Quang Tri Province can never be separated from its painful past. Along with the beautiful attraction it cradles are the war memories, remnants and scars of time. These sad memories, however, reflects a proud history of the courage, determination and tenacity of the Vietnamese people, particularly those who inhabited the area in the not-so-distant past.

Among what embodies this pride is the Vinh Moc Tunnel system which is presently a huge attraction for tourists.

Underground Miniature Village

Located at the southern tip of what was Northern Vietnam, this impressive complex of tunnels were built by local villagers during the Vietnam War (1960s to early 1970s) to shelter people from the intense bombing. Around 180,000 people lived in the tunnel system for over two years. With no lives lost, the tunnels were a success. The tunnel network's total length stretches up to nearly 2 kilometers. Taking over two years to complete, three levels of tunnels were eventually built, with the first level at 13 meters beneath the ground and was the place for daily activities of locals. The second level is at 15 meters and was home to store food and weapons as well as for meetings. The third, at 23 meters underground, was where locals shelter themselves during bombing.

Exploring the tunnels allow the visitors to connect with how villagers settled in this complex system during wartimes. It takes a full hour of hunched over walking to fully explore the tunnels which include maternity wards, hospitals, sleeping quarters and cooking areas on various levels. There is a small museum at the site displaying artifacts and historical photographs. The system has a total of 13 doors, of which seven are linked to the sea with six linked to the hills.

Getting There

The Vinh Moc Tunnel complex is located at Vinh Moc Hamlet, Vinh Thach Commune, Vinh Linh District.

Tours to the tunnel system is offered by many travel agencies. Local transportation from Hue to this area can be a little challenging to those who is not familiar with the place. When starting from Dong Ha City (commercial hub of Quang Tri) it takes around one hour along National Highway 1A to reach the Vinh Moc Tunnel complex by motorbike.

The path to Vinh Moc is wonderfully graced by shady bamboo lines and rich rice fields. Many historical relics can also be seen along the way. The tunnel has been recognized as a national historical site and was opened for public viewing since 1995.

This tourist destination is more of a historical evidence of a heroic period of Vietnam’s history.