Gio Linh ( Alpha 2 ) and Con Thien ( Alpha 4 ) were the two northern-most firebases of the US Marines in South Vietnam. They are located right at the southern edge of the demilitarized zone ( the DMZ ). They were estabished in September 1967, when the US Navy enginees bulldozed a strip to at least 600 meters wide running right below the DMZ with a distance of about 11 km . This became known by the Marines as McNamara Line. The 600 meter wide path was stripped of trees, brush and villages if needed. The backbone of the strong-point system were fortified bases Alpha 2 at Gio Linh on the east, Alpha 4 at Con Thien on the west, and Alpha 3 in between. The anti-infiltration lline project stretched along the demilitarized zone starting from the sea, and had a total length of 76 km long. Some parts of the defensive line were manned and equipped with the bunkers, outposts, reinforcing and fire support bases, surrounded by concertina wire which were reinforced with electronic sensors and landmines to stop the flow of North Vietnamese troops and supplies through the demilitarized zone.
During the Vietnam War, the two firebases were sucject to constant artillery attack and ground assault by the NVA coming across the DMZ.
DMZ tour from Hue
DMZ tour from Hue A bunker at Con Thien firebase Gio Linh ( Alpha 2 ) and Con Thien ( Alpha 4 ) were the two northern-most firebases of the US Marines in South Vietnam. They are located right at the southern edge of the demilitarized zone ( the DMZ ). They were estabished in September 1967, when the US Navy enginees bulldozed a strip to at least 600 meters wide running right below the DMZ with a distance of about 11 km . This became known by the Marines as McNamara Line. The 600 meter wide path was stripped of trees, brush and villages if needed. The backbone of the strong-point system were fortified bases Alpha 2 at Gio Linh on the east, Alpha 4 at Con Thien on the west, and Alpha 3 in between. The anti-infiltration lline project stretched along the demilitarized zone starting from A tank wreckage at Gio Linh firebasethe sea, and had a total length of 76 km long. Some parts of the defensive line were manned and equipped with the bunkers, outposts, reinforcing and fire support bases, surrounded by concertina wire which were reinforced with electronic sensors and landmines to stop the flow of North Vietnamese troops and supplies through the demilitarized zone.
During the Vietnam War, the two firebases were sucject to constant artillery attack and ground assault by the NVA coming across the DMZ.
The two firebases are about 110 km north of Hue. We can also combine with visits to the nearby demilitarize zone( the DMZ ) withFreedom Bridgeover the Ben Hai River - the former border crossing between Nort and South Vietnam, and the Marketplace near Con Thien firebase where 93 US marines were killed in a NVA ambush on 2 July 1967 - the worst one-day loss for the Marines in Vietnam War.
Today both of them have been turned over to farmland. A concrete bunker remains standing at Con Thien and a few more at Gio Linh fire base. This trip can be done either from Dong Ha or Hue.
DMZ tour from Hue
DMZ tour from Hue
Price: $120 ( from Hue ): $80 ( from Dong Ha )
The price quoted is for 1-2 person(s). First extra person: $30, further extra person: $20
Included features:
• Private transfer ( 7 seater SUV cars or 15 seater minivans )
• English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees for all sites. Excluded features:
• Lunch
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