TED-Ed: The infamous and ingenious Ho Chi Minh Trail - Cameron Paterson

The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a crucial supply route for North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Initially a network of dirt roads, it evolved into a sophisticated system that played a key role in the Communist victory. Despite harsh conditions and U.S. bombing, the trail was expanded and improved, reducing travel time significantly. The trail's success was due to the resilience and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people, and it is considered a major achievement in military engineering.

What was the primary role of the Ho Chi Minh Trail during the Vietnam War?

• To act as a border between North and South Vietnam

• To provide a trade route for local businesses

• To serve as a tourist attraction

• To supply weapons and troops to the South

What were some of the challenges faced by the first troops using the Ho Chi Minh Trail?

• Shortage of weapons

• Harsh conditions and threats from wildlife

• Frequent attacks by enemy forces

• Lack of communication devices

By 1965, how did the transportation of supplies change on the Ho Chi Minh Trail?

• Supplies were carried by animals

• Trucks were used to transport supplies

• The trail was abandoned

• Supplies were transported by air

What strategy did Vietnamese forces use to deceive U.S. aircraft?

• They used underground tunnels

• They tricked aircraft into bombing mountainsides

• They built fake roads

• They used camouflage nets

How did the local villagers contribute to the maintenance of the Ho Chi Minh Trail?

• By donating materials to repair roads

• By providing food for the soldiers

• By offering medical assistance

• By building bridges