US$5 for Half Day Trip to CU CHI Tunnels in Vietnam

If you are in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and have a half-day to spare and wish to see how the Vietcong fighted and survived the Vietnam War, you should pay a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

It will cost you only US5 for the half-day trip. You can join the group tour offered by TNK travel and it comes with a light lunch of boiled tapioca and Vietnamese Tea.


The brochure above and below gives you the details and cost of the half-day tour.



The map shows the area painted in red that the Vietcong operates their tunnels.

The Cu Chi Tunnels is located 60 Km from Ho Chi Minh City. Cu Chi is a district famous for its role in the anti-American war in Vietnam.


It is legendary for its complex system of tunnels stretching for over 220 km.

There are 3 levels of tunnels operated by the Vietcong during the War. All tunnels are built with with their bare hands, basket and small charcoal.


An example of the tunnel.


The same hole into the tunnel camouflaged by leaves in the jungle.

A guard demonstrated how a person gets into the tunnel with the small entrance.



The Tunnel System embodies the undaunted will, intelligence and pride of CU Chi People, a symbol of Vietnamese revolutionary heroism. Cu Chi has been awarded the title of "Iron Land and Bronze Citadel".

This is only the introduction of the Cu Ci Tunnels, there are more postings on the CU CI Tunnels coming in this BLOG.

Visit to the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The War Remnants Museum is located at 28 Vo Van Tan, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. It opens daily from 7.30 am to 12nn and 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm. Last admission is 4.30 pm.

The War Remnants Museum was opened to the public for the time on 4 September 1975.


Plan of the Exhibition Rooms of the War Remnants Museum.


The Layout and the Map of the War Remnants Museum.



Exhibits of tanks and fighter jet


Fighter Jet.



Tank




Pictorial exhibits.

Pictorial Exhibits.

The War Remnants Museum is one of Ho Chi Minh City's most enticing cultural and tourist site. In its role as the unique Museum in Vietnam to systematically study, collect, preserve and aftermaths foreign forces caused to Vietnamese people.

There are 8 permanent thematic exhibitions and various special collections. In its 33 years long history, it has attracted 10 million visitors.

If you have some time to spare in Ho Chi Minh City, it is worthwhile to spend an hour or two in the War Remnants Museum.

Saigon Zoo right in the Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Sharing the same huge park with the The Museum of Vietnamese History, is the Saigon Zoo. It is located in 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street in District 1.



The Saigon Zoo is not as big or anywhere comparable in size with the Singapore Zoological Garden.

In the same compound in the park in-front of the Museum of Vietnamese History is a religious building.

There are some filming on set in-front of the religious building when we visited the Park.


Visitors strolling around the garden mainly students.



Excursion for some kindergarten students.


Tree with wild flowers (orchids) which can be found in most parks in South East Asia.


You can see high-rise city building in the background.


Bonsai garden within the Park.


Bonsai plants.

Cactus.

A garden within garden in the park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City is worth visiting for a stroll after spending your morning in the Museum of Vietnamese History.

Visit to the Museum of Vietnamese History in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Museum of Vietnamese History in Ho Chi Minh City is located in no 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street in District 1, in the vast compound of the Zoo. Entrance to the compound is by ticket which cost 8000 Vietnamese Dong (S$0.70 cents).

It opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 8am to 11.30 am and 1.30pm to 5pm. It is closed on Monday.

As there is no camera allowed, I have to describe what you can see inside with the help of the brochure and exhibition plan.




The Museum of Vietnamese History in Ho Chi Minh City was established on August 23rd 1979. It was formerly named "Musee Blanchard de la Brosse" (1929-1956) and then "The National Museum of Vietnam in Sai Gon (1956-1975) , mainly displaying ancient arts of some Asian countries.

Since its foundation, aimed at introducing Vietnamese history and culture to Vietnamese people and foreigners, the Museum has expanded its area to form a new system of exhibition, reflecting both characteristics of national history and culture and typical cultural features of Southeren provinces and Asian countries.


Map of the Museum location to help you get there.


Section 1 : The display of the Vietnamese history from the first human vestiges (circa 500,000 years ago) until the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam ( 2nd September 1945)

1. The Primitive period (circa 500,000 to 2,700 years ago)
2. The Hung Kings period (circa 2,700 years ago to 179 BC)
3. The period of struggles for national independence (2nd century BC - 10th century)
4. The Ly dynasty ( 11th - 13th century)
5. The Tran dynasty (13th -14th century)
6. The Le dynasty ( 15th -16th century)
7. The Tay Son dynasty (18th century)
8. The Nguyen dynasty (19th - early 20th century)



Section 2 : The display of special subjects reflecting the typical characteristics of Southern Vietnam and some Asian countries.

9. Mummy at Xom Cai (19th century)
10. The Buddha statues of some Asian countries ( 12th to 19th century)
11. The ceramics of some Asian countries ( 7th -19th century)
12. Cannons (18th -19th century)
13. The Oc Eo culture ( 1st -7th century)
14. The stone sculpture of Cambodia (10th -13th century)
15. Collection of Vuong Hong Sen
16.The art of Champa (2nd -17th century)
17. Ethnic minorities culture in Southern Vietnam


The exhibition plan can help to guide through all the exhibits in the Museum.

The Museum is a good place to spend your morning in Ho Chi Minh City if you are interested in history and culture.

If you have time, you can stroll around the vast compound including the zoo after visiting the Museum.

Discover the Vietnamese Coffee in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam has a great coffee heritage going back to French colonialization. It was introduced by the French in the 19th century. You should not leave Vietnam without trying out the Vietnamese Coffee. There are available in many cafe shops. There are coffee chains like the Highlands coffee shops everywhere.

A typical cup of Vietnamese Coffee done traditionally brewed with a small metal Vietnamese drip filter into the cup served black.


Hot black Vietnamese Coffee ( ca phe den nong)


You can have it with milk or in ice like Black Ice Coffee.

A typical package of Vietnamese Coffee powder obtainable from any supermarket.



The typical metal Vietnamese Coffee drip filter.


There are 4 parts in the metal Vietnamese Coffee drip filter device. Base with holes, plunger with holes, container and the cover.


The typical metal Vietnamese Coffee Drip Filter device. You can purchase them for US$2 from any departmental stores or supermarkets. Always buy those made of Stainless Steel as there are some made of aluminum.



A typical cup of Vietnamese Coffee with the Filter Device served in cafe.


Do not leave Vietnam without discovering the aroma and taste of a cup of Vietnamese Coffee or a glass of Iced Vietnamese Coffee. You will not regret it. It is so strong in aroma and taste.