Complete your Vietnam travel and discover the hidden world beneath Vietnam's soil, where tunnels in Vietnam tell tales of courage and resilience. From the famous Cu Chi Tunnels to lesser-known gems, these underground labyrinths played a vital role in the country's history. Uncover their secrets and learn about their significance by reading this comprehensive article, which provides all the essential information for an immersive understanding of Vietnam's unique tunnel systems.
1. Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Address: TL15, Phu Hiep commune, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City
The Cu Chi Tunnels have always been the most famous name for underground tunnels in Vietnam. This address has earned recognition as one of Southeast Asia's TOP 7 most adventurous destinations and one of the TOP 12 most attractive underground wonders globally.
The Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam were built beneath the dense jungle landscape, connecting tunnels between hamlets and communes during the Indochina War. The tunnels were a crucial military headquarters and played a pivotal role in the resistance of Vietnamese forces in wartime.
The extensive Cu Chi tunnel system once spanned nearly 250 kilometers, making it one of the most complicated tunnels in Vietnam. These tunnels feature narrow entrances that were explicitly designed to accommodate Vietnamese soldiers.
One remarkable aspect of the Cu Chi Tunnels is that they were excavated entirely by hand, using primitive tools. This massive underground network resembles a man-made underground city. Visitors can find kitchens, hospitals, schools, theaters, armories, chambers, and command centers within the tunnels.
2. Vinh Moc Tunnels, Quang Tri
- Address: Vinh Moc village, Vinh Thach commune, Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province
The Vinh Moc Tunnels are one of the 114 tunnel systems constructed throughout the Vinh Linh district, totaling nearly 42 kilometers. This complex is among the most remarkable tunnels in Vietnam, designed by a commander who had only completed primary school.
This is a three-level tunnel system and an underground living space for the soldiers and local people. The first level, 8–10 meters deep, was a flexible combat and shelter area. The second level, 12–15 meters deep, was the living space for the villagers. The third level, more than 23 meters deep, served as a storage area for food and weapons.
Significantly, along the sides of the tunnels, there are small compartments that serve as family rooms for 3 to 4 people. Inside the tunnels, there is also an assembly hall used for meetings, cultural performances, and film screenings, with a capacity of over 50 people.
Stepping into the heart of the tunnels gives a relaxed and unfamiliar sensation. The well-ventilated and refreshing airflow leaves visitors in awe. The crucial element of ensuring absolute safety and proper ventilation for hundreds of people living and fighting within the tunnels is one of the most critical features of the Vinh Moc tunnels.
>>> Visit Vietnamese museums to explore Vietnam’s history and culture by your own eyes
3. Nhon Trach Tunnels, Dong Nai
- Address: Hamlet 5, Long Tho Commune, Nhon Trach District, Dong Nai Province
Regarding the most complex tunnels in Vietnam, Nhon Trach Tunnels always take the top spot. The interconnected tunnel system is designed in a shape resembling the letter Z. The main tunnel backbone stretches 200 meters and branches off on both sides, creating functional rooms for different units.
Many sections of the tunnels are designed with multiple straight and zigzag paths, each segment measuring about 100 meters long. Separating walls between the components are equipped with a secret compartment and a tightly sealed cover. The thickness of the separating walls is 1 meter, and a round hole with a diameter just enough for a person's body is carved.
Above the tunnels is the District Party Committee base, arranged in an equilateral triangle shape. Three deep and narrow traffic ditches, 2 meters deep and 1.2 meters wide, form a closed traffic system. This layout is called the "three-legged stool" arrangement, where all three sides of the traffic ditches have seven combat bunkers.
Since 1972, the Nhon Trach Tunnels have become the long-term stronghold for 500 officers and soldiers of the 10th Rung Sac Division. At this base, the people and soldiers of Nhon Trach achieved significant victories during the years of resistance.
4. Vinh Linh Tunnels, Quang Tri - Must-visit underground tunnels in Vietnam
- Address: Kim Thach Commune, Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Province
The Vinh Linh Tunnels in Vietnam were constructed from 1965 to 1968, comprising a system of 114 tunnels and tunnel villages in 70 villages across 15 communes and towns. Initially built as pedestrian paths, they evolved into shelters for thousands of people and served as a substantial military base for Vinh Linh when the war escalated.
It took 18,000 person-days of labor to build the tunnels and the excavation and transportation of over 6,000 cubic meters of soil and rock. They are called tunnel villages because they resemble entire rural communities underground, including meeting halls, apartments, maternity units, bulletin boards, wells, toilets, and surgical stations.
The Vinh Linh Tunnels are one of the popular destinations for foreign travelers in Vietnam. This site welcomes approximately 70,000 visitors each year, two-thirds of whom are international tourists. Coming here, visitors can explore one of Vietnam's historically significant sites and immerse themselves in the pristine and untouched natural surroundings of Quang Tri province all at once.
5. Khe Trai Tunnels, Thua Thien Hue
- Address: Hill 160, Huong Van Ward, Huong Tra Town, Thua Thien Hue.
Khe Trai Tunnels in Vietnam served as the supreme command center for the general offensive and uprising during the 1968 Tet Offensive. The Khe Trai Tunnels were designed with three entrances located on the slopes of Hill 160.
Inside these entrances, there are sleeping chambers and meeting rooms. In addition, dried wood was erected on the tunnel walls to serve as hammock supports for resting soldiers.
In 2018, the tunnels underwent restoration and preservation to become a nationally recognized historical site in Vietnam, open to visitors. It quickly became an appealing destination for tourists seeking unique experiences and a deeper understanding of Vietnam's wartime history.
>>>If you are into the history of Vietnam, visiting Vietnamese war museums is a must!
6. Ky Anh Tunnels, Quang Nam - One of the most famous tunnels in the Vietnam war
- Address: Ky Anh Commune (now Tam Thang Commune), Tam Ky City, Quang Nam Province.
The last name on the list of tunnels in Vietnam that tourists should not miss is the Ky Anh Tunnels. These tunnels were formed during the historical context of the most intense struggle against the United States on the Quang Nam battlefield from 1964 to 1975.
The tunnels form a network of underground passages, including medical, command, combat, and food storage tunnels. They have a chessboard-like layout, winding and twisting, with numerous small paths following the bamboo groves, water channels, and dense vegetation.
Many sections are dug through the floors of houses, wells, and kitchens scattered throughout the villages in the commune. Among them, the tunnels' most effective and extensive use is found in Thach Tan and Vinh Binh villages. The Ky Anh Tunnels rank third on the list of tunnels in Vietnam.
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The tunnels in Vietnam stand as powerful testaments to the resilience and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people during times of conflict. These intricate underground networks played a crucial role in the country's history, serving as strategic military bases, hiding places, and communication channels. From the renowned Cu Chi Tunnels to lesser-known gems like Nhon Trach and Khe Trái, these tunnels showcase the unwavering spirit and determination of the Vietnamese. Exploring these tunnels offers a unique experience for visitors to see and "feel" the history with their own eyes and senses. So, don't miss visiting the above six famous tunnels in Vietnam!
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