The Cu Chi Tunnels are a large network of tunnels located north of Ho Chi Minh City, were the location of many campaigns and was the Viet Cong's base of operations for the Tet Offensive.
The tunnels were just one of many similar sites that used a large network of connected tunnels to hide troops and military equipment, and also civilians who were hiding from the Americans during the war.
It is now a tourist site and it gives a good insight to the life during the war, and what it would have been like to fight in and around the tunnels.
Tanks were hard to use in the dense jungle, and this one was destroyed in the area by a landmine, and it still shows impact of RPG's and bullets.
The Tunnels used hidden entrances that were very tiny, and when closed could be very hard to find.
Also on display were various methods used to protect the tunnels from American troops who would try to flush out the North Vietnamese.
There were many kinds of hidden traps both used outside and inside the tunnels.
The traps used metal spikes or bamboo poles for the unfortunate victim to fall upon.
Another simple method that kept the tunnels from being taken was that they were just too small for a normal sized American troop to fit through.
Specialised American troops called Tunnel Rats were used to explore and attack inside of the tunnels.
The tunnels setup for tourists to go through have been enlarged by 30%, and still they are barely big enough to crawl in.
Some sections were larger bunkers used for resting and cooking etc.
We went through about 30 meters of tunnel, but the total length of tunnels at this site was over 150km.
The tunnels were also extensively bombarded by American artillery which surrounded the tunnels. An American base was even built on top of an area of the tunnels and they only realized this after a night attack by the Vietnamese troops inside the base.
B-52 bombers were also used to bomb the tunnels and huge craters can be seen around the site.
Despite the extensive attempts to destroy the tunnels and kill the people within they withstood everything thrown at them and it was a major reason for the eventual victory of the North Vietnamese.
One of the highlights of the tour is being able to shoot a variety of Vietnam War era weapons.
The sound of gunfire can be heard throughout the cu chi tunnels, and it makes for a more authentic experience hearing gunfire in the distance as you enter the tunnels, and look at the other parts of the tour.
I decided to shoot a AK-47 and an M60. I don't have any pictures of me with the AK-47 but you can see me with an M60.
They charged by the bullet so I only shot 10 for each gun. But it was really interesting to fire the famous AK-47, and a larger machine gun in the M60.
The tour was among the most interesting I have done in Vietnam, and I am very happy I was able to experience it.