Solid and intact space inside the bunker. |
Underground tremors detected
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital, right next to Hoan Kiem Lake - the historic heart of Hanoi , a secret has lain dormant for centuries. The secret basement in the premises of the Northern Power Corporation (No. 20 Tran Nguyen Han) seemed to have been forgotten, but in 2019, a surprising discovery brought it back to light.
The layer of rock and soil covering the tunnel was so thick and hard that the construction workers could not drill through. Upon closer inspection, they discovered a solid system of reinforced concrete walkways deep underground. The stairs led down to a spacious underground space where people had taken refuge during the war. In the midst of an ever-changing urban area, this tunnel was like a missing piece of Hanoi’s history – a silent witness to the fierce years.
Artifacts still preserved in the cellar |
Two interesting hypotheses about the origin
According to researcher Nguyen Ngoc Tien, this cellar could have appeared in one of two important historical periods.
Hypothesis 1: The bunker was built around 1943-1944, when the Allies bombed the Japanese army in Hanoi. At that time, the Japanese fascists dug many bunkers around Hoan Kiem Lake to protect soldiers and infrastructure from bombings. This bunker could have been part of that defense system, like the bunkers discovered in Ly Thai To flower garden or Hang Non street.
Second hypothesis: The bunker was built during the period 1965-1972, the period of the US Air Force's destructive war in the North. When US aircraft continuously attacked important targets such as power plants, bridges, train stations, etc., Hanoi electricity workers had to build shelters right under their workplaces to ensure safety and maintain electricity for the capital.
Regardless of when it appeared, the bunker still holds special historical value. It is a testament to the harshness of war, and at the same time reflects the resilient spirit of Hanoians, who have defied danger to protect the lifeblood of the city.
Solid structure – Mark of an era
Unlike other makeshift shelters, this structure was built extremely solidly:
Reinforced concrete structure, thick walls capable of withstanding strong vibrations. Two large rooms, about 6-7m² in area, could have been a workplace or shelter for many people. Two smaller rooms, could have been used to store important documents or equipment. The entrance consists of 5 narrow steps, just enough for one person to move down safely.
Rooms inside the cellar |
Despite the long time it has been underground, the bunker remains in an amazing state. The walls, although peeling in some places, are still solid, proving that the level of construction and design during that period was not inferior to solid military structures.
The entrance to the cellar with narrow stairs |
The days of bombs and life underground
During the war years, when the US Air Force carpet-bombed Hanoi, the power plant became one of the key targets that needed to be protected. Because where there is light, there is life, and for that reason, the electricity workers became silent soldiers.
This bunker may have been a shelter for power workers when American bombs exploded overhead or a command post to ensure the power supply was not interrupted.
The electricians of the past fought without guns and bullets but with courage and determination to keep the light on. Underground, in basements like this, they worked, lived, and waited for the rain of bombs to stop so they could continue to rush out to repair the power lines.
Preserve or destroy?
Now, when the Northern Power Corporation plans to relocate its headquarters, the question is: Should this basement be kept?
Writer and researcher Nguyen Ngoc Tien. Photo: T.D - Dan Viet Newspaper |
Researcher Nguyen Ngoc Tien affirmed that this is an important relic , not only for the electricity industry but also for the history of Hanoi:
Time value: If built in 1943-1944, this structure has existed for more than a century. If built in 1965-1972, it is also nearly 60 years old.
Historical value: This is the place that helped people avoid bombs and bullets, a place that proves the days when Hanoi was resilient during the war.
Value of denouncing war: It is evidence denouncing the destructive bombings of Japanese fascists and American imperialists.
Educational and tourist value: The cellar can become a historical attraction, helping the younger generation better understand the years our ancestors went through.
He emphasized: " It doesn't matter who built this bunker, what's important is that it's located in Hanoi and we should keep it ."
Currently, Hanoi is promoting the development of heritage tourism. A structure like this basement can become an interesting tourist attraction, contributing to recreating the story of the silent heroes of the electricity industry.
After its discovery in 2019, the bunker was kept intact, only cleaned and a lighting system installed for research purposes. If properly planned, this place could become part of a series of historical destinations in the Hoan Kiem Lake area, along with Long Bien Bridge, Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi Old Quarter, etc., creating a vivid picture of the capital's past.
Dear readers, please watch a close-up video of the secret basement under the headquarters of the Northern Electricity Corporation at 20 Tran Nguyen Han, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, made by reporters of the Knowledge and Life Newspaper.
Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/can-ham-bi-an-hon-tram-tuoi-canh-ho-guom-chung-nhan-tham-lang-post267104.html
Comment (0)