Today, we took a tour through Quang Tri Province; stopping at some historic battle sites that were significant during the American War.
Known to the US forces as, “the Rockpile” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rockpile). To the Vietnamese, this is Thon Khe Tri or “Battle Mountain”.
Battle Mountain, Quang Tri Province.
Roadside monument, Quang Tri Prov.
Next on the tour was, the site of the old US Marine Corps Combat Base at Khe Sanh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Khe_Sanh).
Khe Sanh Combat Base, Quang Tri Prov.
Khe Sanh – area surrounding the old US Marine combat base is now a coffee-growing region.
Khe Sanh – the ever-present chickens and roosters.
The museum at the Khe Sanh Combat Base.
The museum at Khe Sanh Combat Base 02.
Restored Marine bunker at the Khe Sanh Combat Base.
Display of US aerial bombs (without their tailfins) at Khe Sanh Combat Base.
Khe Sanh Combat Base Monument.
Patriotic wood-carving in the Khe Sanh Combat Base Museum.
Map of the Khe Sanh battle area.
Khe Sanh Combat Base Museum display.
Map of the Khe Sanh area.
We then travelled north into the old “Demilitarized Zone” (DMZ) that was at one time the buffer between North and South Vietnam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_Demilitarized_Zone).
Monument honouring women wireless operators during the American War, Quang Tri Prov.
The Hien Luong Bridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hien_Luong_Bridge) over the Ben Hai River, former DMZ:
The Hien Luong Bridge crossing the Ben Hai River, South-North DMZ.
Monument at the Hien Luong Bridge.
We eventually drove to the Vinh Moc Tunnels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinh_Moc_tunnels). These tunnels were dug by hand over several stages starting in 1966. They were dug as much as 30 metres deep and housed about 60 families; as many as 17 children were born inside the tunnels.
Trail to the Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Ventilation shaft for the Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Air raid shelter entrance, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Remnants of crater from a US aerial bomb, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Communication trenches, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Access point, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Another US aerial bomb crater remnant, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Vinh Moc Tunnels Museum.
Anti-aircraft sight on a 12.7mm HMG, Vinh Moc Tunnels Museum.
Entrance to the Vinh Moc Tunnels.
In we go, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Not much room, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
All dug by hand, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Accommodations for a family, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Subterranean bomb shelter, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
A rare wider section, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Tiny exit onto the shoreline, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
At night, the villagers would go fishing to provide protein, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
One of the approximately 17 children actually born in the tunnel complex, Vinh Moc Tunnels.
East to Hedon
East to Hedon 