I got picked up at 6am this morning from Hue for a day trip of the DMZ (De-Militarised Zone). This is the area which surrounded the dividing line between North and South Vietnam and contrary to its name was probably the most militarised area during the war.

We were first taken for breakfast and then spent 2 hours driving to Dong Ha and along Highway 1 where we stopped by a monument for people who are missing in action. From there we crossed Ben Hai River which was the division line between the north and south. The main sites of interest are spread around quite far so we spent a lot of time driving! After going through a rubber tree plantation we arrived at Vinh Moc Tunnels which were probably the most interesting part of the day. They were built for the local people to live in during village bombings and they also served as a network and supply route. They are very complex and there are three different levels which include sleeping quarters, a weapon storage area and even a maternity ward where 17 children were born. Four hundred people could be accommodated in them and they served their purpose so well that no one living in them was killed.

From the tunnels we took a coastal road along the South China Sea back to Dong Ha where we had lunch and then went along Highway 9. We passed the Rockpile upon which there was a US lookout during the war and then we stopped at Dakrong Bridge which was the start of the Ho Chi Minh supply route. We then carried on through beautiful mountainous roads to Khe Sanh combat base which is often referred to as 'hell on earth'. This is because of the atrocious fighting and death that went on there on there in 1968. There is a small museum there as well as some abandoned US aircraft.

I got dropped off at Dong Ha along with another couple who are getting the sleeper bus to Hanoi so we've got to wait a few hours now.