Khe Sanh

The People's Army of North Vietnam (PAVN) launched a heavy artillery barrage on the American Marine base at Khe Sanh as a lead-up to the 1968 Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War. There, American troops fought for 77 days in what would end up being the bloodiest fight of the Southeast Asia conflict.

General Westmoreland, the commanding officer of the US Military Assistance Command in Vietnam (MACV), and US President Lyndon B. Johnson insisted on preserving the military installation despite the fact that it had no strategic significance. The choice, however, ended up being expensive.

In order to launch a much more catastrophic series of attacks on Saigon and other major centers, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used the siege of Khe Sanh as a diversionary tactic. At Khe Sanh, 6000 marines were able to repel more than 20,000 hostile forces. 2,800 Americans had died or been injured by the time the siege was over. Similar attrition with the humanitarian efforts soon followed.

Travelers are now permitted by the Vietnamese government to explore the former compound and other places connected to the conflict, including the Cu Chi tunnels. The enormous, 150-mile labyrinth was constructed during the First Indochina War and included a number of rooms, an infirmary, a kitchen, food storage, and munitions depots. Numerous rats, insects, and poisonous snakes were also housed in the underground network; these animals couldn't care less that the conflict was finished. You do so at your own peril.

Built: 1962
In use: 1962-1975
Battles/wars: Vietnam War, Battle of Khe Sanh, Operation Lam Son 719