Russian Prime Minister Medvedev explores Cu Chi Tunnels during Vietnam visit

April 08, 2015 | 16:16

(0) user say

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has recently taken his first trip to Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the historic Cu Chi Tunnels in the most crowded Vietnamese city.

The Russian premier arrived in Vietnam on Sunday for an official visit that concluded on Tuesday.

Besides official activities yesterday, Prime Minister Medvedev was pleased to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels in Cu Chi District where he wore anón tai bèo (broad-brimmed cap) and a khăn rằn (striped scarf), the typical accessories of Vietnamese guerrillas in wartime, to explore the relic.

Only 60km from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are one of its most important historic tourist attractions.

Built by Vietnamese soldiers as shelter from U.S. troops during the war in Vietnam, the tunnels were used by local independence fighters as hiding spots during combat.

The tunnel complex also served as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches, and living quarters.

Prime Minister Medvedev listened carefully to local historical stories, especially how Vietnamese guerrillas lived in the tunnels during wartime.

Having a passion for photography and bringing along professional equipment, the Russian leader took photos of the spots he stopped by during the tour of the relic.

He visited the Reunification Palace in District 1 earlier the same day.

Prime Minister Medvedev touches a simple gun used by Vietnamese guerrillas in wartime during his visit to
the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City on April 7, 2015. The gun could only fire one shot at a time. Photo: Tuoi Tre