We managed to rise early enough for breakfast then walk to the tour agency for our 8.15am bus to the Chu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels stretch over a network of 258km and are up to three levels deep. The tunnels were handmade by the Vietnamese people to fight against the Americans and ultimately defeat them. 
We had an awesome tour guide who had fought in the war and told his story with such enthusiasm it was as if it was the first time he had ever told it. His name was Mr Bean and he was a great character, his face told a thousand stories alone.
The surrounding area was covered with all sorts of booby traps and there was the eerie sounds of gun shots echoing around the forest as there was the opportunity for us to fire guns ranging from AK47’s, M16’s to M60’s… a big gun!
The tunnels are extremely narrow and small and we were able to crawl through 150m of them of which I ducked out after 30m as it was pitch black and difficult to breathe. From the tunnels we briefly visited a local factory where they made very expensive decorative art and furniture.
On our return to the city we hiked to the local super market to grab cheap snacks for lunch. All of which did not satisfy our craving for dairy milk. We relaxed in our air con room for a few hours then hiked to the classy end of town where the posh hotels are to a restaurant named the black cat which had been highly recommended on the internet, and rightly so!
We had burger and chips with strawberry iced milkshake and chocolate brownie dessert which totally hit the spot. We walked back along the main city park where being Saturday and now slightly cooler at 8pm there were thousands of locals enjoying themselves and playing with their children.
We sat on a wall and after minutes a couple of men approached us wanting to practice their English. After the initial wariness of pickpockets wore off we had a nice chat then were joined by Tai a 27 year old ACCA Accountant who’s English was better than mine! We chatted for ages then he agreed to join us for a beer where we continued our very interesting chat until late. It was great to hear his view on Vietnamese life and history together with the views of our war veteran tour guide earlier today.
The Vietnamese older generation are extremely passionate and proud of their country whereas the younger generation are more concerned with enjoying themselves and succeeding. I suppose this is true of most countries but it is very evident here.
We had an awesome tour guide who had fought in the war and told his story with such enthusiasm it was as if it was the first time he had ever told it. His name was Mr Bean and he was a great character, his face told a thousand stories alone.
The surrounding area was covered with all sorts of booby traps and there was the eerie sounds of gun shots echoing around the forest as there was the opportunity for us to fire guns ranging from AK47’s, M16’s to M60’s… a big gun!
The tunnels are extremely narrow and small and we were able to crawl through 150m of them of which I ducked out after 30m as it was pitch black and difficult to breathe. From the tunnels we briefly visited a local factory where they made very expensive decorative art and furniture.
On our return to the city we hiked to the local super market to grab cheap snacks for lunch. All of which did not satisfy our craving for dairy milk. We relaxed in our air con room for a few hours then hiked to the classy end of town where the posh hotels are to a restaurant named the black cat which had been highly recommended on the internet, and rightly so!
We had burger and chips with strawberry iced milkshake and chocolate brownie dessert which totally hit the spot. We walked back along the main city park where being Saturday and now slightly cooler at 8pm there were thousands of locals enjoying themselves and playing with their children.
We sat on a wall and after minutes a couple of men approached us wanting to practice their English. After the initial wariness of pickpockets wore off we had a nice chat then were joined by Tai a 27 year old ACCA Accountant who’s English was better than mine! We chatted for ages then he agreed to join us for a beer where we continued our very interesting chat until late. It was great to hear his view on Vietnamese life and history together with the views of our war veteran tour guide earlier today.
The Vietnamese older generation are extremely passionate and proud of their country whereas the younger generation are more concerned with enjoying themselves and succeeding. I suppose this is true of most countries but it is very evident here.
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