Cu Chi Tunnels: From legend to world heritage prospect

Ancient relics, new experiences.

Located approximately 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a symbol of the creativity and indomitable fighting spirit of the people and army of Southern Vietnam in general, and Cu Chi in particular, during the wars for independence, freedom, and national reunification. The Cu Chi Tunnels have a total length of 250km and were built between 1946 and 1968. Using this system of underground tunnels, fortifications, and trenches, the people and army of Cu Chi fought bravely, achieving legendary victories that struck fear into the hearts of the enemy.

During the days when the whole country was bustling with activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, the film "Củ Chi Tunnels: The Sun in the Darkness" by director Bùi Thạc Chuyên was released, creating a box office sensation. Inspired by real events after 1967, the film tells the story of a 21-person guerrilla squad fighting in the Củ Chi area. Besides its cinematic value, the film realistically portrays the arduous but resilient life and struggles of the soldiers and people of Củ Chi, affirming the revolutionary heroism in our nation's resistance war. Through the film, the Củ Chi Tunnels once again became more accessible to people and tourists both domestically and internationally.

As someone who participated in digging the tunnels and directly fought in the past, former guerrilla fighter Huynh Van Chia (residing in Trung Lap Ha commune, Cu Chi district) emotionally recounted: “It has been a long time since a film on the revolutionary war theme about the heroic Cu Chi Tunnels was made. Although it cannot fully portray the arduous years of fighting, the film “Tunnels: The Sun in the Darkness” has helped generations of Vietnamese people and international tourists better understand the life and struggles of our soldiers and people underground more than half a century ago.”

Comrade Nguyen Minh Tam, Deputy Director of the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Site, informed: “The unit is very proud to have collaborated on the film “Cui Chi Tunnels: The Sun in the Darkness” on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country. The appeal of the film also contributes to promoting the image of the Cu Chi Tunnels, helping to stimulate tourism , and creating a highlight to attract tourists to visit and learn about the tunnels.”

The Cu Chi Tunnels are also well-known to tourists, having been ranked among the top 10 most famous tourist destinations in the world by The Travel.com and among the 25 most popular tourist destinations in Asia by Tripadvisor.com.vn. Within Vietnam, the Cu Chi Tunnels were voted among the top 50 "Attractive Tourist Destinations in Ho Chi Minh City and 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta" and are one of the 10 most interesting attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.

It's no coincidence that this historical site consistently ranks among the most popular and attractive destinations on the tourist map of Ho Chi Minh City. Here, visitors not only get to hear and see, but also experience crawling through the tunnels. Currently, along with the existing tunnel system, to promote and attract tourists, the site has invested in many new and attractive services and models to cater to sightseeing and entertainment needs. Among them, the area recreating the liberated zone resembles a miniature, peaceful Southern Vietnamese village nestled under a cool bamboo forest, with many vivid reenactments of the life and activities of the people at that time. Visitors can experience activities such as rice planting, fishing, and rice pounding, and enjoy many local specialties of Cu Chi. Since 2024, the site has also developed a night tourism program. The theme "Moonlight in the War Zone" recreates the liberated zone at night, using moonlight as the main element to depict the nighttime life and activities of the people of Cu Chi in the liberated zone.

Mr. Tran The Dung, General Director of Vietluxtour Travel Joint Stock Company, observed that after visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels historical site, most tourists want to return because of the unique, profound, and unforgettable impressions. Many foreign visitors express admiration and surprise at the courageous and resourceful fighting spirit of the Vietnamese people. Therefore, upgrading this historical site will practically promote the image of Ho Chi Minh City as an attractive, safe, and vibrant destination for tourists. During the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, the company is focusing on developing and promoting themed cultural and historical tourism products, linking the Cu Chi Tunnels with many new features to attract tourists.

Thanks to innovative thinking and focused investment, the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Site has become a bright spot in attracting tourists, a crucial link in the tour itineraries of more than 200 tourism and travel service businesses. The site also collaborates with neighboring localities to introduce the customs, traditions, and cultural aspects of daily life, work, and beliefs of several ethnic groups. Annually, the site welcomes over 1 million domestic and international visitors, with nearly 1.3 million visitors expected in 2024 (a 21% increase).

Comrade Nguyen Minh Tam shared that, with the spirit of "Ancient relics, new experiences," the unit has invested in building an automated tour guide system, applying virtual tourism, artificial intelligence technology, and virtual reality experiences... Tour guides have improved their historical knowledge, professional skills, foreign language proficiency, service attitude, and communication skills... The unit has also intensified its efforts in promotion, marketing, and collaboration with travel agencies in developing tourism products associated with the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Officers and soldiers from various units visited and studied the traditions at the Cu Chi Tunnels historical site (Ho Chi Minh City).

Worthy of being called a monumental work.

Along with tourism development, the Party Committee and Board of Directors of the Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Site have always considered the dissemination and education of revolutionary traditions as a key political task. The site is also considered a vibrant "history school" for the younger generation. Every year, a large number of youth union members, students from agencies, units, localities, and many groups from across the country come to the site to study, visit, and experience. Extracurricular activities and events focused on the historical roots at the tunnels help to awaken patriotism, national pride, and a sense of responsibility to the Fatherland in the younger generation.

To remain a top destination within the system of "historical sites," the site has made concerted efforts to implement comprehensive solutions in conservation, restoration, infrastructure development, and service quality improvement. The site focuses on effective management and preservation of artifacts, actively constructing and repairing historical structures to serve visitors. The unit has collaborated with relevant agencies to develop a scientific, rational, and aesthetically pleasing layout and display plan, arranging meetings with historical witnesses – the people of Cu Chi who directly lived, fought, and dug the tunnels – as well as collecting numerous related documents to enrich information, enhance the effectiveness of propaganda, and foster patriotism and national pride.

The Cu Chi Tunnels historical site was classified as a Special National Monument by the Prime Minister in 2015. Currently, relevant agencies are coordinating with the site to prepare the necessary documents for submission to UNESCO for recognition of the Cu Chi Tunnels as a World Heritage site. According to Major Trieu Van Hieu, Director of the Cu Chi Tunnels historical site, the Cu Chi Tunnels are not only a special historical site but also a symbol of patriotism, intelligence, and the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people. The unit is urgently coordinating to complete the necessary procedures so that the site can soon be recognized as a World Heritage site. This is an expression of gratitude from today's generation to the immense contributions and sacrifices of our ancestors who built and fought alongside this structure, making a significant contribution to the resistance war for independence, freedom, and national reunification. Through this, the Cu Chi Tunnels become even more worthy of being considered a great man-made structure.

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