant evidence today of the fighting and bombing that convulsed cu chi during the war. Heres all the information youll need for catching the bus to the cu chi tunnels. Our group size for this join tour is about 8 10 guests on comfortable speedboat makes you a great combination river life and the underground tunnels of cu chi.
Cu chi experience ho chi minh city day tour urban adventur. Best tips for catching the bus to the cu chi tunnels ho chi. Download the tunnels of cu chi ebook pdf epub video. The tunnels were used to connect villages, districts, and provinces together so the guerrilla fighters could move between areas undetected. Jan 20, 2005 the cu chi tunnels became legendary during the vn war for giving the vc control of a large rural area this close to saigon. 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 district of cu chi is located northwest of saigon ho chi. If the tenacious spirit of the vietnamese can be symbolised by a place, few sites are more symbolic than cu chi. A harrowing account of americas tunnel rats in the underground battlefields of vietnam kindle edition by tom mangold. If you like active travel, its one of the top day trips from saigon you can do. Tunnels rats could be any man who was sent in on a lone mission into one of the cu chi tunnels. The tunnels of cu chi focused on a very specific, but important aspect of the vietnam war.
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