Cu Chi tunnel, located 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, is a solemn symbol of the Vietnamese people’s staunch spirit during the war against the American invaders. Cu Chi tunnel is a complex tunnel system zigzagging for 250 km under the ground. It was dug by hand, deep enough to resist heavy American bombs, and since the war ended, it has become a popular tourist destination.
The tunnel is situated beneath the Cu Chi Liberation Village, where the life of local residents during the war against the American invaders is recreated in tableaus which depict vegetable gardens, markets, and scenes of villagers digging the tunnel. Most impressive is the tunnel itself, with is fully functional field hospitals, meeting rooms, kitchens, supply caches, and living quarters.Cu Chi tunnel is now shaded by lush green trees, but traces of a savage war linger to move visitors’ hearts. Thu Huong, a visitor from Hanoi, said: "I was very surprised during my first visit to Cu Chi tunnel. It’s hard to imagine that there was a time when people lived and conducted revolutionary activities in such a small tunnel. I think the tunnel is uniquely Vietnamese. Only Vietnamese people could live and work in such a special way".
The tunnel is like a huge spider web 3 to 8 meters underground and consists of 3 levels, each containing many long branches, some of them extending to the Sai gon river. The first level is 3 meters underground and can resist artillery and armored vehicles. The second level is 5 meters underground, the third, 8 to 10 meters. The stairs connecting the levels are hidden. Along the tunnel are large chambers for storing weapons and food as well as kitchens and drinking wells. Chia Chieng, a Cambodian tourist is visiting Cu Chi tunnel for the first time told VOV5: "I’m very impressed with the Cu Chi people’s iron will and courage and the strategies of the Vietnamese revolutionary leaders and soldiers to fight against the American invaders, who were equipped with modern weapons. The Vietnamese people used their ideology and patriotism to defeat the American imperialists. This is the national pride of the Vietnamese people".
The tunnel’s success far exceeded people’s expectation. Despite the enemy’s relentless attacks, the people of Cu Chi defeated 20,000 enemies, destroyed 5,000 tanks and armored vehicles, shot down 250 warplanes, and sank 20 ships. Cu Chi has been called the land of iron will. Its victory stemmed from the sacrifices of thousand of heroic soldiers. Curator Vo Thi Hieu said: "More than 44,000 soldiers laid down their lives. During their struggles against the French and American invaders, many Vietnamese people sacrificed for the nation and their names have been carved on steles, though the list has not been completed".
Cu Chu tunnel has become a tourist attraction drawing thousands of Vietnamese and foreign visitors every day. Visiting the tunnels provides a better understanding of the prolonged resistance war of the Vietnamese nation and of the persistent and clever character of the Vietnamese people.
Lan Anh