Learn about the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City | Activities

Vietnam left an indelible impression during my tour of Asia. Mainly because of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City. Not only because the country is super beautiful and diverse, has a friendly population or because of the most beautiful destinations such as Tam Coc, Hoi An of Halong Bay† The country has been through a lot. The Chinese people, French, Japanese and the Americans have used Vietnamese territory to wage war. That's why Vietnam a rich history and there are several Vietnam War Attractions that you encounter across the country. Delving into the history of Vietnam has made my tour through Vietnam even more intense and I can strongly recommend it to everyone.

Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City

The Vietnam War lasted from April 1955 to 30, 1975† In 1954 the Geneva Accords were concluded. To prevent Ho Chi Minh from taking over all of Vietnam, the country was temporarily divided in two† It was a war between the United States-oriented South Vietnam and the Soviet Union and China-oriented North Vietnam. The intention was to reunite the country in 1956. Fearing communism, the Americans gave their support to Ngo Dinh Diem, the leader of South Vietnam. They hoped that South Vietnam would become a democratic state. However, he was a dictator and turned South Vietnam into a police state. The Vietcong was formed to slow down Ngo Dinh Diem, but tensions ran so high that America attacked Vietnam.

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In total there were during the Vietnam War 58.159 people lost their lives† 304.000 Vietnamese were injured by, among other things, the use of chemical agents (such as Agent Orange and napalm) by the Americans. These chemical agents have modified the DNA of the Vietnamese population, so that children with a physical handicap being born.

Vietnam War Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

In this blog I write more about what you can expect when you visit the 2 most important Vietnam war sights in Ho Chi Minh City. The Cu Chi tunnels and the War Remnants museum† I write about my own experience without using a guide.

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Cu Chi tunnels

History of the Cu Chi tunnels

The tunnel complex of Cu Chi is a large underground network of tunnels in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City. In this tunnel complex lived the Vietcong right under the nose of the during the Vietnam War US Army, which the US military did not know about at the time.

The tunnels in Cu Chi are the center of gravity of the network that at least 300 km extends. The roads in Cu Chi tunnel complex are narrow, have different levels and curves. The bends were made to provide protection against explosions† When there were intruders in the tunnels, they had grenades, sharp bamboo sticks, poisonous snakes, booby traps and false passageways. In addition to chasing the enemy away, Cu Chi's tunnels also had another function. It was a world unto itself for the guerrilla fighters. There was an operating theatre, sleeping and dining areas, meeting rooms, weapons and food storage areas and even a theater† How bizarre is that?

The health of the Viet Cong deteriorated sharply in the tunnels. You can of course imagine that the air you breathe in such a tunnel is extremely bad. Food spoiled very quickly in these rooms, they didn't get enough vitamins, there were pests and they saw no daylight† During the day they lived in the tunnels and at night the guerrillas went out to fight. When the US military found out about the existence of the tunnel complex, the American commanders made many attempts to destroy the tunnel complex and in this way all fighters above the to get land. However, she failed to do so. After these attempts, the American commanders decided to US Air Force to enable. There were bomb carpets which churned up the ground and thus brought the tunnel complex to the surface.

The Cu Chi tunnels today

When you travel to Vietnam now you can visit the Cu Chi tunnels because they are part of a Vietnam War Museum† The corridors are widened and enlarged to make it easier for (Western) tourists to pass through. So keep this in mind especially when you visit the tunnels, because then you can really imagine how the Vietcong lived at that time. You can book a tour to the Cu Chi tunnels almost anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City, but you can also visit them on your own.

• Cost entrance: VND 90.000 = €3,40
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday from 07:00 – 18:00 & Saturday from 07:00 – 17:00

War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City is the place where the most impression made on me. It's definitely not a nice place. It is a place where you are confronted with a heavy, heavy history and you come face to face with its consequences. I spent at least 3 hours in this museum (it is huge and there is a lot to see) and in many places I had the tears in my eyes stand. But I wasn't the only one, everyone who was there was gutted by what they saw in this museum. From the point of view of the Vietnamese you will learn more about the Vietnam War.

On the grounds at the entrance of the War Remnants museum you will find war vehicles of the Americans. This is already impressive to see, but what you see inside is so much more impressive. Inside it's full of propaganda from the war and hanging on the second floor lots of pictures from the war† These photos all tell a story and are very shocking. `The photos are all 'sorted' by event. From shootings to the effects of Agent Orange.

• Cost entrance: 40.000 VND = €1,50
• Opening hours: daily from 07:30 – 16:30

Would you also like to visit the War Remnants museum and the Cu Chi tunnels?

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As mentioned, I can 100% recommend you to visit these 2 war museums during your tour through Vietnam. My advice is to visit the War Remnants museum first and then the Cu Chi tunnels, preferably on the same day (unfortunately I did it the other way around). At the War Remnants museum you will learn so much about the war, which will help to better experience your visit to the Cu Chi tunnels.