Often referred to as the long wall of Quang Ngai, it was first explored in 2005 by a group of archeologists of France and Vietnam. The wall was fully discovered after some five years of work, and in 2010, full documents were published.
Many ceramic artifacts which were discovered during excavations at some sections of the wall prove that the wall was built in the 16th century, not the 19th. It was used to boost the close trading relationships that existed between Vietnamese Kinh peoples and the indigenous ethnic minorities such as H'Re, Ka Dong, Xo Dang, and the Ba Na.
The wall is nestled in the mountain foothills of remote provinces in central Vietnam. This is one of Vietnam's most important archaeological discoveries in a century. The wall stretches almost 130 kms from northern Quang Ngai Province just some 80kms from Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, South into the province of Binh Dinh, some 120 kms to Nha Trang. It winds through mountains and valleys, is 4-5m high and 6m wide at its base.
The wall is very large and diverse, made of stone in some places in order to protect it from landslides on high slopes and mountainous areas. These parts are a testament to the remarkable rock arrangement skills of the indigenous H'Re people. It was believed that the wall was constructed mostly by the Kinh people and soldiers of the Nguyen Dynasty. The rampart’s stones arrangement techniques which is various in different sections and terrains can be seen in structures on Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai Province.
Historians and archeologists believe that the long wall of Quang Ngai is the greatest engineering feat of the Nguyen Dynasty. This great wall was constructed both for protection and military purposes and to facilitate trade. Along the wall, the sections which are interrupted by many rivers and streams are the mini-forts, guarded by soldiers, to ensure and create a safe environment for the Kinh and H'Re ethnic people to do business. Each of the forts was an open gate which facilitated travel and trade. The H’re people bought salt from Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese people bought rice, cinnamon and forest products from the H’re.
Many researchers also say that there are also many evidences that it was not just built by the Vietnamese Kinh people, but also by the Thai and the Muong people from Provinces of Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh who were part of the migration from the north to the south during the 18th century.
During the Vietnam War, the rampart sections in Duc Pho and Hoai Nhon districts in Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh provinces respectively were also used as a branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail to transport weapons and food from the north to the south of the country.
The long wall of Quang Ngai (Trường Lũy in Vietnamese) was officially recognized as a national heritage site by the Vietnamese government in 2011. The national recognition opened a long road to international recognition, more funding, and greater protection. This Long Wall presents a new kind of tourism in Vietnam: historical ecotourism and adventures. The mixture of unique historical context and the monument itself, together with an amazing landscape and diverse ethnic population has incredible potential for sustainable tourism.
Tourism and travel arrangements to the wall are underdeveloped. Yet, hiking this wall is an awesome experience. Moreover, there are a huge number of other attractions to offer tourists. You can relax on the numerous and fantastic beaches, or discover jungles and tea plantations and multi-cultures of ethnic minorities in Quang Ngai province.
It is necessary to make sure that visitors attain travel insurance for such a discovery trip because whilst safe, jungle walks are intrinsically unpredictable. Therefore, it’s always advisable to buy travel insurance when taking an adventure to this long wall.
Author: Duong Van Hung
