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Published: January 17th 2006
Well ive met up with the group and am my new room-mate is a chap called Tobi from Germany but i wont hold it against him!
The rest of the group are a good laugh and we all went out for a meal on the first night. Our New guide is called Hong and hes always lived in Vietnaam, Hanoi. The next day we head of to the war museum which basically involved a photo exhibition from all the photographers that got killed in the war. Its amazing to see how graphic and clear the photos are and hard to understand how they captured most of them. Shots over helicopters and fighter planes being shot down with the crew jumping out. There was a photo of vietnamese troops advancing before they killed the photographer taking their picture. Many scenes in the trenches and mid combat, with young medics patching up soldiers the best they can and attempting to resucitate others. There was many artifacts and remnants of the war in the museum and its effects to the people when exposed to Agent orange and other chemical warefare used.
A large folder of the names of photographers, and a brief background
before they died in the war was displayed and seemed endless.
Hong also told us a lot about the war and the reasons for it, from their side (after all it is a communist country). We then headed of to the
Cu Chi Tunnels are located approximately 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City centre in Cu Chi Rural District.
Characteristic: Cu Chi Tunnels consist of more than 200km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels.
Cu Chi District is known nationwide as the base where the Vietnamese mounted their operations of the Tet Offensive in 1968 until 1975.The tunnels are between 0.5 to 1m wide, just enough space for a person to walk along by bending or dragging. However, parts of the tunnels have been modified to accommodate visitors. The upper soil layer is between 3 to 4m thick and can support the weight of a 50-ton tank and the damage of light cannons and bombs. The underground network provided sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, hospitals, and other social rooms.
Also had the chance to shoot an AK 47 and for once
hit the target! A moose- in the ass to be precise!
We ventured through the grounds and learnt about how the tiny vietnamese people fought the americans with inhumane traps including hidden long rusty spikes and nails. Thousands of these traps still lay around the place so i stuck to the path like a pair of tights on Betty Legs Diamond!
From here we entered a tunnel which was tiny and dark- hard to believe these people survived for 20 years underground!
The next day involved a trip out to the mad Mekong Delta which was bustling with activity. We visited three islands just off it who made there own produce. One made rice paper and coconut sweets. we had a great meal - i held a huge python and then we head back to base.
That evening we boarded the night train and arrived in natrang early in the morning - thats where i leave you!
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He with style (not fashion)
non-member comment
Tunnels and tanks
Do not bring a tank home. Not seen you in the same tank top twice, have you a wardrobe with you. Garden needs doing so we will harness your tunnel skills. You look a bit like the organist at the Odeon, coming up out of the floor.