During the war, the tunnels housed living quarters, hospitals, booby traps, and storage facilities for the Viet Cong, all secretly accessed by concealed trap doors. Life in the tunnels was difficult---not only because of the war, but also due to the presence of natural hazards, including tunnel rats and venomous snakes. Taking a Cu Chi Tunnels tour offers a poignant reminder of the hardships of war.
Today, two areas are open to visitors on guided tours, both with tunnels that have been expanded in size. They're still a tight fit, but that adds to the experience of discovering what it must have been like for the Viet Cong soldiers living and operating here. Many visitors come to the tunnels on a half-day tour or full-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, sometimes combined with a cruise along the Mekong Delta or Saigon River.