About Military Tunnels in Vietnam
During the Vietnam War, an extensive system of underground tunnels was built throughout the country to help the Vietnamese people resist powerful airstrikes and military operations by U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. These tunnels weren’t just military hideouts, they were complete underground villages, secret routes, and crucial survival spaces.
The two most famous tunnel systems still open to visitors today are the Cu Chi Tunnels in southern Vietnam and the Vinh Moc Tunnels in the central region. While both played significant roles in the war, they are different in purpose, design, and visitor experience.
While both the Vinh Moc and Cu Chi Tunnels played important roles during the Vietnam War, they served different purposes, were built under different conditions, and offer visitors distinct experiences today. Let’s learn more about the similarities and differences between Cu Chi and Vinh Moc Tunnels in this informative article with Vietnam Student Exchange Travel.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Introduction
Located about 35 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are one of the most well-known historical landmarks in Vietnam.
This vast network of interconnected tunnels was built and used by the Viet Cong soldiers as a base for guerrilla warfare against American and South Vietnamese forces.
Historical Significance
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a powerful reminder of the ingenuity and determination of the Vietnamese resistance. At its peak, the tunnel system stretched over 250 kilometers, with hidden entrances, underground kitchens, command centers, storage rooms, and even hospitals.
Soldiers used the tunnels to move undetected, ambush enemies, and survive relentless bombings. The tunnels played a key role in the success of several major offensives, including the famous Tet Offensive of 1968.
Today, the tunnels are preserved as a war memorial park, and visitors can crawl through portions of the system to gain a glimpse of what life was like underground during the war.
How to Arrange an Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels?
Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City is simple and convenient:
Distance: About 1.5 hours by car (40–50 km).
Transportation: You can book a guided tour, take a private car, or rent a motorbike.
Tour options: Half-day or full-day tours are widely available and often include hotel pickup, a guide, and entrance tickets.
Useful Travel Tips:
Choose between Ben Dinh (tourist-friendly, some tunnels widened) and Ben Duoc (less crowded, more authentic).
Bring comfortable clothes and good walking shoes.
Be cautious if you are claustrophobic, as parts of the tunnels are very narrow.
Vinh Moc Tunnels
In contrast to Cu Chi, the Vinh Moc Tunnels are located in Quang Tri Province, near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that once divided North and South Vietnam.
Built by local villagers, these tunnels were not meant for military offense, but for survival. The people of Vinh Linh district dug these deep tunnels to escape heavy U.S. bombing campaigns targeting the North Vietnamese supply routes.
Historical Significance
The Vinh Moc Tunnels served as a massive underground shelter where over 300 people lived for six years during the war. The tunnel system is approximately 2 kilometers long and consists of three levels, reaching up to 30 meters deep.
Inside, there were living quarters, meeting rooms, kitchens, a maternity room (17 babies were born underground), and wells for clean water. The Vinh Moc Tunnels are a moving symbol of the resilience of civilians who endured the war underground, managing to survive without surrendering their homes.
Unlike the Cu Chi Tunnels, Vinh Moc was not a combat zone. Instead, it protected civilians and allowed the North Vietnamese to maintain a supply line to Con Co Island, a strategic base off the coast.
How to Explore Vinh Moc Tunnels?
The Vinh Moc Tunnels are most commonly visited from Hue or Phong Nha:
From Hue: About 2.5–3 hours by car (~110 km).
From Phong Nha: Also around 2.5–3 hours by car (~130 km).
Transportation: Book a private car, join a DMZ tour, or rent a motorbike with helmets.
Tour options: Full-day tours from Hue or Phong Nha often include other DMZ highlights like Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River, and Khe Sanh Combat Base.
- Hue to Vinh Moc Tunnels by car– from 65 USD/ Sedan.
- Hoi An to Vinh Moc Tunnels private car– from 152 USD/ Sedan.
- Da Nang to DMZ private car– from/ 140 USD/ Sedan.
- DMZ Tour Hue– from 31 USD/ Pax.
Useful Travel Tips:
- Wear sturdy shoes; the tunnels can be damp and slippery.
- Bring a flashlight or use your phone’s light for better visibility.
- Respect the site, it’s still a place of remembrance for many locals.
Cu Chi Tunnels vs Vinh Moc Tunnels- A Quick Comparison
The Location
| Tunnel System | Location | Nearby City |
| Vinh Moc | Quang Tri Province (Central Vietnam) | Hue / Phong Nha |
| Cu Chi | Ho Chi Minh City (Southern Vietnam) | Saigon |
Purpose & Use
| Tunnel System | Main Purpose | Who Used It |
| Vinh Moc | Civilian shelter & supply route | Villagers and North Vietnamese army |
| Cu Chi | Military base & guerrilla operations | Viet Cong soldiers |
Vinh Moc was built to protect civilians from intense U.S. bombings and became an underground village.
Cu Chi was a combat zone used to launch attacks on American and South Vietnamese forces.
Tunnel Design & Depth
| Feature | Vinh Moc | Cu Chi |
| Length | ~2 km | 200+ km (only part is open to visitors) |
| Depth | Up to 30 meters (3 levels) | Up to 10 meters |
| Height/Width | Tall & wide (can walk upright) | Narrow, often must crouch or crawl |
Vinh Moc Tunnels are more spacious, suitable for families and long-term living.
Cu Chi Tunnels are tighter and built for stealth, ambush, and combat tactics.
Visitor Experience
| Factor | Vinh Moc | Cu Chi |
| Crowds | Less touristy, quiet | Very popular and often crowded |
| Authenticity | Original tunnels, preserved | Some tunnels have been widened for tourists |
| Experience Type | Educational, emotional, peaceful | Interactive, military-themed, hands-on |
| Accessibility | Moderate (walkable, damp) | Can be challenging for claustrophobic visitors |
At Vinh Moc, you get a quieter, rawer experience reflecting civilian life during the war.
Cu Chi offers an action-packed visit with shooting ranges and war relics.
Educational Focus
Vinh Moc emphasizes the resilience of villagers, their life underground, and how they survived during the war.
Cu Chi focuses on guerrilla warfare, traps, combat strategies, and military ingenuity.
Extras for Tourists
| Feature | Vinh Moc | Cu Chi |
| Museum/Exhibits | Small museum on-site | Extensive exhibits & war gear |
| Shooting Range | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (AK-47, M16, etc.) |
| Booby Trap Displays | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Best For
Vinh Moc: Ideal for history lovers, families, and those wanting a less touristy, more emotional and authentic experience.
Cu Chi: Great for travelers wanting an interactive, adrenaline-filled, and combat-oriented tour.
Summary Comparison Table
| Criteria | Vinh Moc Tunnels | Cu Chi Tunnels |
| Location | Quang Tri (Central Vietnam) | Ho Chi Minh (South Vietnam) |
| Distance from city | ~2.5 hrs from Hue / Phong Nha | ~1.5 hrs from Ho Chi Minh City |
| Built by | Local civilians & North Vietnamese | Viet Cong forces |
| Purpose | Shelter & logistics | Military warfare |
| Accessibility | Walkable, larger spaces | Tight, crouched passageways |
| Visitor traffic | Low, peaceful | High, often crowded |
| Shooting range | No | Yes |
| Focus | Civilian life, survival | Military tactics, guerrilla warfare |
🎯 Final Thoughts
Choose Vinh Moc Tunnels if you’re interested in real-life survival stories, peaceful reflection, and authentic wartime architecture with fewer tourists.
Visit Cu Chi Tunnels if you’re looking for an immersive military experience, hands-on interaction, and a closer look at guerrilla warfare.
Both sites are powerful in their own right and offer deep insight into Vietnam’s wartime history from different angles. If possible, seeing both will give you a more complete understanding of the Vietnam War’s human and military aspects.