Ho Chi Minh Trail, Hue

The DMZ tour was long, but I learned a lot about the Vietnam War. On Highway 9, the picture (top left) is of the HO Chi Minh Trail and (top right) is of Rockpile Mountain (US Troops Based here with only helicopter access). The hills were green, but many of the 20-foot high trees were destroyed by agent orange. At Khe Sanh, US Base, I viewed old planes and bunkers (pictured above). Bikes were used on the Ho Chi Minh Trail to transport supplies (pictured below).

On Highway 1, we crossed the Hien Long Bridge over the Ben Hai River which divided North and South Vietnam from 1965-1973. I saw where the US troops put motion sensors and button bombs to kill the North Vietnamese along this border. It seemed so peaceful today driving through farms, rice patties, and cow pastures. Visiting the longest and largest Vinh Moc Tunnels was amazing and you got a taste of how the 300 Vietnamese lived underground for over 6 years (1966 - 1972). I walked in the dark narrow tunnels hunched over (because they're so low) smelling the dirt. 17 babies were born here and there was only 1 toilet for women only, men had to go outside. Speaking of which, you were only allowed out of the tunnel once per week for a half hour or so... unbelievable! When you heard airplanes, you ran into the trenches and to the bomb shelter or tunnel as fast as you could (pictured below). Vietnamese are strong people!

On a brighter side, it's my birthday month, so we splurged tonight! A wonderful 7-course dinner inside the Citadel included dishes representative of the Hue royal court. Check out the spring rolls decorated on the pineapple peacock for starters (left) and steamed rice in lotus flower (right)...