20Jul/090
Ho Chi Minh City War Tourism
Not many of us who have visited Vietnam recognized that the war was over in 1975 in this new country. Our knowledge of Uncle Ho's country may be limited to the films made in Hollywood Vietnam War, starring Chuck Norris or Sylvester Stallone.
Ho Chi Minh City is very dense population of approximately 6 million inhabitants. Walking down the streets of this city you can feel the sense of capitalists. Just imagine, outside the street, the advertising space seem crowded along the way that promotes all things-from consumer products such as beer until the state propaganda.
The Vietnamese colonized by the French from 1867 until 1957. Saigon became the capital of the French occupation covering an area of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam in the 19th century. Saigon City is built like a model cities in France. The characteristics that still seems to present such a wide boulevard, buildings French architecture, the majority Catholic population. Even on the outskirts of the way many vendors who offer a delicious iced coffee. Saigon River which divides the city also provides the added nuance of this vibrant city.
In addition to the beautiful natural scenery, the Vietnamese government offers to the tourist attractions of war. Two main objects are the Cu Chi Tunnels in Cu Chi Province, which is about 60 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, and the War Remnant Museum in the city.
Cu Chi Tunnels are one of the destinations visited by many people who want to see evidence of persistence of the communist Vietnamese against foreign troops, especially during the French, during the independence war and during U.S. troops invaded the country.
Entering the Cu Chi Province you can feel a peaceful village atmosphere.
The atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City is busy and frenetic. Invisible traces showing this area as the battleground of the most all-out bombardment of U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. Unlike Ho Chi Minh City, there are not many old buildings visible on either side of the road. The houses are still relatively young age. Similarly, the existing plant.
According to Phi, a tour leader who refused to mention his full name, this area at the height of the ground war by incessant bombing. In fact, the trees are all gone either due merangas bombed, napalm or due to Agent Orange flushing that is so poisonous and deadly.
But the story in the Cu Chi tunnels is not initiated during the Vietnam War. The tunnel had been built by local people as a form of resistance against French colonialism. At that time, the colonial develop rubber plantations in the region. This is what ultimately generates resistance and hatred of the Vietnamese people against the French. Finally, while doing resistance, residents build tunnels near their homes to hide when the French soldiers came to search for the men. This underground tunnel that led to French colonialism ended.
If you have the time, wander in the forest to see the tunnel, dead tanks, and dioramas depicting the activities of the guerrillas, such as weapons workshops, kitchens, hospitals, mines, and others. Everything is under ground. We even had a chance to try out in the 40-meter long tunnel, which was enlarged, with lamp lighting.
As a tourist, Cu Chi Tunnel was worth a goal. We will find the atmosphere of romantic war there, without realizing that in that location tens of thousands of people slaughtered in battle.
Not many of us who have visited Vietnam recognized that the war was over in 1975 in this new country. Our knowledge of Uncle Ho's country may be limited to the films made in Hollywood Vietnam War, starring Chuck Norris or Sylvester Stallone.
Ho Chi Minh City is very dense population of approximately 6 million inhabitants. Walking down the streets of this city you can feel the sense of