Today was a spare day outside of our wider tour of Vietnam, so we decided to take an independent trip to see the Cu Chi tunnels.
The Ben Duoc tunnel was a base of the Regional Party Committee of Saigon, where the Viet Cong and the guerrilla militia lived and fought in the war against the Americans. It’s a unique architecture with a system of tunnels deep in the ground, used for accommodation, meetings and fighting. The tunnel system highlighted the resilience of the Viet Cong along with their intelligence as a symbol of revolutionary heroism against the American army.
The ingenuity of the Viet Cong in fighting the Americans on their terms and using surprise as a key weapon is astounding. Throughout the tunnel system were small man holes where they could appear to pop up out of nowhere. We each got the chance to hide in the small tight holes, which have in fact been enlarged by up to 30cm in width to accommodate the larger wider Western tourists.
The tunnels linked various villages and homes, with differing routes, often zig zagged to avoid discovery. As a result two or three Viet Cong would spring out and surprise American soldiers, then disappear again like ghosts.
The Viet Cong would communicate to each other using gun fire, and would remain disguised throughout battle so no one could recognise them and betray them to the Americans. They even wore back to front shoes, giving the impression that their footprints were going in the opposite direction to cause more confusion and send the Americans going the wrong way when searching.
More man traps causing death or at best serious injury/maiming. These long sharp spikes were shaped to impact arms, legs and the torso.
After viewing the Viet Cong traps, we were then introduced to the confronting noise of the firing range, where we were given the opportunity to fire some serious guns. This proved to be incredibly loud and mental to watch. Boys with their toys springs to mind!
We then got the opportunity to crawl through a section of the tunnels. It was so claustrophobic and hot down there, not a pleasant environment even for a few minutes, never mind the many hours the Viet Cong must have spent in all weathers and conditions.
As we walked back through the jungle it was interesting to see the diversity of the plants and trees, all of which have re-established themselves after the area was flattened by heavy bombing, napalm gases and flame throwers as well as Agent Orange spray.
The area covered by the tunnel network extends to over 250km, most of which is still in existence but with limited access.
On our way to Saigon we stopped at a local factory where disabled locals work on the production of wooden etched laminated artworks.
The quality of the art was very impressive and of a high quality. Sadly due to our ongoing travels we weren’t in a position to buy.
Once back in Saigon we went to visit one of the monuments to Ho Chi Minh.
With all that walking and culture, a coffee and dessert were much needed. We found a great place Miyama, selling strong coffee with cheesecake.
After purchasing some traditional Vietnamese fold up cards, we headed to the old post office to get local stamps and send them back to family at home, the old fashioned way.
Next door to our hotel, is a shop selling accessories for cats and dogs, as well as the real thing too. We got to hold & play with some of the prized animals who were oddly dressed in clothes and a nappy.
Coco at home?!!
At 6pm tonight we had our meet and greet for the Cambodian section of our tour. We have three new members, all female, two from the US and one for London. It’s good to have some fresh faces and we are looking forward to get to know them over the next week before we return to Thailand.
Tonight’s dinner was at Home Saigon, where we both had the best local food we’ve experienced since arriving in the city. A good way to finish our stay, as tomorrow we head to the border with Cambodia and say goodbye to Vietnam. We’ve loved our brief stay in this fine country and look forward to returning in the near future.
@travellingwiththeateam 