Established in 1966, Camp Carroll was a major U.S. Marine Corps and South Vietnamese artillery base situated along Highway 9 just south of the Demilitarized Zone. The strategic hilltop stronghold was famously surrendered to North Vietnamese forces during the 1972 Easter Offensive.
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Must Knows about Camp Carroll (Vietnam DMZ)
– Location/address: Cam Lo commune, Quang Tri province, Vietnam
– Other name(s): Artillery Plateau, Firebase Tan Lam, Tan Lam Base, Hill 241
– Opening hours: visitors can come anytime during the day
– Ticket price: free
– Best time to visit: the dry season, sunny days
– Time to spend: 30-60 minutes (depending on the purpose)
– Reason(s) to visit: one of the most important sites in Vietnam Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/camp-carroll-vietnam/
– Recognition(s):
– Food & drink: not available
– Shopping: not available
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Fact:
Camp Carroll (Vietnam DMZ) on Map
Brief History of Camp Carroll (Vietnam DMZ)
Established in November 1966 by the U.S. Marine Corps, Camp Carroll (Hill 241) was a vital strategic artillery base located south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along Highway 9 in Quang Tri Province. Positioned on a 241-meter elevation, the heavily fortified stronghold famously housed long-range M107 175mm guns capable of providing widespread fire support across the rugged border region.
After U.S. forces transitioned away from fixed firebases, operational control was transferred to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). The base became the center of intense conflict during the opening phases of the 1972 Easter Offensive. Under heavy bombardment by the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN), the facility faced a major turning point when its commander surrendered the strategic post, resulting in the capture of a massive arsenal of heavy artillery. Today, Hill 241 remains a quiet historical landmark featuring a victory monument that bears witness to its turbulent wartime past.
In September 1973, Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro made a historic and daring visit to the newly liberated zone in Quảng Trị Province, South Vietnam, becoming the first and only foreign head of state to visit the fierce Demilitarized Zone warfront while the conflict was still active.
Traveling alongside Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, Castro toured the recently captured U.S. artillery base at Hill 241 (Camp Carroll) on September 15, 1973, to demonstrate profound international backing for the National Liberation Front.
Standing atop Hill 241, Castro delivered a rallying speech to liberation fighters and local crowds, famously proclaiming: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood!”
During the rally at the base, he also famously hoisted aloft the flag of the Khe Sanh Unit of the Tri-Thien-Hue Liberation Army, cementing an enduring symbol of trans-global brotherhood.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company organize tours to Vietnam Demilitarized Zone (DMZ):
Tour 1: DMZ Tour from Hue (Half Day)
Tour 2: DMZ Tour from Hue (Full Day)
Tour 3: DMZ Tour from Da Nang
Tour 4: DMZ Tour from Hoi An
To book, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com
Thank you so much!
What to See in Camp Carroll Vietnam Today?
Today, the Hill 241 Victory Monument (Tượng Đài Chiến Thắng Cao Điểm 241) stands as a solemn historical landmark in Cam Lo District, Quang Tri Province. Built to commemorate the fierce battles of the Vietnam War and honor those who fought at the former U.S. artillery base, the site features a distinctive memorial structure. Surrounded by peaceful greenery and local agricultural land, the hill serves as an important educational and historical destination. It preserves the memory of the area’s turbulent wartime past, including its significance as the site visited by Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro in 1973.
At this site, the memorial stele writes down “The Tan Lam Firebase 241 was the strongest artillery base within the enemy’s defense system along Route 9 here. From March 30, 1972, to April 2, 1972, under the fierce storm-like attacks of our E68 – E38 Artillery, E24 Infantry, and the 304th Division, we tightened the siege, forcing the enemy’s 56th Regiment to surrender and return to the Revolution.”
To see smaller, less important remains of the Camp Caroll (that are hidden away in farms and rubber plantations), visitors need to go with a local guide or very experienced guide who knows well the area.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company organize tours to Vietnam Demilitarized Zone (DMZ):
Tour 1: DMZ Tour from Hue (Half Day)
Tour 2: DMZ Tour from Hue (Full Day)
Tour 3: DMZ Tour from Da Nang
Tour 4: DMZ Tour from Hoi An
To book, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com
Thank you so much!
How to Get to Camp Carroll (Vietnam DMZ)
The Camp Carroll (Hill 241) is located on a hill near Road 9 (Highway 9) in Cam Lo commune, Quang Tri province, Vietnam.
There is a victory monument on the highest point of the Camp Carroll. This is the main sightseeing spot. It’s on the side of Road 241, about 3km from the Road 9 – the main tourist route.
To get there from Dong Ha, visitors can take a car/van or ride the motorbike because the distance is only 25km. If go further, it’s possible to see other Vietnam War sites like the Rockpile, Khe Sanh Combat Base, Ho Chi Minh Trail,…
From Hue, the distance to Camp Caroll is around 95km. The drive by car is 2-2.5 hours if no stop on the way. Only private tour itineraries cover this historical site.
From Da Nang and Hoi An, the distance to Camp Caroll is nearly 200 km and 230km respectively by the quickest way CT01. To spend the day, visitors should combine with other key sites in DMZ like Khe Sanh Combat Base or the pair of Hien Luong Bridge and Vinh Moc Tunnels.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company organize tours to Vietnam Demilitarized Zone (DMZ):
Tour 1: DMZ Tour from Hue (Half Day)
Tour 2: DMZ Tour from Hue (Full Day)
Tour 3: DMZ Tour from Da Nang
Tour 4: DMZ Tour from Hoi An
To book, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com
Thank you so much!
Other Places to Visit in Vietnam DMZ
Besides Camp Carroll, visitors can go to these places to visit:
– Along Highway 1A: Vinh Moc Tunnels, Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River, Quang Tri Citadel, Doc Mieu Base, Con Thien Combat Base, Truong Son National Military Cemetary, Ben Tat Bridge, Our Lady of La Vang Church, Long Hung Church, Bo De School, Quang Tri Mine Action Visitor Center, Cua Tung Beach, Cua Viet Beach, Quang Tri Museum 2, Dong Ha Market, Gio Linh Firebase, Dong Ha Combat Base, Cua Viet Combat Base, Quang Tri Combat Base.
– Along Highway QL9 (Road 9): Khe Sanh Combat Base (Ta Con Airfield), Khe Sanh Monument, The Rockpile (Elliot Combat Base), Camp Caroll (Hill 241), Lang Vay (Lang Vei) Special Forces Camp, Dakrong Bridge, Ho Chi Minh Trail, Road 9 National Military Cemetery, Lao Bao Prison, Ca Lu Combat Base, Vandegrift Combat Base.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company organize tours to Vietnam Demilitarized Zone (DMZ):
Tour 1: DMZ Tour from Hue (Half Day)
Tour 2: DMZ Tour from Hue (Full Day)
Tour 3: DMZ Tour from Da Nang
Tour 4: DMZ Tour from Hoi An
To book, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com
Thank you so much!
Photos, Videos about Camp Carroll (Vietnam DMZ)
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Camp Carroll (Vietnam DMZ):
