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Vietnam Historical Trip. Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City

From the First Indo-China war, it was a long history. Back then in 1955, Vietnam involved in the Second Indo-China war that lasted almost 19 years. It is much towards the Communist alliances backed by the Russian in the north by the American and its alliances in the south. Vietnamese referred it as the war against the America.

The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped to counter the growing American military effort. ~ Wikipedia

Today, we visited one of the most prominent open-air war museum, the tunnels of Củ Chi. Approximately 60 kilometers outside the Saigon city, we arrived at the site after two-hours. Upon arrival, we were briefed about the Viet Cong base camp. Then, we were divided into a smaller group that leads by a tour guide, who guided us to explore how the Viet Cong lived and fought underground in these intricately constructed tunnels. Among the interesting spot was the hidden entrances, traps, bunkers, hospitals, and kitchens, that were used by the Viet Cong troops.



A bobby trap with punji sticks in the inside
We didn't dare to get into the trap door
It's about time to get into the ground
Aduhhh... bagi la makcik duduk pulak


An act of preparing the booby traps bomb

Apart from experiencing to crawl in the tunnels, you also can try ire an AK-47 rifle on a shooting range and even eat a meal featuring typical foods that soldiers living in the tunnels would have eaten.

Who wants to order soldier's boot
A hospital with one or two beds
It was dark, narrow and hard-to-breath tunnel
A variety size of the bomb shell dropped by B-52 bombers
Fully loaded 
We had shark fin soup for lunch today

While the clinging spirit of the Vietnamese is symbolized by the tunnel, the War Remnant Museum depicts great history lesson of the struggling against the invading forces. Pictures of bodies blown to pieces, children crying over their dead parents body and every other gruesome scenery. We could feel the sorrow and tears shed of the people fate.

A visit that mostly comes after the Chu Chi tunnel
One way to deter the American propaganda
Display of weaponry collection
They were the victims of US nuclear weapons
The US F-5A fighter
It was a prison, picture below (left) guillotine and (right) alleged convicted condition

It is norm for the local to wear face mask

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