Unlike the well-known Cu Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City that were used by the Viet Cong for combat, Vinh Moc Tunnels in Quang Tri Province were bomb shelters mainly for civilians. During bombing attacks, village life carried on underground: families watched movies, women gave birth and kids went to school. The tunnels are such an incredible achievement of human perseverance, engineering and toil. It is Vinh Moc Tunnel that you should pay a visit to if you only have time to see one site in the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). Indochina travel Laos

Entrance to Vinh Moc Tunnel -source: internet

Vinh Moc Tunnel, which is an underground miniaturized village, is the largest historical tunnel in Vietnam’s DMZ. The now famous Vinh Moc Tunnel is where the people of Vinh Linh, Quang Tri lived for many years, hidden from screeching bombers, deep beneath the dark earth and harboring desperate soldiers. Not only surviving, they also prospered in their makeshift underground community. When time goes by, these tunnels have become not only historical evidence but also a tourist attraction for travelers to discover a heroic period of Vietnam’s history.

Location

Vinh Moc Tunnel is the largest historical tunnel in Vietnam’s DMZ -source: internet

The village of Vinh Moc, Vinh Linh District found itself at the precarious southern edge of Northern Vietnam as the DMZ, the dividing line between outh and North Vietnam, was created along the Ben Hai River. There are as many as more than 60 tunnels such as Tan Ly, Mu Giai, Tan My tunnels in the complex in Vinh Linh, among which Vinh Moc with 3 floors and round staircase, still remaining as in its past days is the most solid and firm village tunnel.

Geographical features

Inside Vinh Moc Tunnel -source: internet

The dense clay tunnel soil allows easy hands digging of the tunnels. The walls are extremely strong as air caused the clay to harden. The tunnel network, whose total length is nearly 2 km, was built into three floors with the first at 13 meters length beneath the ground, the second at 15 meters length and the third at 23 meters length. It took more than two years to construct the village tunnel with about 6,000 cubic meters of earth to be dug out. The main inner axis is 1.5-4.1m high, 1-1.2m wide and 2,034m long. The two side cliffs are mounded into small temporary houses every 3m. The center of the tunnel, which has a 150 seated hall, maternity place and clinics, is linked to a nearby hill by six exits and to the sea by another seven, which also function as ventilators. speed boat from ho chi minh to phnom penh

Architecture

Family room -source: internet

On designing, the designers of the underground channels had the foresight to consider not only their construction but also their protection. They should be well against damage long, monsoon and tropical rains. In order to figure out how their elders could succeed in constructing such a huge, complex but firm and sufficient place of living, architects would like to visit this historical and solid shelter. Even though being obviously a miniaturized image of a deep underground village with all essential services (houses for all families, health-stations, birthplace, etc.), until now, the tunnel can stand still firmly. A heroic mentality and great endeavor of the people in that historical period may reveal the answer.

Currently, Vietnamese people do not need the tunnel to shelter anymore but remark it as one of the most stunning destinations of some history-discovering tours. You prefer adventure and you are fond of history, then, a visit to Vinh Moc tunnel is the foremost suggestion!

How to get there

Vinh Moc tunnel is often included in tour itinerary for DMZ tour from Hue City -source: internet

At most travel agencies, Vinh Moc tunnel is often included in tour itinerary for DMZ tour from Hue City. If you are planning to visit this area, it is highly recommended to book a tour as the local transportation from Hue to this area is not very easy for foreigners to navigate. Travelers can choose one from a lot of day tours from Hue to Quang Tri’s DMZ area in Quang Tri. Have an overview on all itineraries offered and pick one which is the most suitable for your preference and time-frame.

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