Tunnel Rat is a slur used to describe Vietnamese in a derogatory way. They used to dig interconnected series of tunnels through which they would live.
The word Tunnel Rat is a racial slur that has been used historically to degrade and dehumanize vietnamese. The word is still used by some people for this purpose, and it is seen as offensive and hurtful to vietnamese. If you are unsure about whether or not it is appropriate to use the word Tunnel Rat, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid using it in any situation.