Historic war bunker opens to tourists

A secret war bunker used by leaders of the Vietnam People's Army between 1965-75 has been opened to the public for the first time.

A secret war bunker used by leaders of the Vietnam People's Army between 1965-75 has been opened to the public for the first time.

The bunker, located in the Thang Long Citadel Complex in downtown Hanoi, was built in 1966 with cement blocks weighing a total of 1,000 cubic metres and it has been claimed that it can provide shelter from atomic bombs. About 300 soldiers were mobilised to work on its construction. It was hidden beneath a communications department building, which was intentionally destroyed in order to mislead the enemy's bombers.

From under the piles of brick, military leaders worked day and night to protect the north and surrounding regions. They were stationed in the bunker throughout the American attacks in the north and they planned strategy there during the 12 days and nights of heavy US bombing in Christmas 1972.

The Thang Long Heritage Protection Centre has fixed the damaged air ventilation, electricity and contacting systems for tourism purposes.