The Old Ford Factory is a historic building in Singapore located at (map) 351, Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore. This plant most remembered as the place where the negotiation took place between British (Lt. Gen. Percival) and Japanese (Gen. Yamashita), where finally the British agreed to unconditionally surrender to Japanese Army on 15 Feb 1942, marked the Fall of Singapore.
The gallery showcases the events leading up to the British surrender, life during the "Syonan Years" (Singapore under Japanese Rule 1942 to 1945) and the return of British administration.
Lobby Area and Ticket Counter
Replica of the room and table used during the surrender
Percival & Yamashita
Jap Army bicycles
One section of the gallery
Jap Army's cap and bayonet
Jap officer's sword
Jap currency during the occupation period
Toilet, simple sanitary system
A girl dressed as boy to avoid kidnapping by Japanese Army
Mini theatre
Photo with Mr. Jimmy, staff of Memories at Old Ford Factory
The Chu Chi Tunnels are underground passageways that run to more than 200 km in total length. The network provides vital access and strategic control over rural areas surrounding Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). For over two decades, Cu Chi Tunnels became an underground complex that includes kitchens, medic care chambers, food caches, ammunition storage caches, workshops and living quarters. The secret underground passages also allowed the Viet Congs to mount surprised attacks, even within the perimeters of US military base and to suddenly disappear without a trace. Although most of the original network were destroyed by bombings that took place in 1970s, some that survived has been restored until today.
The tunnels located about 30 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. I booked the tour through hotel reception with a fee of VND 387,000 (USD 18.00 inclusive admission fees, other agents may not include this admission fee and you have to purchase yourself). I was told to be ready at hotel lobby the next morning at 8.30 am for a pickup. The bus arrived on time and there are 18 of us from Malaysia, France and United Kingdom in the group. The bus went to several locations to pick up before leaving the city. We reached the tunnels in the afternoon and not very fortunate because it was drizzling.
Briefing by Lionel, the tour guide
This is the actual size of the tunnel entrance/exit covered by earth
Small in size and some tunnels has dead end. An Australian soldier died when trapped in the dead end.
Sample of non-explosive booby traps
Punji stakes often poisoned
Many types of non-explosive booby traps
Swing type booby trap for doors
Life like diorama of Viet Cong guerillas
Jungle track from one point to another above the tunnels network
A tank destroyed by a landmine
Diorama of a workshop
You may try to shoot with M16, AK 47, M60 and M1 Garand. I tried both the legendary M1 Garand and AK47
Tunnel entrance
Sanple of workshops and meeting room
You have to crawl even though the tunnel has been enlarged
Reunification Palace or Independence Palace was built on the former site (map) of Norodom Palace at 135, Nam Ky Khoi, Nghia Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It was also the home and workplace for the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War era. This is where the North Vietnamese Army tanks crashed through its gates on the Fall of Saigon, 30 April 1975.
Nearby attractions include War Remnants Museum which is only several minutes walk from the Palace. I visited the Palace on 30 July 2014 with an admission fee of VND 30,000.
Visitors can view the following rooms which is preserved almost exactly as it was in 1966:
Presidential's Reception Rooms
Cabinet Room
State Banqueting Hall
Conference Hall
Ambassadors Chamber
First Lady's Reception Room
Vice President's Reception Salon
War Room
Mini Theater
There is a UH-1 Huey helicopter parked on the rooftop which was once used as helipad. Before exiting the gates, you will find 2 Russian made T-54 tanks (nos 390 and 843) parked on the lawn (tank no. 843 led the final assault through the gates at 11.30 am, 30 April 1975), You can also see F-5E fighter jet just next to the tanks. A rebel pilot, Lt. Nguyen Thanh Trung flew this jet on 8 April 1975 and dropped 4 x Mk 82 bombs on the Palace, The locations were marked by two circles painted on the helipad.
