Minh Dam Bases

“The Sentinels: history with a view” In the last couple of weeks a new historic attraction has opened high atop the Long Hai Mountains in Baria-Vung Tau Province, Viet Nam. ‘Da Tre’ (or what I am referring to as The Sentinels) is a group of massive vertical granite boulders standing to attention, keeping watch over the south eastern section of the province, from the highest point in the section of the mountains known as the Minh Dam Secret Zone. The Sentinels sit on an historic rich area of Viet Nam. The Sentinels has been a lookout platform for Vietnamese armies and resistance fighters for many decades: against the French, the Japanese, the French again, the Australians, the Americans and the Chinese. Prior to that, Champa and Khmer history unfolded here. And even prior to that, Neolithic man lived here (stone tools have been found here). The Minh Dam Secret Zone is part of the Long Hai Mountain range. The Long Hai Mountains are an easy 45 minutes to an hour’s drive from Vung Tau island. The Sentinels is very easy to access from the Minh Dam Secret Zone parking bay. First, walk to the Minh Dam Museum (only a couple of hundred metres from the park). When you reach the museum take the path to the right of the museum and head further up the mountain. The signage is not in English but when you see a new stone path take it. You are heading to the two gigantic red flags flying above The Sentinels. The flags are easy to spot. If in doubt, simply draw two flags and ask the locals for directions. It is not a difficult walk at all, however, do take some water and wear sensible shoes. According to Google earth, The Sentinels is only 615 metres (as the crow flies) from the parking bay. The parking bay is at an altitude of 210 metres and The Sentinels is at 274 metres altitude, so there is only a slight climb. For travelers with GPS, The Sentinels is at 10°24´North and 107°15´East. Once atop the Sentinels the northern panorama reveals itself. Take your camera. There are no safety fences so please mind your step. Enjoy your experience and appreciate that you are well off the beaten tourist track

“The Sentinels: history with a view” In the last couple of weeks a new historic attraction has opened high atop the Long Hai Mountains in Baria-Vung Tau Province, Viet Nam. ‘Da Tre’ (or what I am referring to as The Sentinels) is a group of massive vertical granite boulders standing to attention, keeping watch over the south eastern section of the province, from the highest point in the section of the mountains known as the Minh Dam Secret Zone. The Sentinels sit on an historic rich area of Viet Nam. The Sentinels has been a lookout platform for Vietnamese armies and resistance fighters for many decades: against the French, the Japanese, the French again, the Australians, the Americans and the Chinese. Prior to that, Champa and Khmer history unfolded here. And even prior to that, Neolithic man lived here (stone tools have been found here). The Minh Dam Secret Zone is part of the Long Hai Mountain range. The Long Hai Mountains are an easy 45 minutes to an hour’s drive from Vung Tau island. The Sentinels is very easy to access from the Minh Dam Secret Zone parking bay. First, walk to the Minh Dam Museum (only a couple of hundred metres from the park). When you reach the museum take the path to the right of the museum and head further up the mountain. The signage is not in English but when you see a new stone path take it. You are heading to the two gigantic red flags flying above The Sentinels. The flags are easy to spot. If in doubt, simply draw two flags and ask the locals for directions. It is not a difficult walk at all, however, do take some water and wear sensible shoes. According to Google earth, The Sentinels is only 615 metres (as the crow flies) from the parking bay. The parking bay is at an altitude of 210 metres and The Sentinels is at 274 metres altitude, so there is only a slight climb. For travelers with GPS, The Sentinels is at 10°24´North and 107°15´East. Once atop the Sentinels the northern panorama reveals itself. Take your camera. There are no safety fences so please mind your step. Enjoy your experience and appreciate that you are well off the beaten tourist track