Explore “A World Beneath the War”

(LĐ online) - In the documentary "A World Beneath the War - The Secret of the Vietnam Tunnels" by Dutch director Janet Gardner, it is described: "In 1965, people in a central province of Vietnam stood on the front line of an increasingly brutal war. For them, the war had become a struggle for survival. But instead of choosing to flee their ancestral village, they created a series of tunnels, creating a world beneath the war."

Many veterans were moved when they visited the old battlefield with their comrades.

That miracle is still beyond anyone's imagination, so today history still records a miracle of a "heroic steel rampart" - Vinh Moc Tunnels.

Many tourists visit Vinh Moc Tunnels

Vinh Moc Tunnels is located in Vinh Moc village, Kim Thach commune (Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province). When the movie "Tunnels - Sun in the dark" was positively received by the audience, the number of people visiting Cu Chi tunnels and the tunnel system throughout the Central provinces also increased significantly. Because everyone wants to experience once more the intricate system of Vinh Moc tunnels dug deep into the ground by the hands and minds of our army and people during the resistance war against America to save the country.

CCB Nguyen Dinh Binh - from Hanoi revisits the old battlefield after more than 50 years and reminisces about his youth

“The world beneath the war”, “underground village”, “heroic steel rampart”, “the world living underground”… Vinh Moc tunnel is not only an important historical relic, but also a symbol of the brave spirit, creativity and strong desire to live of people during the war.

“The Vinh Moc tunnels are one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century and one of mankind's most glorious victories in the struggle for survival,” an Australian tourist commented when visiting the Vinh Moc tunnels in 1994.

Map of Vinh Moc Tunnels redrawn and placed in front of the museum

The reason why Vinh Moc Tunnels surprised the world is because it is truly a great achievement, created by the hands, each pickaxe, each drop of sweat of the people of Quang Tri in 18,000 working days to create 2,034m of tunnel. Vinh Moc is also the most typical work of our ancestors' indomitable will, refusing to retreat before the invaders.

The joy of many war veterans when they are still healthy enough to meet their comrades and family

Recreating the life and activities of people in small alleys, 1.8m deep and 0.8m wide

“Fierce is just the way I say it, but only when I was in each battle did I realize that no words can describe it. After more than 50 years, I have had the opportunity to return to this place, to remember a time of youth when blood and bones were not spared, to remember the comrades who sacrificed... We cannot forget those losses until now”, said veteran Nguyen Dinh Binh (from Hanoi) - who fought in the Vinh Linh battlefield, before participating in the 81 days and nights of protecting Quang Tri Citadel, he was constantly moved, carefully following the traces in the tunnels, where the walls were smooth because of the hands of the people and comrades clinging to them to move throughout the years of war.

Bulletin board announcing war and assigning work in the tunnels during the resistance days

The underground walls were cold, thick but still quite damp, covered with a thin layer of green moss.

Image of newborn care in the tunnels

According to recorded documents, Vinh Moc Tunnel has 13 entrances, including 6 entrances to the hill and 7 entrances to the sea, dug diagonally in the direction of the sea breeze to draw the sea breeze into the tunnel, so it is always cool. The tunnel is in the shape of an arch 1.7m high, 1.2m wide, divided into 3 floors with a depth of 15 - 23m, on soft red basalt soil, high adhesion, ensuring no landslides. The center of the tunnel village has a hall with a capacity of 40 - 50 people used as a meeting and activity place.

There have been 17 children born in the Vinh Moc tunnels.

Each tour group moved more slowly because everyone wanted to take souvenir photos in the tunnels, especially the veterans.

At the branches, there are 3m wide basements used for eating, living and activities. In addition, there is a kindergarten, an ambulance, an information house, a militia guard house, a warehouse for the island, and a basement for the commune leadership to work...

The bronze statue "To be or not to be" stands out in the Gallery with additional artifacts and images of Vinh Moc Tunnels and Vinh Linh tunnel village system.

In the midst of the fierce years of bombs and bullets, no one could have imagined that there was a Vinh Moc tunnel - a world living underground, beneath the fierce war to regain independence of our army and people. To this day, Vinh Moc tunnel is still a historical and cultural relic with great historical and educational values, a symbol of the immortal patriotism, indomitable will and creativity of our ancestors during the years of resistance, a living legend in the fiery land of Quang Tri.

Visitors are moved and admire the courage and genius that created Vinh Moc Tunnels.

Vinh Moc Tunnels and the entire tunnel system is a magnificent underground architectural work, where Vinh Linh people lived and fought with all their might, waiting for the day of national reunification.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/du-lich/202506/kham-pha-mot-the-gioi-ben-duoi-cuoc-chien-5e66a56/