Traveling to Vietnam
This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Saigon,
Vietnam. I actually arrived back in Singapore this morning in time to grab
breakfast, have a quick chat with my roommate and head to class. I thoroughly
enjoyed my time in Vietnam not only because it was beautiful, but because of
the cultural experience. We went on a day tour of the Cu Chi tunnels and
learned all about the American war. We Americans call it the Vietnam War,
Vietnamese call it the American war. Our tour guide happens to have fought in
the war and was fighting on behalf of the North. America was fighting on behalf
of the South, which made the tour awkward at times. He showed us his wound from
being shot by Americans during the war. It was interesting to hear about this
war from an alternate perspective. He was very respectful for the most part
considering the circumstances and mentioned that he nor the Vietnamese hold
grudges against any countries that were involved in the war; they would like to
move forward. I could tell that not many Americans took this tour (there were
four of us out of the 30 tourists) because at the end of the tour they play a
video in which they refer to Americans as the enemy and things of that nature.
We had a chance to climb through the tunnels that the Vietnamese lived in and
slept in during the war, they were about three feet high; a very tight fit. We
got to experience the real Vietnam and try great food. Overall it was a great
trip and one of the more memorable experiences of my time here.
 |
| Non la (leaf hats) |
 |
| In Saigon, everyone is a cyclist! |
 |
| Sleeping Buddha |
 |
| It was unbelievable to learn about he tunnels that the Vietnamese soldiers (and civilians) lived in during the American (Vietnam) war. The tunnels were only a couple of feet tall and they would live and sleep there during times of war to avoid being killed. Even though the tour was a bit awkward to be on as an American, (our tour guide happened to have fought in the war...against the Americans) it was interesting to get a perspective on the war from another perspective. |
 |
| US Army Tank from the American War (Vietnam War) |
 |
| When In Vietnam You Must Try Coffee |
 |
| And pho |
 |
| Mekong River |
 |
| Mr Tong telling us his side of the story and his recollections of the American war. Then he proceeded to show us where Americans shot him in the arm during the war. Even though he has strong feelings about the war, he was an awesome tour guide and it was definitely worth the experience to hear the other side of the story. |
 |
| Notre Dame Cathedral |
