Vinh Moc tunnels in Vinh Linh district, the central province of Quang Tri, has been listed among the most underrated tourist attractions in Asia by the US travel website Thrillist.

During the war, the villagers dug the tunnels by hand, desperate to hide from heavy bombing, said the website. “There are kitchens, wells, and rooms here where families lived underground for years.”

The three-level system is nearly 2km long. There are kitchens, wells, spaces for healthcare, and rooms where 94 families lived underground for years. As many as 17 children were born in the tunnels during the war.

The system is also testament to the endurance, wisdom and bravery of the local population. Rather than flee, 350 Vinh Moc villagers chose to create a series of interconnected bomb shelters from 1965 to 1966.

“Today, along with the former Demilitarised Zone, the tunnels can be explored on guided tours,” the website said.

VNA