Christmas/New Year - Vietnam (part 2)

So we originally had 2 full days in Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon.  However early on I got notification that our flight got moved from a 7PM flight up to 1PM so that pretty much cut our trip short.  Time to re-think our plans.  For sure we wanted to see the Cu Chi Tunnels, the War Remnants Museum and if time the Reunification Palace...

So let's hit the tunnels first.  I'd never been but heard they are cool and amazing that people lived and fought from them.  Well they were right!  This was unbelievable to say the least.  The tunnels were super small and word is they were opened up about 20cm's just to be used for foreign tourists.  The start of the tour starts out pretty "Anti-American' to be kind, so we joked that we were Canadian!

Our guide showing us one of the incredibly small tunnels that is hidden under the natural growth and leaves...

Disappearing one step at a time..but notice he is pretty small in stature.

Magic, disappearing act!!!!

TP and I were the only ones in our group to give it a try.  I didn't think I had a chance to even get my hips through let alone my upper body but the key was to bring your shoulders in tight as you went down, plus moving your legs forward into the hidden space.  So mission accomplished...sort of!  As soon as I had the lid down I got instantly freaked out and wanted out of there!  Well that means I opened my shoulders back up which made it increasingly difficult to get out.

A few wicked examples of hidden traps that wouldn't necessarily kill but would severely injure and trap Americans.

This one was weighted and when you fell in those spears on the side came out and went right into the midsection.  Ouch!

A revolving torture piece!

Literally all this fighting going on in the jungle.  It's a wonder that the US felt we had a chance to win this war on their turf!

The bandana/scarfs on the fighters symbolized where they were from, so even if they weren't in fatigues they would be recognized as to which side they were on.

This captured US tank shows more than it's fair share of bullet holes.

TP with our guide showing just a slight difference in size.  Can you imagine me next to that guy?

They even had a shooting range to fire a variety of guns used in the war including the AK-47

 Additionally there was a 100meter tunnel we could go through.  These tunnels were incredibly complex and well thought out.  However they were so small, dank and humid that taking photos in them was all but impossible.  The guide advised that there were exits every 20 meters but we could go 100m if we wanted.  Well all I got through was 20m before I had to get outta there!

On to the War Remnants Museum.  This museum had all sorts of planes, tanks, bombs, etc that were recovered, along with 4 floors of photos telling the story of the war.  It was very anti-American and nearly made me sick to my stomach.  Many of the photos were actually donated by American's so it wasn't all anti-American.  However when you got to the photos of what happened to villages afflicted with Agent Orange it was all I could do to stay and keep reading.

Personally I think the only way to do this visit is to take 2-3 days but cover it 1/2 day at a time.  It's too overwhelming otherwise and emotionally draining.  You simply can't make it through...

 

One of the fighter planes left behind.  It's amazing how small and cramped these planes are.  Especially if you compare to commercial flights on large planes like 777, 747, A340, etc.

They also had all sorts of examples of the torture chambers and prisons.  What was done to those captured is truly sickening.

The reunification Palace was used as a governmental headquarters and home for some time...

 

Those red circles on the roof top helicopter landing pad indicate where bombs actually landed destroying large parts of the interior.

A view from the other side of the Palace looking into what is currently downtown Ho Chi Minh.

Currently Ho Chi Minh is a bustling city of about 9 million people up from a max of 2million before/during the war.  If you ever thought you had seen scooters before, let me tell you, you haven't!  No photo can capture the amount of silent scooters weaving in and out of traffic EVERYWHERE!  Crossing the street is an adventure to say the least.  It's like a game of Frogger.  Best suggestion is to follow along on the side of a local as they navigate the steady stream of scooters.

A mom and her daughter, cool as can be with the sunglasses on!

Fresh flowers anyone?  She just peacefully and without concern walks the streets selling away.

One of the local restaurants cooking away.

Nothing better than cold beers and peanuts on a street corner watching the traffic.  We literally were there for close to two hours just people and scooter watching!

From our same view with the Tiger beer.

The tallest building in HCMC with an observation deck on the left.  Unfortunately because of the flight change we never made it there.

The Christmas tree at the Sheraton.  A bit nicer than the no bed sheet hostel that we were booked at...

Getting ready for New Year!  The celebration was bound to be huge in HCMC as we saw some of the preparations while there.  Alas this wasn't going to be our place for new years.

Santa has obviously had enough of traveling and passing out gifts this Christmas season.  He decided to drink heavily and pass out in Ho Chi Minh City!  A job well done St Nick!

 Enough with HCMC, now it's off to Nha Trang...