Minh Dam Bases
Minh Dam Bases
4
Historic SitesHistoric Walking AreasBattlefieldsLookoutsMilitary Bases & Facilities
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
24 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
14
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Yulia Y
Nha Trang, Vietnam4 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
If you dont know how to spend your weekend... You should go on Hash! Friendly people, beautiful trails and awesome vibe! 😍 😍 😍 😍 You can run first if u r strong enough, you can go slowly... Its your choice, noone will force you. Just enjoy! Highly recommended
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly444
Seattle, WA87 contributions
Dec 2022
Easy and quick hike (for a group of experienced hikers). Definitely worth a visit and pretty powerful to walk through this area and imagine what the Viet Cong experienced during war. I recommend grabbing a bite to eat at the beautiful Lan Rung resort near by after your hike (right on the water).
Written 15 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
besttourinvungtau
Vung Tau, Vietnam346 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
In the last couple of weeks a new historic attraction has opened high atop the Long Hai Mountains in Baria-Vung Tau Province, Viet Nam. ‘Da Tre’ (or what I am referring to as The Sentinels) is a group of massive vertical granite boulders standing to attention, keeping watch over the south eastern section of the province, from the highest point in the section of the mountains known as the Minh Dam Secret Zone.
The Sentinels sit on an historic rich area of Viet Nam. The Sentinels has been a lookout platform for Vietnamese armies and resistance fighters for many decades: against the French, the Japanese, the French again, the Australians, the Americans and the Chinese. Prior to that, Champa and Khmer history unfolded here. And even prior to that, Neolithic man lived here (stone tools have been found here).
The Minh Dam Secret Zone is part of the Long Hai Mountain range. The Long Hai Mountains are an easy 45 minutes to an hour’s drive from Vung Tau island. The Sentinels is very easy to access from the Minh Dam Secret Zone parking bay.
First, walk to the Minh Dam Museum (only a couple of hundred metres from the park). When you reach the museum take the path to the right of the museum and head further up the mountain. The signage is not in English but when you see a new stone path take it. You are heading to the two gigantic red flags flying above The Sentinels. The flags are easy to spot. If in doubt, simply draw two flags and ask the locals for directions. It is not a difficult walk at all, however, do take some water and wear sensible shoes.
According to Google earth, The Sentinels is only 615 metres (as the crow flies) from the parking bay. The parking bay is at an altitude of 210 metres and The Sentinels is at 274 metres altitude, so there is only a slight climb.
For travelers with GPS, The Sentinels is at 10°24´North and 107°15´East.
Once atop the Sentinels the northern panorama reveals itself. Take your camera. There are no safety fences so please mind your step. Enjoy your experience and appreciate that you are well off the beaten tourist track.
The Sentinels sit on an historic rich area of Viet Nam. The Sentinels has been a lookout platform for Vietnamese armies and resistance fighters for many decades: against the French, the Japanese, the French again, the Australians, the Americans and the Chinese. Prior to that, Champa and Khmer history unfolded here. And even prior to that, Neolithic man lived here (stone tools have been found here).
The Minh Dam Secret Zone is part of the Long Hai Mountain range. The Long Hai Mountains are an easy 45 minutes to an hour’s drive from Vung Tau island. The Sentinels is very easy to access from the Minh Dam Secret Zone parking bay.
First, walk to the Minh Dam Museum (only a couple of hundred metres from the park). When you reach the museum take the path to the right of the museum and head further up the mountain. The signage is not in English but when you see a new stone path take it. You are heading to the two gigantic red flags flying above The Sentinels. The flags are easy to spot. If in doubt, simply draw two flags and ask the locals for directions. It is not a difficult walk at all, however, do take some water and wear sensible shoes.
According to Google earth, The Sentinels is only 615 metres (as the crow flies) from the parking bay. The parking bay is at an altitude of 210 metres and The Sentinels is at 274 metres altitude, so there is only a slight climb.
For travelers with GPS, The Sentinels is at 10°24´North and 107°15´East.
Once atop the Sentinels the northern panorama reveals itself. Take your camera. There are no safety fences so please mind your step. Enjoy your experience and appreciate that you are well off the beaten tourist track.
Written 10 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Rayong, Thailand9,482 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
One of my sons, his wife and three daughters wanted to visit, but as they previously visited me in Thailand we decided to catch up in Vietnam, which they had not been to before.
We travelled the tourist route all the way through Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang and eventually to Ho Chi Minh City.
All the time my granddaughters kept asking, "Were you here during the war?". So when we got to HCMC I decided to take them the two hour ride to what was then called Phuoc Tuy Province, home to some 5,000-odd soldiers of the 1st Australian Task Force during the Vietnam War. I had served two separate tours of duty there, in 1968-69 and 1970-71.
My first military operation was Operation Pinaroo in 1968, which was a task force assault on the Long Hai Mountains, in the south east of the province. It was known to be the headquarters of our main enemy, the Viet Cong D445 Battalion (which they called the Minh Dam Secret Zone) and we needed to clear them out.
Once we got to the top of the mountains we discovered an extensive system of caves (or rather underground cavities formed by enormous rocks and boulders that filled the re entrants of the valleys) and these provided war rooms, operations centers, sleeping quarters, ammunition depots and even a hospital for wounded Viet Cong.
I joined sappers carefully going down the caves and ended up in the very war room of D445 Battalion.
So it was with an incredible sense of nostalgia that I took my son, my daughter-in-law and three teenage granddaughters back to where I had been 50 years ago.
Now there is a road halfway up the mountains, leading to a shrine that honours the local Viet Cong killed during the war - most of them by Australian soldiers. Unfortunately when we got there, it was shut for some inexplicable reason.
Undaunted we continued the trek up a path now now leads higher up the mountains to the very caves I had been in so long ago.
On the way I pointed out holes in the large boulders that had been caused by B52 bombers and Australian artillery bombardments back in 1968.
We travelled the tourist route all the way through Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang and eventually to Ho Chi Minh City.
All the time my granddaughters kept asking, "Were you here during the war?". So when we got to HCMC I decided to take them the two hour ride to what was then called Phuoc Tuy Province, home to some 5,000-odd soldiers of the 1st Australian Task Force during the Vietnam War. I had served two separate tours of duty there, in 1968-69 and 1970-71.
My first military operation was Operation Pinaroo in 1968, which was a task force assault on the Long Hai Mountains, in the south east of the province. It was known to be the headquarters of our main enemy, the Viet Cong D445 Battalion (which they called the Minh Dam Secret Zone) and we needed to clear them out.
Once we got to the top of the mountains we discovered an extensive system of caves (or rather underground cavities formed by enormous rocks and boulders that filled the re entrants of the valleys) and these provided war rooms, operations centers, sleeping quarters, ammunition depots and even a hospital for wounded Viet Cong.
I joined sappers carefully going down the caves and ended up in the very war room of D445 Battalion.
So it was with an incredible sense of nostalgia that I took my son, my daughter-in-law and three teenage granddaughters back to where I had been 50 years ago.
Now there is a road halfway up the mountains, leading to a shrine that honours the local Viet Cong killed during the war - most of them by Australian soldiers. Unfortunately when we got there, it was shut for some inexplicable reason.
Undaunted we continued the trek up a path now now leads higher up the mountains to the very caves I had been in so long ago.
On the way I pointed out holes in the large boulders that had been caused by B52 bombers and Australian artillery bombardments back in 1968.
Written 29 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Rayong, Thailand9,482 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
The Minh Dam Secret Zone was an area in the Long Hai Hills of what was then Phouc Tuy Province, in then South Vietnam.
It was home and a safe haven to the regional Viet Cong, enemy of the Australian soldiers of the 1st Australian Task Force.
In March 1968 the Australians launched a major offensive on the Long Hai Hills to clear it of the enemy. They called in American B52 bombers and bombarded it with artillery fire before the infantry began a back-breaking assent of the mountains, ever aware that their own M16 mines had been stolen by the Viet Cong and planted where the Australians were likely to step next.
Eventually the Australians reach the top of the Long Hais, but not before many deaths and horrendous injuries from the mines.
They found massive cave systems, stretching 70 to 80 meters down and hundreds of meters along, in which the Viet Cong had established their provincial operation headquarters, had maintained detailed records of their own operations, including their own dead and wounded, a military hospital, and many command posts and briefing rooms.
The Australians cleared it all out and declared the operation - Operation Pinaroo - a great success.
Of course, as soon as the Australians returned to their own base at Nui Dat, the Viet Cong moved back into the Mind Dam Secret Zone in the Long Hai Hills.
It was home and a safe haven to the regional Viet Cong, enemy of the Australian soldiers of the 1st Australian Task Force.
In March 1968 the Australians launched a major offensive on the Long Hai Hills to clear it of the enemy. They called in American B52 bombers and bombarded it with artillery fire before the infantry began a back-breaking assent of the mountains, ever aware that their own M16 mines had been stolen by the Viet Cong and planted where the Australians were likely to step next.
Eventually the Australians reach the top of the Long Hais, but not before many deaths and horrendous injuries from the mines.
They found massive cave systems, stretching 70 to 80 meters down and hundreds of meters along, in which the Viet Cong had established their provincial operation headquarters, had maintained detailed records of their own operations, including their own dead and wounded, a military hospital, and many command posts and briefing rooms.
The Australians cleared it all out and declared the operation - Operation Pinaroo - a great success.
Of course, as soon as the Australians returned to their own base at Nui Dat, the Viet Cong moved back into the Mind Dam Secret Zone in the Long Hai Hills.
Written 23 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brucepage5
Port Macquarie, Australia4 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
A place with bad memories to all who served in Vietnam, now has a temple 2 parts of the way up with names of the VC who died here as it was a strong hold for them
Written 12 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trev. D
Vung Tau, Vietnam99 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
If your lucky the monkeys will be down around where you enter. Lovely walk through the woods. Views fantastic over the south China seas on the way up to this attraction. I would suggest you incorporate this visit on a tour from Vung tau. If you contact Glen at Tommys bar in Vung tau. He does an excellent tour of the Vietnam war sites around this area which incorporates this attraction. Worthwhile tour. But. If u don't do the tour it's easy got to from Vung tau. Just follow signs for Ho Tram resort and you will find the sign for this place on the left. Easy on a m bike from Vung tau. About 45 mins
Written 29 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EMT
Honolulu, HI233 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
We enjoy the ride to the site as it takes you along the coast where you can enjoy views of the coast as well as the new construction on the beach side. A reminder that economic development is nice but now is the time to enjoy the pristine beach. The ride up the mountain is very nice and reminds me of Mount Tantalus and Round Top Drive in Hawaii as the higher you get the cooler it gets and the views of the coastline become spectacular. Wes spent
a few very relaxing hours feeding the two monkeys and leisurely viewing the buildings and trails near the buildings. As it was a weekday there were practically no other visitors!
a few very relaxing hours feeding the two monkeys and leisurely viewing the buildings and trails near the buildings. As it was a weekday there were practically no other visitors!
Written 21 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimmyT67
Sydney, Australia136 contributions
Nov 2016
Climb through the bush to find the caves in the mountain from where the Vietcong used to harass the Australian troops at Nui Dat (as the dates on a monument attest). This is not a climb for the frail or immobile as there is a lot of squeezing between and under rocks. But it's worth it if you can do it. Bullet holes and boulders cracked in half by bombs tell you this is the real deal. You're supposed to get permission (we didn't) but you will definitely need a local guide, preferably one who's been here before.
Written 19 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dicko1947
Geraldton, Australia1,043 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
A long walk in the heat and not for anyone with knee problems. Some of the trees remind you of the movies where they were backdrops for action. This area was important to the Viet Cong and also a main patrol area for the Aussies. A lot of Australians were killed or wounded in the Long Hai area, many contacts and many men on both sides suffered.
Written 19 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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