I found our visit to the Cu Chi tunnel system fascinating. It is part of a 200km network or tunnels used by the Viet Cong. The area was sprayed with Agent orange and heavily bombed by the US and several bomb craters are still evident. The displays of the traps that were set out are spine chilling.
Our guide Phuong demostrated entering one of the concealed tunnel entrances, as shown in the next picture…
This tiny hole was far too small for me to get through.
It was interesting to see the methods employed by the Viet Cong to conceal themselves from the enemy. There are demonstrations of smokeless cooking and preparation of tapioca a substitute for rice, which was in short supply during the war. Nothing was wasted by the Vietnamese and they converted old weapons into new. They recycled old tires into what became known as the “The Uncle Ho Sandal”.
There are tunnel entrances that must have been enlarged to allow access by tourist. As I worked my way down a section of the very small, very dark tunnel I wondered what it would be like to live in one. Everything was underground, living quarters, kitchens, hospitals and workshops for everything from uniforms to weapons.
I am old enough to remember watching the nightly news reports of the war here and seeing the fighting that occurred in this region. When you visit Vietnam it is well worth your time to visit here.
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