Vincent Tran

Simulation

Here I was with my family in Cu Chi, one of the infamous battlefields during Vietnam War. The Viet Cong dug extensive tunnels to shield them from the American bombers. They did a pretty good job at it (but I was always the South Republic kind of Viet and I despise the communists). So now this place is a “popular” tourist site with even a gun range. $5 a bullet, no way.

Before the tour, we watched what looked like old propaganda in an old bunker. But with my appalling Vietnamese skills, I could only make out “Death to the Americans!” We got bored, being of South Vietnam descent, and just simply walked out of there and then there was a tour ready to go. It was basically showing off how harsh the Viet Cong’s lifestyle was and their “ingenious” traps. Though they did look pretty damn scary, who would want to step into a deep, spiked pit?

Then the highlight of the tour: going into the tunnels. There were about 10 people in the group and we all followed behind the guide. The entrance was a very steep set of stairs leading into a tiny hole. One by one, everyone disappeared into the dark. I was last in the line, and being tall (about 180 cm), I had to go on all fours and almost crawl on my stomach for the remainder of the tunnel. I did not go very far till I realised the light behind me was escaping and everything in front was as black as night. I could not even do a 180 turn and crawl out. That is when I started to panic slightly. My instincts told me to lift my head but I did not realise the ceiling was centimetres above till I hit with a muffled thump. My dad’s feet in front of me were my only guide and there were so many unexpected left and right turns. It took 5 mins to go through it but it felt like 20. By the end, everybody’s knees were sore.

Then there was the second tunnel. A much longer one. I volunteered to go again and this time there were only three people. This time my dad was behind me, so no foot guide ahead of me; I had to listen for the guide’s voice and, hell that was hard. My dad was panting really hard and decided to pull out behind. Then I was really alone. The person in front of me was about 2 or 3 metres ahead and there were twists and turns everywhere. I heard the guide telling me to hurry up and so I did. Using my iPod as light in one hand, I scrambled faster; there were so many scratches on that thing after that. I dropped it several times. Giving up, I used both my hands to feel my way out in the dark. Now I was really scared and breathing heavily. Many thoughts popped into my head. What if I suffocate without oxygen? What if it caves in? What if they leave me here? Chills went down my spine with every thought. I did not know I was this claustrophobic. Eventually I reached the end and I’d never thought seeing the sun gave me such a relief. I came out to see my dad laughing his head off at me. I was sweating, my clothes (which were white) covered in dirt, some scratches and the terrified expression on my face.

How in the world did the Americans fight in these tiny tunnels? From then on, my great respect for the brave soldiers, and the Viet Cong, never changed.