A scene at Saigon Bus Station
Before we arrived at the Cu Chi Tunnels, we had a stop at an art crafts center. In this center, people with different disabilities (like amputees) created wonderful works of art. You can see their final products displayed at their show room. Apologies for not taking pics at the products because we were not allowed to take pics inside the show room but we can take the pics on how the people made the products.
In no time, we arrived at the site.
Tunnel leading to the Cu Chi Tunnels
At the site, you can see different huts where you can watch short films about the history of this place and see artifacts like weapons. Spread across the site are different entrances to the tunnels.
One of the huts
One entrance to the tunnels
Afterwards, our guide takes us to a place where you can see the different booby traps that the Vietnamese soldiers used during the Vietnam War. Our guide also demonstrates (using a stick) how the person can be injured, be killed, or be impaled by the following traps.
Then we head to one of the huts where you can see the different weaponry used.
One of the huts
We then took a break from a souvenir shop inside the site. There is also a shooting range located next to it. If you ever come to this place and be surprised to hear several loud explosions, those are gunshot noises from the shooting range.
Souvenir Shop
It's time for the main event - entering the tunnels! The guide took us to a place where he suggested we should explore the tunnels. He instructed us the directions on where to get out of the tunnel network and meet with the rest of the group (Some people don't want to enter the tunnels). I couldn't take pictures inside the tunnel because my phone can't take photos while I'm using it's flashlight. This will tell you that it is dark inside. Also, the tunnels are narrow that you need to crawl or take small steps while squatting. Furthermore, if you're in there for a while, it tends to get hot. Once I got out of the tunnels, I was profusely sweating.
We then caught up with the rest of the group. We walked to the last location our guide wants us to go. As we walk along, the guide told us that the trees that we're seeing now are post-war. When the war happened, this place was just ground.
A watch tower
Smoke vents - the smoke comes from an underground kitchen where the soldiers cook their food during the war.
We arrived at one place where it seemed there's nothing on there. Then, our guide moved some leaves on the ground and revealed a secret entrance to the tunnels.
The hole is so small that only a few people can fit right in. I would not miss this chance. You can also enter the tunnel network here and exit nearby.
Such a small hole.
I fit in the hole!
That concludes our Cu Chi Tunnels Tour. We returned to Ho Chi Minh City for some last minute shopping as we don't have the time to do it the next day.
On the next day, we explored the sites around the Mekong River Delta.
See you guys later!
Check out my other Cambodia-Vietnam vacation posts here!
Day 0: Arrival In Cambodia - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2016/06/off-to-cambodia-day-0.html
Day 1: Siem Reap Day Tour - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2016/06/siem-reap-day-tour-day-1.html
Day 2: Places in Angkor - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2016/06/places-in-angkor-day-2.html
Day 3: Phnom Penh Stopover - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2016/07/phnom-penh-stopover-day-3.html
Day 4: Off to Ho Chi Minh City - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2016/07/off-to-ho-chi-minh-city.html
Day 6: Mekong River Tour - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2016/07/mekong-river-tour.html
No comments:
Post a Comment