Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City

Yesterday we took a tour to the Cu Chi tunnels. Our guide was a Vietnam veteran fighting on the American side, so it was interesting to hear his take on events and how they dealt with the strategies of the Viet Cong. He had many stories to tell of why the Americans had it hard physically compared to the Viet Cong given they had distances to travel and heavy gear and how the environment was very much against them with hidden traps, a river and the jungle surrounding. The tunnels are amazing. I had no idea there were three levels of tunnels reaching to a depth of 10 metres. They had rooms for different purposes and even a special way to remove smoke from the tunnels so they would not be detected. At the end of the tour, you could fire some pretty hefty rifles! Needless to say, we did not choose that option. Instead, we sat and waited for others, had a corn on a cob with butter and salt and watched the rooster and chicks attempting to collect the fallen bits.

After a break back at the hotel in the aircon, we headed back out to explore the shops and have a cold beer. Then we were set upon! Bangles, fans, books, shoe polishing, massage and hammocks. Good grief. I bought from a street stall some amazing paper like noodles with all of the traditional flavourings plus chillies! It was delicious and all for 50cents N.Z.
We wandered along the streets just looking and taking in the environment before heading back for dinner. Out again when it was dark to Soho which is a cafe that supports getting disadvantaged people off the streets and into employment, teaching them skills. I had a foot massage and off to bed.