Vinh Moc Tunnels

Imagine living in tunnels 23 metres below sea level for up to 5 years and only leaving at night to go to the bathroom? Such was the fate of many Vietnamese throughout this country during the war. We visited one such rabbit warren where we found 2 kilometres of tunnels where many lived and worked. 17 babies were born under ground too with only candles to brighten up their lives, so we thought. Later we saw photos of some of the people in a museum: young men and women singing and playing musical instruments, small children studying their books, doctors and nurses operating, elderly people making crafts etc. How the earth must have shaken when the bombs were dropped overhead. Imagine how scarey it must have been and yet the triumph of the spirit was clearly seen in the photos.

As in Belgium when we visited the trenches, the children were enthralled by these tunnels. Trying to give as little, graphic information as possible, Frunty and Pit understood, I think, that the people lived underground to keep safe. Pit was a little reticent about going underground but after we left one tunnel and came up for fresh air, he wanted to go back under again. I liked it down there too...dark, cool and so quiet. It was great for 20 minutes and with the knowledge that we could ascend any time we wanted. But to stay under there day after day, night after night for months and then years...it is hardly imaginable.

We were the only visitors in the tunnels although it is clearly set up to welcome tourists. I think many stick to a prescribed, tourist trail here in Vietnam. We were happy to have gotten off the beaten track and visited a quiet place away from the crowds. In Asia, I feel that this is one of my biggest goals...to find peace and quiet. Do I actually have to go underground though to find it?!!