From the First Indo-China War, it was a long history. Back then in 1955, Vietnam was involved in the Second Indochina War that lasted almost 19 years. It is much towards the Communist alliances backed by the Russians in the north and by the Americans and their alliances in the south. Vietnamese referred to it as the war against America.
The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as providing 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 museums, the tunnels of Củ Chi. Approximately 60 kilometers outside the city of Saigon, 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 was led 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 spots were the hidden entrances, traps, bunkers, hospitals, and kitchens that were used by the Viet Cong troops.
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| A bobby trap with punji sticks in the inside |
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| We didn't dare to get into the trapdoor. |
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| It's about time to get into the ground |
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| Aduhhh... bagi la makcik duduk pulak |
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| An act of preparing the booby traps bomb |
Apart from experiencing crawling in the tunnels, you also can try firing 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.
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| Who wants to order soldier's boot |
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| A hospital with one or two beds |
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| It was dark, narrow and hard-to-breath tunnel |
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| A variety size of the bombshell dropped by B-52 bombers |
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| Fully loaded |
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| We had shark fin soup for lunch today |
While the clinging spirit of the Vietnamese is symbolized by the tunnel, the War Remnants Museum depicts a great history lesson of the struggle against the invading forces. Pictures of bodies blown to pieces, children crying over their dead parents' bodies, and every other gruesome scenery. We could feel the sorrow and tears shed for the people's fate.
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| A visit that mostly comes after the Chu Chi tunnel |
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| One way to deter the American propaganda |
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| Display of weaponry collection |
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| They were the victims of US nuclear weapons |
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| The US F-5A fighter |
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| It was a prison; picture below (left) guillotine and (right) alleged convicted condition |
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| It is norm for the local to wear face masks. |
From the First Indo-China War, it was a long history. Back then in 1955, Vietnam was involved in the Second Indochina War that lasted almost 19 years. It is much towards the Communist alliances backed by the Russians in the north and by the Americans and their alliances in the south. Vietnamese referred to it as the war against America.
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