Van La Underground Tunnel is situated in Luong Ninh, which is only 7 kilometers to the south of Dong Hoi city, Quang Binh province. Van La is the first and unique tunnel to be built in Quang Binh, which expresses the united spirit of Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War.
In 1966, there were many communication trenches and personal cellars in Luong Ninh villages. However, as they all fail to withstand the bombs and attacks of American troops, people decided to build a complex of underground tunnels to serve as a sanctuary, which enables people to work and fight safely. So people started to build Van La Underground Tunnel in June, 1966 on a hill looking over the rice fields. The favorable location of the Tunnel has its own intention, which enables people to immediately run into the tunnel when working. Together with a plethora of roads and trenches inside the village, Van La Tunnel formed a stable underground defense system. Van La is a L-shaped tunnel with three gates. It is more than 150 meters long, 1.5 meters wide and 1.8 meters high, with a parabolic ceiling.
The construction was finished after more than 360 days of hard working. During the Vietnam War, it functioned as the sanctuary for people in Luong Ninh villages as well as the inhabitants of the soldiers and messengers from other part of the country.
In 2006, the Committee of Quang Binh decided to fully renovate and transform Van La Tunnel into a national historical site as people realize its important historical values. Today, visitors can come and admire this wonderful historical construction.