04 June, 2020
Admin
In the past, it was said that: “if Cu Chi Tunnels stand, then Vietnam will win; if Cu Chi Tunnels fell, Vietnam will fell, too.” How can these tunnels play such a vital part in Vietnamese wars against French and American? It is because these tunnels served not only as a food storage place but also as numerous bunkers, booby traps as well as bomb shelters. Visiting these places, people would have the most genuine view of Vietnamese wars in the past as Cu Chi Tunnels are such enormous War Remnants Museums.
Located about 60 kilometers away to the NorthWest of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels’ initial construction was said to begin in 1948 by Viet Minh soldiers in the resistance against French. During war periods, these Tunnels served as the only and integral means of communication between places and places, the only “peaceful” places for hospitals, schools as well as kitchens. Roughly all daily activities of soldiers and residents were conducted here. What’s more surprising, these places were also utilized as an unpredictable way of infiltrating Saigon for Vietnamese sabotage teams and agents in the warring time, which certainly contributed to Vietnamese’s victory.
Traveling guide:
In the modern days, regrettably, tourists are merely allowed to go into two sets of Cu Chi Tunnels, which are named Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc.
Ben Dinh
Ben Dinh, which used to be the base of the Cu Chi District Party Committee, is located approximately 50 kilometers away from Ho Chi Minh City. Thanks to its near proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, this place would understandably be the most convenient choice for travelers having such a short time traveling. However, it is also because of this convenience, this place nowadays has sadly become a bit more like a tourist trap, which does take tourists away from the most authentic experience.
Ben Duoc
Ben Duoc, however, would be more highly recommended to visitors if they have enough time for discovering. Ben Duoc is much larger than Ben Dinh and used to be the base of the Party Committee as well as the Headquarters of Saigon – Cho Lon – Gia Dinh and military zone. This place is situated roughly 70 kilometers away from Ho Chi Minh City and still retains its peaceful rural scenery. By visiting this place, tourists would be sure to find out a more authentic feeling of how Vietnamese life in the past was, together with enjoying less touristy experiences.
Opening hours: From 8 a.m to 5 p.m every day
Entrance Fee:
- Ben Dinh: 110,000 VND (~$5)
- Ben Duoc: 90,000 VND (~$4)