Having studied History throughout school and University, Vietnam and the 'Vietnamese war' has always intrigued me! Having spent our first week in the North of Vietnam (old communist regime) we had only experienced Old Vietnamese life, on our trip to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) we encountered something new. Another early start set us up for a 13 hour round trip from Hue (ancient capital of Vietnam) to our destination slap bang in the middle of Vietnam. Along Highway 1A
For a little bit of history, after the French had left Vietnam in 1954 they decided alongside Ho Chi Min at the Geneva conference to split the country temporally along the Ben Hai river, allowing the Vietnamese people to decide whether they wanted to live in the north or the south. The south canceled the following elections, and during the Vietnam War the DMZ became the site of some of the most famous televised battles of all time.
We began our tour travelling to Dong Ha for breakfast, this would not be the only time we visited Dong Ha...... after food we started on our way to the monument which was built in honour of the North Vietnamese armies who lost their lives, in an ambush on the TET holiday. a swift ambush attack which diverted the Americans away from the TET offensive, the turning point of the war. In the middle of the Statue is a lady fighter! over 20% of the Vietcong army were ladies! It was really big! Back on the bus (3 hours already....) to cross the Ben Hai River, for all those paying attenition in my first lecture (see above) this is what separated the north and south. There were sets of loudspeakers on both sides of the river used during the war to shout abuse at each other. Childish.
Vinh Moc Tunnels was next on the long trip! but this was well worth it! The tunnels were used by the North Vietnamese to shelter themselves from the American bombing Campaign. There were three levels 10m deep, 18m deep and 23m deep. included in this was a medical room, in which 14 babies were born during the War, family rooms, and a conference room which doubled as a school..... it was truly amazing to be down in the tunnels. They even opened up onto a beach!
But unfortunately it was time to get back on the bus! our next stop was Dong Ha! again! this time it was for lunch, off Highway 1A and onto Highway 9! We didn't bargain for our next 2 hour trip!
Firstly we went to see the Rockpile, a very tall Rockpile which the Americans used as a look out point over the DMZ, we got about 2 km away and then had a look...... you guessed it a pile of rocks. I really looked forward to our next destination. Ho Chi Min trail! after some more time on the bus we arrived at a new Highway. The Ho Chi Min highway..... well the trail isn't there anymore because the built a big new road on top. again we looked from a far and left........ gutted. Getting a little fed up with looking at roads now!!!!!
Our last attraction was the Khe San Combat Base, this site included old war helicopters, Guns, Clothing and mortar bombs.... i had a read through the sign in book, and it was moving to see old war veterans writing about re visiting this was site. (500 Americans and 10,000 North Vietnamese died on this battle field). A fitting end to our trip! then back to Dong Ha!!!!!AGAIN! for a drop off then back to Hue! 13 Hours later!
Having finished with the Ancient Capital of Hue, we set course for Hoi An! Luckily this time we took the train, quite a spectacular experience with some incredible views of the coastline, I'm sure in a few year Vietnam will get the reputation of becoming a stunning beach holiday! Having heard good things about Hoi An, this was one town we looked forward to exploring!
Gethin and Susy
xxxxx
For a little bit of history, after the French had left Vietnam in 1954 they decided alongside Ho Chi Min at the Geneva conference to split the country temporally along the Ben Hai river, allowing the Vietnamese people to decide whether they wanted to live in the north or the south. The south canceled the following elections, and during the Vietnam War the DMZ became the site of some of the most famous televised battles of all time.
We began our tour travelling to Dong Ha for breakfast, this would not be the only time we visited Dong Ha...... after food we started on our way to the monument which was built in honour of the North Vietnamese armies who lost their lives, in an ambush on the TET holiday. a swift ambush attack which diverted the Americans away from the TET offensive, the turning point of the war. In the middle of the Statue is a lady fighter! over 20% of the Vietcong army were ladies! It was really big! Back on the bus (3 hours already....) to cross the Ben Hai River, for all those paying attenition in my first lecture (see above) this is what separated the north and south. There were sets of loudspeakers on both sides of the river used during the war to shout abuse at each other. Childish.
Vinh Moc Tunnels was next on the long trip! but this was well worth it! The tunnels were used by the North Vietnamese to shelter themselves from the American bombing Campaign. There were three levels 10m deep, 18m deep and 23m deep. included in this was a medical room, in which 14 babies were born during the War, family rooms, and a conference room which doubled as a school..... it was truly amazing to be down in the tunnels. They even opened up onto a beach!
But unfortunately it was time to get back on the bus! our next stop was Dong Ha! again! this time it was for lunch, off Highway 1A and onto Highway 9! We didn't bargain for our next 2 hour trip!
Firstly we went to see the Rockpile, a very tall Rockpile which the Americans used as a look out point over the DMZ, we got about 2 km away and then had a look...... you guessed it a pile of rocks. I really looked forward to our next destination. Ho Chi Min trail! after some more time on the bus we arrived at a new Highway. The Ho Chi Min highway..... well the trail isn't there anymore because the built a big new road on top. again we looked from a far and left........ gutted. Getting a little fed up with looking at roads now!!!!!Our last attraction was the Khe San Combat Base, this site included old war helicopters, Guns, Clothing and mortar bombs.... i had a read through the sign in book, and it was moving to see old war veterans writing about re visiting this was site. (500 Americans and 10,000 North Vietnamese died on this battle field). A fitting end to our trip! then back to Dong Ha!!!!!AGAIN! for a drop off then back to Hue! 13 Hours later!
Having finished with the Ancient Capital of Hue, we set course for Hoi An! Luckily this time we took the train, quite a spectacular experience with some incredible views of the coastline, I'm sure in a few year Vietnam will get the reputation of becoming a stunning beach holiday! Having heard good things about Hoi An, this was one town we looked forward to exploring!
Gethin and Susy
xxxxx
