Located in Tan Phu Trung and Phuoc Vinh An communes in Cu Chi district, about 70km from downtown HCM City, Cu Chi Tunnels were built by local residents and soldiers using simple tools from 1946 to 1968 as shelters from US and Saigon troops during the war.
Cu Chi Tunnels, a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists thanks to its unique historical and architectural values, may soon join UNESCO’s list of world heritage. The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is working on a dossier seeking UNESCO’s recognition for the tunnels. In the photo: Conference chamber at Cu Chi Tunnels can accommodate more than 20 people. (Photo: VNP/VNA)
Initially, the tunnels had only short paths and simple structure that were used to hide documents, weapons and resistance members deep inside the enemy-controlled area. Only during the anti-American war were the tunnels reinforced and widened. (Photo: VNP/VNA)
Beginning in 1961, when the Party Committee and headquarters of the Sai Gon-Gia Dinh Military Region of the liberation forces chose Cu Chi as an operating area, the tunnel system maximized its use for years, especially in 1966, against the Americans broadening the war in the South. In the photo: Cu Chi Tunnels model (Photo: VNP/VNA)
With their indomitable strength, Cu Chi’s resistance forces and local people created a system of crisscrossing tunnels with multiple floors, with more than 200km of underground trenches in total. In the photo: The famous non-smoking ‘Hoang Cam’ kitchen in the tunnel. (Photo: VNP/VNA)
Working tools used by soldiers in Cu Chi Tunnels (Photo: VNP/VNA)
Built by South Vietnamese liberation forces as shelter from US and Sai Gon troops during the war, the site is known over the world. (Photo courtesy of Cu Chi Tunnels)
A well inside Cu Chi Tunnels (Photo: VNP/VNA)
Foreign visitors explore Cu Chi Tunnels (Photo courtesy of Cu Chi Tunnels)
A visitor gets out of a tiny hidden exit door. (Photo courtesy of Củ Chi Tunnels)
Located in Tan Phu Trung and Phuoc Vinh An communes in Cu Chi district, about 70km from downtown HCM City, the tunnels were built by local residents and soldiers using simple tools from 1946 to 1968 as shelters from US and Saigon troops during the war. (Photo: VNP/VNA)
Roads in a liberated village in Cu Chi Tunnels (Photo: VNP/VNA)
A weapon recycling workshop in Cu Chi Tunnels (Photo: VNP/VNA)
A site replicates a small village in the liberated Cu Chi zone. (Photo: VNP/VNA)
Bombs and bullets are on display at Cu Chi Tunnels relic site. (Photo: VNP/VNA)
A C130 aircraft of American Army at the relic site. (Photo: VNP/VNA)
Ben Duoc Memorial is constructed to tribute soldiers who sacrificed their life during the war. (Photo courtesy of Cu Chi Tunnels)
Located some 40 km from HCM City, the historic Cu Chi Tunnels are certain to surprise anyone who visits. During fierce times of war, local people and revolutionary soldiers lived and fought for national liberation in an intricate network of underground tunnels.
The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has sent a document to the Defence Ministry to seek its advice on compilation of relevant dossiers about the historic Cu Chi Tunnels as the city is striving to gain UNESCO’s recognition of the tunnels as a world heritage site.
It’s fair to say that 2020 was a challenging year for Vietnam’s tourism sector, but it wasn’t an unmitigated disaster. Analysts have said that COVID-19 created a turning point for both local and international tourism, requiring travel companies study and craft a new future for their business.
Cu Chi Tunnels, a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists thanks to its unique historical and architectural values, may soon join UNESCO’s list of world heritage.
