Eco-tourism area “Legendary Truong Son Road -Commander Cave”

Pham Hanh

10:32 - 07.07.2025

On the morning of July 5, the Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Quang Tri province, in coordination with T20 Quyet Thang Company Limited, inaugurated the eco-tourism area “Legendary Truong Son Road – Commander Cave” at Km12, Road 20 – Quyet Thang.

Mục lục

Introduction

*The entrance to the tourist area stands out with a model of two anti-aircraft guns erected on both sides of the gate, reminiscent of an ancient battlefield.*

During the resistance war against the US, when Route 20 Quyet Thang was opened to connect the Northern rear with the Southern battlefield through Laos, km12 on this route quickly became one of the most fiercely attacked key points.

Right here, Truong Son troops discovered and converted a natural limestone cave deep inside the mountain into a warehouse – command post – strategic logistics station of Station 14, Group 559 in the past. This base was called NH General Depot, today known as Commander Cave this is the most secret cave because there Truong Son Commander, General Dong Sy Nguyen stayed with the command for a long time to make strategic decisions on the Truong Son battlefield.

The cave is about 150m long, 100m wide, with 7 floors and many nooks and crannies like a fascinating “maze”. When I stepped into the cool and dark cave, I felt like I was going back in time, back to the years of war.

Veteran Nguyen Chien Thang in Bo Trach recalls: “Under the enemy’s bombs and bullets, we received orders to renovate the cave, building 7 floors to serve command purposes. Sand, gravel, and cement were carried by each person dozens of kilometers, through forests, over mountains to bring into the cave to build, stones were chiseled from other areas to avoid detection by reconnaissance planes. Engineers carried each stone, building within 3 months, so the 7 floors were very solid, no bomb or bullet could destroy the cave.” Hang Chi Huy has escaped fierce air raids by American aircraft many times, including a period when more than 16,000 bombs were dropped within 3 months without being destroyed.

*The group of visitors and the tour guide of the tourist area walked through the cool*, *deep green primeval forest to reach the cave entrance.*

The path leading to Chi Huy Cave has been invested with additional areas displaying war artifacts and historical documents, but still retains the maximum originality and rusticity of the Truong Son mountains and forests.

*Display area of tools and equipment used for opening the Truong Son Trail.*

*Display area of strategic logistical goods*

*Area recreating the image of youth volunteers opening the road*

Function of 7 floors in Cave

After 63 stairs, visitors will reach the cave entrance. Here, visitors will admire the model of the 37mm anti-aircraft gun – displayed in front of the command cave. This type of gun is commonly used to protect routes, military stations, warehouses and military caves from aerial attacks by enemy aircraft.

*Visitors come to the cave entrance, admire the Cannon model and offer incense before entering the cave.*

The entire 7-floor cave structure is highlighted through:

– Visual model, simulating each warehouse floor, from storage area, mechanical workshop, operating room to command area.

– Space to display artifacts, recreate weapons, equipment, and living items of soldiers in the cave.

– Documentaries and historical materials, visual presentations and virtual reality.

– The lighting system is just right, preserving the atmosphere of wartime – helping visitors feel more clearly the heroic atmosphere of the past.

The model recreates the briefing of the commanding officers of Group 559 – where important strategic decisions were made for the legendary Truong Son route.

Featured Experience Activities

Along the “K Road” of the primeval forest: Walk through the winding forest path, see exhibitions, war tools, learn about the efforts of those who went before to open the road.
Visit Commander Cave (7 floors, 150m long): Re-enact wartime artifacts (weapons, military uniforms, medical equipment, communications, command area) and models of soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline laborers on duty in the Truong Son mountain range.
9D virtual reality experience: Sitting in a ZIL-131, watching a movie with vibration, wind, and bomb smoke effects—helping you “relive” the feeling of driving a support vehicle through bombs and bullets on Route 20.

Notes when experiencing

– Time: early morning or afternoon is preferred to avoid the harsh sunlight and have more time to explore the forest trails.

– Clothing: You should wear sneakers, flat shoes or trekking shoes, cool clothes, a light jacket because the temperature in the cave is cooler than outside.

– Bring water and snacks to recharge after the journey.

Directions to “Legendary Truong Son Road – Commander Cave”

– From Dong Hoi, you can choose to follow National Highway 1A or Ho Chi Minh Road East branch. turn onto Road 20 Quyet Thang, continue about 12km to reach Chi Huy Cave. The 70km journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

– From Phong Nha, you travel along Road 20 deep into the core area of the national park. Past the Botanical Garden, Chi Huy Cave is opposite Ozo Treetop Park. The 18km journey takes about 30 minutes.