Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AROUND HO CHI MINH CITY
TOP OF CHAPTER
Cu Chi
If the tenacious spirit of the Vietnamese could be symbolised by a single place, then Cu Chi
would be it. Its fame is such that it's become a place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese
and a must-see for travellers.
Sights
HISTORIC SITE
Cu Chi Tunnels
(
www.cuchitunnel.org.vn
; adult/child 80,000/ 20,000d)
These tunnels are the stuff of legend due to
their role facilitating Viet Cong control of a large rural area only 30km from Saigon. At its
height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border.
Two sections of this remarkable tunnel network (which are enlarged and upgraded ver-
sions of the real thing) are open to the public. One is near the village of Ben Dinh and the
other is 15km beyond at Ben Duoc.
Visits to both sites usually start with an extremely dated propaganda video before guides
in army greens lead small groups through some short sections of tunnel. Both sites have
gun ranges attached where you shell out a small fortune to shell up and fire genuine
AK-47s and machine guns. You pay per bullet, so be warned.
Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station
(
www.wildlifeatrisk.org
; adult/child US$5/free; 7.30-11.30am & 1-4.30pm)
Just a few kilometres
down the road from the tunnels of Ben Dinh, this small centre is dedicated to the protection
of wildlife that has been confiscated from owners or illegal traders. Animals here include
bears, otters and gibbons. There is an informative display on the rather depressing state of
wildlife in Vietnam, including the 'room of death' featuring a host of traps and baits. It's
tough to navigate these back roads solo, so talk to a travel agent about incorporating it into
a Cu Chi Tunnels trip.
WILDLIFE
TOP OF CHAPTER
Search WWH ::
Custom Search