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Coordinates: 16°54′N 107°00′E / 16.9°N 107.0°E / 16.9; 107.0
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{{Short description|Area separating North and South Vietnam (1954–1976)}}
[[File:DMZ1.jpg|thumb|250px|Map of the Demilitarized Zone]]
[[File:DMZ1.jpg|thumb|1969 map of the Demilitarized Zone]]
⚫
[[File:17th para taken from N of river.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Photo taken from the north side of the DMZ at the Route 1 crossing. The [[guard tower]] on the left is a re-creation and spires seen in the distance through the arch are a new monument.]]
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
The '''Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone''' was a [[demilitarized zone]] established as a dividing line between [[North Vietnam|North]] and [[South Vietnam]] as a result of the [[First Indochina War]].
{{Use mdy dates |date=December 2020}}
The '''Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone''' was a [[demilitarized zone]] at the [[17th parallel north|17th parallel]] in [[Quang Tri province]] that was the dividing line between [[North Vietnam]] and [[South Vietnam]] from 21 July 1954 to 2 July 1976, when [[Vietnam]] was officially divided into 2 ''de facto'' countries, which was 2 ''de jure'' military gathering areas supposed to be sustained in the short term after the [[First Indochina War]].


During the [[Vietnam War]], it became important as the battleground demarcation separating North from South Vietnamese territories.
During the [[Vietnam War]] (1955–1975) it became important as the battleground demarcation between [[Communism|communist]] North Vietnam and [[Anti-communism|anti-communist]] South Vietnam. The zone ''[[de jure]]'' ceased to exist with the reunification of Vietnam in 1976 (de facto in 1975).

The zone ceased to exist with the [[reunification of Vietnam]], though the area remains dangerous due to the numerous undetonated explosives it contains.


==Geography==
==Geography==
⚫
[[File:17th para taken from N of river.JPG|thumb|right|Photo taken from the north side of the DMZ at the Route 1 crossing. The [[guard tower]] on the left is a re-creation and spires seen in the distance through the arch are a new monument.]]
The border between North and South Vietnam was {{convert|47.3|mi|km|sp=us|order=flip}} in length and ran from east to west near the middle of present-day Vietnam within Quang Tri province.<ref name="IBS">{{cite web |title=International Boundary Study No. 19 – Vietnam – "Demarcation Line" |url=https://fall.law.fsu.edu/collection/LimitsinSeas/IBS019.pdf |publisher=US Department of State |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> Beginning in the west at the [[tripoint]] with [[Laos]], it ran east in a straight line until reaching the village of Bo Ho Su on the [[Ben Hai River]]. The line then followed this river as it flowed in a broadly northeastwards direction out to the [[Gulf of Tonkin]]. Either side of the line was a Demilitarized Zone, forming a buffer of about {{convert|4-6|mi|km|sp=us|order=flip}} in width.<ref name="IBS"/> Although it was nominally described as being at "the [[17th parallel north|17th parallel]]," the border never actually followed that line, only straddling the general area of that line of latitude.


==History==
The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone ran from east-west near the center of present-day Vietnam (spanning more than a hundred kilometers) and was a couple of kilometers wide, about a hundred kilometers north of the city of [[Huế]]. It ran along the [[Ben Hai River]] for much of its length, and an island nearby was controlled by North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Although it was nominally described as being at "the [[17th parallel north|17th parallel]]," almost all of the zone lies to the south of the parallel, with only a small portion of the zone near the eastern end actually including the parallel.
⚫
[[File:DMZ March, 1968.jpg|thumb|300px|The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Vietnam, March 1968, looking west toward [[Laos]].]]
The [[First Indochina War]] (also called the French Indochina War) was fought in [[French Indochina]] where was usually and shortly called "Indochina" from 1946 to 1954 between the [[French Union]] (including the anti-communist [[State of Vietnam]]) aided by the US on the one side, and the [[communism|communist]]-dominated [[Viet Minh]]/[[Democratic Republic of Vietnam]] and allies (aided by [[China]]) on the other.<ref name="IBS"/> The Viet Minh won the war after their [[Battle of Dien Bien Phu|victory in Dien Bien Phu]] on 7 May 1954. On 21 July 1954, the State of Vietnam gave up its control of Vietnam when [[Geneva Conference (1954)|the agreement]] between [[France]] and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in [[Geneva]] took effect, Vietnam was ''[[de facto]]'' divided into two countries: North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam, capital [[Hanoi]]) and South (State of Vietnam, capital [[Saigon]]).<ref name="IBS"/>


The postcolonial conditions of Vietnam were set at the [[Geneva Conference (1954)|Geneva Conference of 1954]], and an agreement about Vietnam (as parts of the three agreements about French Indochina) was signed between France and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on 21 July 1954.<ref name="IBS"/> The agreement reflected the military situation on the ground: the northern part of Vietnam, which was almost entirely controlled by the Viet Minh, became the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, under the communist leader [[Ho Chi Minh]]. The southern part of Vietnam, where the Viet Minh controlled only relatively small and remote areas, became the independent State of Vietnam under [[Bảo Đại]], the last scion of [[Nguyễn dynasty|the old Vietnamese imperial house]]. The State of Vietnam later became the [[Republic of Vietnam]] after the [[1955 State of Vietnam referendum|1955 South Vietnam referendum]], ruled by [[Ngo Dinh Diem]]. A temporary boundary, running primarily along the Ben Hai River was established pending elections, with the area on either side of the border declared a demilitarized zone. Troops of both governments were barred from that area.<ref>{{cite web |title=17th parallel |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/seventeenth-parallel |publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref>
==The First Indochina War==
{{main article|First Indochina War}}


After [[Vietnam War|war between North and South Vietnam]] broke out in 1955 – one year after the division – the DMZ hardened into a ''de facto'' international boundary. The war itself evolved into a [[proxy conflict]] of the [[Cold War]] and millions of [[United States|American]] and allied soldiers were sent to the country to help the anti-communist government of South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam from 1965 to 1973. Despite the DMZ's supposed status, 3rd Marine Division intelligence estimated that the combat strength of [[North Vietnamese Army]] and the [[Viet Cong]] (a nominally independent militant group aligned with North Vietnam against the South Vietnamese government) in the DMZ area in January 1968 was 40,943 troops.<ref>Pike, COL Thomas F., Military Records, February 1968, 3rd Marine Division: The Tet Offensive, p. 115, {{ISBN|978-1-481219-46-4}}. NVA and VC Order of Battle information is located on pages 114–127 </ref>
The First Indochina War (also called the French Indochina War) was fought in [[French Indochina]] from 1946 through 1954 between [[France]] and the French-controlled [[State of Vietnam]] on the one side, and the [[Communism|Communist-dominated]] independence movement, the [[Viet Minh]], on the other. The Viet Minh won the war, gaining effective control of all northern Vietnam except an enclave around [[Hanoi]].


The North was ultimately victorious in the war and the Republic of Vietnam's government collapsed on [[Fall of Saigon|30 April 1975]]. The DMZ ceased to exist after the reunification of the two Vietnamese countries under communist regimes: First the [[Republic of South Vietnam]] (''de facto'' controlled by the Viet Cong and the North) and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, then full reunification as the communist [[Socialist Republic of Vietnam]] on 2 July 1976.
In 1954, France gave up its control of Vietnam, and the Viet Minh was recognized as the government of northern Vietnam.


==Gallery==
==Establishing the DMZ==
<gallery>
The post-colonial conditions of Vietnam were set at the [[Geneva Conference (1954)|Geneva Conference]] of 1954; the agreement was finalized on July 21, 1954.
File:Vietnam DMZ II.jpg|Map of the DMZ from 1957

File:Vietnam DMZ 2.jpg|Map of the DMZ from 1966
⚫
[[File:DMZ March, 1968.jpg|thumb|300px|The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Vietnam, March, 1968, looking west toward Laos.]]
File:Monument of Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone Vietnam.jpg|Monument to the DMZ

</gallery>
The Geneva agreement reflected the military results at that time. The northern part of Vietnam, which was almost entirely controlled by the Viet Minh became the [[North Vietnam|Democratic Republic of Vietnam]], under [[Communist]] leader [[Ho Chi Minh]]. The southern part of Vietnam, where the Viet Minh controlled relatively small and remote areas, became the independent State of Vietnam under [[Bảo Đại]], the last scion of the old Vietnamese imperial house. The State of Vietnam later became the [[South Vietnam|Republic of Vietnam]].

The boundary between these two zones was established at the [[Ben Hai River]], which enters the [[South China Sea]] at 17 degrees 0 minutes 54 seconds N latitude. The boundary followed the Ben Hai to its headwaters, about 55&nbsp;km WSW, and thence to the [[Laos|Laotian]] border.

The area within 5&nbsp;km on either side of the border was declared to be a demilitarized zone. Troops of both governments were barred from this area. 3rd Marine Division intelligence estimated the combat strength of NVA and VC forces in the DMZ area in January 1968 was 40,943 troops.<ref>Pike, COL Thomas F., Military Records, February 1968, 3rd Marine Division: The Tet Offensive, p. 115, {{ISBN|978-1-481219-46-4}}. NVA and VC Order of Battle information is located on pages 114-127.</ref>

==Tourism==
Exploring the Demilitarized Zone can today be comfortably achieved by joining one of various organised tours starting daily from [[Hué]]. Together with a local guide the most famous war settings, as [[Khe Sanh Combat Base]], [[The Rockpile]], [[Ho Chi Minh Trail]], Doc-Mieu-Station or the [[Vinh Moc tunnels]] are visited on a full-day trip.

Although the Vietnam War ended decades ago, walking outside marked tracks can still be dangerous because of numerous unexploded ordnance devices.<ref name="lonely-planet">Lonely Planet, {{ISBN|978-3-8297-1595-9}}.</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Vietnam}}
{{Portal|Vietnam}}
⚫
* [[1st Searchlight Battery (United States)]]
⚫
*Clear Path International - an American [[NGO]] assisting victims of bombs and landmines left over from the [[Vietnam War]] in Central Vietnam
⚫
*[[Demilitarized zone]]
⚫
*[[Hien Luong Bridge]]
*[[Korean Demilitarized Zone]]
*[[McNamara Line]]
*[[McNamara Line]]
*[[Inner German border]] and [[Berlin Wall]]
*[[Ben Hai River]]
⚫
*[[Hien Luong Bridge]]
*[[First Indochina War]]
*[[Vietnam War]]
⚫
*[[Demilitarized zone]]
*[[Vinh Moc tunnels]]
*[[The Rockpile]]
*[[Khe Sanh Combat Base]]
*[[Hué]]
⚫
*[[Clear Path International]]: An American [[NGO]] assisting victims of bombs and landmines left over from the [[Vietnam War]] in Central Vietnam
⚫
* [[1st Searchlight Battery (United States)]]


==References==
==References==
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*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/vietnam/map.htm Washington Post map of the DMZ]
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/vietnam/map.htm Washington Post map of the DMZ]


{{coord missing|Vietnam}}
{{Borders of Vietnam}}

{{coords|16.9|107.0|display=title}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:North Vietnam]]
[[Category:North Vietnam]]
[[Category:South Vietnam]]
[[Category:South Vietnam]]
[[Category:Borders of Vietnam]]
[[Category:International borders]]
[[Category:Demilitarized zones]]
[[Category:Demilitarized zones]]
[[Category:North Central Coast]]
[[Category:North Central Coast]]
[[Category:Quang Binh Province]]
[[Category:Quảng Bình province]]
[[Category:Quang Tri Province]]
[[Category:Quảng Trị province]]
[[Category:First Indochina War]]
[[Category:First Indochina War]]
[[Category:Vietnam War sites]]
[[Category:Vietnam War sites]]

Latest revision as of 20:07, 8 December 2024

1969 map of the Demilitarized Zone

The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was a demilitarized zone at the 17th parallel in Quang Tri province that was the dividing line between North Vietnam and South Vietnam from 21 July 1954 to 2 July 1976, when Vietnam was officially divided into 2 de facto countries, which was 2 de jure military gathering areas supposed to be sustained in the short term after the First Indochina War.

During the Vietnam War (1955–1975) it became important as the battleground demarcation between communist North Vietnam and anti-communist South Vietnam. The zone de jure ceased to exist with the reunification of Vietnam in 1976 (de facto in 1975).

Geography

[edit]
Photo taken from the north side of the DMZ at the Route 1 crossing. The guard tower on the left is a re-creation and spires seen in the distance through the arch are a new monument.

The border between North and South Vietnam was 76.1 kilometers (47.3 mi) in length and ran from east to west near the middle of present-day Vietnam within Quang Tri province.[1] Beginning in the west at the tripoint with Laos, it ran east in a straight line until reaching the village of Bo Ho Su on the Ben Hai River. The line then followed this river as it flowed in a broadly northeastwards direction out to the Gulf of Tonkin. Either side of the line was a Demilitarized Zone, forming a buffer of about 6.4–9.7 kilometers (4–6 mi) in width.[1] Although it was nominally described as being at "the 17th parallel," the border never actually followed that line, only straddling the general area of that line of latitude.

History

[edit]
The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Vietnam, March 1968, looking west toward Laos.

The First Indochina War (also called the French Indochina War) was fought in French Indochina where was usually and shortly called "Indochina" from 1946 to 1954 between the French Union (including the anti-communist State of Vietnam) aided by the US on the one side, and the communist-dominated Viet Minh/Democratic Republic of Vietnam and allies (aided by China) on the other.[1] The Viet Minh won the war after their victory in Dien Bien Phu on 7 May 1954. On 21 July 1954, the State of Vietnam gave up its control of Vietnam when the agreement between France and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Geneva took effect, Vietnam was de facto divided into two countries: North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam, capital Hanoi) and South (State of Vietnam, capital Saigon).[1]

The postcolonial conditions of Vietnam were set at the Geneva Conference of 1954, and an agreement about Vietnam (as parts of the three agreements about French Indochina) was signed between France and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on 21 July 1954.[1] The agreement reflected the military situation on the ground: the northern part of Vietnam, which was almost entirely controlled by the Viet Minh, became the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, under the communist leader Ho Chi Minh. The southern part of Vietnam, where the Viet Minh controlled only relatively small and remote areas, became the independent State of Vietnam under Bảo Đại, the last scion of the old Vietnamese imperial house. The State of Vietnam later became the Republic of Vietnam after the 1955 South Vietnam referendum, ruled by Ngo Dinh Diem. A temporary boundary, running primarily along the Ben Hai River was established pending elections, with the area on either side of the border declared a demilitarized zone. Troops of both governments were barred from that area.[2]

After war between North and South Vietnam broke out in 1955 – one year after the division – the DMZ hardened into a de facto international boundary. The war itself evolved into a proxy conflict of the Cold War and millions of American and allied soldiers were sent to the country to help the anti-communist government of South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam from 1965 to 1973. Despite the DMZ's supposed status, 3rd Marine Division intelligence estimated that the combat strength of North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong (a nominally independent militant group aligned with North Vietnam against the South Vietnamese government) in the DMZ area in January 1968 was 40,943 troops.[3]

The North was ultimately victorious in the war and the Republic of Vietnam's government collapsed on 30 April 1975. The DMZ ceased to exist after the reunification of the two Vietnamese countries under communist regimes: First the Republic of South Vietnam (de facto controlled by the Viet Cong and the North) and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, then full reunification as the communist Socialist Republic of Vietnam on 2 July 1976.

[edit]
  • Map of the DMZ from 1957
    Map of the DMZ from 1957
  • Map of the DMZ from 1966
    Map of the DMZ from 1966
  • Monument to the DMZ
    Monument to the DMZ

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "International Boundary Study No. 19 – Vietnam – "Demarcation Line"" (PDF). US Department of State. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "17th parallel". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  3. ^ Pike, COL Thomas F., Military Records, February 1968, 3rd Marine Division: The Tet Offensive, p. 115, ISBN 978-1-481219-46-4. NVA and VC Order of Battle information is located on pages 114–127
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for DMZ (Vietnam).

16°54′N 107°00′E / 16.9°N 107.0°E / 16.9; 107.0

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