Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh a Spellbinding Experience ~ Cruise Life

Day 5

Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon) is a city in southern Vietnam famous for the pivotal role it played in the Vietnam War.

Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi tunnels were not only home to thousands of Viet Cong guerrillas, but it was also a complicated structure consisting of numerous trenches, bunkers, booby traps, bomb shelters, and an amazing air ventilation system.

The tunnels were the focal point of this trip for me. A brief history is in order. Located some 37 miles to the northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi tunnel network is an extensive labyrinth of underground tunnels stretching all the way to the Cambodian border. They were built over a period of some 25 years and initial construction began in 1948 by the Viet Minh during the war against the French. Back then, the tunnels were a means of communication between villages and they also helped the Vietnamese evade French soldiers scouting the area.

To combat these guerrilla tactics, U.S. forces would eventually train some soldiers to function as so-called “tunnel rats.” These soldiers (usually of small stature) would spend hours navigating the cramped, dark tunnels to detect booby traps and scout for enemy troops.

We scheduled the shore trip with the cruise line, a very easy process. The tour company had the bus waiting for us at the dock to whisk us away. The tour guide had many real-life stories about after the Vietnam War, they were not sunshine and rainbows. He and his family spent years in a “Reeducation” Camps. His family was shot and killed trying to escape the country. This brought gravity to this vacation that I was expecting but not as intense.

Opening/Closing Time and Entrance Ticket Prices

Both Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc entrances have the same operating hours, however, have different entrance fees.

Opening hours: 8 AM to 5 PM every day, including Sunday!

Entrance ticket:
Ben Dinh: 110,000 VND/person (4.74 USD)
Ben Duoc: 90,000 VND/person (3.88 USD)

Interestingly, the tunnels that give you a better experience cost less. See what we mean when we say Ben Dinh is a tourist trap!

Things to do at the Cu Chi Tunnels

There are a bunch of things you can do at the Cu Chi Tunnels. Explore the area, go underground, watch documentaries, see exhibits, explore traps, take photos, and of course, shoot a gun!

When you enter, you will immediately be shown a video showing the lives of the Viet Cong and of the locals in the villages nearby were during the war. And then the exhibits begin.

Shooting Range

Both Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc have shooting ranges for tourists to shoot a few rounds. The catch is that you must be at least 16 years old, sorry Gabe.

The bullets are sold in sets, and each set has around 10 bullets of the same type. Here is the price list for different types of bullets sold:

• M16: 35,000 VND/1 bullet (1.6 USD)
• AK 47: 40,000 VND/1 bullet (1.8 USD)
• Machine gun M60: 40,000 VND/1 bullet (1.8 USD)
• Garand: 30,000 VND/1 bullet (1.4 USD)
• Machine gun M30: 30,000 VND/1 bullet (1.4 USD)
• Carbine: 25,000 VND/1 bullet (1.1 USD)

This is another sad part Mary only gave me 232,000 VND about $10 so I was only able to 10 rounds for the M30. It is still a sore subject for me to this day. The range had other people shooting so I was able to video them having fun!

Food

My God the food is SO good! Now we only had a day to try the food. To give it the proper gravitas I will insert an excerpt from ARANTXA GOMEZ’s blog.

1. Banh Beo – little flour pancakes topped with crunchy pork. Yummy!
2. Banh Cuon – steamed rice rolls filled with minced mushrooms and pork, super smooth!
3. Banh Xeo – fried crepes filled with many types of savory deliciousness. Try the one with prawns, it’s so good! The best place to try it is at Banh Xeo 46A!
4. Bun Cha – noodle soup with barbecued pork, fresh veggies and herbs. My favorite Vietnamese dish!
5. Pho Bo – Vietnamese noodle soup that consists of rice noodles and beef, Ho Chi Minh City’s style is sweeter and with fewer spices!
6. Vietnamese Coffee – there’s not much to say about this, it’s coffee, it’s Vietnamese, it’s delicious!
7. Banh Mi – A mix of the French and Vietnamese cuisine, affordable baguette sandwich with veggies, meat and pate! Vegetarian options available everywhere too! Check the ones at Banh Mi Huynh Hao!
8. Goi Cuon – The classic Vietnamese spring rolls, you have to try them!
9. Bun Bo Hue – beef and rice vermicelli noodle soup, a spicy central Vietnamese take on Pho!
10. Bun Mam – yummy fermented Vietnamese soup with fish and seafood.

David M.

David is a dad, husband, combat veteran, government employee, scuba diver, IT Pro, traveler, teacher, explorer, adventurer, en·tre·pre·neur, student and just an all around nerd. He lives with his wife Mary, son Gabriel, daughter Lillian, and mother-in-law Maria.

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