KEY FACILITIES IN THE HANOI AREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 2, 2012
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: October 2, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
MEMORANDUM FOR: Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
Special Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs
SUBJECT : Key Facilities in the Hanoi Area
1. In connection with General Haig's recent request, I asked our
Imagery Analysis Service (IAS) -- on a very close hold basis -- to
survey sixteen selected key installations in the Hanoi area with the
object of determining what "major civilian facilities" (e.g. , hospitals
and schools) were located in immediate proximity (defined arbitrarily
as 200 yards for installations in the heart of metropolitan Hanoi and 500
yards for installations located in outlying areas).
2. Attached hereto is a table/spread--sheet (Attachment 1) and a
set of photographs (Attachment 2) which present the findings of this
survey, In forwarding this material to me, my IAS colleagues made the
following comments.
"The selected installations and major facilities
within the specified distances were analyzed on recent
aerial photography. The aerial photography was used
to identify the general function of the installations and
nearby civilian facilities and government offices. In
some cases we could identify the specific function of an
installation or facility solely from aerial photography,
i.e., radio communications stations, waterworks and
electric power plant. We used collateral material
25X1
25X1
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
including maps, ground photography and information
reports to indicate a more specific function of some of
the other installations and nearby facilities. It should
be emphasized that it is impossible to determine or
confirm the specific function or use of many of the
installations and facilities from aerial photography.
"The attached table contains the information derived
from collateral material and our analysis of the selected
installations and nearby major facilities which is annotated
"
on the attached photo enlargem~ :-Lts (Figures 1 through 16).
3. We did not even request a survey on one potentially lucrative
target -- the Hanoi Television Antenna and Probable Transmitter Site at
WJ883250 on Pho Quan Su Street -- because it is directly across the street
from the Ha Lo Prison, where the bulk of U.S. POWs are believed to be
held. We also did not call for a survey on National Police Headquarters
(WJ88912490) because it is known to be located in a very heavily built
up area.
4. Because of the need to mask the real purpose of this exercise,
we did not request surveys on facilities such as the following.
?(a) Ministry of Foreign Trat.e (WJ89692465)
(b) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (WJ87402595)
(c) Ministry of Communications and Transport
(WJ89692465)
(d) Prime Minister's Residence (W387122652)
(e) Residence Office of the President (WJ87122634)
The first three ((a) through (c)) are also in heavily built up areas. The
last two (d) and (e) may merit some consideration. They obviously have
symbolic value and, more to the point, both are sited in relative isolation
in the middle of the botanical gardens .
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
I I
5. Our sixteen site survey is submitted for your information and
consideration, not as a package of target recommendations. Some of the
information in this study, in fact, would argue against picking some of
the surveyed installations. Lao Dong Party Headquarters, (WJ88252460),
or example, is not only in a built up area but is within 100 yards.of a
ospital. The Government Communications Office is surrounded by the
aff living quarters and embassies of Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia,
th the embassy compound of the USSR nearby.
Ge rge A. Carver, Jr.
Special Assistant for Vietnamese Affairs
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
3
Hanoi AM Transmitter, Me Tri
WJ81952160
Function of installation confirmed by
photography.
Hanoi International Radio Communications
Within 500 yards of installation:
Receiver, Son Dong
a.
Ngoai Thon Village
WJ71872742
Identified from map, confirmed by photography
Function of installation confirmed by
b.
Unnamed village
photography.
Identified from photography.
}anoi Radio Communications Transmitter Number 2,
Within 500 yards of installation:
Ha Dong
Yen Xa Village. Identified from map, confirmed by photography.
c'J83081908
Function of installation confirmed by
photography.
Hanoi Radio Communications Receiver Number 3,
Phu Coc
WJ92600670
Function of installation confirmed by
photography.
Ul"M coordinates locate center of control area's
north perimeter. Support area located 500 yards
north of control area.
Hanoi Radio Communications Station Number 11,
L:ac Mai
IIJ88242182
UTTis adjusted to locate center of installation
,Function of installation confirmed by
photography.
Within 200 yards of installation:
a. Educational Institute - identified on map of Hanoi. The
facility appears on photography to be an institute containing
administratiop,classroom buildings, quarters, and a messhall.
b. Barracks/Quarters - identified on maps of Hanoi as People's
University. Photography indicates that the part of this .
facility nearest the installation contains barracks/quarters,
a classroom-type building and support buildings.
The Rae Mai Hospital identified'on maps of Hanoi is located within
250 yards of the installation. The facility appears to be a
hospital on photography.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
Lang Truoc Radio Communications'Transmitter
WJ90255055
UTMs adjusted to locate center of control area.
Function of installation confirmed by
photography.
Hanoi International Radio Communications
Transmitter, Dai Mo
WJ79492008
UTMs locate center of control area. Support
area located 300 yards east-northeast of
control area. Function of installation
confirmed by photography.
Ministry of Defense
WJ88002595
Identified on maps of Hanoi; photo signatures
suggest administrative function for this
building. Also, the building is located
within a military area.
Lao Dong Communist Party Headquarters
WJ88252.60
Identified on maps of Hanoi and on ground
photography dated 1958 and 1961. Photo
signatures suggest administrative function
for this building.
Within 500 yards of installation:
Trai.Nui Village. Identified from map and confirmed by photography.
No major facilities within 500 yards of control or support areas.
Within 200 yards of installation:
Installation is located within a large military area (Citadel)
which contains numerous administration buildings, barracks, quarters,
and support buildings.
Within 200 yards of installation:
a. Quan Su Pagoda identified on maps. Appears to be a religious
shrine on photography.
b. Embassy of Cuba identified on maps. Photo signatures suggest
an official residence.
c. Government Buildings - identified on maps as Ministry of Public
Security and/or Ministry of Water Conservation. Buildings in
this area appear to have an administrative or governmental
function.
d. Economics College - Identified on maps. Photo signatures suggest
possible institutional function.
e. Open Air Theater - identified on maps. Photography confirms
this function.
f. Hospital - identified on maps. Photo signatures suggest probable
institutional function.
Overseas Chinese Hall - Identified on maps. Appears to be a
residential or apartment building.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
naJULC PAU LLiLJLB1n VLk.J LJI
Government Communications Office
W387212591
This building is identified on maps of Hanoi.
It appears to be a residence or office building
on photography. We could not identify any
antennas on this building. There are some
antennas nearby. One rhombic antenna consisting
o? four masts is located at WJ87002595 near the
Not Cot Pagoda. A horizontal dipole antenna
is also located here.
Hanoi Thermal Power Plant - Listed coordinates -
WJ88162693. Actual UTH coordinate is WJ88062693
Identified on maps of Hanoi. Function of this
facility confirmed by photography.
Hanoi Radio Relay Terminal (Post,. Telephone, and
Telegraph Office) Listed coordinates - WJ89152505
The actual UTM coordinate is WJ89182500. The
building is identified on maps of Hanoi and
ground photos dated 1960. It appears to be a
government office building on photography.
However, no antennas were observed on-this
building.
Within 200 yards of installation:
a. Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified on maps of Hanoi.
Appears to be a government administration building.
b. Diplomatic Offices and Quarters - area identified on maps of
Hanoi as containing the embassies and diplomatic quarters of
Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. There appears to be
residences and offices in this area on photography.,
c. Soviet Embassy Compound identified on maps of Hanoi. The
area appears to be an embassy compound on photography.
d. Labor Office - identified on maps of Hanoi. It appears to
be an office building on photography.
e. Mot Cot Pagoda - identified on maps of Hanoi. The compound
appears to be a religious shrine on photography.
Within 200 yards of installation:
a. Possible Educational Institute - photo signatures.suggest
that this facility, which contains two large possible classroom
buildings and a large courtyard, could serve this function.
Although this facility is not identified in collateral, an
educational institute is indicated on the maps in the area of
the Hanoi waterworks (WJ88182698). However, there is no photo
evidence of an educational facility at the map referenced
.location.
Within 200 yards of installation:
a. Government Officss - identified on maps. Appear to be govern-
b. Bank of Hanoi - identified on maps. Appears to be a public
building on photography.
c. National Bank - identified on maps. Appears to be a public
or government building on photography.
d. Former Governor General's Residence - identified on ground
photos dated 1953 and 1956. Appears to be a government
building on photography.
a.. Ministry of Interior - identified on maps. Ground photos dated
1062 identify this building as Former Governor General's
Residence. Appears to be an-administration or government
building on photography.
IAS/RSD - 549/72
SECRET
RD FORE1i;d 1tSStR
. 25X1
o Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
12
Hanoi'Radjo Relay Terminal (Continued).
f.
h.
is
J.
k.
13 Hanoi Senior Party School
WJ82302689
This installation contains at least five large
multi-storied administration/classroom buildings,
in addition to quarters. It has the appearance
of a military institution on photography.
14 Waterworks
14387552482.
Function of this facility confirmed by photo-
graphy. Installation, completely surrounded
by industrial, commercial and residential
facilities.
Hotel Thong Nhat - identified on maps. Appears to be a public
building on photography.
Bank - identified on maps. Appears to be a public building or
administration building on photography.
Ministry of Labor - identified on maps. Appears to be a possible
office building on photography.
Cinema - identified on maps. Appears to be a public building on
photography.
Hotel De La Pax - identified on maps. Appears to be a public
building on photography.
ICC Headquarters - identified on maps and on ground photo dated
1960. Appears to be a government or public building on photo=
graphy. Six RVG-950A point.-to-point radio communications
antennas are visible on the roof of this building.
1. Telephone Exchange - identified on maps. Appears to be a govern-
ment or public building on photography.
Within 500 yards of installation:
a. Possible Administration/Associated Housing Area - located
adjacent to the. installation, this area is possibly associated
with. the school.
b. Hanoi Army Barracks West Mai Dich - It appears to be a militar
installation on photography.
c. Hanoi Construction Materials Testing Institute - It appears to
have an institutional function, possibly military related.
Within 200 yards of installation:
a. Shin Tu Temple - identified on maps of Hanoi. Photo signature
suggests a possible institutional function.
PHOTO REF} ENCES
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
15 Waterworks
Listed coordinates - WJ88102703
Actual UVI coordinate WJ88182698
Function of this facility confirmed by photo-
graphy. Installation surrounded on three
sides by industrial, commercial and.residential
facilities.
16 Waterworks
W390032308
Identified on Hanoi maps. Function confirmed
by photography. Installation completely
surrounded by industrial, commerical and
residential facilities.
Hanoi Art School
W385502580
TACTA magi references this facility as a water-
works. There were no waterworks observed on
photography at this location or in the immediate
area.
.Within 200 yards of installation:
a. Possible Educational Institute - see comments for Figure 1
Within 200 yards of installation:
a. Probable Elementary School - Area contains 3 classroom-type
buildings and a probable play area.
b. Possible Institution - contains numerous quarters and an admin-
istration/classroom building in a compound.
c. Possible Educational Institute - contains two classroom-type
buildings on either side of an open area.
d. Quarters Areas - Four areas southeast, south and-west of instal-
lation contain numerous quarters or buildings for housing.
e. Apartments - contains several large apartment buildings.
f. Pagoda - identified on Hanoi map. Appears on photography to be
an administration building or for religious use.
Within 200 yards:
a. Hanoi Art School - identified on most Hanoi maps. Contains a
large administration/classroom building, a smaller classroom-
type building and athletic fields in.a compound.
b. Reception Hall for Foreigners - identified on Hanoi map. Con-
taine a large'-administration/residence building and several
quarters/storage buildings in a compound.
c. Pagodas - Three pagodas northeast and northwest of the Art
School are identified on Hanoi maps. Each appears to serve a
religious function on photography. _7
SECRET
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/11/05: LOC-HAK-247-3-2-2
25X1