Ho Chi Minh City Travel Forum

Hi, travelling to HCM early October. There will be 7 of us. We arrive after lunch on Thu Oct 1 and fly out early Sat. We specifically want to see the tunnels and go to the firing range.

1. How long should we allow for the tunnels and range?
2. What is the best way for us to get there? Should we organise a tour, book ahead etc?
3. What else should we see with the time we have and when should we do it?
4. Can you suggest some mid range hotels that are well located and comfortable?

Thanks

We did a trip that covered the Cu Chi tunnels, and also the Cao Dai Great Temple. The firing range that we went to was within the Cu Chi tunnel complex. We had very little time at the firing range, and were constantly being asked to hurry to keep up with our group. So with 7 people, you might be best to try and organise a private mini-bus & driver. If you do decide to book a tour, no need to book ahead, just book the day before you want to go. There are plenty of places to book in HCMC in the backpacker area Pham Ngu Lao, along De Tham St.
We stayed at The An An 2 Hotel at 216 De Tham St. Very clean, their website: www.anan.vn. We paid US$36 for a room with 3 single beds.

Take plenty of dong if you intend doing much shooting. It's not cheap, from memory around 200,000 to fire AK47's and a bit more for the M16's. Plus entry to Cu Chi 70,000.

Other sights in HCMC worth visiting: Ben Thahn Markets, The War Remnants Musuem, Reunification Palace, Museum of HCMC, Post Office & Notre Dame Cathedral, all of these places can easily be done by foot. Nice place to finish off a walking tour is the rooftop garden of the Rex Hotel for a cocktail or a beer.

I know this has nothing to do with your question but the “firing range” is an abomination and ought to be discontinued. It is highly disrespectful to all those who died there. But I suppose if you haven’t any reason to be sympathetic ….. then there’s no reason for you to boycott the thing as long as the Vietnam government allows it to continue. Yes?

I agree with betska on all of what she said.
We did a half day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels back in 2006 and found it absolutely fascinating, in an eery kind of way. Didnt do the firing range, found it extremely loud and in a way, yes, disrespectful ...
We just booked some private driver off the street, I cant remember exactly what we paid him, but it was quite cheap. You will need at least half a day at the tunnels. We went through in large groups, so yes, you had to keep up with your group. Im not sure if you can go through in any other way, other than at the pace they want you to go through, but if you are a large group, then maybe you can. If you are at all claustrophobic, then DONT go down the tunnels. Even tho the short 15m section of tunnel has been widened to allow for tourists to easily go through it, it is most claustrophobic and once you are in there, you have people in front of you, people behind you, you are literally trapped. You dont have to crawl through on actual hands and knees, but you are crouched down kinda crawling through, and my legs were very sore for days afterwards!!! Im not saying NOT to go down, but just be aware that even tho you think you will be ok, most are very glad to get out of there! My friend Tracy took one step down into the tunnel and then retreated. Have a look at my HCMC pages and I have a photo of my in the tunnel - I made everyone in the line down there stop while I found my camera and got people to take several shots as proof I had done it!!! My friend Tracy was on the other end near the exit and she was laughing cos she could hear me say, "just wait a little while while I take some photos!!!"

Cheers!!!

Sorry, forgot to mention that we stayed at the Duxton Hotel, which I guess is mid-ranged price. It was a great Hotel and I wouldnt hesitate staying there again. It was very central and within walking distance to the Ben Thanh Markets and the Tax Centre (this is like a department store) and Id say these 2 places are where we did most of our shopping while in HCMC. The only other tour we did was a day trip to the Mekong, even tho it was enjoyable, I would not rave about it and wouldnt say it is a "must do" thing, it is on my HCMC travel pages with some pics, so take a look please and rate the tips if you like them!!! (Im trying to regain my silver star!!!!! Ive been stripped of it and very sad ...)

Thanks to all for your advice.

For potato brigade... you obviously feel strongly about the range and maybe have good reason to do so. I have never been there, don't really know what it's about but was planning on going in response to recommendations from others on VT & so I might be a bit more educated. Maybe I'll be less ignorant after going there or to quote you (But I suppose if you haven’t any reason to be sympathetic …..) more sympathetic.

I'll do some more research but in the meantime, try being less judgmental and presumptive of my reasons for going.

Why don't you set up a link as to why the range is disrespectful and post it in response to people's questions as opposed to your patronising remarks?

It didn't even occur to me that firing guns would be dis-respectful. Having a 17 yo son who was chomping at the bit (not possible to do in OZ) and also having taken him to the War Remnants Museum the previous day, I can't see the relevance at all. We certainly understood the impact that the war had in Vietnam and taking my son there gave him a much better understanding of what happened than what he would have learned in school.

It was just the chance to do something different. There are gun clubs all around the world that have law abiding members. It's just that firing AK's etc are not available down under, particularly to minors.

Lindy, yes, good idea to warn about the tunnels. We went in & there was no chance then to change our minds! Even though they were enlarged to fit westerner's! Glad that I did it though.

There was a lot of fighting during the 60’s with a whole lot of lives and body parts ripped and flung to the very ground upon which you will be treading. Shooting weapons today (with a smile on your face) on that spot of earth is the most utter act of demonic pleasure I can think of.

Yes SLIMBOBID, you are right. I do feel strongly about the range and I have very personal reasons for doing so. I see the place as a cemetery. It is most definitely a killing ground.

In any case, if the Vietnamese government allows it then it’s simply a matter for you and your conscience. I’m not trying to prevent you from enjoying your holiday. But also I’m certain you’re grateful to have the privilege of knowing the facts about the place beforehand. If you’re determined to use the range please try not to see the experience as an exhilarating, joyful lark.

I haven’t been there since June of 1968 but I’ve seen a documentary film of how it’s visited by tourists today. I’m not very pleased.

BETSKA. Please don’t take my reaction to be critical of you or your family. I understand (though do not share) the interest in firing certain weapons. I simply feel that Vietnam ought to move the firing range to some other place and leave that blood-drenched piece of soil for more solemn regard. There was so much death there that you could probably take DNA samples from the soles of your shoes afterward.

I understand what you mean, potato brigade.

The army don't consider Cu Chi a sacred site. Even though we had to watch a propaganda movie when we first arrived. They are making soooo much money out of entry fees and even more out of the firing range. Who knows where that money goes....much of it lining the pockets of the soldiers working there I would guess.

Yes, I would agree that if there was a firing range at a place like Choeung Ek (the Killing Fields just outside Phnom Penh) it would be in very bad taste. When we were there last year there were still human teeth on the ground. A very sobering experience for me & my son.

Thank you for your understanding, BETSKA. I was worried that we might have a cross-fire disagreement and that you'd assumed I was making a flamboyant crusade on the subject, rather than sticking to the pleasurable spirit of travel. I'm relieved. :)

Thanks for the extra info Potato Brigade, I really have not a lot of understanding of the areas in Vietnam and what went on where, hence our trip and wanting to see the tunnels. Saying things like "But I suppose if you haven’t any reason to be sympathetic ….. " really is a bit over the top. I have traveled to North Vietnam many years ago and worked as a volunteer in an Orphanage and Handicapped Centre, and am very sympathetic to the plight of the Vietnamese who were innocent victims in a horrible war. I do appreciate the extra information about the site and thank you for it.

Hey,

One day at the tunnels is enough, and the firing range is loads of fun, you can fire the M60, M16 or AK47.
I think they have increased the price of bullets though, it use to be a dollar a bullet, I am not sure what the price is now.

The easiest way is just to go as part of a tour group, which you can organize the day before.

The websites below have some good stuff about the tunnels,
http://www.saigonscene.com/Cu%20Chi%20Tunnels.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cu_Chi_Tunnels

For hotels, just get one in Pham Ngu Lao area, is walking distance to most places.

" ... the firing range is loads of fun ... "



:( :( :(

You could take a half day tour to go to Cu chi tunnel.It depart at 8:00am everyday. You bill come back HCMC at 2:00pm. The price is 6usd/person not including for the entry ticket. It is better if go with tour guide. You could ask them many thing about that war. No need to organize tour by your self. It cost too much. You try to contact to AVA hotel which is 50 mets from Ben Thanh market. The owner of the hotel is very kind and has good knowledge.

Hello!

1.You need a haft of day to visit the Tunnel and the range
2.You should book a tour ahead. It includes all the services neccessary such as:transfer ,guide ,entrance fee .
3.With your time i would like to suggest you the program as follow:
Day1:Thu Oct 1:Arrival in noon - City tour in the afternoon.
Day2:Fri Oct 2: Full day Tay Ninh & Cu Chi Tunnel Trip
Day3:Sat Oct 3:Mekong delta day trip
Day4:Sun Oct 4:Departure
4.There are some midrange hotels with good location such as: Mifuki hotel , Elios Hotel, Lavendar, Saigon Mini 5, Lan lan hotel, Dai Nam hotel.

zoomzoom

I found the tunnels hot and dirty and I was sore for a week afterwards - just beware

like the Ben Thanh Markets - an the war museum - an interesting propaganda perspective

just walk thru the gardins and see the tai-chi and the people with deformaties from the war - chilling

we stay at the Caravelle- the new Grand Hyatt is across the street - and the Sheraton next door - some folks prefer the Sofitel, as it may be quieter, but less proximity to the fun stuff

go down to the river and see the activities

have a drink at the top of the Rex Hotel and the Caravelle

I have to agree with Potato-Brigade. Really can't understand what's the pleasure in firing guns at such a place.
Me myself am planning to go end of October and will surely NOT fire any gun.