Tan Trao is a historical site in the midland province of Tuyen Quang in the North that was the heart of resistance forces during the French war and against the Japanese.

The stilt house where General Vo Nguyen Giap stayed for three months from May to August 1945 to conduct the attack on Hanoi
Tan Trao is in the Northwest of the province about 200 km from Hanoi. It is a small valley where military leaders under Uncle Ho commanded operations in 1945. Modern Vietnam’s first provincial government was born there.

One of the sites of military history significance is the Tan Trao Tree, where General Vo Nguyen Giap ordered the first attack to free the capital Hanoi from the French colonists in 1945. The famous tree was almost knocked down by a storm a year ago and is still recovering. Na Lua bamboo house was home to Uncle Ho, and Hong Thai and Tan Trao communal houses were where other key members of the resistance force worked on their battle plans. The small village of Tan Trao is bound by beautiful lakes and a forest of “nua” – a kind of small bamboo.


A tourist takes photos of the lake on the way to the bamboo house of Uncle Ho
The native people live in stilt houses that are typical of midland villages. They cultivate the land and raise cattle. During the war, they helped hide the guerrilla fighters from the enemy. Tour guides are available at the information center, near the Tan Trao tree, but it’s even better to sit down with an old local and listen to his stories about the resistance.

Two days are enough to have a good look around. Rooms are available in Tuyen Quang city for about US$15-20 per night.
The stilt house where General Vo Nguyen Giap stayed for three months from May to August 1945 to conduct the attack on Hanoi