Ho Chi Min City

An early wake up was well worth the visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. These are an immense network of underground tunnels with several floors and branches adding up to more than 250 km long. The tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War. They were used by the Viet Cong Soldiers as hiding spots during combat as well as food and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters.

We could go through one section of tunnels that was likely at least twice the size as many of the pathways. The deeper they went (some parts have 3 levels), the narrower they got. They would also be in complete darkness and those who dug them knew how to get around by memory. We look happy but both of us felt pretty claustrophobic. 

The tunnels were intentionally made extremely narrow for 2 reasons. First so that they were less likely to collapse and to prevent American soldiers fitting into them.

Example of one of many booby traps.

People would sleep, cook, bath and go to school in the bunkers. The kitchen would have long vents that released the smoke further away so that it wouldn't give away their position. During periods of heavy bombing they would be forced to stay underground for days with little air, food or water. 

An example of a hidden entrance to the tunnels.

We finished off another heavy the day in the backpacker area on my quest for some much anticipated Pho. We then walked through the Ben Thanh Night Market which is another bargaining spot for everything from clothes to souvenirs. There are also a ton of street food vendors which look pretty safe and delicious which means I have lots of eating to do in the next 2 weeks. 

Happy camper. 

Night Market.