# Things To Do, Vietnam Travel Advices

Long Phuoc Tunnels – A lesser known tunnel system in Vietnam War

Long Phuoc Tunnels is a lesser know tunnel system in Vietnam War. However, it played an important role thorughout the wars from 1949 to 1975, including the famous Battle of Long Tan. Nowadays, Long Phuoc Tunnels are mostly visited by Australians who are doing their Long Tan Tour.

Long Phuoc Tunnels' location

Long Phuoc Tunnels is located near Road 52, Long Phuoc, Ba Ria – Vung Tau. The place is approximately 80 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, and only 5 kilometers from Long Tan Cross.

These tunnels were used by the Viet Cong for shelter, storage, and communication during the war with the French, and Vietnam War. They are less famous than the Cu Chi Tunnels but offer a similar historical experience.

During its existence, the Long Phuoc Tunnel has been expanded to 3600 meters in total.

History

Before 1949: The origin

Like everyone else in the village, whenever the enemy raided, bombed, or attacked, Mr. Nam Hoi would run away with the others. One time, while running, he fell into a bomb crater about 1.5-1.6 meters deep. He was scared to climb out because the enemy was bombing above and the crater was too deep. So, he decided to hide in the crater to avoid being found. That time, he survived by staying in the bomb crater.

After that experience, Mr. Nam Hoi and his family started digging a shelter to hide from future raids. Back then, every house in Long Phuoc had a large altar cabinet. Mr. Nam Hoi had the cabinet moved and dug a shelter right beneath it. So, during later raids, his family didn’t have to run far; they just hid in the shelter under the cabinet to stay safe.

1949: Into a tunnel system

In August 1945, Long Phuoc village established a revolutionary government and armed forces to prepare for the upcoming war. When the French returned in March 1946, they caused severe damage to the village.

From 1946 to 1949, the French repeatedly raided and terrorized the villagers, sometimes as often as 4-5 times a month. The Long Phuoc government was deeply concerned about protecting the people’s lives and property.

Mr. Nam Hoi’s family survived and kept their belongings safe during these raids. The local government, led by Mr. Sau Tam, visited Mr. Nam Hoi to learn from his experience. They discovered he had built a simple yet effective shelter. Mr. Sau Tam suggested expanding this idea, leading to a movement where villagers dug interconnected shelters.

By early 1949, after six months of digging, the villagers completed 300 meters of tunnels in Dong hamlet. These tunnels, 3 meters deep and 0.8 meters wide, included many hidden chambers and defensive positions.

In October 1949, the villagers used this tunnel system to thwart a major enemy raid, helping secure the Xuyen Phuoc Co base.

1963: Useful in the battlefield

In early 1963, the Ba Ria Provincial Party decided to restore and expand the Long Phuoc tunnels. They sent a platoon from Company 445 to help the villagers dig. The tunnels were extended from Dong hamlet to Bac hamlet, including branches for fighting positions, weapon storage, medical stations, food supplies, and water tanks. A tunnel from Nam hamlet to Dong hamlet was also built, ending in a deadly trap area.

On April 1, 1963, the villagers and soldiers used the tunnels to inflict heavy damage on the enemy. A battalion supported by armored vehicles attacked Bac hamlet but was repelled.

On April 7, 1963, the enemy launched a massive assault on Dong hamlet with tanks, bulldozers, and thousands of soldiers, aiming to destroy the tunnels. Although they damaged some sections, they couldn’t locate all the hidden entrances. The Vietnamese forces used grenades and explosives to surprise and defeat the enemy, forcing them to retreat.

1966: Operation Enogerra

From 21/06 to 05/07/1966 (a short time before the Battle of Long Tan), 6RAR’s first operation, Enoggera. The Australian unit D Coy, 6RAR’s job was to complete the destruction of Long Phuoc Village. They were to destroy or remove any caches of food and other supplies and then destroy the tunnels and hides that honeycombed the area.

Long Phuoc Tunnels system was also a target of this operation.

Present days

On January 9, 1990, the Ministry of Culture and Information recognized the Long Phuoc tunnels as a historical site. The Ba Ria-Vung Tau People’s Committee restored the tunnels, opening them to tourists.

Today, the Long Phuoc tunnels have been renovated and feature an exhibition room for visitors. The section in Bac hamlet, where many fierce battles occurred, has been restored to its original state. It includes an entrance, with a width of 0.8-1 meters and a height of 1.6-1.8 meters, along with air vents, trenches, food storage areas, and medical stations for treating the wounded.