Same same but different...

Today, we visited Vietnam's Demilitarized Zone, the area around the former border between North and South Vietnam.

The Vinh Moc tunnels were built on the shore North of the Ben Hai River. The construction took 13 months (1965 and 1966). It is estimated that 300 people (about 60 families) lived permanently in tunnels during the years 1966 to 1972, and 17 children were born in the interior of the Vinh Moc tunnels.

The tunnels extend 2.8 km-long, divided in 3 levels underground 12 meters, 18 meters and 22 meters respectively. The top level was suitable for the life of the families, that leader in small dwellings dug into the limestone rock of 4 meters wide, 0.8 meters in height and 1.8 meters wide. The second level was used to store the weapons and supplies, in addition to maintaining strategic meetings. The last and deepest level, was used to seek refuge from the bombing, since American bombs were designed to penetrate 10 meters under the ground.

We entered and exited through several of the 13 Gates which families rarely left unless they needed food and there was no danger.

These tunnels were strategically located to help supply the resistance forces with weaponry and supplied, therefore these tunnels were built to sustain 'comfortable' life. Therefore, the major difference between these and the ones we visited just outside Saigon, is the tunnel height. Apparently you should be able to comfortably walk through the tunnels...