Road to Hoi An, Vietnam: China Beach and Marble Mountain in South Vietnam

Marble Mountains.

China Beach -- where U.S. soldiers had rest and relaxation.
This was the view from Marble Mountains that the Viet Cong had,
this close to the U.S. soldiers.

Cave Viet Cong used to hide out in during the day.

January 5, 2011

Going from North to South Vietnam was like walking across a cultural and political border. Our guide was from Southern Vietnam and he sure was much more happy and "himself" once we got to South Vietnam. He showed us hideouts in the Marble Mountains where the Viet Cong hid in caves, daringly close to the U.S. soldiers, almost mockingly close. As the Viet Cong had an entire city of soldiers hidden in the mountain cave system, including an army hospital, the U.S. soldiers had a "rest and relaxation" China Beach within easy view of the Viet Cong. U.S. soldiers were completely clueless. Have I already said, we never had a chance with the Vietnam War?

As you can see, caves that once were used for warfare are now used for Buddhist temples. War traded for Peace, or at least for tourist appeal.