Tunnels at Cu Chi, Vietnam Once a key tool for the Vietcong resistance fighters, now a tourist attraction.

Please buckle your seatbelt and prepare for take off. Next stop Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Once known as Saigon in the former South Vietnam.

Getting there Ho Chi Minh City, once known as Saigon was the capital city of South Vietnam.

A little background information Tunnels in Vietnam were built during the Japanese invasion of Indo China during WWII to hide weapons. Later they were used as bomb shelters and hiding places for anti-French forces. The building continued in Communist-controlled parts of South Vietnam as the Vietnam war with the U.S. raged on. Eventually the tunnels reached all the way to Cambodia.

We are going to the Cu Chi Tunnels north west of Ho Chi Minh City

Take a few minutes to study the Viet Cong Tunnel complex before we go in.

Secret Entrances and Exits that Disappear when the Americans are near.

Life Underground Tunnels are enlarged to make room for tourists. Vietnamese traveled from small town to small town undetected through these tiny tunnels. Lights were added for tourists. Actual height of tunnel

Wax figurines show tourists the mess hall and kitchen. Communists can get food, medical care and water before they must fight or travel on.

Medical Care Underground

Shooting at the American enemy that can’t see you.

Falling into booby traps. A bad fall on bamboo pegs covered with grass A boob – a dumb or foolish person A trap- something that catches A booby trap - something that catches a dumb or foolish person

More booby traps Americans might meet. These fences are here to protect tourists.

Tunnel Rats First known as tunnel runners and later tunnel rats, these soldiers took the dangerous job of going down a black tunnel alone to explore the tunnel. Remember there is no light. You are now a tunnel rat. Your equipment: a small pistol, a knife, and entrenching tool, phone and telephone wire. Will you … Fall into a booby trap? Run in to a poisonous snake pit? Fall into a poisonous spider web? Meet an enemy guard? Land on an enemy grenade?

“They went into the river and dropped out of sight.“ See how the Vietcong confused the Americans here. Under water Entryway The Vietcong would enter the river, submerge and disappear.

Would you ever suspect that the tunnels were beneath your feet?

Thanks for coming to Cu Chi. Enjoy your return trip.