Cu Chi tunnels is a historical venue beholding ups and downs in the past. Consequently, it has impressive features attracting many visitors. In Cu Chi tunnels tour, there will have many  interesting things for tourists to experience.

The cassava from Hoang Cam kitchen

The Hoàng Cầm stove, named after its inventor, Hoàng Cầm, the chef, a Viet Minh soldier in 1951, was a stove intake and chimney system which diffused and dissipated smoke from cooking which prevented aerial detection of smoke by American military planes. They were used extensively in the Cu Chi tunnels and other hideouts.

Cassava is a starchy root vegetable that is commonly eaten in many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia.

The cassava dish from Hoang Cam Kitchen is typically prepared by boiling or steaming the cassava until it is soft, and then serving it with a variety of toppings such as coconut milk, crushed peanuts, and sesame seeds. Some versions of the dish may also include savory toppings such as minced pork or shrimp.

The cassava dish is considered special in the context of the Cu Chi Tunnels because it has historical significance and was a key part of the diet of the Viet Minh soldiers who lived and fought in the tunnels during the Vietnam War.

The Cu Chi Tunnels were an extensive network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Minh to evade enemy forces and launch surprise attacks. The tunnels were often cramped and crowded, and the soldiers who lived in them had to survive on a limited diet of mostly cassava and other root vegetables that they could grow underground.

Despite its humble origins, cassava became an important symbol of resilience and survival for the Viet Minh soldiers, and today it is still celebrated as a key part of the Cu Chi Tunnels experience.

At Hoang Cam Kitchen, the cassava dish is typically served with a variety of toppings and sauces that enhance its flavor and texture. Some of the most popular toppings include coconut milk, crushed peanuts, and sesame seeds, and the dish is often served as a side dish or appetizer alongside other Vietnamese specialties. And that would be wonderful for you to make a try after a full-day trip.

Overall, the cassava dish is an important part of the Cu Chi Tunnels tour experience and a symbol of the resourcefulness and perseverance of the Viet Minh soldiers who lived and fought in these tunnels during the Vietnam War.

The secret entrance

There are two areas where you can see the tunnels, Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc. Ben Duoc is the best example of the original tunnels. Ben Dinh also has tunnels, but they are all widened for tourist purposes. The entrance to the Ben Dinh is also closer (about 50 km from Ho Chi Minh City) and is a more convenient option, but does not offer the same experience. Due to the shorter distance to Ho Chi Minh City, this location is more touristy and also the main choice of most of the the Cu Chi Tunnel tours that depart from Ho Chi Minh City, so you have a less authentic experience. Ben Duoc (about 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City) is recommended if you have more time.

Cu Chi tunnels, located in Vietnam, are famous for their intricate network of underground tunnels that were used during the Vietnam War. The secret entrances to these tunnels were indeed a significant aspect that made them special.

The Cu Chi tunnels were built by the Viet Minh during the war to serve as hiding spots, supply routes, hospitals, living quarters, and weapon storage areas. The tunnels were well-designed, with various rooms, air vents, and booby traps, making it challenging for the enemy to find and destroy them.

To access the tunnel system, soldiers would have to climb down a ladder that led to a narrow passageway. The passageway was only big enough for one person to crawl through at a time.

Once inside the tunnel system, soldiers would have to navigate through a maze of tunnels that stretched for miles. The tunnels were dark, cramped, and filled with booby traps.

Despite the dangers, the tunnels were a crucial part of the Viet Minh’s strategy. They allowed the Viet Minh to move freely and launch surprise attacks on American troops. The tunnels also provided a safe haven for the Viet Minh to hide from American bombs and artillery.

The secret entrances were crucial to the success of the tunnels as they allowed the Viet Minh to enter and exit undetected. The entrances were usually hidden under traps, disguised as termite mounds, or camouflaged with vegetation.

As the Vietnam War raged on, the American troops became increasingly frustrated by their inability to locate the secret entrances to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Despite sending soldiers to search for them, they were unable to find the hidden entrances, and the Viet Minh continued to launch attacks from the safety of the tunnels.

One of the reasons the secret entrances were so difficult to find was because they were designed to blend in with the surrounding environment. The trapdoors were covered with dirt and debris, and the tunnels themselves were hidden beneath thick layers of vegetation.

The Viet Minh also used clever tactics to mislead the American troops. They would often use fake entrances to lure the soldiers into booby-trapped areas, or they would create false tunnels that led nowhere.

Despite the challenges, some American soldiers were able to discover the secret entrances to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Once they did, they launched numerous attacks on the tunnel system, attempting to flush out the Viet Minh hiding inside.

However, the Viet Minh were able to adapt to the changing circumstances, and they quickly found new ways to hide and evade the American troops. They would often dig new tunnels or create new secret entrances, and they became experts at moving quickly and silently through the tunnels.

The tunnels and the secret entrances required a lot of ingenuity and resourcefulness to construct, and their effectiveness in providing a secure hiding place for the Viet Minh was a significant factor in the outcome of the war. Today, the Cu Chi tunnels are a popular tourist attraction, and visitors can experience crawling through the narrow and dark tunnels and witness the secret entrances firsthand.

Shooting area

Both Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc have shooting ranges for tourists. The conditions are that you are in good health and at least 16 years old to participate in this activity.

While the Cu Chi tunnels tour in Vietnam are famous for their intricate network of underground tunnels and secret entrances, the shooting areas within the tunnels were not a significant aspect that made them special.

During the Vietnam War, the Viet Minh used the Cu Chi tunnels to launch surprise attacks on the enemy, and the tunnels provided them with a secure hiding place from which they could observe and shoot at their targets. However, the tunnels’ shooting areas were not unique to Cu Chi, as similar shooting galleries were also present in other underground tunnel systems used during the war.

What made the Cu Chi tunnels special was their complex and extensive network, which spanned over 250 kilometers and included various rooms, air vents, and booby traps. The tunnels also served as living quarters, hospitals, supply routes, and weapon storage areas, making them a vital a sset for the Viet Minh’s survival and success during the war.

Today, the Cu Chi tunnels remain a popular tourist attraction, and visitors can experience crawling through the narrow and dark tunnels, witnessing firsthand the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Viet Minh in constructing the underground network.