Unique "fortress" in the sand over 32km long

Under the green bamboo groves in Ban Thach ward (Da Nang city), Ky Anh tunnel is considered by locals as a “fortress” in the sand with a total length of up to 32km dug under the foundations of houses, ponds, and village communal houses. This is one of the three largest tunnels in Vietnam during the period of fighting against the US to save the country.

Ky Anh tunnels, an underground "fortress"

Ky Anh Commune (now Ban Thach Ward, Da Nang City) is about 5km northeast of the center of Quang Nam province (formerly).

During the most fierce period of fighting against the US to save the country on the Quang Nam battlefield (1964 - 1975), in the area of Bac Tam Ky district (formerly), the fighting of the army and people of Ky Anh took place extremely fiercely.

The Party Committee and people of Ky Anh commune were determined to build a tunnel system, opening a secret underground tunnel system to hold out and fight the enemy.

Thach Tan ancient communal house is the origin of Ky Anh tunnels.

In January 1965, the cadres and people of Ky Anh commune dug a test tunnel with a length of 25m along the bamboo gardens. In May 1965, they began to deploy on a large scale and dug continuously until 1968, some sections were dug until 1969.

The tunnels were dug secretly in a chessboard shape, winding and twisting with many nooks and crannies and varying in length depending on the terrain of each village. The tunnels were 0.8 – 1m wide and about 1.2 – 1.5m high.

Unlike the Vinh Moc or Cu Chi tunnels, the Ky Anh tunnels were dug in sandy areas, so they had to be dug into hard soil to avoid collapse, meaning they had to be over 2m thick. The most difficult sections were those that crossed streams, lakes, and houses.

The command bunker is located deep underground, only about 50m from Thach Tan communal house.

Mr. Huynh Kim Ta (66 years old, resident of Thach Tan village, Ban Thach ward) said that the tunnel is located right in the heart of the village so it was hidden and protected by the people during the resistance years.

The location of the tunnel was only 7km from the puppet government headquarters and about 2km from where the US troops were stationed, so this place was considered a strategic area of the revolution, playing a very important role.

The tunnel originated from the more than 300-year-old Thach Tan communal house. Under the communal house were the first aid bunker and food storage bunker. From here, the tunnel’s branches led in different directions.

Thanks to Ky Anh tunnel, the people in the commune maintained the liberated zone, hid and sheltered revolutionary forces and used it as a springboard to expand attacks on the enemy.

Many exits are hidden under straw and bamboo groves, making them difficult to detect.

“Because of its important location, during the war, this place was often fiercely attacked by the enemy, causing serious damage to houses and villages. At that time, the village had only 140 households with more than 600 people, but there were 203 martyrs and 59 heroic Vietnamese mothers ,” Mr. Ta said.

The Ky Anh tunnel system is a historical work, a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism. It is one of many typical examples of the creative people's war strategy of our Party.

Every inch of land, every row of trees, and every alley of the tunnel is soaked with the blood, sweat, effort, and feats of the people, cadres, and soldiers of Ky Anh commune.

In 1997, Ky Anh tunnels were recognized as a national historical relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).

Ky Anh tunnel system was recognized as a national historical relic in 1997.

Mr. Le Ngoc Duong, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Ban Thach Ward, said that Ky Anh tunnel is a special red address in the ward. Schools and the Youth Union regularly organize ceremonies to admit new members of the Youth Union and the Young Pioneers in this area.

The Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Ban Thach Ward informed that Tam Ky City in the past as well as Ban Thach Ward at present also invested in restoration to promote all the values of the relic.

From here, it becomes a place to preserve relics in the area as well as a red address to educate revolutionary traditions for generations. Currently, the tunnel area has been put on the local tourist map to promote to people at home and abroad.

The work of caring for people with meritorious services in the relic site is given great attention by the locality.

“ To celebrate the 78th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, the Ward Party Committee organized many visits to policy beneficiaries in the ward, including villages and residential blocks belonging to Ky Anh tunnel. Also on this occasion, the locality organized incense offering and candle lighting in gratitude at the Ky Anh tunnel relic site,” Mr. Le Ngoc Duong added.

>>>Some pictures of Ky Anh tunnels:

The tunnel has a total length of 32km, located deep under houses, communal houses, and ditches.

The monument regularly welcomes international delegations to visit.

Hidden under the foundation of the communal house are first aid bunkers and food storage facilities.

The tunnel mouth is camouflaged to resemble a house foundation.

Ambulance under the foundation of Thach Tan communal house

The relics are still located in residential areas.

The tunnel is 0.8 - 1m wide and about 1.2 - 1.5m high.

The tunnels are connected to each other between houses, and are escape tunnels when the enemy sweeps them away.

Mr. Huynh Kim Ta introduces to tourists about Ky Anh tunnel relic

Area displaying images and artifacts of Ky Anh tunnels

This is a local red address.

The ward's youth union members regularly organize source-returning activities in the Ky Anh tunnel area.

NGUYEN CUONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/doc-dao-phao-dai-trong-cat-hon-32km-post805662.html