Located on the coast of Vinh Linh, Quang Tri province, Vinh Moc tunnel is one of the most unique military structures in Vietnam during the anti-American resistance war.
Over half a century, the tunnel system has been preserved almost intact, becoming an unmissable destination for those who love history and want to understand more about the extraordinary will of Vietnamese people during wartime.
Right from the entrance, visitors will encounter a diagram of the entire tunnel system with a length of more than 1,044 m, consisting of three layers located at a depth of about 12 to 23 m underground.
The system has 13 gateways to the sea and hills, making movement, supplies and escape in warfare convenient.
Going deeper into the tunnels, the space inside appears like a miniature village.
Small rooms dug deep in the ground used to be the residences of hundreds of Vinh Linh people.
Here, there are full halls, health stations, operating rooms, maternity rooms, wells, Hoang Cam kitchen, food warehouses and ventilation vents arranged scientifically.
What moved many tourists the most was the story of 17 babies born right in the tunnels amidst the fierce years of war.
In conditions of widespread deprivation, people still maintain their lives, nurture the new generation and maintain hope for peace.
According to information boards at the relic site, in the period 1965-1972, Vinh Linh area suffered more than 668,000 tons of bombs and bullets of all kinds.
Not only the main tunnels, Vinh Linh people also created many types of shelters such as A-shaped tunnels, flat tunnels and a traffic tunnel network of more than 2,000 km long, connecting houses, fields, and villages with tunnel entrances.
Those seemingly simple works have contributed to creating a sustainable defense system, showing the spirit of creativity and steadfast will of the Vietnamese people in war.
Today, stepping through each small path just enough for one person to bow and move, visitors not only feel the crampedness of the space but also partly imagine the difficult life of the people who once clung to this place.
Faint yellow lights, red earth walls and cool air underground create an experience that is both special and lingering.
Besides the tunnel system, the area displaying bomb and bullet casings attracts the attention of many tourists when recreating part of the fierceness of the war.
The bomb casings, warheads and remaining artifacts are collected, preserved and displayed as historical relics, reflecting the fierce fighting intensity that the people of Vinh Moc once faced.
Not only historically valuable, Vinh Moc tunnels are also highly appreciated by many international media outlets. International tradition once praised this as a clear proof of the will to survive, adaptability and extraordinary combat strength of the Vietnamese people in war.
Today, amidst the peaceful scenery of Quang Tri sea, Vinh Moc tunnels are not only a red address for traditional education but also an attractive tourist destination, where each step of exploration helps tourists better understand the values of peace and the extraordinary strength of the Vietnamese nation.
