‌

Cu Chi Tunnels History

Cu Chi Tunnels history: Journey into Vietnam’s underground war legacy

Beneath the quiet landscapes outside Ho Chi Minh City lies a secret world that once played a crucial role in Vietnam’s wartime history — the Cu Chi Tunnels. This intricate 120-kilometer network of underground passages served as homes, command centers, hospitals, and supply routes for Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. Today, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the strength, strategy, and survival that defined one of Vietnam’s most extraordinary chapters. Scroll down to explore the tunnels’ timeline, life underground, and more.

The Cu Chi Tunnels timeline of the tunnels: Tracing its historical evolution

Hands lifting a camouflaged trapdoor in Cu Chi tunnels, Vietnam.

Late 1940s

The Cu Chi Tunnels were first dug by local villagers during the First Indochina War as small hideouts and supply routes against French colonial forces.

Visitors entering Cu Chi tunnel with guide in Vietnam forest.

1950s

The network slowly expanded to connect nearby hamlets, adding simple storage chambers and escape routes for the Viet Minh.

Cu Chi Tunnels kitchen with traditional cooking setup, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

1960–1963

As the Vietnam War intensified, the tunnels were enlarged and fortified. Meeting rooms, kitchens, and ventilation systems were built to support long-term underground living.

Vietnam War mines displayed at Cu Chi tunnels, highlighting historical underground systems.

1964–1968

The tunnels reached their peak, stretching over 120 km and extending across three levels. They became a vital base for planning attacks and storing weapons, especially during the Tet Offensive in 1968.

Cu Chi Tunnels entrance in Vietnam surrounded by dense jungle foliage.

1970s

After the war, many tunnel sections were sealed, damaged, or left abandoned, though some continued to serve as local shelters.

Tour group with guide learning about kitchen works during war at Cu Chi Tunnel, Vietnam.

1980s

The tunnels were rediscovered and restored by the government, transforming them from wartime relics into an educational heritage site.

Visitors observing booby trap demonstration at Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam.

Today

The Cu Chi Tunnels stand as a powerful reminder of Vietnam’s resilience, attracting millions of visitors eager to explore the underground world that shaped the nation’s history.

Life inside the tunnels: Daily life of the soldiers underground

Sleeping quarters inside Cu Chi tunnels, Vietnam, with hammock and entrance passage.
Tour group with guide in Cu Chi tunnel kitchen, observing traditional cooking methods.
Young tourist crouching inside narrow Cu Chi tunnel in Vietnam.
Crafting rubber slippers from car tire at Cu Chi tunnel, Vietnam.
Sugar cane pieces and peanuts in bowls, Cu Chi Tunnel wartime diet.
Guide demonstrating booby trap to tourists at Cu Chi Tunnel, Vietnam.
1/6

Living quarters

Tiny chambers carved from clay served as sleeping areas, hospitals, and meeting rooms, cramped but cleverly ventilated.

Underground kitchens

“Hoang Cam” kitchens dispersed smoke through long vents, allowing soldiers to cook rice without revealing their location.

Communication & command

Narrow passageways connected command centers, enabling Viet Cong fighters to coordinate surprise attacks and retreats undetected.

Daily routines

Soldiers worked, studied, and repaired weapons underground, emerging only at night to collect supplies or scout enemy activity.

Simple meals

Boiled cassava and tea sustained fighters for days; they relied on nearby forests and farms for occasional fresh food.

Safety & defense

Camouflaged trapdoors, hidden vents, and booby traps protected the tunnels from enemy intrusion. When U.S. “tunnel rats” entered, the Viet Cong used their knowledge of the maze to outsmart them.

Strategic importance of the Cu Chi Tunnels

  • The Cu Chi tunnel network stretched over 250 km from Saigon to the Cambodian border, forming a secret lifeline for troop movement, supply routes, and intelligence exchange.

  • This underground fortress housed command centers, hospitals, and weapon workshops, allowing thousands of soldiers to live and fight without surfacing for months.

  • Built in hard red clay soil, the tunnels were resistant to collapse, equipped with air vents, trapdoors, and smoke-dispersal stoves that made detection nearly impossible.

  • By exploiting U.S. reliance on superior firepower, the Viet Cong turned the terrain into a weapon, striking suddenly and disappearing underground before retaliation.

  • The proximity to Saigon made Cu Chi the launch point for major operations, including assaults during the Tet Offensive, amplifying its wartime significance.

  • Strategically located in the III Corps zone, Cu Chi’s soil composition and dense forests provided ideal natural camouflage for tunnel entrances. 

Read More

Tour group examining maps at Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam.

Plan Your Visit

Guide demonstrating booby trap mechanism to tourists at Cu Chi Tunnel, Vietnam.

Guided Tours

Guide explaining war strategies at Cu Chi tunnel to a group of visitors.

Half-Day vs. Full-Day Tours

Stairs inside Cu Chi Tunnels with a guide leading a private tour.

Directions

Frequently asked questions about Cu Chi Tunnels history

How deep are the Cu Chi Tunnels?

The tunnels were built on three levels, ranging from 3 to 10 meters deep, designed to withstand bombings and flooding.

Were all tunnels the same?

No, some were simple passageways, while others were complex with meeting rooms, weapon workshops, and medical units. The Ben Duoc area housed larger, more authentic tunnels than Ben Dinh.

How were the tunnels hidden from U.S. forces?

Entrances were camouflaged under leaves, with tiny wooden trapdoors blending perfectly into the forest floor. Even experienced soldiers often couldn’t detect them.

What happened to the tunnels after the war?

After 1975, the tunnels were preserved as a war memorial. Sections were reinforced and opened for visitors to educate future generations.

What materials were used in the construction?

The tunnels were dug in laterite clay soil, naturally hard and stable, a key reason they could withstand bombings without collapsing.

How did the Viet Cong communicate underground?

They used whisper codes, hand signals, and hidden ventilation holes to transmit sound. Some tunnels even had echo chambers to detect intruders.

Can visitors enter the original tunnels?

Some parts of the original system remain accessible, but most tunnels open to tourists have been widened and stabilized for safety and comfort.

Were women involved in the Cu Chi resistance?

Yes. Many female fighters and medics lived and worked in the tunnels, handling communication, nursing, and supplies.

Are there things to do besides crawling through tunnels?

Yes! You can visit weapon displays, trap replicas, and the shooting range, and try cassava with peanut salt, a wartime staple.

Hochiminh City
Scan code
Download the Headout app

Get Help 24/7

Headout

We Accept
VISA
MASTERCARD
AMEX
PAYPAL
MAESTROCARD
APPLEPAY
GPAY
DISCOVER
DINERS
IDEAL
FPX