U.S. soldiers tasked with entering the Viet Cong tunnels were nicknamed “tunnel rats.” They had to crawl into pitch-black, narrow passages with only a flashlight and a pistol, not knowing if they’d face traps, snakes, or an enemy waiting. Some tunnels were deliberately infested with venomous creatures to slow intruders. | History Collection

The Viet Cong tunnel system, most famously the Cu Chi Tunnels near Saigon, was an extensive underground network stretching hundreds of kilometers that gave guerrilla fighters a vital edge during the Vietnam War. Dug by hand and often several levels deep, the tunnels contained living quarters, kitchens, hospitals, storage areas, and hidden entrances camouflaged to blend with the jungle. They allowed the Viet Cong to move undetected, launch surprise attacks, and withstand U.S. bombing campaigns, t