Paying a Visit to Uncle Ho

We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City late at night, passed out, and had an early morning start for the Cu Chi Tunnels and War Remnants Museum.

The Cu Chi tunnels are underground passage ways used by the Vietnamese during the Vietnam War to evade the Americans. Because the Americans had destroyed the vegetation, leaving the land barren, the Vietnamese had to figure out a way to prevent themselves from being exposed and killed.  People ate, slept, and travelled through the tunnels during the day, and only came out at night. The original tunnels are so tiny that most average North Americans can't fit inside, but they had a widened 100m segment nicknamed the "Eurotunnel" for visitors to experience what it may have been like to live in tight corners. The tunnel was quite claustrophobic, with narrow portions and areas where we had to climb vertically up or down to continue. Luckily, there were lights to guide us and exits every 10m for people who were overwhelmed in the confined space. We made it through the entire length, some parts holding hands, other parts coaching each other on deep breathing. 

The Vietnamese made booby traps on the surface as well as in the tunnels for intruders. There was no light in the tunnels, but the Vietnamese had maps that helped them remember where each trap was located. We were able to see the various traps and how they worked. 

Another interesting part about the tunnels was the ventilation system, which consisted of holes leading to the surface located at the base of termite hills. The Americans had dogs that were trained to sniff out these holes, so they could put toxic gas in them and kill the masses. The Vietnamese covered a portion of the hole with cloth mixed with shampoo to mislead the dogs, as this resembled the smell of Americans themselves. 

There was a shooting range where tourists could experience what it's like to shoot a real gun. We shot AK47s, three bullets each, at empty bottles in the distance. It was scary, but exhilarating at the same time. We felt like we were in the Hunger Games. KE hit one of the bottles, and we each got to keep an empty shell as a souvenir. 

The best part of the Cu Chi tunnel visit was a Vietnamese war veteran who taught us about the war and described his personal experience. He was a cute little old man, who had been shot in both the arm and leg (with scars to prove it) while fighting from the Cu Chi tunnels. He required both medical and surgical care, and spent three months recovering in another tunnel outside of the war zone. IN A TUNNEL!! And to top it off, he went back to help fight the war. What a guy!

Our next stop was the War Remnants museum, where we learned more details of the Vietnam War. The Austrian President was visiting the museum at the same time. There was a large delegation from Austria, with high security, body guards, and nice cars parked outside with both the Austrian and Vietnamese flag.  

We didn't realize how extensive the war was or the enormous impact it had on the Vietnamese, even today. Apparently the majority of American citizens were protesting the war, and countries around the world had openly condemned the war as well. Millions of people died, and many more suffered needlessy. There was even a newspaper article about an American soldier who refused to return to the war, and chose prison over fighting. There were also articles about people who had burned themselves to death in protest. 

There were many touching exhibits. For example, an American soldier had donated all of his medals after the war, with a note that read 'I'm sorry. I was wrong.' 

One of the most emotional exhibits was on Agent Orange, a defoliant with excessive amounts of dioxin, a substance that causes cancer and birth defects. This was sprayed in various parts of Vietnam, and the after effects have been devastating. Birth defects range from neurological disorders, to missing limbs, eyes, and organs. The second and third generations of both the exposed American and Vietnamese, many of which are around our age, are still suffering the consequences of this substance. There was even a letter on display recently written to Obama from a 22 year old requesting aid for victims of agent orange. We stopped by a factory where victims of agent orange made handcrafted art, with the proceeds going towards helping their cause. It is inspiring what some of these disabled individuals have achieved in their lives, from being musicians, to artists, to teachers. 

Tomorrow we fly to Cambodia, with the families and victims of the war in our thoughts. 

EGF