“What secrets do these unassuming walls hold?” I ask. This is the Ammunition and soldiers story. It is a hidden chapter of Saigon’s wartime past.
You are standing before a seemingly ordinary house. It sits quietly on Vo Van Tan street in District 3. This house is not what it seems. A trap door conceals a secret weapon cellar. The Viet Cong once used this space to store guns, ammunition, and grenades.
Imagine this house during the war. It appeared normal to distract unwanted attention. The Viet Cong cleverly hid weapons in plain sight. Rifles were wrapped in old carpets. Explosives were tucked inside fruit vendors’ baskets.
Let’s jump back to March 1965. The only U.S. Army ammunition in Vietnam belonged to the 5th Special Forces in Nha Trang. There were also armed helicopter units at Tan Son Nhut. The Special Forces had a mix of munitions. They included modern weapons, World War II relics, and foreign arms. Supplies came monthly from Okinawa. The helicopter units used 7.62-mm rounds, 40-mm grenades, and 2.75″ rockets. They also had signal flares and smoke grenades.
Tan Son Nhut’s storage site held around 1,500 short tons. This overwhelmed the facility. It only had a safe capacity of 900 short tons. It was also near fuel storage, napalm mixing sites, and the main runway.
In April 1965 combat units were deployed to Vietnam. Ammunition depots were selected. Real estate was acquired. A 60-day in-country supply was planned. There was also a 30-day offshore reserve on Okinawa. The in-country supply was split. 45 days’ worth was for Qui Nhon, Cam Ranh Bay, and Saigon. The other 15 days were for Ammunition Supply Points.
The 173d Airborne Brigade began combat immediately after arriving. Push Packages delivered in 30-day increments. However, they fell short. They contained obsolete ammunition like anti-tank mines. Approximately 225 tons of ammunition were airlifted from Okinawa to Tan Son Nhut. This overloaded the storage site and tied up transport aircraft.
From April to June 1965 the ammunition situation was chaotic. Ammunition piled up at Cam Ranh Bay. It also accumulated aboard sampans and barges on the Saigon River. Transportation and Ammunition Companies were delayed.
In July 1965 Headquarters U.S. Army Vietnam was established. This brought order to ammunition logistics. The 182d Ammunition Stock Control Detachment arrived. Difficulties continued for six months. There were not enough ammunition command units. There were not enough senior ammunition officers. The 182d Detachment began building an ammunition support system.
The cellar is now a free museum. Weapons remain in place but have likely been deactivated. The guard may not speak English. However, they will likely be friendly and communicate through gestures. Photographs reveal Vietnamese tricks. They concealed weapons in creative ways.
Today, this secret weapon cellar stands as a relic. It represents a fascinating period in Saigon’s history. It reminds us of the ingenuity. It also highlights the determination of those involved in the conflict. Visiting this cellar is a unique and memorable experience. It offers a glimpse into a hidden world. It is a world that played a crucial role in the Vietnam War.