Vinh Moc Tunnel (Địa đạo Vĩnh Mốc) - an underground miniaturized village - is the largest historical tunnel among over 60 tunnels in a tunnel complex of Vietnam located in Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province. It is a truly interesting place for tourists in Vietnam travel who are fond of discovering Vietnam’s history.
Deep
beneath the dark earth, hidden from screeching bombers and harboring
desperate soldiers, the people of Vinh Linh, Quang Tri lived for many
years in the now famous Vinh Moc Tunnel. They survived, and even
prospered in their makeshift underground community. During that time, 17
children were born in the tunnels, each of whose lives is a testament
to just how perfect the complex network of caves and warrens were at
protecting those forces within. As time goes by, it has become both a
historical evidence and a tourist destination for discovering a heroic
period of Vietnam’s history.
Location
Vinh Moc tunnel is located in Vinh Moc, Vinh Thach Commune, Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Province.
The complex in Vinh Linh has as many as more than 60 tunnels such as
Tan My, Mu Giai, Tan Ly tunnels, among which Vinh Moc is the most solid
and firm village tunnel, with 3 floors and round staircase, still
remaining as in its past days.
Geographical features
The
tunnel soil is a dense clay, allowing easy hands digging of the
tunnels. Air caused the clay to harden, making the walls extremely
strong. The tunnel network's total length is nearly 2 km, structured
into three floors with the first 13 m beneath the ground, the second 15
m, and the third, 23 m. The village tunnel was built in over two years
and required approximately 6,000 cubic metres of earth to be dug out.
The main inner axis is 2,034m long, 1-1.2m wide, and 1.5-4.1m high. The
two side cliffs are moulded into small temporary houses every 3m. The
tunnel center has a 150 seated hall, clinics and maternity place. It is
linked to the sea by seven exits, which also function as ventilators and
to a nearby hill by another six.
History
Those
known of Vietnam’s heroic historical war must have some understanding
of the tunnel network in Quang Tri citadel – a witness of the severe
war. The Vinh Moc spectacular tunnel network within the zone stands as a
testament to the endurance, wisdom and bravery of the local people in
their fight for independence.
The
Vinh Moc tunnel complex was built to shelter the people of Son Trung and
Son Ha communes in Vinh Linh county of Quang Tri Province. It was
constructed in several stages, beginning in 1966 and coming into use
until 1971. The complex grew to consist of wells, kitchens, rooms for
each family and clinics. Around 60 families lived in the tunnels; as
many as 17 children were born inside the tunnels as well. Finally, the
tunnels were a success and no villagers lost their lives thanks to them.
The only direct hit was from a bomb that failed to explode, the
resulting hole was utilized as a ventilation shaft.
Historical
Name. "Their real name is Son Vinh Tunnels," one designer witnessing
this said, "From the very beginning we called it Son Vinh tunnels. Son
means mountain and Vinh not only refers to Vinh Moc, but to the Vinh
Linh people. The people of Son Trung and Son Ha communes and the men of
border-post also helped build the tunnels."
Ten years after the war had ended, I heard that the Vinh Moc Tunnels were opened to tourists in Quang Tri Province. Arriving at the tunnels tourists in Vietnam travel
always put their hands on the wooden planks to feel how cold they were.
These days, the government is striving to preserve their existence.
Historical
story. In the mid-1960s, the area was a burnt and blackened wasteland,
constantly under attack from the US. During a meeting of the local
Vietnamese soldiers to discuss how to stop all the constant casualties
and better protect the community, some put forth the idea of moving the
people underground. For them, it would be meaningless if the local
people could not be protected since without the people their post would
cease to exist.
After
the meeting, an initial plan to construct a U-shaped tunnel on the
seaside cliff was put forward. The US had not yet begun using the
infamous B-52 bombers at Vinh Linh, but it was only a matter of time. As
the plan manifested, the soldiers followed up with two A-shaped
tunnels, connecting them with the U-turn and forming a connected chain
of tunnels and bomb shelters. This initial network also acted as a base
to retaliate against the enemy if they landed at Vinh Linh and
conveniently as an entry point for supplies to the Con Co Island nearby.
Yet,
of course it wasn’t that simple. The tunnels needed 5m-deep ventilation
openings, and as the community within expanded, they had to develop
wells, kitchens, bedrooms and health-stations. The tunnels also had to
store provisions for the army and locals, and had to be able to house as
well as transport hundreds of tonnes of rice. The tunnels are not just
famous for the uniqueness of the constructors’ endeavor, but for the
meticulous ingenuity of their design. All the kitchens required
chimneys, which had to be able to disperse their smoke without
attracting enemy planes, no easy feat for a designer who was trying to
fight a war.
Architecture
When
the underground channels were designed, the designers had the foresight
to consider their protection as well as their construction. They must
be well against damage long, tropical rains, and monsoon. Architects
would like to visit this historical and solid shelter to figure out how
their elders could succeed in constructing such a complex, huge, but
firm and sufficient place of living. The tunnel is accurately a
miniaturized image of a deep underground village with all necessary
services (houses for all families, birthplace, health-stations, etc.),
but can stand still firmly until now. The answer may be revealed in a
heroic mentality and great endeavor of the people in that historical
period.
Today, people no longer need the tunnel to shelter but consider it as one of the top destinations for tourists in Vietnam travel
who join some history-discovering tour. If you are fond of history, and
you prefer adventure, paying a visit to Vinh Moc tunnel is foremost
suggestion.
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