35. Long Phuoc Tunnel Revolutionary Historical Relic

The Long Phuoc Tunnels are located within the confines of Long Phuoc commune, approximately 7 km east of Ba Ria City. This relic stands as a poignant symbol of the unwavering spirit of our people and military during the struggles against both the French and the United States. The heroic legacy resounds in the verses: “Troops emerge unexpectedly from the depths, startling the enemy forces. The surroundings become a battlefield.”

Venturing into the intricate passages of the Long Phuoc tunnels reveals the profound strength hidden within the Vietnamese soil. The existence of the Long Phuoc tunnels is a living testament to the guerrilla warfare artistry employed by the people and military of the South against the U.S. and its allies. It exemplifies the tactics of surprise, swift engagements, and the indispensable use of underground networks to achieve monumental victories. These subterranean passages served as crucial conduits for the seamless transportation of supplies during the formidable battles. Years later, returning American soldiers couldn’t help but be astonished and express admiration upon setting foot into the tunnel system that had once instilled fear in their hearts.

Although not as extensive as the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Long Phuoc Tunnels were established between 1948 and 1949 by repurposing secret bunkers. Long Phuoc, a commune in the liberated zone near Highway 2 (connecting Ba Ria and Xuan Loc), was known for its patriotic community. The French forces routinely conducted sweeps, arresting and shooting civilians, causing extensive damage to crops, livestock, and homes, inflicting severe hardships on the local population. Inspired by the experiences of Mr. Nam Hoi, who dug hiding tunnels to protect rice, valuables, and avoid losses during enemy raids, the initiative to create shelters evolved into the Long Phuoc Tunnels movement. This idea spread rapidly after being introduced by the Long Dien District Party Committee, gaining momentum in all four hamlets. A party cell meeting in early 1949 at “Dap Nho” achieved unanimous support for the strategic development of secret bunkers into tunnels for both self-defense and offensive operations against the enemy. The party resolution on tunnel development was widely disseminated and supported among the people through various departments, organizations, and localities. Party members were assigned to mobilize residents, and the tunnel development plan was executed. The tunnel network, divided into five clusters across five hamlets, interconnected by backbone tunnels, featured numerous branches used as storage for food reserves. This design facilitated both movement within the tunnel system and the deployment of combat forces at tunnel entrances to engage the enemy. The main cluster commenced construction in Dong Hamlet, starting from Mr. Bay Thu’s house, where the core forces of the commune gathered. The southern cluster began at Mr. Tu Theo’s house, the western cluster at Mrs. Hai Tat’s house, the northern cluster at Mr. Ba Ro’s house, and the Phuoc Huu cluster at Mr. Doi Ngon’s house. Whenever the enemy launched large-scale sweeps, an alarm signal prompted civilians to safely retreat, while guerrillas and local forces relied on the tunnel system to counter the enemy. During a major French sweep in November 1949, the Phan Dinh Phung military unit and local guerrillas took a determined stand in the tunnels, engaging the enemy in fierce combat for an entire day. They successfully repelled multiple waves of attacks, inflicting significant casualties on the French. The Long Phuoc guerrillas managed to wound the notorious OR commando leader, Đội Ngay, marking their first victory in the Long Phuoc Tunnels.  Subsequently, when French troops established a base in Long Phuoc, tunnel excavation had to be temporarily halted. However, the innovative and proactive tunnel system, along with the community’s steadfastness and resilience, continued to play a crucial role in the prolonged Anti-American Resistance War.

During the resistance against the United States, the Long Phuoc Tunnels were restored from April 1963 and developed into a robust interconnected system.  The tunnels were dug to a depth of 6 meters, with a spine width of 0.70 – 0.80 meters, and a height ranging from 1.6 – 1.8 meters. They featured multiple partitioned doors, ventilation holes, and combat bunkers The tunnel network in Bac Hamlet extended for a total of 3.6 km, while the Tay Hamlet network covered 2.5 km. Alongside the tunnels, there were communication trenches, combat structures, and anti-aircraft bunkers, serving as strongholds against enemy forces.

Over 27 years (1948 – 1975), spanning the Anti-French Resistance War and the resistance against the United States, the Long Phuoc Tunnels stood as a resilient stronghold for revolutionary forces. They played a crucial role in maintaining the operational base for the district party committee, party, and government agencies at the provincial, district, and commune levels. The interconnected tunnel system, combined with combat bunkers, allowed the forces in Long Phuoc District to fight alongside C.445 (Province) and C.20 (District), inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. A notable example is the 44-day and night battle (from March 5 to April 11, 1963) against the enemy’s sweep into Long Phuoc. Local guerrillas and district military forces caused significant damage to the enemy, eliminating 243 enemies and destroying 12 M113 armored vehicles. From March 19 to 25, 1966, the combined forces of the United States, Australia, and the puppet Saigon regime launched an offensive against Long Phuoc, aiming to destroy the tunnel system and eradicate revolutionary forces. However, they faced defeat against the determined resistance of provincial, district, and local forces. The enemy suffered 800 killed and wounded, and 6 military vehicles were destroyed. Our liberated area was held firmly and expanded. In February 1974, thanks to the restoration of the tunnel system and the strategic deployment as a defensive stronghold, our forces, although limited, continuously fought against the enemy’s attempts to invade the liberated area. Despite being outnumbered and facing a significant disparity in weaponry, they contributed to the complete victory of the anti-American resistance war to save the country in April 1975.

Enduring countless bombings and enemy offensives, the tunnels and people of Long Phuoc remained resilient, earning their place as a heroic land that nourished the revolutionary movement in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. Recognizing the historical significance, the Decision No. 34/VHQĐ dated January 9, 1990, by the Ministry of Culture and Information officially acknowledged the Long Phuoc Tunnels as a historical relic. Starting from February 1992, the Provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province decided to initiate the restoration and preservation of the Long Phuoc Tunnels, beginning with the tunnel network in Bcc Hamlet. They constructed a memorial exhibition room to educate the public on the revolutionary tradition, becoming a destination for domestic and international tourists.

Visiting the Long Phuoc Tunnels is like revisiting an ancient battlefield. The historical evidence and artifacts evoke the unique characteristics of the people’s art of war. One will understand why a small, impoverished nation triumphed over colonialists and imperialists many times stronger. Descending into the tunnels allows one to feel the heroic years of resilience against the enemy by the authorities and people of Long Phuoc, hearing the echoes of victorious battles reverberating within the earth.

With the principle of “drink water, remember the source,” we cannot allow these unparalleled historical relics to be buried and forgotten. To treasure and preserve such revolutionary historical relics like the Long Phuoc Tunnels is to ensure that today’s and future generations never forget the time when our country faced swords and fire. Our people fought and emerged victorious. The incredible strength, power, hearts, and creative minds of the previous generations have created fierce miracles, such as every inch of the Long Phuoc Tunnels being a surprise and a source of terror for the enemy. As the old song lyrics say:

“Where darkness in the tunnel is the brightest place.

Where you witnesses the strength of Vietnam”.