January 18, 2003

“The All-Seeing Eye”

Our last full day in Vietnam was certainly a very FULL day. We got up early again this morning and headed out of the city to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Unlike the aforementioned Vinh Moc Tunnels, which were used by families to escape bombing, these tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers to hide from the American military. I was not too pleased with the propaganda video we were shown which labeled American soldiers as a “crazy batch of devils,” but it was eye-opening nonetheless. Watching everyone else go into the tunnels was enough for me today. I was surprised how crowded the site was. Hundreds of Vietnamese school children were there, along with numerous policepersons in training. I guess the Tunnels are an important national site, a place of pride and patriotism. I just wish that killing American soldiers hadn’t been emphasized as patriotic acts.