LookAtVietnam – Cu Chi, a suburban district of HCMC, is famous to tourists for its network of tunnels that was important in the country’s victory in its war against America. But less famous is an eco-tourist site only eight kilometers from the tunnels.

This tranquil area is made of villages, stilt houses, bamboo trees and a lake with a giant communal house on its bank, all in the heart of the tourist area.

Guided horse drawn carriage tours reveal typical daily scenes from the life and work of the local people such as S’tieng blacksmiths and Choro potters at work, a Churu distillery in operation and Bana and Thai brocade weaving. Ethnic music, dancing and pig racing liven the evenings and com lam (bamboo-tube rice, a traditional dish of mountainous tribes) and grilled pork are always served at the lakeside restaurant.

For more information, contact the Cu Chi eco-tourist area of ethnic culture at (08) 3792 8922/23/24/25, fax: (08) 3792 8910, or www.fosaco.com.

VietNamNet/SGT