DAVO'S VIETNAM WAR HOMECOMING TO AUSTRALIA, JULY 1968

  Photos from my return visits 1995 - 1996

Back Beach today. Now a tourist resort especially for Government officials. Nothing changed much, still snakes etc invading the waters edge.
Main drag into Baria off highway. It the intersection of the main drag from Baria to Saigon/Vung Tau they have built a huge open air bar. The orphanage which was just up the road has gone.
Water Tower in the market square of Baria today. The tower is still the same and you attract a far degree of attention if you get out of the car to photograph it.
Replica of the Memorial Cross - Long Tan memorial. The inscription reads: Long Tan rubber plantation today - uncleared portion. Some apartment houses on the way out of Saigon on highway to Da Lat This was taken early in the morning on our way out of town before the millions hit the road to do whatever the millions do.
Road into Baria from Long Tahn. Nothing much has changed. Still the same amount of red dirt etc. At the end of this road was the military cemetery. Coffins stacked around and the locals informed us that they still bring remains of NVA and VC out of the jungle for internment at the cemetery. It made me wonder whether any of the six MIA from Australia could have been among the remains. Not as dangerous any more. You still get dirty though. These tunnels have been turned into a tourist site. If you haven't got a torch , there is just one word - black! At Long Tan Rubber Plantation just near the Memorial. Most of the area is cultivated now and the site of the Cross is some distance from where the Battle of Lang Tan was actually fought.
Saigon at 6.30am. Just a sea of human movement, no road rules - just aim and go. As you can see we haven't progressed much. The cycles and bikes were faster than we were. I'd forgotten just how many people get on the roads there. Accidents are rife and the road toll is frightening. Time out in the Colon markets in Area 1. Muggings of tourists is rife here and you never give the locals an even chance at your wallet etc. They have some nifty ways of relieving you of it and don't care much how big or tough you look.
     
     
     
     
     
     
About Me | Contact Me | ©2004 Dave Poulton, Canberra Australia            top of page