VietNamNet Bridge – Cu Chi tunnels, historical site and popular tourist destination, lies 65 km northwest of downtown HCMC. Biking there is a way to enjoy every detail of the trip since a car or a van cannot stop every meter as a bike can do.

A foreign tourist on the way to Cu Chi tunnels.

Here also was the unique PX market which featured the world’s only red U.S. dollar notes, the money the U.S. government issued for American soldiers.

Today, those red dollar notes are for sale at the HCMC War Remnants Museum, 28 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3, for US$5 each.

The Museum of the Armed Forces of the South-East, also called Military Zone 7 Museum, at 247 Hoang Van Thu Street, Tan Binh District, was the site of the U.S. Army third field hospital and the low house next to the museum used to serve General Westmoreland, general commander of the U.S. forces in Vietnam until 1968.

After a little stop at this museum, tourists come back to Le Van Sy Street and follow Cong Hoa and Truong Chinh streets.

Tourists should not rush as the green rice fields along the road deserve admiration. Photos here, and of the 600 KV North-South power lines, are recommended. Remember to turn right onto Huong lo 2 (Communal road 2).

Huong Lo 2 is 7 km long and connects with Dong Du, which was the largest American base in the area and from where daily attacks on the tunnels were carried out. Reportedly, one exit of the tunnel grid actually opened right underneath the base.

From Dong Du are huge rubber plantations then another 30 minutes to the tunnels.

On the way back is the town of Phu Hoa Dong for an informative talk with people who have been around a long time.

Guides are available at tourism companies for US$20 plus tips.

(Source: SGT)