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Ho Chi Minh City (Cu Chi Tunnels), Vietnam (December 2008)

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an immense network of deep, connecting underground tunnels comprised of 3 levels extending more than 150 miles. They are located in the Cu Chi district 22 miles outside of Ho Chi Minh City. They were constructed over 10 years for the war against the French and, later, against the United States. The Cu Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, and were the Viet Cong's base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968. At first, U.S. soldiers tried to send troops to overtake the tunnels, but realized that it was a futile and a deathtrap. Later, the U.S. bombed the tunnels, to no avail. There are B-52 bomb craters everywhere. The U.S. never succeeded in overtaking the Cu Chi Tunnels and defeating the Viet Cong guerrillas and local people there. Life was miserable in the tunnels; sickness was rampant, especially malaria, the second largest cause of death next to battle wounds.
Cu Chi Tunnels cover page.
Cu Chi Tunnels cover page.		 Map of Vietnam with the star indicating Ho Chi Minh City (which is close to the Cu Chi Tunnels).
Map of Vietnam with the star indicating Ho Chi Minh City (which is close to the Cu Chi Tunnels).		 This guide, who was dressed up like a Vietcong soldier, was demonstrating an entrance to the tunnels.
This guide, who was dressed up like a Vietcong soldier, was demonstrating an entrance to the tunnels.		 It is almost impossible to tell that the tunnel entrance is here.
It is almost impossible to tell that the tunnel entrance is here.
Another tunnel entrance opened for tourists to see (some entrances had to be widened so that obese tourists can fit in them).
Another tunnel entrance opened for tourists to see (some entrances had to be widened so that obese tourists can fit in them).		 During the Vietnam War, this entrance would not have been exposed.
During the Vietnam War, this entrance would not have been exposed.		 Here I am in a tunnel entrance. I went in about 50 feet and got a serious case of claustrophobia!
Here I am in a tunnel entrance. I went in about 50 feet and got a serious case of claustrophobia!		 These mannequins depict Vietcong soldiers at Cu Chi during the Vietnam War.
These mannequins depict Vietcong soldiers at Cu Chi during the Vietnam War.
The tunnels were often rigged with explosive booby traps or punji stake pits.
The tunnels were often rigged with explosive booby traps or punji stake pits.		 Vietnamese would extract parts and gunpowder from unexploded American bombs to make their own weapons.
Vietnamese would extract parts and gunpowder from unexploded American bombs to make their own weapons.		 Depiction of a Vietnamese woman at work.
Depiction of a Vietnamese woman at work.		 Vietcong hammering out weapons from American shells.
Vietcong hammering out weapons from American shells.
Unexploded American shells were used for making bombs and weapons.
Unexploded American shells were used for making bombs and weapons.		 Depiction of a Vietnamese man mixing gunpowder.
Depiction of a Vietnamese man mixing gunpowder.		 Representation of a Vietnamese man working hard at the tunnels.
Representation of a Vietnamese man working hard at the tunnels.		 This woman is assisting him.
This woman is assisting him.
This tunnel chamber is very deep.
This tunnel chamber is very deep.		 At a gift shop at the Cu Chi Tunnels, you can buy an alcoholic beverage with snakes in the bottle! I passed on this item!
At a gift shop at the Cu Chi Tunnels, you can buy an alcoholic beverage with snakes in the bottle! I passed on this item!		 This craftsman was making sandals out of used tires. Ho Chi Minh used to wear them.
This craftsman was making sandals out of used tires. Ho Chi Minh used to wear them.		 Me standing in the crater where a B-52 bombed the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Me standing in the crater where a B-52 bombed the Cu Chi Tunnels.

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Dave Berry03-Dec-2009 05:07
Interesting gallery. The US 25th Infantry Division's basecamp at Cu Chi sat right on top of part of the tunnel complex. It was difficult to find the tunnels and they were very dangerous to explore when we found them. You can see a map of the area of operation in 1967 here: http://www.pbase.com/d_berry/image/85278634 . At that time, Saigon was called just that.
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