Vinh Moc Tunnels - A living legend in the heart of the "land of fire"

In Vinh Moc village, Vinh Thach commune (now Kim Thach commune), Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province, there is an "ancient underground castle" with many unique features; associated with the life and war of the people of the "fire land" of Quang Tri. Vinh Moc tunnel is not only a special national monument, but also a unique and attractive tourist destination, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists to visit and learn.

Many foreign tourists come to visit and learn about the Vinh Moc Tunnels National Special Monument. Photo: PV

Explore the "ancient underground castle"

Going about 30km north of Dong Ha city, Quang Tri province, we arrived at Vinh Linh - a land associated with the tradition of heroic, resilient and indomitable revolutionary heroes. Although a coastal locality, Vinh Linh is favored by nature because of its fertile red basalt soil. Along the way are vast rubber forests and pepper gardens laden with fruit. Despite the scorching April sun, the lush green of trees, fruits, and flowers still covers this land.

Following the tour guide of the Quang Tri Provincial Museum and Relic Management Center, we explored part of the "ancient underground castle" - Vinh Moc tunnel. Vinh Moc tunnel was started digging in 1965 and completed in 1967. The project is located on a red basalt hill, with a total area of about 7 hectares, bordering the sea. This is a project that combines the tunnel system of Vinh Moc village people, Son Ha village and the tunnel of Armed Police Station 140, connected together into a continuous, closed system, commonly known as Vinh Linh Tunnel Village.

Vinh Moc tunnel is arranged like a miniature underground village, with 13 entrances; of which 6 doors lead to high hills and 7 doors lead to the sea. The tunnel is structured with 3 floors: the first floor is 8-10m deep from the ground, including 81 "apartments", which is the main living place of the people. These are deep holes dug to create a living space for families. These "apartments" are very small, only enough space for a family of 2-4 people. The second floor is 12-15m from the ground, arranged with the headquarters of the party committee, administrative committee, commune team and common activity hall, with a capacity of 50-60 people. The third floor is 20-23m from the ground, is a warehouse for storing food and weapons.

In addition to Vinh Moc tunnel, the whole Vinh Linh district also has more than 113 tunnel villages; a trench system with a total length of more than 2,000km, connecting tunnel villages and tunnels to form a continuous underground tunnel village system. During the resistance years, from this tunnel, Vinh Linh people transferred 1,150 tons of goods to Con Co island with 43 sorties and 3,350 tons of goods and weapons for the South.

In the Vinh Moc tunnels from 1968-1972, 17 babies were born. Photo: NGO XUAN

Symbol of People's War

During the destructive war of the US puppet government, Vinh Linh became a target of destruction, and a testing ground for many types of weapons of war. On this land, with an area of only about 820km2, the US imperialists dropped more than 700,000 tons of bombs and ammunition. On average, each Vinh Linh resident had to bear about 7 tons of bombs along with 800 artillery shells. As a result, prosperous villages, constructions, and villages were all leveled. However, those sorrows could not subdue the indomitable will and determination to fight and win of the Vinh Linh people.

Vinh Moc Tunnels is a unique construction, a symbol of the Vietnam People's War. This is a typical construction representing the indomitable will of our people, refusing to retreat before the invaders.

To avoid bombs and bullets, the Vinh Moc tunnels were conceived and implemented by the Vinh Moc government and people from 1965 to 1967. With only rudimentary digging tools and more than 18,000 mobilized workdays, the Vinh Moc army and people dug a 3-storey tunnel system, 2,034m long, with full essential infrastructure for people's daily life as well as serving the mission of supplying food and ammunition to the southern battlefield.

It can be seen that Vinh Moc tunnel is a work created by the strength and intelligence of the army and people of Quang Tri. During those years, in the sky, the US army still dropped bombs day and night, plowed every inch of land, destroyed every branch and blade of grass. However, hidden deep underground, the lives of Vinh Moc people still quietly grew and flourished. Vinh Moc army and people still steadfastly clung to the land and village; gathered to transport weapons, food, first aid for wounded soldiers, support the front line... During nearly 2,000 days and nights in the tunnel, Vinh Linh army and people created a legend about the miraculous vitality and brave will of people. In Vinh Moc tunnel, 17 children cried out when they were born underground.

Place of revolutionary traditioneducation

After liberation, Vinh Moc Tunnel Village was twice honored as a Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and the State. In 2014, Vinh Moc Tunnel Village was recognized as a special national monument. Not simply a special national monument, Vinh Moc Tunnel Village in particular and Vinh Linh Tunnel Village in general are also great underground architectural works, with unique scientific, artistic and cultural values, demonstrating the extraordinary intelligence and determination of Vinh Linh people. This is also a vivid testament to the steadfast, indomitable patriotism and limitless creativity of our people during the fierce war years, which has great significance in educating the revolutionary patriotism tradition for the younger generation.

Today, Vinh Moc tunnels have become a place for sightseeing, learning, propaganda, and education on patriotism, revolutionary fighting traditions, solidarity, and creativity of the people in the fight to protect the Fatherland. Many tour groups and tourists from home and abroad have come to Vinh Moc tunnels. Many groups of students from all over the country have also come here to witness the hardships and difficulties, as well as to learn about the lives and the indomitable will of the people of Quang Tri in the war to protect the Fatherland.

Visiting Vinh Moc tunnels, Mr. Nguyen Cong Thanh (in Hanoi) was moved to share: If you do not directly visit, learn and listen to the introduction, surely no one can imagine that with only hoes, shovels, and extremely primitive tools, our ancestors could create such a magnificent work. In a period of extremely fierce war, survival seemed very difficult, but the people of Quang Tri still fought steadfastly and contributed to the historic victory of the whole country. Next time, I will return to Vinh Moc with my family, so that my children can understand the heroic revolutionary tradition of their ancestors, and appreciate the peace and independence of the nation.

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/xa-hoi/202504/dia-dao-vinh-moc-huyen-thoai-song-trong-long-mien-dat-lua-84e4bdb/