Ho Chi Minh: Into the Tunnel

Ep.55

7^th-9^th August 2012

“Culture is the sum of all the forms of art, of love, nd of thought, which, in the coarse or centuries, have enabled man to be less enslaved” – Andre Malraux.

SGN – Saigon, Vietnam.

into the tunnel

Continued…

Here is the climax of our Vietnam trip: The Cu Chi Tunnels. The first thing crossed my mind about this place was my own phobia. I was a little bit claustrophobic (scare of tiny places), even thought it wasn’t a severe or extreme one, but it did suffocate me to be in closed little room. Those tunnels were puny! Could I ever fit in it? 

jungle

The bus took us for about another 1 hour from the Cao Dai Temple to The Cu Chi Tunnel. The tunnels of Củ Chi are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Củ Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. The tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, and were the Viet Kong’s base of operations in 1968.

straight on

The tunnels were used by Viet Kong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Kong in their resistance to American forces, and helped achieve ultimate military success.

some old train station

The tour guide explained to us about the history of the tunnels in one of *what it seems like* the underground meeting places. He explained *still in strong Vietnamese accent* how smart and tactful the Viet Kog army resist the American army. I do amazed by the basic strategy that they came up with. The two-sided sandals that can lead your enemy in the wrong direction, the booby traps that was conventional yet deadly, the four level tunnels to hide from Americans and still its puny. But the most interesting is the way they made the tunnel air supply to be sufficient enough. We were talking like the whole city underground. It was dark, damp and yet they could live and stand for their nation. The air hole were build and hidden in the least attractive part on ground. As we tour around, if its not because the tour guide point that out, I wouldn’t realize that there were air holes. 

glutton!

Next, we were guided to one of the tunnel. Under the piles of dried leaves, it appeared to be a rectangular lid in about the size of 25cmx40cm. When it was lifted up, it’s not a tunnel; it’s just a hole. It was mainly to hide during the war. The tour guide allowed us to try to hide inside. So Afree and I tried it out, not to forget snip and snap pictures. I was doubtful in the beginning that I would be able to fit, but it did fit. I can only stand for few seconds after the lid close. Soundproof, pitch black, and cold, that was the impression. Cool!

OMG its tight

Anyway, along the way we also saw a tank, and wax figure of Viet Kong soldiers. No wonder the tunnel and hole was so tiny, they were so small, in fact. We also had a chance to see few entrances to the tunnels that has been closed. Some traps that have been marked and the tour guide was actually explained how it works. I was amazed by how these people with limited resources could make that mechanical trap that is simple, I may say, but still got some style. Compared to what we got nowadays, the traps might look old fashioned, but I guess on its age, it was damn deadly. 

look who's having fun!

The tunnels are a popular tourist attraction, and visitors are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system. Some tunnels have been made larger to accommodate the larger size of Western tourists, while low-power lights have been installed in several of them to make traveling through them easier and booby traps have been clearly marked. Afree and I deliberately let everyone to went in first, not because we were that kind, but because we knew all along that we will be the busiest taking picture. Haha! I haven’t forgot about my claustrophobic issue, but there’s no way it gonna take me down. Face it is the only way to overcome something like phobia. So we did enter the tunnel. It was actually suffocating enough but I guess excitement overcome the phobia. It was so dark and the dim light help a bit compared to our cameras’ flash. It goes right, left, left, right, up, down, infirmary room, meeting rooms, etc. Damn! These men know how to live in a tunnel. Come on, this was purely interesting. I was like grinning ear to ear due to my happiness.

Duo Roomies

After we surfaced from the tunnel, we were welcomed by what they called traditional food during the war *can’t even pronounce it again*. It was something made from cassava with sugar and shaved coconut and it tastes good. We were guided to what it seems like a souvenir shop, with snack shop as well and there I saw my inner child jumping up and down inside me. They got a shooting range where visitors can fire a number of assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle or AK-47, as well as a light machine gun like the M60. Afree and I paid for 10 bullets of AK-47, 5 bullets each. 

shooting range!

Mufflers on! Camera on! And Action! Afree shot the first 5 bullets and when it came to my turn, it feels uh-may-zing! The aftershock after you pull the trigger of the rifle was just sensational. I felt I was in some kind of action movie. Even though I got the mufflers on, the sound of the shot still resonate. What an experience! I would do that again. I brag to Andrew about this one and he got all sulky because even though he was the one who was so into air soft gun sport, he only hold AK-47 which shot plastic bullet. And his sister here, hold a real one in the shooting range!
Video: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4408995988288&set=vb.1390368549&type=3&theater

i do see-a-food

Feel extremely happy, we left Cu Chi tunnel with full of good memories and knowledge. The tour drop us back to our hostel, but Afree and I directly went out for dinner. Tonight we were planning to enjoy our sidewalk seafood. Traditional cuisine. Some people might be afraid of getting food poisoning, lucky for me, my stomach is as strong as a steel and as flexible as a rubber. (God, writing all this blog made me realize how much did I eat along the trip, and that’s why I’m so piggy fatty now!). We decided on a sidewalk hawker seafood stall and ordering like crazy! We ate a lot and even ordered a second round. To finalized, we even stop by a coffee shop for dessert. 

parliament building

The next day, which is our last day, we decided to go one more round of shopping and afterwards to the parliament building. It was nothing much. Just like other governmental building that got huge meeting rooms and conference room. The garden, on the other hand, was very beautiful. Near to this parliament building, as we strolled around, there was a cathedral and a train station. From how it looks, it looks ancient enough. We took a picture here and there and as the time to leave for the airport closing in, we hail a taxi and went to the hostel to pick up our backpacks and leave to the airport. After we checked in, we stop for lunch in the cafetaria inside the airport and that’s covered the whole trip. 

cathedral!

It might be all of sudden and not as well planned, but we made it through. We will always find a way to work it out. My flat mate was an awesome travel partner, but no matter how much she consume and put into her mouth, her body remain skinny as for me, I turn into this garbage bag. Haha! Thank You Vietnam, we haven’t finish with you yet. Until next time!

“Best friend might not be a good travel partner, vice versa.” – Me.