Getting into the history through a tunnel : Củ Chi Tunnels

How far would you go for something in which you believed? Would you bare down to your strong will, even giving up fundamental rights of food and breathing?

Located around 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City, The tunnels of Củ Chi symbolize the humans' grit. An intricate network of underground tunnels, built during the war against French Colonialists and then later against US soldiers, is often listed as one of the coolest places to visit in South East Asia / Vietnam. But Cool quotient goes away, the moment one goes down the dark tunnel.

One can either take a bus from Pham Ngu Lao or book a half-day tour. The pickup point is usually Pham Ngu Lao. The adventurous people can take a motorcycle trip as well.

The tour starts with a brief introduction to Vietnam's history, VietCong and the struggle with French Colonialism, and then with a civil war and US intervention as well as the geography of the tunnels. As only a few pits are open, the real experience starts with identifying the entrance and crawling through a 30-meter tunnel. The fun begins dissipating. Next is a 70-meter walk, and there is almost a 100-meter crawl to access the conference rooms.

The experience also includes the construction of the tunnel, ventilation system, and the various traps built during the war. Then the visitors get the meal which Vietnamese soldiers had during their stint in the tunnels: a boiled potato and Peanut salt.

For a Vietnamese Soldier, it used to be a suffocating day in the tunnels and bare minimum food, Not to mention the need to be alert all the time.

By the end, there were only two thoughts. We, humans, are gritty, and we know how to protect our values. Second, whoever wins the war, both sides lose, and humanity bleeds.