The "Legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail - Command Cave" ecotourism site at km12, Road 20 Quyet Thang, Phong Nha commune, located in the Ecological Restoration sub-zone of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, has recently been opened to the public.

The highlight of this tourist area is Command Cave (also known as NH Cave or 7-Story Cave), nestled amidst limestone mountains and enveloped by natural forest. The cave is 150 m long, 100 m wide, and has 7 levels.

Command Cave is 14 km from Phong Nha commune and 70 km from the center of Quang Tri province.

In addition to its historical value, Command Cave features uniquely shaped stalactites, remarkably preserved through the war.

During the Vietnam War, this cave served as a strategic logistics base for the 559th Transportation Group, managed by the 14th Station. It received and transported thousands of tons of goods, fuel, weapons, and food to the southern battlefields. The cave also functioned as a field hospital for treating wounded soldiers.

Thanks to its robust natural structure and camouflage provided by the dense forest canopy, Command Cave withstood American bombing raids without being destroyed.

Inside the cave, visitors can admire many natural "artworks" formed tens of millions of years ago.

Inside the cave, the storage areas for weapons and food supplies destined for the southern battlefields have been recreated.

Level 1 recreates the first aid area, displaying medical equipment, supplies, and ammunition. Level 2 showcases strategic logistical goods, from food to ammunition boxes and guns. Level 3 represents the communications area, while Level 4 was the command center for officers.

Level 5 housed essential goods, ammunition boxes, guns, and food. Level 6 served as a collection point for food and weapons, combined with a display of soldiers' artifacts and items found in the cave. Level 7 was the working and resting area for officers and soldiers.

Two stalactites over 1 m long hang suspended from the cave ceiling.

A dense network of stalactites stretches down from above in shades of off-white and yellow.

Beyond Command Cave, visitors can enjoy a virtual reality experience. Using a Zil-130 truck model, visitors can simulate crossing the Ho Chi Minh Trail amidst smoke, falling bombs, explosions, dense jungle, and the roar of aircraft overhead.

Visitors can also explore an exhibition of artifacts, documents, and color-restored photographs related to the Ho Chi Minh Trail and Road 20 Quyet Thang.

Admission from Monday to Thursday is 300,000 VND per person, and from Friday to Sunday and on holidays, it's 500,000 VND.

The ideal time to visit is from March to September, when the weather is dry and sunny. Visitors can walk under the natural forest canopy or take an electric car.

Dac Thanh