What is Khe Sanh Combat Base & Ta Con Airport
A U.S. outpost in the DMZ
Khe Sanh Combat Base was a major U.S. Marine Corps base located in Quang Tri Province, not far from the Laotian border and right on the edge of Vietnam’s former Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). The area gained strategic importance after the Geneva Accords of 1954, which temporarily divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel, creating the DMZ as a buffer zone between North and South Vietnam.
While the DMZ was supposed to be neutral ground, it quickly became one of the most militarized and bombed regions of the war. Khe Sanh was built by the U.S. in 1966 to block North Vietnamese infiltration routes through the mountains and to control the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which passed through neighboring Laos.
What is Ta Con Airport?
Ta Con Airport (also known as Ta Con Airstrip) was the military airfield located inside the Khe Sanh Combat Base. It was crucial for airlifting troops, evacuating wounded soldiers, and delivering supplies, especially during times when the base was under siege. The airstrip became one of the most photographed and reported-on spots during the Vietnam War.
While the entire complex is commonly referred to as Khe Sanh Combat Base, you’ll still hear locals and museum signs refer to the area as Ta Con Airport. Both names refer to the same location, and they’re often used interchangeably when talking about the site today.
Entrance fee & opening hours
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
- Entrance fee: 40,000 VND per person (approx. 1.70 USD)
- Location: Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province, around 15 km from the town of Khe Sanh and roughly 63 km west of Dong Ha
History of the military base and airport
Building the Base
Khe Sanh Combat Base was originally established in 1966 by the U.S. Marines as part of a strategic effort to block the movement of North Vietnamese forces near the Laotian border. Its location on high ground made it a strong defensive position, and the surrounding terrain gave U.S. forces a clear view of enemy movements.
The base soon became a key outpost in America’s war strategy in central Vietnam. It was equipped with artillery, bunkers, trenches, and most importantly, Ta Con Airstrip, which served as the logistical lifeline of the base.
The Role of Ta Con Airport
Ta Con Airport played a central role in sustaining the combat base. Supplies were flown in daily, and helicopters constantly moved in and out, transporting troops and providing medical evacuation under hostile conditions.
When road access was too dangerous or impossible, the airstrip kept Khe Sanh alive. During sieges, Ta Con became the only way in or out. Aircraft faced constant enemy fire during landings and takeoffs, and the strip was regularly bombarded, but it remained operational against the odds.
The 1968 Siege of Khe Sanh
In early 1968, Khe Sanh became the focus of one of the most intense battles of the Vietnam War. North Vietnamese forces launched a massive siege that lasted for 77 days, surrounding the base and cutting off land access. It became a high-stakes showdown closely followed by international media, often compared to the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.
U.S. forces responded with relentless aerial bombardments in what became known as Operation Niagara. More than 100,000 tons of bombs were dropped to support the defense of the base. Despite the pressure, the Marines held out, and the siege eventually ended when U.S. ground troops broke through. However, soon after the victory, the base was dismantled and abandoned as American strategy shifted.
Things to see when visiting
After the siege in 1968, Khe Sanh Combat Base was eventually abandoned. U.S. forces dismantled most of the base as part of a strategic withdrawal, and nature slowly began to reclaim the area. But over time, parts of the site were preserved or reconstructed, and today it stands as an open-air museum under the name Ta Con Airport Relic Site.
While much of the original base is gone, you can still see a mix of restored military equipment, reconstructed bunkers, and original sections of the Ta Con airstrip—all surrounded by misty hills and red clay soil that hasn’t changed much since the war.
Ta Con Airstrip
The original runway is still partially intact and forms the centerpiece of the site. Though worn and cracked, it gives a real sense of scale and location. Walking along the airstrip, it’s easy to imagine the chaos of helicopters and transport planes trying to land under fire during the siege.
Abandoned Military Vehicles
Several American aircraft and military vehicles have been placed around the runway and open field. These include:
- A C-130 transport aircraft, now rusted and weathered, which was used for supply drops and troop transport.
- A CH-47 Chinook helicopter, partially reconstructed.
- A Huey helicopter, one of the most iconic aircraft of the war.
- Various tanks, artillery guns, and wreckage pieces left as outdoor displays.
Though some of these pieces have been brought in later for display, they still give a dramatic and powerful look at the scale of military operations that once happened here.
Bunkers and Trenches
A few reconstructed bunkers and trenches are open for visitors to walk through. They help give a sense of what daily life was like for the Marines stationed at Khe Sanh. The structures are built in the original style—simple, low, and covered with sandbags—and are especially atmospheric on misty days.
Khe Sanh Museum
There’s a small museum building on-site that houses photographs, maps, uniforms, weapon fragments, and documents related to the siege and the wider war. The museum includes both Vietnamese and some English explanations. It gives a useful overview of the events that unfolded here and includes dramatic photos taken during the 77-day siege.
The tone is clearly from a Vietnamese perspective, but it’s informative and gives an idea of how the battle is remembered today.
How to get to Khe Sanh Combat Base
Location
Khe Sanh Combat Base is located in central Vietnam, in Quang Tri Province, right near the Laos border and deep within what was once the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). The site is very remote and definitely off the beaten track—it’s not somewhere you stumble across, so visiting it means making a bit of an effort.
The nearest major city is Hue, about 150 km away, which takes close to three hours to reach by car. From Dong Ha, a small town and the capital of Quang Tri Province, it’s about 65 km, but the journey still takes around 1.5 hours due to winding mountain and countryside roads. The drive is scenic, with beautiful views of rural Vietnam, but it’s not a quick stop.
Dong Ha doesn’t have an airport, but it does have a train station and lies along Vietnam’s main north-south highway, so it’s reachable by train or bus. However, most travelers use Hue as their base, thanks to its better infrastructure and connections by plane, train, and bus.
DMZ day tour from Hue
DMZ day tours from Hue are a popular way to visit Vietnam War sites in the region. Most standard tours only visit Vinh Moc Tunnels and Hien Luong Bridge, as they’re closer to the main highway and more accessible.
Visiting Khe Sanh Combat Base usually requires a longer, full-day tour, often arranged as a private car tour with a guide. These trips allow more time to explore the mountainous region, and often include other historical stops along Route 9. Shorter tours can be done as group tours in limousine buses, which are more budget-friendly but usually skip Khe Sanh due to distance.
Private car with driver
For maximum flexibility, you can hire a private car with driver. This option works well if you want to build your own itinerary or visit lesser-visited sites. Cars can be arranged from Hue, Phong Nha, or Dong Ha, but keep in mind that drivers are not guides—they’ll bring you to the site, but you’ll need to arrange a separate guide if you want more detailed information during your visit.
Tip: Sightseeing transfer from Hue to Phong Nha
If you’re already planning to travel between Hue and Phong Nha, you can turn the journey into a sightseeing transfer and stop at Khe Sanh along the way.
Just be aware: Khe Sanh is not located along the main road, so visiting requires a detour and makes it a full-day trip. This is why most travelers on this route only stop at Vinh Moc Tunnels and Hien Luong Bridge, which are much closer to the highway. However, if you have a deep interest in Vietnam War history and don’t mind the extra drive, including Khe Sanh makes the trip much more meaningful.
Other Vietnam War sights in the DMZ
The former DMZ covers a wide area of central Vietnam and is scattered with relics of the Vietnam War. While many of these places have been reclaimed by jungle, farmland, or rubber plantations, a few have been preserved and are still accessible to visitors today. Here are some other notable sites worth knowing about:
Hien Luong Bridge
Once the official border crossing between North and South Vietnam, the Hien Luong Bridge stretched across the Ben Hai River and became a powerful symbol of the country’s division. It now serves as a memorial site, with restored structures, museums, propaganda loudspeakers, and monuments. You can walk across the old bridge and visit the nearby exhibits on both sides of the river.
Vinh Moc Tunnels
An underground village built by civilians to escape relentless U.S. bombing, the Vinh Moc Tunnels offer a deeply personal and unique look at life during wartime. Unlike the Cu Chi Tunnels, these were designed for families, not soldiers, and are high enough to walk through. The tunnels and small on-site museum are among the best-preserved and most moving war-related sites in the DMZ.
The Rockpile
A steep, isolated limestone hill that once served as a U.S. observation post. Due to its height and strategic location, it played a key role in monitoring enemy movements along Route 9. The Rockpile is not accessible to climb, but you can view it from the road and use it as a photo stop while exploring the area.
Mine Action Visitor Center
Located in Dong Ha, this small but informative center focuses on the legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left in Quang Tri Province. The area remains one of the most heavily bombed regions in the world. The center displays real bomb casings, maps, and educational materials about ongoing clearance efforts.
Camp Carroll
Once a major U.S. artillery base along Route 9, Camp Carroll played a significant role during the early stages of the war. Today, there’s little left to see—just a small monument and overgrown land surrounded by rubber trees. The site holds historical value but is mostly of interest to those with a deeper knowledge or personal connection to the war.
