For several years now, the 200 km – long rampart in Quang Ngai Province of Central Vietnam has been the focus of study for a number of local and international researchers. The team conducting the study, made up of researchers from the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology and the French Academy of the Far East in ${bigcity_Hanoi:"Hanoi"}, along with some foreign scientists, have determined that the rampart’s existence dates back to around 500 years old.

Also known as Vietnam’s “Great Wall”, the embankment constructed from stone and earth runs from Quang Ngai through several districts in the province before extending all the way to the different districts of Binh Dinh province, thus, is recognized as the longest and largest scale rampart not just in Vietnam, but in the whole region of Southeast Asia. Its largest sections measures 4-5 meters high and 6 meters wide from its base.

Initially, the rampart is believed to have been built around 17th-19th centuries. Most of these theories are based on the notes found in the book of Dai Nam Thuc Luc (the annals of Dai Nam or the true record of the great south) and geographical records maintained during King Dong Khanh’s reign (1885-1889), along with other documents compiled under the Nguyen Dynasty. The rampart with 115 guarded posts, according to these records, was mostly built by General Le Van Duyet during the reign of King Gia Long of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1820). However, researches who conducted this recent study insists that the wall was built more than 500 years ago by the Vietnamese "Kinh" people, H’re people and soldiers during such period.

Made skillfully with soil and stone to avoid landslides and hold up in unfavorable weather conditions, the construction and stone arrangement techniques demonstrated is a testament to the amazing rock arrangement skills of the indigenous H're people. As arrangements vary in different sections and terrains, some sections of the rampart on the mountains in Quang Ngai Province are believed to have existed several centuries earlier, speculated that these sections may have been built between 1496–1568. They add, however, that in the 19th century, it was maintained as a military project and the parts made of earth were built by soldiers of the Nguyen Dynasty.

The ceramic artifacts unearthed from the structure not only links to the 16th century civilization, but also asserts further the close trading relationship between the Kinh and the indigenous ethnic minorities including the H’re, Chinese, Ka Dong, Xo Dang, and the Ba Na. The rampart, therefore, served multiple functions facilitating military, economy, business and transportation purposes in the country that time. Evident along the wall are several sections interrupted by rivers and streams, and guarded mini-forts intended to create a safe environment for the Kinh and H’re ethnic people to do trade.

History talks of how the H’re people bought salt from Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese people bought rice, cinnamon and forest products from the H’re. During the Vietnam War, the rampart sections in Duc Pho and Hoai Nhon districts in Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh provinces were also used as a branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail to transport weapons and food from the north to the south of the country. In fact, people in Duc Pho District names the wall “Duong cai quan thuong” (interprovincial highway) because of its role in protecting the important National Road 1A, linking Vietnam’s north and south.

Though the conclusions they have reached over the last five years of study are still deemed preliminary findings, the researchers will further push their excavation works and arrive at more conclusive findings on this unique architectural structure. The foreign scientists involved in the study are amazed how the rampart retained its condition even after such long period. Though left to degrade, and with no efforts made to preserve the rampart, it indeed maintained its entirety with little signs of damage.

Apart from studying its historical and cultural value, the most urgent task now is restoring and preserving the wall. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is said to be now drafting a proposal to have the rampart recognized as a national, cultural and historical relic. Its legal recognition will help to protect it better and will also be a necessary preparatory work for subsequent recognition as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO. Thus, there should be more efforts in raising people’s awareness about the importance of protecting this importance piece of heritage.