The Vinh Moc Tunnels are at the heart of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in central Vietnam. They were used to shelter villages from intense fighting during the Vietnam War.
The Demilitarized Zone was drawn up in the 1950s as part of a compromise between the French-controlled south and communist north. During the American War (as locals call it), this area was heavily bombarded in a struggle between North Vietnamese trying to supply arms to the Viet Cong and US forces trying to cut them off.
Villages across the region were continually caught in the crossfire, and the Vinh Moc Tunnels were the centrepiece of a brilliant campaign to escape the violence. Almost two miles worth of tunnels were dug in three levels ranging from 40 to 75 feet deep. The entire project took 13 months to complete.
Over the course of five years, 300 people took shelter here. The tunnels have kitchens; individual rooms for more than 60 families; a meeting hall and school room; ventilation shafts and a ‘maternity ward’ where 17 babies were born. In a testament to human endurance, everyone survived.
Today the Vinh Moc Tunnels are one of the most visited sites in the Demilitarized Zone. The success of this project is a refreshing change of pace from the otherwise depressing war memorials in this part of the country.
Getting There & Away
Access is either from Hue or Dong Ha, both of which have regional airports. Hue’s airport is the better bet as it has more flights. From either city you can hire a car and a driver to visit the tunnels on a daytrip. You could theoretically hire a car and drive yourself, though it’s easy to get lost in the DMZ. Access is four miles north of the Ben Hai River, with a turnoff in the little village of Ho Xa. From here you have to drive another eight miles to reach the tunnels.