Located about 40 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City , the historic CủChi tunnels can surprise anyone who visits them. During the fierce timesof war, local people and soldiers miraculously lived and fought fornational liberation from the intricate network of underground tunnels.Let’s explore more.
As a soldier who fought insome of the war’s bloodiest battles, Huỳnh Văn Chịa survived withphysical scars. At the age of 70, the veteran works at the Cu Chihistorical site to help the young generation understand how peoplefought resolutely around this legendary network of tunnels.
The Cu Chi tunnels stretch a total length of over 250km. They weredug with simple tools and bare hands during the French occupation in the1940s. This main axis system has many branches connecting tounderground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels.
The tunnels have three layers with the deepest 10 metres from thesurface. The upper soil layer can support the weight of a 50-tonne tankand the damage of light cannons and bombs. The underground networkprovided sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, hospitals and social areas.
Life in the narrow tunnels was extremely difficult. Food, water and the most important thing – oxygen – were scarce.
E xperiencing the Cu Chi tunnel, visitors can understand theresilience and unyielding will of the people who lived there. The poorbut heroic land had to face 21 years of war against well trained troopswith full and modern weapons.
In the 1969-1972 period, Cu Chiwas called the “barren land” as no animal or flora could live there dueto US bombs and Agent Orange/dioxin chemical. However, with intelligentand creative fighting strategies, local soldiers scared and eventuallydefeated the enemy, contributing to the great victory of the nation.
In order to remember the fallen soldiers of Cu Chi, a worship area was built with 44,379 stone steles.
The historical site has been preserved and become a popular tourismdestination, luring thousands of visitors from inside and outside thecountry every day.-VNA
As a soldier who fought insome of the war’s bloodiest battles, Huỳnh Văn Chịa survived withphysical scars. At the age of 70, the veteran works at the Cu Chihistorical site to help the young generation understand how peoplefought resolutely around this legendary network of tunnels.
The Cu Chi tunnels stretch a total length of over 250km. They weredug with simple tools and bare hands during the French occupation in the1940s. This main axis system has many branches connecting tounderground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels.
The tunnels have three layers with the deepest 10 metres from thesurface. The upper soil layer can support the weight of a 50-tonne tankand the damage of light cannons and bombs. The underground networkprovided sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, hospitals and social areas.
Life in the narrow tunnels was extremely difficult. Food, water and the most important thing – oxygen – were scarce.
E xperiencing the Cu Chi tunnel, visitors can understand theresilience and unyielding will of the people who lived there. The poorbut heroic land had to face 21 years of war against well trained troopswith full and modern weapons.
In the 1969-1972 period, Cu Chiwas called the “barren land” as no animal or flora could live there dueto US bombs and Agent Orange/dioxin chemical. However, with intelligentand creative fighting strategies, local soldiers scared and eventuallydefeated the enemy, contributing to the great victory of the nation.
In order to remember the fallen soldiers of Cu Chi, a worship area was built with 44,379 stone steles.
The historical site has been preserved and become a popular tourismdestination, luring thousands of visitors from inside and outside thecountry every day.-VNA
