A very early morning to beat the tourists to the tunnels of Củ Chi, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in Cu Chi not far from Siagon.

The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters.  

It was interesting to hear their stories from their point of view, you had to stay neutral with feelings about the war and the side we fought from. The tunnels of Củ Chi did not go unnoticed by U.S. officials, however every operation didn't bring about the desired success; for instance, on occasions when troops found a tunnel, they would often underestimate its size. Rarely would anyone be sent in to search the tunnels, as it was so hazardous. The tunnels were often rigged with explosive booby traps. The two main responses in dealing with a tunnel opening were to flush the entrance with gas, water or hot tar to force the Viet Cong soldiers into the open, or to toss a few grenades down the hole and "crimp" off the opening. This approach proved ineffective due to the design of the tunnels and the strategic use of trap doors and air filtration systems.  

We crawled 10 metres of the tunnels to experience how it felt to live or travel in these tunnels, (this was rather scary, I was glad to be out sooner than later, as the tunnels were so narrow), we saw the seriously nasty booby traps and how they worked, the hidden air vents and how food cooked without almost no smoke rising from purpose built vents.

Although interesting how the Viet Cong actually worked out how to achieve what they did, and accepting they were only protecting themselves, you couldn’t help but feel a presence of war whilst there, it didn’t help when, you can (tourists) fire a variety of Vietnam War era weapons at the shooting range and can hear them going off as you tour the area with the guide. Dad and I didn’t like the feeling and Dad in particular thought about some close friends/family he knew that fought in the Vietnam war and got very upset.

It was a good hour and half to the tunnels and back, so a nice coffee at the cafe opposite the hotel was required, a bite to eat then we were off again at 2.30pm for the Saigon City Tour.

We started at the Independence Palace - Reunification Palace, home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, it was also the site of the end of the Vietnam War, on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese tank crashed through its gates.

From here we visited the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the late 1880s by French colonists, followed by a wander into the Central Post Office closeby, perfectly preserved with as much style as when it first opened in 1891. The building designed by the same architect as the Effieal Tower - was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris.   

Next stop was to the Emperor Jade Pagoda, in Chinatown, our Tour Director made an offering – for safe travels for the Travelmarvel group, by hanging an incense spring with a note on it.

Lastly the shopping stop, at the famous Ben Thanh Market, a big indoor tourist market with everything you can buy but you won’t need it when you get home.   What I did buy, it was fun to barter – for what I was prepared to pay.   We got some lovely fresh dried mango, pineapple and kiwi fruit for upcoming river cruise.

We were back at the hotel by 6pm, then it was room service dinner and a short walk to the opera house to see the live show called A O Show, a very clever production, presenting life in Vietnam in a modern way, amazing choreography, staging, live vocals and incredible use of props.