Question

Elucidate the significance of Ho Chi Minh's trail in the Vietnamese war.

Answer 1

The Ho Chi Minh Trail was not just one trail but a series of trails. The Ho Chi Minh Trail was used by the North Vietnamese as a route for its troops to get into the South. They also used the trail as a supply route – for weapons, food and equipment. The Ho Chin Minh Trail ran along the Laos/Cambodia and Vietnam borders and was dominated by jungles. In total the ‘trail’ was about 1,000 kilometres in length and consisted of many parts.

The ‘trail’ consisted of dummy routes that served the only purpose of confusing the Americans but was, in places, 80 kilometres (50 miles) wide. It is thought that up to 40,000 people were used to keep the route open. The natural environment gave the trail excellent cover as the jungle could provide as much as three canopies of tree cover, which disguised what was going on at ground level.
(source : internet)

Answer 2

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(a) Ho Chi Minh trail was an important link to understand the real nature of war between Vietnam and the US. As a porter on that trail I felt proud because it was the matter of great honour. With a very limited resource the Vietnamese could resist against the US forces. This trail was an immense network of footpaths and roads. It was used to transport men and materials from the north to the south. It had also support bases and hospitals. In some parts supplies were transported in trucks but mostly we, the porters, did these jobs. We used to carry about 25 kilos on our backs or about 70 kilos on our bicycles. The trail was bombed regularly by the US forces in order to disrupt supplies but we were so prompt that we could rebuild the damage very quickly. It was our confidence and devotion to our nation that made us do so and we could fight such a super power.