Vinh Moc Tunnel is a place where people lived and fought underground, completely isolated from the outside world. It is a cultural and historical relic with great historical and educational value. It is a symbol of the undying patriotism, unyielding will, and creativity of the people during the resistance years of war.
Where is Vinh Moc Tunnel Located?
Vinh Moc Tunnels Vietnam is located in Vinh Moc village, Vinh Thach commune, Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province, 7 km north of Cua Tung beach. From Dong Ha city, it takes more than 1 hour to drive along National Highway 1A towards the North and then turn into a small road into the sea to reach Vinh Moc tunnels. On the road lined with green bamboo, perhaps few people know that right below their feet is a system of tunnels, an underground “world” of Vinh Linh army and people during the years of resistance from 1965 to 1972.
Construction began in early 1965 and was completed on February 18, 1966. The site is located close to the coast on a red basalt hill.
Vinh Moc Tunnels architectural specification
The tunnel system is divided into three levels: the first level, 12m deep, was used for living quarters, the second level, 15m above the ground, was used to store food, and weapons, and hold meetings, while the third level, 23m deep, served as a bomb shelter. The tunnel system has a dome-shaped cross-section with dimensions of 0.9m x 1.75m, measuring a total length of 2,034m, including many branches connected to the main axis of 870m long. There are 13 doors in total, 6 of which are connected to the hill, 7 face the sea and 3 are vent wells, each tunnel door is considered as a vent. Moreover, the cellar doors have wooden columns to prevent collapse and landslides, discreetly camouflaged, and sloping in the direction of the wind, to ensure ventilation.
The ground level of Vinh Moc tunnels was dug 5m above sea level, inclined from 8 – 120 degrees from South to North, from West to East for easy drainage, not being stuck in the tunnels, daily life activity was still happening normally even in the rainy season.
Entering the tunnel, visitors will be surprised because it is very cool. Ventilation is the needful safe factor, ensuring hundreds of people live and fight in the tunnel is the most important element of the tunnels.
This is not only a simple battle tunnel village like other works, but also an underground living space for soldiers and locals. They transformed the ground into solid fortresses with three interconnected floors. The first floor, which is 8-10 meters deep, is used for combat maneuvers and shelter. The second floor, which is 12-15 meters above the ground, is where the villagers live. The third floor, which is more than 23 meters deep, is used as a warehouse for food and weapons for Con Co Island, as well as for fighting in the Vinh Moc tunnels and for the soldiers.
It can be said that the Vinh Moc Tunnels are an underground village with amenities such as domestic water wells, rice storage, Hoang Cam kitchen, guard stations, telephone stations, infirmaries, operating rooms, midwifery houses, and bathrooms.
In the nearly 2,000 days and nights of existence, in the tunnel, no one was injured and 17 babies were born. It is enough to prove the value and meaning of Vinh Moc tunnels and the miracle of the sacred land and people here.
Vinh Moc Tunnels in Vietnam are evaluated as a typical example of the tunnel system of Vinh Linh village. The tunnels originate from wells and then branch off into smaller tunnels. The tunnels often run in a zigzag or “Z” shape to create solid folds, using the ground walls to block the path of bomb explosions.
With its great historical value, in 1976, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized the Vinh Moc Tunnel as a national historical and cultural relic. In 2014, the Vinh Moc Tunnel was further recognized as a special national relic.
[addthis tool="addthis_inline_share_toolbox_fwv8"]
