Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, February 26th 2024
Today we had a full day of exploration, starting in the Cu Chi Tunnels.
This is an extensive underground network that played a crucial role during the Vietnam War. Originally dug during the French colonial era, the tunnels were expanded and utilized by the Viet Cong, the communist guerrilla fighters, against American and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War.
The Cu Chi Tunnels served as a strategic military base, midway between Saigon and the Cambodian border, providing shelter, storage, and communication routes for the Viet Cong. The complex network included living quarters, storage rooms, hospitals, and even command centers, allowing the guerrilla fighters to carry out surprise attacks and evade enemy forces.
Our guide gave us a vivid description of to tactics and counter-tactics to keep the system operational, including traps that was aimed at wounding and demoralizing the US troops.
The winners write the story, and this tour gave us insight into the Vietnamese viewpoint of winning against the odds. Even though it is now aimed at tourists, and 50 years ago, looking back gave us a vivid picture of the immense everyday struggles and terrors of this war.
During the day we had a bit of driving, but got to visit a workshop where artists suffering of the aftermath of Agent Orange, the infamous defoliation chemical used to destroy forest hideaways during the war.
Our second stop of the day was on the other side of life, getting a glimpse into the produce of the fertile lands of the Mekong Delta.
We set out to visit two islands in the delta, where the first stop was at a coconut candy factory, where we also got the chance to taste “snake wine” – a mix of snakes and other goodies soaked in rice wine. I’ve had better, I’ve had worse – watered out for tourist gimmick.
The Mekong delta has all sorts of fruits growing, and we got to sample a lot of different ones, also with the advice to dip some of them in salt or chili salt to enhance the flavour.
After the fruit tasting and music we were given the opportunity to ride an even smaller boat through narrow canals. As they drive their boats the same way they drive their scooters it was smart to keep the hands inside the boat.
Our last stop was at a bee farm, where they also kept a small pet for willing and unwilling tourists to engage with.
It was a very long day, so when I got back all I could foster of energy went into going to a Pho restaurant to sample the southern style – it was delicious!
It feels sad to leave Vietnam – this is a fascinating and diverse country, and I feel sure I will return here quite soon.
Our path leads us to Singapore next, for our last stop of this trip.
This blog post is part of the Indochina trip 2024 – see other blogs from the same trip
Pellereiser 