Dear Ngoc, I read several posts about Vietnam. Unfortunately, I can only visit in August and I am not sure about the rain downpours happening...
The tunnel system is one of the must-see things that showcase Vietnamese's historical value, will to fight and military strategy. Along the country, there are many secret tunnels to discover. In this article, we will find out about Cu Chi Tunnels and Vinh Moc Tunnels, the most famous and typical tunnels in Vietnam.
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1. About military tunnels in Vietnam
According to the Military Encyclopedia of Vietnam, tunnels in Vietnam are the underground structures built in hard and stable ground, where the water level is low, with a narrow opening, however, there are very long main routes and branches, possibly many floors, often without a roof or wall. Their function is to conceal weapons, food and organise secret meetings to spread strategies and disseminate party directions.
Vietnam went through two wars of resistance against the French colonialists and the American imperialists, that is, the most powerful armed forces at that time. To prevent enemy bombs and bullets, hide troops, preserve forces and fight the enemy, many localities had to build tunnel systems. Therefore, tunnels have a very special historical role that demonstrates a unique and creative feature of Vietnam's military art. They really became a terror for invaders and minions.
2. Cu Chi Tunnels
Introduction
Cu Chi Tunnels are an underground defence system in Cu Chi District, 70km to the northwest of Ho Chi Minh city, located in the final part of the Ho Chi Minh trail and is recognized as the "land of steel" for its resilience and sustainability through attacks by the Americans. This system was excavated by the Viet Minh Resistance and the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, which includes a clinic, many rooms, a kitchen, a room for important meetings, an underground tunnel system about 250km long and equipped with ventilation systems in the location of the bushes, the shafts, and many exits for evacuations.
The Cu Chi tunnels have 3 main floors at 3 different depth levels, the top layer is about 3m above the ground, the middle layer is about 5-8m above the ground, and the bottom layer is about 12m. At this time, the tunnels are no longer just a shelter, but have become a place of living, ambulance, meeting, weapons storage.
The ceiling of the tunnel is quite low, just enough for a person to pass by bowing, there are parts that he even has to crawl through.
Historical significance
Cu Chi Tunnels is a complex of separate tunnels in the district. Since the 1946s, the first ones were built to hide soldiers, documents and weapons during the Indochina War when there were French fighters.
At first, locals dug individual basements to avoid French raids. Then, each village built a separate tunnel, then because of the need to travel between village tunnels, the secret tunnel system was connected to form a complex and continuous tunnel system, which later expanded to especially 6 communes north of Cu Chi district. In 1961-1965, the Cu Chi tunnels complex was substantially completed with a backbone route of more than 200km. In addition, above the tunnels, there are many minefields, nail pits, and traps to create a solid battlefield in guerrilla warfare.
How to arrange an excursion to Cu Chi tunnels?
With its historical significance and size so much, it takes about half a day to go to Cu Chi and visit this famous tunnel complex. The 2 entrances where visitors can start their visits are Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc.
To arrange time to visit Cu Chi tunnels, you can combine this visit with the Cao Dai temple, a very special religion in Vietnam. Both sites are located toward the northwest of Ho Chi Minh.
To learn more about the detailed program and the relative price of the private excursion depending on the number of participants in your group, you can see in this link:
>>Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple
Also, you can combine the Cu Chi Tunnels tour in the morning and the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh in the afternoon. Don't forget to note the opening hours of the tourist sites so as not to miss any desired stops.
>> See Izitour's suggested tour here.
3. Vinh Moc Tunnels
Introduction
Vinh Moc Tunnels are a great construction of the people in Vinh Linh commune, Quang Tri province. Located at the famous 17th parallel on the northern side of the Ben Hai River, Vinh Linh is one of the most bombed places by the Americans. From 1965 to 1972, it was estimated that in this area of only 820km2, the region had to endure 7 tons of bombs and bullets. However, abiding by the Party's motto not to leave the country and each village was to be a fortress, the locals dug the Vinh Moc tunnels to hide from enemy bombs. At that time, the most modern tool they had was only a compass, and they dug the great masterpiece of the Vinh Moc tunnels with the simple tools.
This tunnel was dug in the red basalt soil in 1965 and completed 2 years later in 1967 with a total length of more than 1,700m and 1,2- 1,8m high. Every 4 m there is a space for a familia 0.8 m wide, 1.8 m deep, used for 4 people.
The tunnel system consists of 3 floors: the first floor is 12m deep, used for fighting and hiding, the second floor is 15m above the ground, used for dwelling, and the third floor is 23m deep, used for hiding food and weapons. The whole tunnel system of Vinh Moc has 13 doors to the outside, of which there are seven doors on the sea, six doors on the hill, each tunnel door is regarded as a vent.
Historical significance
Vinh Moc tunnels are like an underground village with all organs like an underground village: individual space for each family, a clinic, 3 wells, meeting room, weapons and food storage. In nearly 2,000 days, there were times the tunnel was the safe hiding place for about 1,200 people. In the dark tunnels, 17 children were born with no loss of person. Therefore, the Vinh Moc tunnels are considered a solid fortress, the labour of blood and tears and the resilient will of the people.
Over the time, it has become both a historical record and a tourist destination to discover a heroic period in Vietnam's history.
How to arrange an excursion to Vinh Moc tunnels?
Vinh Moc Tunnels belongs to the demilitarised zone (DMZ) in Quang Tri Province, which also includes several military historical sites such as Ben Hai River, Hien Luong Bridge, and Truong Son Cemetery. Once visitors arrive in Quang Tri, it is a must to visit this area to explore a dark historical period of the Vietnamese people and their courage and tenacity.
>>You can make a day trip to the DMZ from Hue.
>> Combine this trip with the drop-off location to Quang Binh province to visit enchanting caves that are selected by Lonely Planet as the Natural Wonders of Vietnam.
>> You can make reference with our sample program of exploring Quang Tri and Quang Binh in 3 days.
4. Choosing to visit Cu Chi tunnels or Vinh moc tunnels
Choosing to visit Cu Chi tunnels or Vinh Moc tunnels is a question we often receive from our clients. Both are must-see historical sites for visitors with an interest in Vietnam's modern history.
We have listed some aspects, on which you can better evaluate:
Climate situation
This is a most important aspect once you decide to visit the tunnels of Vietnam. The tunnels normally have been built in the earthen grounds so rainfall may affect your visits. Depending on the time of your trip, you may decide to visit Cu Chi tunnels or Vinh Moc tunnels.
October to Aprilis the best time to visit Cu Chi Tunnel, this is the dry season in South Vietnam so there is little rain. Your visit would be enjoyable with blue sky and sunshine under the guidance of relic people who always dress in Vietnamese soldiers' dress or traditional "Ao Ba Ba" with "Khan Ran" typical of the south.
>> Discover Vietnam's traditional clothes as well.
Instead, January to May is the ideal time to visit Vinh Moc Tunnels while the heat could be very stifling from June to August with the temperature reaching 40oC. From September to the end of December, the central area of Vietnam is affected by the northern wind that causes rainfall; it is precisely the rainy season in the area. Therefore, we advise you to avoid this period when you want to visit Vinh Moc Tunnel.
Itinerary and list of places you want to go
Definitely do not go to Vietnam just to visit only the Vinh Moc tunnels or the Cu Chi tunnel. With limited time, we advise you to review well the length of your stay in Vietnam with your desired destinations.
For example, you have only 10 days and you want to visit all of Vietnam, in which case it would be difficult to visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels because the time would be tight enough to visit the most important attractions. At this time you can consider visiting the Cu Chi Tunnel, but you have to plan your time well.
If you have more days, especially if Quang Binh and Hue, Hoi An are on your bucket list... skipping the Vinh Moc tunnels would be a pity because Quang Tri province is right on the way from Quang Binh, where there are majestic caves of Phong Nha- Ke Bang National Park to Hue.
We have some articles on travel ideas for you to consider:
However, if you are interested in Vietnam's history, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit both Cu Chi Tunnels and Vinh Moc Tunnels because each has its own particularity that exactly reflects a dark but heroic period of the Vietnamese people.
