Inside the bomb shelter at Hanoi's most luxurious hotel

The bomb shelter, once a shelter for many famous people during the war against America, has now become a famous tourist destination attracting history lovers.

Located in the heart of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel grounds is a special historical relic, a bunker built to shelter from bombing during the American air war in the North during the resistance years. This bunker was accidentally discovered in 2011 during the renovation of a bar near the swimming pool. Workers digging the foundation discovered a layer of concrete nearly 30 cm thick at a depth of about 2 m, which was the roof of a solid underground bunker with many separate rooms.

As of May 21, 2012, this place is open and only for hotel guests to visit. During the excavation process, many valuable artifacts were discovered and preserved intact such as locking systems, locks, old wine bottles, electrical sockets, light bulbs... these artifacts are currently displayed in the main lobby of the hotel.

The basement is located about 2 meters underground, with three entrances, two of which have been filled in. Currently, there is only one entrance left, located next to the hotel's swimming pool.

The basement has an area of ​​nearly 39 square meters, the widest compartment has an area of ​​more than 7 square meters, the narrowest is only more than 2 square meters, the average height is 1.85 meters, and can accommodate about 45 people.

Inside the cellar there are 6 iron doors, 2 wooden doors, divided into 8 compartments, of which 4 have doors, 2 connecting compartments and 2 waiting rooms.

After a long period of being forgotten and submerged in water, many devices in the basement such as sockets, circuit breakers, lighting, ventilation pipes... have mostly rusted and damaged.

This place was a bomb shelter for many famous people from 1960 to 1972, including actress Jane Fonda, anti-war activist Tom Hayden, Australian diplomat Bob Devereaux...

It was also in this basement that American singer Joan Baez recorded part of the song Where are you my son during the resistance war against the US, in the winter of 1972. The song's title was derived from the lament of a mother who lost her only son in the US bombing campaign against Hanoi.

The other two entrances to the tunnel are now sealed.

The bunker is one of the precious heritages, historical evidence of the devastating war in the past. Today, this bunker of more than 36 square meters has become an interesting tourist attraction for guests staying at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel.

In 2013, the bunker was awarded an honorary UNESCO award for its conservation efforts to bring back to life a nearly forgotten historical site.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/ben-trong-di-tich-ham-tranh-bom-tai-khach-san-sang-bac-nhat-ha-noi-3355597.html