We had booked a tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels which are just outside the city. These tunnels were used by the Viet Cong during the war to live and hide whilst fighting the USA occupying forces.
We waited in our hotel to be picked up between 8 and 9am but by 9.15 we were still waiting. The end result was that we had been forgotten and therefore no tunnels for us. We leave tomorrow so no chance of going another day. Never mind.
Instead we went to the ” War Remnants Musuem “. A strange name but basically it tracks the Vietnam War from their perspective i.e the USA were definitely the aggressors killing and maiming millions of innocent men, women and children. There are graphic images of the results of mass bombing, napalm, chemicals and the herbicides used for defoliation. Children are still being born today with deformities as a result of these chemicals etc.
There are images from the main POW camp on a nearby island showing the cells, torture chambers and even an old French guillotine.
All in all a very depressing place graphically showing the stupidity of the war and how we treat fellow human beings. You would of thought that the 2nd WW would put an end to this form of mass killing and torture.
Although depressing it was also very moving and a place we had to see whilst in this part of the world.
Some of the American firepower on show. Even with this little lot they could not defeat the VC who had virtually none at all.
Sums it all up I suppose
Although communism still prevails in Vietnam a heavy price had to be paid and I suspect they are still feeling the long term effects not only from the years of French colonial rule but then the years of the war with the USA. This appears to be a pretty poor country all be it a fascinating one to visit.
Off on the bus to Phnom Penh, Cambodia tomorrow .
Came across this little street thingy going on. You never know what ‘s around the corner
