Sutto's travels: Cu' Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

The tunnels formed an unbelievable total of 220km in length in a spider web pattern, just in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) alone.

Built during the latter part of the 2nd World War and used extensively during the Tet offensive in 1968 and then the horrendous Vietnam War.
This cover was invisible to us before the leaves were brushed away.

It may appear that I am struggling to either get in or get out. The scarlet colour of my face should give an indication of the urgency I felt to get out. It was a truly an emotional and overwhelming experience being here.

One of the exposed entry points to the labyrinth of tunnels. These entry points were heavily disguised.

Another entry and exit point to the tunnels.
These tunnels had several levels up to 10 metres deep. One level at 6 metres served a purpose that may have accommodated the living area while at another level would have been meal preparation.

The small hole at the front bottom of this otherwise innocuous ant mound is in fact a breathing hole that allows fresh air to access the tunnels. The mound is nowhere near the tunnel entrance.

One of the impossibly cruel traps to ensnare enemy soldiers. The spikes are usually covered in faeces or poison and are secured on a spinning axle.
Once a soldier fell through the camouflage of leaves and branches, the spinning spiked wheels would soon grab and pierce the limbs causing unspoken pain and most probably death. This was one of many traps of different methods but similar outcomes.

Not quite clear to see but at the bottom of this pit are bamboo spikes embedded into the ground with razor sharp edges pointing upwards.
Again, the tips are were coated in faeces or poison.

Disguised amongst the bush here is an outlet that allows the smoke from the internal kitchen to dissipate without revealing the location of the source of the smoke, hence the tunnel entrance.