Cu Chi Tunnels

Today we headed north west of HCMC to visit the tunnels.  The Viet Cong had built a huge network of tunnels - 250km to help them fight against the Americans during the war.



It was fascinating to learn how they lived; hiding the evidence of their cooking smoke through a series of filters so it was impossible to see when it emerged from the earth.  We saw examples of the traps they made from bamboo or the metal and rubber left by the US.  They also engineered the traps so the light Viet Cong could run over them whilst the heavier Americans would fall in.

Then we had the opportunity to shoot an AK47.  Scott, James and Emma all had a turn.  In a country where everything is cheap this was not at $4 per shot!

We were back by midday and headed out to get a banh mi for lunch followed by a nap and a swim in the pool.

Later in the afternoon we headed to Ben Thanh market to buy bags and clothing.  A big indoor market , it’s full of people calling out to you and pouncing if you show the slightest bit of interest in their goods. A bit of gentle haggling and we emerged with our purchases.

For dinner we heading back to District 10 to eat with the locals.  Vietnamese pizza, skewers of squid, chicken and pork and potato tornados. James even tried his first bbq chicken foot. Delicious food, cooked and eaten outside amongst noise, lights and smells.




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