Cu Chi Tunnels are so famous that Western tourists 'tell each other' that they must definitely visit them.

In the context of Ho Chi Minh City proposing UNESCO to recognize Cu Chi tunnels as a world heritage, in recent years, this place has become a special destination attracting foreign visitors to learn and experience.

One of the destinations chosen by many foreign tourists when traveling to Vietnam is Cu Chi tunnels. On social media platforms, when searching for the keyword "Cu Chi tunnels", viewers can find many videos of experiences recorded by Western tourists.

Many people expressed their excitement when they witnessed the secret tunnels and how to "crawl underground" like the soldiers and civilians of Cu Chi used to live and fight in the past.

Cu Chi Tunnels are so famous that Western tourists 'tell each other' that they must definitely visit them photo 1

A female tourist experiences the tunnel in the tunnel (Photo: Jessiecarr).

The video of a visitor named Joe Hattab from Spain is less than 1 minute long but has attracted more than 40 million views and more than 2.2 million likes, and is considered one of the inspirational videos that makes foreign visitors want to come to Cu Chi to learn about history and experience.

Joe is an independent travel filmmaker. After quitting his accounting job in Saudi Arabia in 2016, he decided to travel around the world to create short travel films.

Vietnam was one of the stops for the Spanish tourist. Thanks to social media, Joe learned about the Cu Chi tunnels, so curiosity prompted him to experience it.

"I was surprised and very impressed with this place," Joe commented.

Peruvian tourists try the feeling of crawling through secret tunnels in Cu Chi (Video source: Patoparodi18).

Just like Joe, after arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, Luciana Fuster (a Peruvian tourist) booked a tour to explore Cu Chi. Here, Luciana was instructed on how to go through the secret tunnel. With a tall and muscular physique, the Peruvian tourist had some difficulty "crawling" through the tunnel. However, he was still very excited.

"This is one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. Every day there is something new to learn from different cultures," he shared.

In the past, Cu Chi tunnels were a resistance base with a solid defense system located deep underground. Known as the "underground city", Cu Chi tunnels not only had a system of tunnels, but also had kitchens, warehouses, offices, infirmaries with ventilation ducts leading to bushes in the forest.

On an experience tour sales application, Cu Chi tunnels are described as "an ideal destination for those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, want to learn about the heroic historical achievements of the anti-American war as well as the lives of the people of Cu Chi land".

It is known that the tour to Cu Chi Tunnels is currently one of the tours that many international visitors are interested in.

According to research, foreign visitors can choose a half-day Cu Chi tour to visit the tunnels. The tour usually departs at 7:30 or 1:00 p.m. from Ho Chi Minh City. Pick-up points are central streets in District 1. Tour prices start at VND419,000/person.

With this tour package, visitors are picked up at their destination, provided with water and cold towels, and accompanied by an English-speaking tour guide to introduce them. Visitors have the opportunity to learn more about Vietnamese history through war relics, and experience the peaceful countryside on the way to Cu Chi.

When asked by Dan Tri reporter about the potential of Cu Chi tunnels tour for foreign visitors, Ms. Tran Thi Bao Thu, Director of Marketing - Communications Department of Vietluxtour Travel Company, assessed that this is one of the special highlights in the city's tourism products, almost all of which are included in the tour program of tourists when coming to Ho Chi Minh City.

"International and domestic tourist groups have given positive feedback about this destination. Many foreign visitors expressed their admiration and surprise at the brave and intelligent fighting spirit of the Vietnamese people, and at the same time wished that the destination would be preserved and well promoted so that future generations would have the opportunity to visit and experience it," said Ms. Thu.

Cu Chi Tunnels are so famous that Western tourists tell each other they must visit them, photo 2

Young tourists at Cu Chi tunnels (Photo: Cuchitunnelstours).

According to research, the number of foreign visitors to Cu Chi Tunnels is mostly European and Australian. In the domestic market, tourists from provinces and cities have the highest number of visitors. In particular, many schools have extracurricular programs to bring students here to learn about history.

According to Ms. Thu, Cu Chi tunnels are not only a historical site but also a unique intangible cultural work of Vietnam, worthy of becoming a world heritage and known to more international visitors.

"Therefore, the work of preserving and promoting this destination is especially important. In the context of current technological development, the image and heroic spirit of the Cu Chi steel land in particular and Vietnam in general have more opportunities to spread.

Travel agencies really hope that local authorities and management agencies will invest more in promoting this destination. In addition, we need to invest in diverse accommodation infrastructure combined with tours to explore local culture and cuisine," Ms. Thu said.

Cu Chi Tunnels is an underground defense system in Cu Chi district, about 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City center.

The history of Cu Chi tunnels is closely linked to the resistance war against the French in the period of 1946-1948. The construction was built by the army and people of the communes to hide and store weapons and military equipment.

The tunnel system is located 3m to 12m deep underground, has 12 floors, is more than 200km long, and can withstand the destructive power of many types of heavy bombs.

During the period of 1961-1965, the project was developed into many interconnected branches. The top of the project was also equipped with many nail holes and minefields, serving the fighting of our army and people.

After the war, Cu Chi tunnels became a national historical site.

Recently, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City has submitted a document to the City People's Committee to explain to UNESCO, putting this tunnel on the list of expected world heritage records.