Vinh Moc Tunnels — Attraction in Quảng Trị Province

Super interesting place in the Quang Tri province, dug as a tunnel complex during the Vietnam war beginning in 1966 and used until early 1972, by local villagers! They were built to shelter people from the intense bombing of Son Trung and Son Ha communes in Vinh Linh county in the Vietnamese DMZ.

The villagers initially dug the tunnels to move their village 10 metres underground but the American forces penetrated this depth which meant eventually 3 levels to a depth of 30m were eventually built. The complex grew to include kitchens, wells, schools, meeting rooms, private rooms for each family and spaces for healthcare! Around sixty families lived in the tunnels and 17 children were born inside! At max capacity, the complex housed over 600 people.

The tunnels were a success and no villagers lost their lives. The only direct hit was from a bomb that failed to explode; the resulting hole was utilized as a ventilation shaft.

The complex ran to the ocean which washed away any remnance of digging, gave access to water and gave a gateway to assist the villagers of the Vietnamese garrison on the island of Con Co, which was in turn hinderered the American bombers on their way to bomb Hanoi!

The area is also made up of "channels" which gave safe passage to villagers as well as animals, in case of the bomb from above, the walls gave protection and also had set enemy positions for returning of fire.

This tour can be part of the DMZ War tour, although we hired a motorbike and road from south to North Vietnam, completing the Chu Chi tunnels, DMZ and these tunnels. These tunnels are larger, we are 5"10 and could walk with a slight bend. Plenty of stairs if accessing entrance 3 but a very worthwhile experience! It is absolutely incredible how a whole town made their daily life underground. Vietnamese people are admirable, strong and resilient. My utmost respect for this kind and loving country!!

We didn't pay an entrance fee only 5k to park. Refreshments stops and toilets available (2k...

There are vivid memories of the Tunnels of Cu Chi. The Tunnels of Cu Chi presented the true cruelties of the Vietnam War, and those sights left lasting impressions. Soon into the tunnels, however, I sensed that the Tunnels of Vinh Moc differ in a few significant ways.

The Vinh Moc tunnels were originally hand-dug by the villagers living in the Vinh Linh District during the 1960s. They did so in response to the escalating air strikes that the United States were launching north of the DMZ in 1966. In a span of two years, the villagers dug 50 tunnels through the red laterite soils in the ground. (Rough Guides at 303)

The Tunnels of Vinh Moc village lie along the coast. The villagers have intended these tunnels to merely provide shelters for themselves. Although they did participate in the supply of food and arms to the North Vietnamese army, they were civilians. As a result, the tunnels appeared more as a genuine underground community, rather than a war zone that was at Cu Chi.

It was, however, no less authentic...

I was here in 2018 but never left a review, and I keep thinking of this place. We decided to roam around by ourselves without a guide, and so we did for a while following the map we photographed, but in the museum we and another couple met a speech-impaired little guy, who was apparently born in the tunnels back in the day (it was also confirmed by another guide). He got all excited about our interest and showed us a picture of himself as a baby in the tunnels, then lead us through tunnels, explaining alot of things with clear hand gestures, it was a different kind of experience, very moving. When we got out towards the beach the guys went skinny dipping, little dude was super excited and laughing, and he wouldn't accept the tips we offered him at first, guess he just enjoyed our company as we did his. I hope he's doing good, it was a memorable experience for us and our understanding of the issues...