Cu Chi Tunnels

There is a tunnel system just outside of Saigon in a little town called Cu Chi. It is an ingenious system and visiting it gave me keen insight into why the war was so difficult for Vietnamese and US forces fighting against the Viet Cong. Three levels of tunnel systems and gruesome trap systems must have made this region infinitely troublesome. Our guide was hilarious. He claimed to have grown up in the region and seemed proud that his family fought in these tunnels successfully against the Americans.


I must admit I cringed as he revealed his excitement for the torturous tactics and traps used on "the enemy". It felt odd to be referred to by association as "the enemy". Below is one of those traps. The traps were not meant to kill "the enemy" only stop them until the Viet Cong could come by and shoot them dead. Ugh....so barbarous. Both sides were so barbarous. I guess that is what happens in war.


On the tour we had a chance to "walk" through the tunnel. Viet Cong soldiers didn't have my large frame and I imagine them to be very tiny compared to a current day Vietnamese. If they weren't much smaller then they were spectacular athletes. To pass a 25 meter section I was in full squat position with my head to my knees. My feet shuffled through the tunnel in darkness. I was grateful for the person in front of me who came prepared with a tiny flashlight. Our tour group of 20 people entered the tunnel. We were warned that once you enter there was no turning back. Our guide told us, "prepare your mind". People would be right behind us and anyone wanting to turn back would create a huge ordeal for everyone else behind them. I was sure I'd be fine. I was however I was surprised by the fear of being in such a tiny place. It must be common for folks to panic once they get down there. I can not imagine living and working in the tunnels of Cu Chi! 25 meters was enough!

In the above picture I'm in the Cu Chi Tunnel. My eyes communicate everything. Get me out of here!

One of the guys from Thailand in our tour group showed us how people could actually fit through a tunnel entrance. On top of this hole--the size of my admittedly large foot--lie a bamboo mat secretly masking the tunnel entrance.



After the tour of the tunnel system we boarded a speed boat down the Mekong River and back to Saigon. It was a pleasant boat ride shared with 2 couples from Australia.
Near to Saigon we viewed the river houses. Quite the impoverished place.