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A potent reminder of Vietnam's revolutionary past, Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village honors the valiant actions of the Vietnamese people during the resistance conflicts against American and French forces. This Southern Vietnam historic site is a must-visit destination for your Mekong Delta tour.
Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village served as the home base of the Dong Khoi movement in the early 1960s, which was instrumental in sparking the Southern Vietnamese revolution.
The village is now a memorial site that displays old photographs and artifacts related to Vietnam's struggle for independence. Younger generations can learn about the revolutionary spirit that shaped the country at this site dedicated to education and remembrance.
Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village showcases the revolutionary spirit that helped forge this nation
Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village was named a Special National Historical Relic in 1993 in honor of its significance. The Traditional House and the Dinh Ran (Snake Communal House) are the two primary sections of the site.
Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village is situated in Dong Khoi Ward, Vinh Long Province. From the city center, you should follow the National Highway 60 to Mo Cay Bridge. After that, proceed for approximately 4 kilometers after making a left turn onto Huong Lo 22 road to reach the destination.
The site is conveniently located along the same route as the Saigon-Gia Dinh Zone Party Committee Base, making it easy to include both destinations in your Mekong Delta tour.
The Traditional House is the heart of the Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village. Opened in 2000, it spans over 5,000 square meters and was built on the foundation of the former provincial governor’s residence. The site features a welcoming area, a Victory Monument, the Traditional House itself, and a memorial temple honoring fallen heroes.
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The Victory Monument stands out with its striking architecture. Made of natural granite and over three meters tall, it rests on seven concentric circular steps covered in polished blue stone.
Facing south, the front of the monument is engraved with the phrase “Heroic Dong Khoi, Defeating the U.S., Destroying the Puppet Regime.” On the back, a commemorative inscription titled “Miraculous Flame” was added for the 45th anniversary of the Dong Khoi Uprising.
The front courtyard of the Dong Khoi Traditional House
Behind the monument is the two-story Traditional House. Its most iconic feature is the 12-meter-tall torch sculpture on the roof, symbolizing the three pillars of the uprising: political action, military resistance, and propaganda. These three elements represent the unified effort of the people of Ben Tre across its three river islets.
Inside, the ground floor covers 196 square meters and houses exhibits related to the political struggles in Ben Tre from 1954 to 1959. The upper floor focuses on the events of the 1960 uprising.
Visitors are often moved by the bravery and patriotism on display. Ordinary villagers armed with only simple tools like coconut-shell drums, machetes, homemade guns and bombs, and spiked bamboo traps were able to win victories that struck fear into the enemy.
About 500 meters away lies Dinh Ran, also known as Dinh Dinh Nhon. This communal house is steeped in local legend and history.
It sits on a plot over 1,000 square meters and is designed in a traditional architectural style, with three main sections: a martial arts hall, a ceremonial hall, and the main sanctuary. The name “Dinh Ran” (Snake Communal House) comes from the numerous snakes once seen around the site.
Originally built as a place to worship the village’s guardian spirit and pray for peace and good harvests, Dinh Ran took on a revolutionary role after the August Revolution of 1945. It became a base for organizing meetings and launching armed uprisings.
The success of this movement led to the liberation of many major areas and the founding of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam
By 1970, much of the building was destroyed due to the war. After the liberation of Southern Vietnam, local residents rebuilt and restored the structure several times. In 2005, the Ben Tre provincial government funded a complete reconstruction using reinforced concrete, resulting in the sturdy building that stands today.
Dinh Ran now preserves 46 historical artifacts related to the Dong Khoi movement. It also hosts several traditional local festivals throughout the year, including the Lower Field Festival on the full moon of the fifth lunar month, the Upper Field Festival on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month, and the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day on the tenth day of the third lunar month.
You can enjoy performances of Don Ca Tai Tu, a traditional style of Southern Vietnamese music, alongside the picturesque Ham Luong River while you're at the Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village.
Make sure to savour the local Mekong Delta delicacies
And a trip to the Mekong Delta wouldn't be complete without trying some of Vinh Long's specialties, like the region's savory mushroom pancakes, snakehead fish porridge with bitter herbs, mini pancakes with coconut milk, and herb cakes wrapped in coconut leaves.
As a site that preserves the memories of Vietnam’s resistance era, Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village is an essential stop on any trip through Southern Vietnam. If you’d like help adding this destination to your Mekong Delta tour, our team at Asia King Travel is always ready to assist.
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