39. Hac Dich Tunnels Historical Relic

The Hac Dich Tunnels are situated in Block 7, Ward  3, Hac Dich Town, Phu My District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, approximately 14km from the intersection of National Highway 51 connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau. As documented by the provincial museum, the Hac Dich Tunnels rank among the expansive tunnel systems in the Southeastern region, boasting a total length of 2,500m. Positioned 4-5m below the ground surface, the main tunnel exhibits a width ranging from 0.7 – 0.8m and an average height of 1.8m, stretching across Hac Dich, Song Xoai Wards, and Phu My Township. The Hac Dich Tunnels were officially recognized as a national revolutionary historical cultural relic in 2001 by the Ministry of Culture and Information through Decision No. 04/201/QD-BVHTT.

In the dry season of 1961, under the guidance of the Ba Ria Provincial Party Committee, the military and people of Hac Dich excavated these tunnels to protect the forces and establish a long-term resistance base. The Hac Dich Tunnels were divided into four lines: the Provincial Party Committee Tunnel (1,000m long), the Provincial Party Propaganda and Training Committee Tunnel (300m long), the Liberation Front of Ba Ria Province Tunnel (1,000m long), and the Provincial Military Unit Tunnel (200m long). Construction and operation took place from 1962 to 1965. Positioned between National Highway 15 and Provincial Road 2, the Hac Dich Tunnels became a central hub for weapons, ammunition, military supplies, and medical support transported from the North to assist major battlefields like Binh Gia, Dong Xoai, and Phuoc Long. Despite numerous attempts by the American-puppet government to breach this defensive line, involving the dropping of thousands of tons of bombs and chemical agents, these efforts proved unsuccessful.

After 1965, revolutionary leadership gradually shifted to the Kim Long area in Chau Duc District. The Hac Dich tunnels were subsequently handed over to the 80th Logistics Division of the Southeastern region and remained in use until the day of liberation.

In the annals of defending the homeland and securing the unity and independence of the people, the Vietnamese have consistently showcased their tenacious determination and fighting spirit through tangible actions. An exemplary manifestation of this resilience is the construction of underground tunnels during the Anti-American Resistance War aggression for national salvation, with the Hac Dich Tunnels standing out as a crucial contributor to the resounding victory.

Transforming the Hac Dich Tunnels into a tourist attraction, capable of drawing visitors, requires thoughtful restoration and integration with other historical sites like the Long Phuoc Tunnels and Dinh Mount Mountain, as well as various other forms of tourism. As a multifaceted historical relic serving as the nerve center of the Provincial Party Committee during the war, any investment in renovation must align with the demands of fulfilling political and educational missions, catering to study tours, and seamlessly intertwining with cultural and tourism exploration in the province.

The Hac Dich Tunnels have the potential to evolve into a revolutionary tourism destination widely recognized, attracting diverse audiences to explore and functioning as an educational tourism site for younger generations eager to grasp the courageous spirit of their forebears during the struggle for national unity. A visit to the Hac Dich Tunnels will immerse tourists in the challenging yet heroic history of the people of Hac Dich and the broader Vietnamese nation. The echoes of the past, reverberating from the depths of the earth, will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the hearts of every visitor to the Hac Dich Tunnels.