The boys think it’s absolutely bonkers the size of my shoes (which is valid), we guessed one would be maybe third from the bottom on this display of the shoes worn in the war. NB. Sandals made from tyres were worn so as not to slow them down or get them stuck with the Siagon river so close, something the Americans did not plan for,

View from the bunkers…

These are different brutal traps that the Vietnamese implemented to outsmart the Americans, each demonstrated to us using a big long stick the effects if one were to come across such thing.

These are air holes in which they would let the steam out in the mornings (as a result of the cooking done underground), only ever in the mornings though when misty so as not to rat themselves out.

Whilst these link up with parts of the tunnels these holes served more of a purpose in the war time for hiding out and surprise attacks. I was quiet easily able to fit into the hide out (though apparently widened by tourists) but once inside there isn’t much room to move. Also pictured is Joe peeping out and Sam being overly keen and getting comfortable inside.

Simple traps set up to catch and harm American soldiers

Pictured at the bottom is a photograph of a model displayed at the beginning stage of our tour. It shows a cross-sectional view of the tunnel design and probably the best way to get an idea of the design, but also where we crawled later on. The 1st level is completely functional; sleeping, eating, cooking and food storage and the second two are involved with war movements. They go as deep as 10-12 meters below the ground, taking (if my memory serves me correctly) 25 years to construct out of the perfectly hard, clay soils here in Vietnam. These tunnels stretch all the way to the Cambodian boarder, as a means to collect resources whilst within the war. Absolutely amazing!

Enroute to the tunnels we, and all other tour buses seemed to have a mandatory toilet stop at this “factory” and shop. Here we had men, women, girls and boys creating masterpieces, some making what looked like eggshell mosaic, others carving pearl into or creating paintings, some sawing and others polishing. All the items they were working on we’re displayed to be sold at an extraordinary price inside. A very Asian thing to do…