Monday, May 14, 2007

Cu Chi used to be a bitter battleground for many years during the Vietnam war. It is an intricate network of over 200km tunnels located at Ben Dinh, 50km from HCMC.

This labyrinth of interlaced tunnels is a well-known historic revolutionary site and an original monument set deep in the earth. It is built on many levels and has a lot of winding ways like a giant cobweb of 200km. It includes sections for living, dining, meeting and fighting.

The Tunnel Network represents the undaunted will, intelligence and pride of the Cu Chi people. It is a symbol of revolutionary heroism of the Vietnamese people. Due to this, Cu Chi has been bestowed the honorific title of "The Steel Land and The Bronze Citadel".

Upon entering level 1 of the tunnel (the widest tunnel), it was really stuffy and dark. To make matters worse, the Japanese family in front of us were taking photos in the tunnel, jamming the way out. I mean, can you imagine, the whole group was trapped there trying to crawl out of the tunnel and the Japanese parents and kids in front of us were trying to take pictures in the tunnel? Mummy and me were so annoyed. Nonetheless, it was a great experience to know how the Cu Chi people had felt back then, even though it was for a short while only.

We got back to Delta Adventure about 2pm and had lunch at a cafe around there. Rested in the hotel before heading out in the evening to An Dong Plaza, a shopping centre cum hotel at District 5, which is actually HCMC's Chinatown. The food there was great and we shopped a bit.

As it was Christmas, An Dong Plaza was donned with festive decorations and the surrounding was bustling with activities.

And so, we went home after An Dong Plaza. Gonna be a full day trip the next day!

Labels: Travel, Vacation, Vietnam