The Cu Chi tunnels are a network of connecting tunnels located approximately 75km from Ho Chi Minh City. These tunnels were used by the Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. They served as shelter, communications, and supply chain for food and weapons and were a great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces. Now it is a tourist designation and a popular place to visit.
If you are in Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels should definitely be on the to-see list. I find the tunnel system fascinating and the history behind how the Viet Cong lived, and underground system, and their tactical maneuvers against trespassers. Below are some photos from the Cu Chi Tunnels when I went in 2012.
I would encourage joining a tour to see the tunnels. My experience going there without a set tour was somewhat disastrous and stressful. At one point, I felt my life threatened and I was ready to jump out of a moving vehicle.
Leading up to that adventure, my friend and I had arrived very late in Ho Chi Minh City and did not inquire about tours. The next morning, we started our day finding out that we missed the morning tours. We ended up booking activities for the afternoon and the next day. We were told by the hotel front desk that we could easily get to the Cu Chi Tunnels by taxi, which would cost us 20-30 USD each way and that we did not need a tour guide as the Cu Chi tunnels have their own guides. We were warned not to get the taxi to wait for us to finish, as it would be much more expensive.
The tour at the Cu Chi tunnels was fun, we spend a few hours and even shot rifles, AK47s and other guns. When we were ready to leave to go back to the city, there were no taxis in sight. We had asked around to share accommodations back to the city but each visitor we approached was either on a bus tour or a private tour.
We went to the ticket booth to request a taxi. They told us taxis don’t usually come around, but they will call to get us a ride back to the city. A guy in a black cargo van with tinted windows came to pick us up. He smiled and was very friendly, knowing the hotel we wanted to return to. What was not mentioned to us was that he was a messenger and had to make several stops around the nearby villages. Each stop we made, people handed him rolls of cash. He explained, “this is my friend, he give me money”. After 5 or 6 money stops, we were told to exit the car. He told us to go with his other friend, who drove a 1990’s Toyota Corolla. The man with the van handed our new driver some money and had a conversation before we headed off. When leaving, from the car window, our previous driver was smiling and waving goodbye.
Our new driver was quiet and the drive was dead silent. Suddenly we had turned onto dirt roads and were in the middle of nowhere. The area was unrecognizable as we never passed this area on the way to the Tunnels. My friend and I looked at each other not knowing where we were heading. We asked the driver, “Are we heading back to Ho Chi Minh City?” he quickly glanced at us without a response. We asked again if we were heading back to the city and the hotel, and if he spoke English. Glancing back again, he paused and said “Noooo…. Hahahah” laughed and turned around.
We became worried at this point, as we were on a dirt road and it didn’t seem promising that we were heading the right direction. My friend had his phone and decided to turn it on, but there was no cell signal. At that point, we discussed the options, to jump out and run or stay and fight as it was two against one. We decided wait and keep calm.
10 minutes later…. the driver got back on the highway back to the city and we were relieved. We found that the guy did not speak English, thus the silent treatment. Finally, we had made it back to the hotel in one piece. Thinking back on this experience, the outcome could have been very different. Next time, I am hoping I can avoid these situations.
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