Vietnam: Our Fifth Country Visited on the Norwegian Spirit

The next destination of our Christmas cruise with the Norwegian Cruise Line was Vietnam! I was definitely excited for this stop especially due to the history this country has. But before arriving here, I should say that this is the 12th day of 14 as the following day was a sea day due to the long distance to get from Brunei to Vietnam. The sea day was a very rough one at that. The pools were closed as not even the water was staying in. It was so rough, that even people who don’t normally get sea sick were starting to feel it. Or it could also be due to the fact the previous day was new years eve, where a lot of alcohol was consumed! Rough water and hangovers don’t mix and the puking happening everywhere was an indication of that.

But after having been now, to Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei we are now at the second to last country of our trip. Vietnam has a lot of history especially with the US and for this reason, despite the long drive, we decided to go to the Cu Chi tunnels. These tunnels were built and used by the Vietcong, who were allied with north Vietnam during the war. These underground tunnels in the south of Vietnam weren’t just for hiding, they were a whole network used for living, moving supplies, and launching surprise attacks against American and South Vietnamese forces. They provided protection from bombings and served as a base for communication and strategy.

Starting on our way to get to the tunnels, we stopped at a small store for some coffee and other breakfast items. In the building next door, they were making eggshell art using duck eggs. We got a small demonstration of the process where they put glue down onto a canvas placing the eggshells on top. They then take a metal tool of some sort and start breaking up the eggshells into smaller pieces while in the glue. For darker colors they use burnt eggshells. Further processes are undergone like painting and cleaning before a clear coat is used over top for preservation. The designs they make are so beautiful, including tigers, Vietnamese woman with hats and more.

Moving on, we continued our drive and arrived at the tunnels! After getting our tickets, the first thing greeting us on site, were people waiting in a line for their turn to go into a hole. It was a demonstration of how they most likely had to enter the tunnels at the time. The hole is very small and you have to somehow put a cover over top as you go in, but you have to do this strategically so that leaves cover the top while you’re inside. This is to hide that fact that it’s an entrance overall. Most everyone just goes down for a quick picture then gets out right away, but it does continue to another opening about a 5 minute crawl away.

I personally went in through the other entrance as there wasn’t anyone there. It was so freaky! If you’re claustrophobic in any way, good luck. It is so tight and you are literally on hands and knees down there in complete darkness going down a seemingly never ending route. I didn’t go too far, but as I was going, I was startled as a bat took flight in front of me! I screamed a little and decided that was enough for me!

Crazy to think that the Vietnamese lived in these tunnels for years. Our guide explained to us that there were groups that they traveled with. There was always one leader with a a torch in the front and you blindly followed him. He was the only one who knew where he was going and thus full trust was given to him. This was a hard time, food was scarce, sickness and diseases could spread easily, air was little and silence was necessary. We were told that many babys were buried alive, as the screaming and crying was too loud, endangering the whole group.

Continuing through the site, we got a demonstration of certain traps with spikes and other dangerous items that were used by those living in the tunnels. There were sections that if you stepped on a plate, spikes would spear your leg. There were many of the sort, just thinking about it gives me the chills. Many people on both sides died due to these traps as they were so well hidden.

Afterwards, we came upon a shooting range where people could test out some of the weapons they used during this war. It was so loud and it worried me that if any veterans or military personnel were there, that they would get PTSD. We skipped this part and went to a different section where there was a wider set of tunnels that were lit up.

This section of the tunnels was still very narrow but we didn’t need to completely crawl anymore, just be completely crouched. The tunnel was winding and went up and down at significant steps/ledges. It ended at a so called room of sorts to what was supposed to be a sleeping quarter back at that time. Exiting, we were all dripping with sweat. I couldn’t even imaging coming here in the hot months of summer, it’d also be way more packed. I bet people get heat stroke going through these tunnels at that point.

Overall, the experience was incredibly eye-opening and absolutely worth it. Exploring the tunnels firsthand gave a real sense of history, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting Vietnam. While there are various tunnel sites across the country, this one did a fantastic job of showcasing what life was truly like during that time.

Leaving the site, we were ready for some lunch. Our guide brought us to a ramen shop not too far away. I’m honestly not the biggest ramen fan, but this definitely hit the spot!

Driving back, we ended the tour by learning about the Mekong River and its importance to Vietnam and its neighboring countries. The river flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, so it’s important for a lot of people. We also learned that there is an agreement between these countries to not disrupt the natural water flow, as all of them rely on it for agriculture, fishing, and daily life. However, China and Laos have been constructing dams in recent years, with Laos planning additional projects that could significantly impact the downstream water supply. Since Vietnam is the last country the Mekong flows through before reaching the sea, any disruption would severely affect them over most. Discussions are still ongoing, but only time will tell how this issue unfolds.

Our visit to Vietnam was both eye-opening and memorable. While we had an incredible experience exploring the tunnels and gaining insight into the country’s history, we didn’t get the chance to see much beyond that. Because of this, I could definitely see myself returning in the future to explore more of what Vietnam has to offer. Walking through the tunnels was a surreal experience and it really put into perspective the challenges and resilience of the Vietnamese people during that time. From the intricate underground systems to the survival strategies they had to develop, it was fascinating to witness firsthand.

Now off to our last and final country of our 2-week cruise: Singapore!