32. Kim Long Tunnel Revolutionary Historical Relic

Approximately 8 km north of the bustling center of Ngai Giao town, following the path of National Highway 56, a rightward glance reveals a sign directing towards the Kim Long Tunnels in Tam Long hamlet, Kim Long commune.  A visit to the Kim Long Tunnels takes one on a journey back to the tumultuous yet illustrious years of our nation. While tales of underground tunnels may be familiar, true appreciation for the unique and captivating nature of this resilient region only dawns upon those who witness it firsthand.

Adjacent to the Memorial Monument of the Heroic 4^th Battalion, the entrance to the Kim Long Tunnels is marked by a somewhat narrow and challenging road, approximately 2 km from National Highway 56. Despite the road’s quirks, the journey is not discomforting, as both sides are adorned with homes seamlessly integrated with gardens boasting a vibrant array of flowers such as pepper, jackfruit, mango, cashew, and corn. Depending on the season, one might encounter expansive cornfields with ripe ears or catch the sweet fragrance of blooming cashew flowers. Upon arriving at the Kim Long Tunnels, a sense of tranquility and lightness pervades the atmosphere, courtesy of the cool shade from cashew orchards and the fresh green moss adorning the tunnels and their pathways. A leisurely stroll through the garden reveals golden leaves gently falling as the wind carries the subtle fragrance of early-blooming cashew flowers. The distant barking of dogs echoes a welcoming melody to strangers. Despite the awareness that this serene garden once bore witness to the intense bombardment by enemy forces during the historic battles between our people and the American troops, the place exudes a calm and warm ambiance.

A commemorative plaque, proudly standing beneath a venerable cashew tree, bears inscriptions in both Vietnamese and English, conveying the following narrative:

“The Kim Long Tunnels were meticulously constructed from 1962 to 1964, spanning a length of 2000 meters, positioned 5 meters below ground level, and featuring a width of 0.8 meters. This intricate network comprises numerous hiding chambers and 12 entrances/exits. The tunnel heads are fortified with three combat bunkers arranged in a triangular shape, each side measuring 10 meters. Surrounding these combat bunkers are chau mai holes, connecting them to the outside through a deep trench measuring 1.2 meters.

From 1962 to 1966, guerrilla forces strategically utilized these tunnels and the surrounding topography to counter and thwart numerous large-scale enemy sweep operations, inflicting substantial damage on the enemy within the Kim Long basin area. This fortification not only protected the revolutionary base but also bolstered and expanded guerrilla forces…

The Kim Long Underground Tunnels serve as a historical testament to the indomitable and resilient spirit of our people, their unwavering commitment to the Party, and President Ho Chi Minh, as they engaged in the struggle for national liberation and reunification.”

The Kim Long Tunnels represent a significant historical landmark, affirming the courageous and resolute fighting spirit of our military and people during the period of anti-American resistance war. The state officially recognized the tunnels as a Revolutionary historical relic through Decision No. 961/VH – QD dated July 20, 1994. These tunnels are a source of pride and a poignant reminder of the painful losses suffered by our troops and citizens in Chau Duc. Many who once participated in or witnessed the historic battle at Kim Long Basin on the night of the raid on June 18, 1967, have now passed away. The documentation about this historic battle is challenging to collect comprehensively, surviving mostly through the stories recounted by veterans and the local populace.

In the past, this piece of land housed an elaborate system of underground tunnels beneath flourishing banana and coffee gardens. The underground network, buried 5 meters deep and stretching nearly 2 km in a triangular pattern, featured an average depth of 1.8 meters. Toward the head of the tunnel, in Mr. Nam Be’s field, three triangular combat bunkers were constructed, spaced approximately 10 meters apart. Surrounding these chambers were three circular ones with interconnected chau mai holes. Inside the tunnels, there were deeper channels for water drainage during the rainy season. Alongside the tunnels, there were 12 underground entrances/exits spaced 20 meters apart, each covered with a staircase-like lid filled with soil to blend seamlessly into the surroundings, and grass was planted on top to integrate with the farmland. There were meeting places, medical rooms, and storage for weapons and food. Two exits allowed swift and secure evacuation in different directions.

According to Huong Mai in “Kim Long – A Time of Fighting Against America,” during the historic battle at the Kim Long Tunnels, a significant number of our military and civilians participated, engaging in a fierce and remarkable battle that led to a devastating defeat for the American forces. They lost an entire reconnaissance battalion and dozens of tanks. Many liberation soldiers were injured or separated from their units, and the people of Kim Long played a vital role in rescuing and caring for them. “On the night when the soldiers opened fire on Kim Long, the enemy artillery from Ba Ria, Nui Dat, and Suoi Ram seemed endless. Come morning, military helicopters filled the skies over Kim Long. Secretary Hai Bat gathered the comrades and assigned a mission for everyone: to find every possible way to infiltrate the basin, searching for injured soldiers unable to escape and bringing them back to the commune. Nurse Nguyen Thi Phuong, Hai Bat’s younger sister, was always by the side of the wounded, providing dedicated and compassionate care.” The heroic and compassionate days of the military and civilians shine through the heartfelt stories of the people of Kim Long, recalling names like Phan Thi Mai (a pregnant woman who went to rescue the wounded), Uncle Ba Do, Mother Nam Thiet, Mother Ba Diem, Mother Ba Y, Nurse Bay Phuong, and wounded veteran Huynh Ngoc Hoa…

During the era of anti-American resistance war, the Kim Long Underground Tunnels stood as a steadfast rear base, playing a crucial role in the glorious victory of the Binh Gia Battle in 1964. Only by descending into one of these tunnel passages can one truly grasp and appreciate why the small nation of Vietnam could overcome such a wealthy and formidable adversary.

“This is considered a testament to creativity and the inheritance of the people’s war tactics by the local military and residents throughout the resistance period. Stretching over 2 kilometers, traversing through houses and orchards, featuring 12 entrances/exits, the Kim Long Tunnels during the resistance were fully equipped for combat, housing meeting rooms, medical stations, field hospitals, food storage, weapon depots, and water wells…”

As part of the revolutionary historical relics in Chau Duc district, including the Bau Sen Historical Cultural Relic, the Binh Gia Victory Monument, the Memorial Monument of the Heroic 4th Battalion, the 33rd Battalion Revolutionary Historical Relics, and the Kim Long  Tunnels, all significantly contributed to the victory of our military and people in the anti-American struggle, safeguarding the country’s rivers and mountains. Embracing a monumental legacy etched in bone and blood, crafted through the unwavering efforts of both the military and the people, the Kim Long Tunnels stand proudly recognized as a national-level revolutionary historical relic. This esteemed acknowledgment was bestowed upon them through Decision No. 961QD/BT on July 20^th, 1994, by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Given its profound significance, the Kim Long Tunnels not only attract visitors with their historical importance through tours, but this place also captivates tourists with the expansiveness of the surrounding orchards and the warm hospitality of the local people.

In order to enhance the allure of Kim Long Tunnels for visitors, local authorities at all levels in the region must demonstrate interest and collaborate with various departments to diversify tourism activities, capitalizing on the inherent strengths of the area. Restoration efforts should be directed towards revitalizing sections of the tunnels that have deteriorated. Presently, the tunnels only feature a combat trench roughly 27-28 meters long, 3 combat bunkers, and a tunnel measuring less than 130 meters. The entrance path and trench are overgrown with leaves, branches, and even litter from rain. On the ground, the pathways have not been maintained, appearing disorderly, and some households in the tunnel area lack specific planning. The reception area, intended to welcome guests, appears run-down, featuring only a simple set of stone tables and chairs (2 tables, 4 chairs). The security room is also in a state of disrepair, with a locked door, and the restroom is damaged, with the door lock on the left side broken. These deficiencies diminish the significance of the relic as a national-level historical relic, failing to honor the sacrifices made by the military and people of Kim Long during the anti-enemy period.

By addressing these issues and concurrently developing additional tourism activities that leverage the region’s strengths, such as community-based tourism, ecological tourism, and historical experiential tourism through reconstruction, the Kim Long Tunnels will assuredly transform into a captivating destination, drawing both domestic and international tourists.

Now, the red-tiled houses and lush orchards laden with fruit gradually mask the harsh hues of war. However, the echoes of the heroic and resolute spirit of Kim Long Tunnels persist in the memories of the local people, evident in every moss-covered bunker and tunnel.