The 17th Parallel. Vietnam Military History Divide

The 17th Parallel is located in central Vietnam as the temporary split of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Standing here now on the Hien Luong Bridge and looking over the Ben Hai River, I still can recognize the memories of a country divided.
Join VIETDOVE Travel on a journey to visit this historic site

The 17th Parallel

The 17th parallel is marked with the Hien Luong Bridge and the Ben Hai River; it was the military border between North and South Vietnam (1954-1975).
This division was established by the Geneva Accords of 1954, a political compromise chiefly negotiated by Western powers and the United States.
This became the frontline of demarcation in the Vietnam War, one of the most brutal wars of the 20th century.

Why The 17th Parallel Is Important

Visiting the 17th Parallel gives a good perspective of Vietnam's history, a time that reflects division, sacrifice, and longing for the unity of Vietnam.
Walking across the Hien Luong Bridge and along the Ben Hai River, you make a connection to the history of the Vietnam War.

Hien Luong Bridge

The Hien Luong Bridge was established on the Ben Hai River, with its span divided in half between the North and South governments of Vietnam.
Each segment of the bridge is 89 meters long, and each was painted a different color. This is where interesting battles occurred:

The Battle of the Flag

Each side has its own flag, and they want to demonstrate who has the tallest flagpoles, raising their flag taller to prove who is the strongest.
The tallest was 38.6 meters, the flag weighed 15 kg, and it is the Northside.

The Battle of the Loudspeaker

This may sound odd, but both sides put enormous loudspeakers across the river to run their programs.
From revolutionary songs to cultural programming, each side tried to "win" the hearts and minds of the local people.
Most memorable were the Northern broadcasts from The Voice of Vietnam, seguing patriotic songs, traditional music, and heartfelt unity messages.

The Battle of Color

The location of the bridge became a sign of separation, with the North being blue and the South being yellow.
Every day, they covered the other side of the bridge with their color.
This was the battle of color every day, a signal to the endless and persistent need for Vietnam to unite one day.

Ben Hai River

The Ben Hai River is only 50 - 70 meters wide, a line that has separated many families for many years.
The river seems quiet today, but the river carried sorrow throughout history, sorrow of hope, and in many cases, remarkable resilience.

Tips for Visiting the 17th parallel

The best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon. The temperatures are a little cooler, and the light is softer for pictures.
Nearby Sites: The Vinh Moc Tunnels are only 30 km away, it is a famous War historic site.
Local Guide: A local guide who lived through the war or after can share insights only gained by having lived through it.
Visit the museum: It is only a few feet away, and it is worth going to if you want to learn even more about the 17th parallel.

Conclusion

The 17th parallel also bears witness to history and sacrifice as well as Vietnam's vision of unification.
Standing at the parallel today, I understand very clearly that peace was not easily earned, and the Vietnamese spirit of togetherness today is still stronger than ever.