Rice Wrappers

Part of the Cu Chi Tunnel tour included a section where we were shown how rice wrappers are made. Here batter is poured onto to griddle that looks very similar to how crepes are made.

Then the wrapper is transferred to a woven drying mat. The mat leaves a woven imprint onto the wrappers.

I guess this woman had been making wrappers all morning because a long row were drying outside. They have to dry for a quite a few days, which I thought was surprising. I bought some summer rolls on the side of the road in Ho Chi Minh city and they were quite delicious, filled with mint, pork, shrimp and lettuce. They also came with a spicy peanut hoisin dipping sauce.

Bullets for Sale

What's that sound in the distance? Oh it's just the National Defense Sports Shooting Range, of course. I had the opportunity to fire some serious ammo, but alas I'm a wimp and really didn't feel like partaking in this ultra touristy war remnants activity.

I can't say it wasn't an affordable guilty pleasure with 19,000 dong to the dollar being the exchange rate.  Someone mentioned to me that some of these guns aren't manufactured any more. Hmmm, I'm still not a taker.

Deadly Traps

Also on display were a variety of deadly traps that were used in the war. Often poison was applied to the hooked spikes lining the traps. This one really made you watch where you were walking along the trail. 

Here the guide is demonstrating what would happen if you stepped on this trap. Yep, a spike right through your foot. Ouch!

It was explained to us that this was one was designed especially to get you where it counts, your knees, inner organs and the baby maker. 

Strange Photo Opportunities

The tour included some awkward photo moments. I did not feel like I needed to take a photo in front of an American tanker. There were mannequins of the Viet Cong poised in "everyday" positions. I guide really encouraged us to take pictures. But before we did I captured this man, rice paddy hat and all.

Yep, jungle fighters we are. I couldn't miss this opportunity to break out my peace sign or as Kwang tells me the international victory sign in Asia. Oh how inappropriate.

The Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels were devised by the Viet Cong and were the base of their operations during the Tet Offensive. There were up to three levels of tunnels in some sections. Along with there were were larger rooms built into the earth that were for cooking, supplies and sleeping. There were even air tunnels that led to huge termite mounds. Holes were drilled into the mounds in inconspicuous places so that the enemy would never know the true purpose of the termite colony.

In the tour that we took you could actually have a go at getting into the tunnels from the original small openings. This guy on our tour took up the offer. The thought of being in such a small narrow space creeps me out so I did not partake.

There were other small entrances like this one that I did take to go down. The tunnels were narrow and I had to almost crawl to get out. We did this for 20 meters which was plenty for me. Thankfully there were also lights along the way as our tour guide went much faster than I would have liked. I booked it as to keep up.

Economic Development in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as the older Vietnamese generation calls it, is growing economically as race for cheap labor continues. For the most part the city is architecturally flat with most buildings not reaching more than 10 stories high. Skyscrapers do not protrude from the skyline, that is except for this one. It's the Bitexco Financial Tower.

I love the strange shape and asymmetrical design of this building. Upon further investigation the disk shaped protrusion is actually a helicopter pad. The building is designed to look like the bud of a lotus flower, the national flower of Vietnam. The helicopter pad makes me wonder what's the purpose of this luxurious structure. I do not believe anything like a hospital is planned for the building. Perhaps the helicopter is the new motorbike?

Playing Catch Up: My Vacation in Vietnam

Ahh vacation and even better, vacation in Vietnam. I had pretty limited knowledge of this country before coming with most of my exposure being limited to the Travel Channel, Anthony Bourdain, and the Vietnam War in 20th century history class. I was ready to dive in. 

My friend Alyssa met me in Ho Chi Minh City. Her flight was delayed 5 hours so we stumbled into our hotel in District 1 around 4 am. We were scheduled for a boat tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels at 8:30am so with around 4 hours of sleep we woke up to find the city looking like this. Motorbikes rule the street with the occasional taxi and bus navigating through the wake. 

Across the street a veranda makes me wish that my apartment in Seoul even vaguely resembled this scene.