If you want to get to know the history of Vietnam, a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels is a great option and one of the most popular things in Ho Chi Minh too. Here you will our route guide to reach Cu Chi Tunnels...
Navya Upadhyay
Shweta Singh
Category - Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City also called Saigon. With a prominent history going back hundreds of years, it is the business and financial hub of Vietnam. With the Vietnamese taking over in the 17th century, the Khmers originally settled the region. In 1859, the French conquered this city gave name it Saigon. In 1862, it designated as the capital of Cochin-China, which resulted in broad boulevards that are still present to this day and numerous elegant architecture. The city had 4.5 million inhabitants who were all evacuated at the peak of the Vietnam War in 1969 when Saigon and the rest of the South fell to North Vietnam in 1975.
With the current population at over 7 million, the city has recovered in the 30 years since. After the spiritual leader of Vietnamese Communism, it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. But the people of this city were so reluctant to adopt the new name that authorities kept the official name but the city center is still called Saigon. Now, Ho Chi Minh City is a popular tourist destination because of it its fascinating culture, sleek skyscrapers, and classic French architecture as well as ornate temples and pagodas. You will here many rooftops bars that overlook Saigon and beyond, while fantastic restaurants offer a combination of Chinese, French and local Vietnamese cuisine.
Chi Minh City used to be the capital of South Vietnam until 1975. It was run by an anti-communist government-backed by French and US troops. Running under the city is the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground tunnels used by Vietcong guerrillas during the Tet Offensive (1968). The tunnels acted as hiding spots during combat, living quarters and supply routes for many North Vietnamese fighters. History buffs will be happy to learn that you can visit these claustrophobic tunnels even today through a guided tour.
