Taeki Chan A visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels is one of those experiences that looks fascinating from the outside, but becomes something completely different once you actually step inside.
I had signed up for a half-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels, expecting to learn more about Vietnam’s wartime history and explore the famous underground network.
What I didn’t expect was just how physically challenging the experience would be.
Starting the Journey at the Shooting Range
Our half-day trip began with a stop at Vietnam’s National Defence Sport Shooting Range.
Here, visitors can experience the sound and atmosphere of a real shooting range, while those who are interested can also try shooting themselves for an additional fee under controlled conditions.
Even without picking up a firearm, hearing the loud gunshots in person was quite an experience. It immediately created a different atmosphere from simply seeing weapons in photographs or on television.
From there, we continued our journey towards the Cu Chi Tunnels.
A Glimpse of the War Before Entering the Tunnels
Before entering the main Cu Chi Tunnel area, we encountered several abandoned military vehicles and pieces of war-era equipment.
The vehicles naturally became a popular spot for visitors to stop, explore and take photographs.
But standing beside these machines also made the history feel a little more tangible.
These weren’t simply objects from a textbook. They represented the equipment and machinery used during a conflict that had a profound impact on Vietnam and its people.
And then came the part of the journey I was most curious about — going underground.
Entering the Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are an extensive underground network that was used by Viet Cong forces during the Vietnam War.
The tunnels served many purposes, including providing shelter, allowing movement and communication, storing supplies and supporting military operations.
From the surface, it is difficult to imagine what it would have been like to live and operate underground.
That changed very quickly once I entered the tunnels myself.
The passages were long, narrow and incredibly tight.
Moving through them wasn’t exactly comfortable. In some sections, I had to crouch down and carefully make my way forward, while constantly being aware of the limited space around me.
And then there was the heat.
Sweating, Panting and Trying to Keep Moving
Walking through the tunnels was much more physically demanding than I expected.
The underground environment felt hot and enclosed, and the limited ventilation made it difficult to move comfortably.
As I continued through the tunnels, I was sweating and panting, and I could really feel the physical strain.
It made me stop and think.
If I was already struggling after spending a relatively short amount of time underground as a visitor, what must it have been like for the soldiers and civilians who depended on these tunnels during wartime?
They weren’t there for a sightseeing experience.
They didn’t have the option of simply climbing back out whenever they felt uncomfortable.
They had to live, hide, move and survive in an environment that was dark, cramped and physically demanding.
A Different Perspective on War
Walking through the Cu Chi Tunnels gave me a much greater appreciation of just how difficult life must have been during that era.
We often learn about wars through photographs, documentaries, museums and historical accounts.
But physically experiencing even a small section of these tunnels gives you another perspective.
You begin to understand the physical reality — the darkness, the confined spaces, the heat, the lack of comfort and the constant pressure of being underground.
And honestly, it wasn’t easy.
By the time I made my way through the tunnels, I was sweating, breathing heavily and ready to get back above ground.
That short experience alone left me wondering how anyone could endure living and fighting under such conditions for extended periods.
More Than Just a Tourist Attraction
The Cu Chi Tunnels are certainly a popular tourist destination, but for me, the experience became more than simply visiting another attraction in Vietnam.
It was a reminder of how different life can become during wartime and how people are capable of adapting to incredibly difficult circumstances when survival depends on it.
The tunnels may be narrow and uncomfortable for today’s visitors, but for those who relied on them during the war, they were part of everyday life.
That thought stayed with me after I came back above ground.
My Cu Chi Tunnel Experience
My half-day trip to Cu Chi gave me the opportunity to see a very different side of Vietnam — one that isn’t about beautiful scenery, food or modern city life, but about history, survival and the human experience of war.
And while I was relieved to finally get back into the open air, I was also glad that I had experienced the tunnels for myself.
Sometimes, the best way to appreciate history isn’t simply to read about it.
Sometimes, you have to step inside it.
Watch my YouTube vlog to follow my complete Cu Chi Tunnel experience, including the shooting range, the war-era vehicles, the tunnel exploration and everything I encountered along the way.
It was definitely an experience I won’t forget.
