Long Tan & Nui Dat

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A man asked me once why I was here in Vung Tau. Obviously it is off the tourist route and very few people know much about it. I on the other hand had heard words like Vung tau, Long Tan & Nui Dat for as long as I can remember.
I knew there was a country called Vietnam before I knew the name of any other country in my young life.

My father is a Vietnam Veteran who served with the Royal Australian Airforce.
He first went to Phan Rang to work on the Canberra Bombers with 2 Sqn. The squadron won a Presidential Citation in Vietnam. They came home so he was transferred to Vung Tau, 9 Sqn Hueys.
He was in a guarded contonment at Vung Tau Airstrip. He flew with the choppers to Nui Dat & acted as a duty crew. They could get into Vung Tau, but there was a night time curfew.
In my fathers words "MEMORIES - YOUNG - NOT SO INNOCENT".

In the last 10 years I have followed my fathers committment to his "brothers" all of which are members of the VVMC North Queensland (Vietnam Veterans Motorcyle Club) and my father (Pedro) is the current president.
During the years I joined with fellow members and associates as we toasted the colours (Club Colours) and remembered those who never returned (from war) and those that have since passed.

So, my answer was simple to the gentleman that asked me why I was in Vietnam,
"Vietnam has been in my life, my whole life. It was time to meet her"

Apart from taking the tourist route and visiting the local attractions, I wanted to firstly introduce myself to Vung Tau. Walk on the streets where my father walked, trudge through the plains at Nui Dat where he was based and also visit the rubber plantation of Long Tan where on the 18th August 1966, 18 Aussie Soldiers Lost their lives. I have been aware of Long Tan Day in Australia & now I wanted to visit the area and relearn the actual events of that day.

I was fortunate enough to visit Nui Dat & Long Tan with a Vietnam Veteran who was actually in the Battle of Long Tan and is also a friend of my fathers. His name is Breaker.

I have included some photos of my visit to these areas but for a more desciptive account of the battle of Long Tan, I have included a link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Long_Tan
I have checked the information in this site and it seemed quite similar to the story Breaker had told me.
if anyone has another site to add to this blog entry please leave it in comments and I will include it in the main body of the blog.

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Photos

Breaker
No matter how many times the story is told, it is always emotional. We all share tears amoung the trees.

Viet Cong Caves
Tucked away everywhere. Caves like this were schools, hospitals, official meeting centres etc

Main Air Strip Nui Dat
This old airstrip is now a main road through this village. There is a school at the end of the strip where the children play on the old ripple tarmac.
The school was rebuilt by the local Australian Vietnam Veteran residing in Vung Tau

Plaque
This plaque can not be kept on site, it has to moved and kept in a secure place and brought out on visits by the tour guide, Breaker. This is a result of previous theft.

Comments

[Mum]

Memories
Well, Dad is yet to read, he is a little hesitant only because he wants time on his own to gather memories...Breaker looks well, please say hello and hug him for me. Great photos again and you do write very well Min, bought back memories. Seeing you standing at Long Tan Battle Field/ Nui Dat. How extraordinary, being 40 years after Dad was there in Vietnam... love ya..xx

[darryl learhinan]

interesting blog ,as i served in vietnam 7rar 70/71 2nd tour,am contemplating making my first trip as a tourist, in the not too distant future,it will be interesting what emotions revisiting will bring out

[darryl learhinan]

interesting blog ,as i served in vietnam 7rar 70/71 2nd tour,am contemplating making my first trip as a tourist, in the not too distant future,it will be interesting what emotions, revisiting will emerge within.