Quang Tri is located in the central Vietnam near the crosswaysbetween North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.Several different minorities populate this province (Kinh, Bru-Van Kieu).From1954 until the defeat of the Americans in 1975, Ben Hai river marked thedivision of Vietnam.

5km either side of the river was declared a DMZ - a starkcontrast to what really took place in this region. In fact, the surroundingregion experienced some of the heaviest fighting during the Vietnam War. Someareas, such as Vinh Moc were termed Free Fire Zones, allowing a virtual free forall without fear of future repercussions and everything was designated a target.As a result of this heavy fighting, there is still heaps live ordnance lyingaround. There have been some casualties as unexploded bombs blow up when farmersare working on their lands nearby or children run up in a play. Khe Sanh, inparticular, was immortalized during and after the conflict. Now when you catchthe train or bus from anywhere South of Dong Hoi to the DMZ, bombdamage and craters are still evident in paddies, beside the railway tracks andbeside the roads and bridges. As you get closer to Dong Ha you will notice hugeeucalyptus groves, themselves a legacy of the war. These areas were completelydevastated either by relentless shelling or defoliation during the war and wereeventually replanted with eucalyptus trees, chosen for their durability andspeedy maturity.
There are sites nearby: Truong Son trails, Truong SonNational cementary, Vinh Moc tunnels, Khe Sanh combate base...