Vietnam: Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi province, just outside Saigon, has been called "the most bombed, shelled, gassed, defoliated, and generally devastated area in the history of warfare." The Cu Chi Tunnels are a 75-mile long network of tunnels used by Viet Cong guerrillas during the war. The tunnels housed thousands of people and played a key role in the tactics of the South Vietnamese. Tunnel entrances were well-hidden. Here, a guide demonstrates how fighters entered the tunnels through a trap door on the ground. Few American soldiers could fit in the tunnels. Several sections of the tunnels have been turned into a memorial park, with the tunnels slightly widened to accommodate tourists.

 

Inside, the tunnels are very narrow, about 2 feet wide and 2-4 feet high, just barely big enough to crawl through in a crouched position. I usually don't have problems in enclosed spaces, but crawling through these things, I had a sudden urge to claw my way through the people in front of me, just to be able to get back into the sunshine and fresh air! I have no idea how people were able to live in them for extended periods of time.

Some of the tunnels were very elaborate, including some with sleeping chambers, hospitals, and wells. This model shows the structure of one tunnel complex.

Comments

[shannon]

I am not claustrophobic,,,,, but those pictures made me crazy!

[Mickey Grant]

I spent over 5 years making a doc called "THE CU CHI TUNNELS". I even rebuilt the tunnels in a film studio in Ho Chi Minh City. You can view my film on Google Video at the following address: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1919775245219225387&q=the+cu+chi+tunnels&hl=en

[Larry]

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