Saigon Day 2

 Had a great nights sleep, but up at 6 for an early breakfast then a 2 hour bus trip to Cu Chi tunnels. The number of motor bikes/scooters is hard to imagine. There are wave after wave of riders as the lights change, though not all obey the traffic signals. If they can sneak through against the lights they will. On the way out our guide informed us that a typhoon off the Philippines was due to hit Ha Long bay, he thinks John and Kaye will be just in front of it - hope so! 

Our guide talks to us about war involving the French and the US. Duc explained how family members ending up fighting against each other. Some moved north to fight the French, but then the north would not let them return and they were then trained to fight the US. It was very complicated and tragic when families including husbands and wives were separated for 20 to 30 years. Some had even remarried.

We watch a film which was pure propaganda from the Viet Cong side. While it is difficult to condone the type of warfare from the US - carpet bombing, agent orange and the use of naplam, the Viet cong were not entirely blameless in the fighting. Wiping out families of the south Vietnam supporters. The south wanted a western style govt. but Ho Chi Minh was steadfast in his communism having aligned with Stalin and Chairman Mao, and that is why the south Vietnamese asked for support from the US. Plus the US were concerned about the spread of Communism to all of Indochina. Just like in Ukraine those fighting to save their homeland were more resilient, resourceful and determined. The booby traps were deadly and as we walk through the area you could imagine how dangerous it was in that terrain. There are a number of bomb craters and bits of shrapnel everywhere. We learn all about the tunnels and different levels. Some were originally built by the south Vietnamese in their rebellion against the French. They were expanded upon by the VC after they infiltrated the south.

We get to go down one of the tunnels, only three of us have a go. It is narrow and low. You have to duck walk but after a few metres I continued on my hands and knees. It is very hot in the tunnels. While all this is going on there is continual gun fire in the background. Tourists can purchase to shoot a few rounds in a shooting range. It is loud and repetitive and increases your experience  of what it must have been like to be here during the war.

We then head back to Saigon and lunch. For lunch Ann has chicken and noodles and I have chicken and fried rice. Ann does a great job with the noodles and then we have spring rolls, a light meal but very tasty. We then walk to the market and have free time. The market is hot and noisy and everyone wanted wants you to buy from them. We give it a miss and head back to the hotel. After a short break we head off to Uniqlo and Zara which are nearby, I pick up a couple of shirts and Ann gets three tops at Zara.

After a shower we head off to the signature lounge for a couple of pre dinner drinks.