Hoang Cam Stove: A Unique Innovation of the Vietnamese Soldiers The stove was designed to conceal smoke, allowing soldiers to cook without being detected from the air. Structure and History: The stove was built underground, with the smoke vent designed as a long trench connected to several small holes on the surface. The smoke would spread through these holes, become diluted and dispersed before rising, making it impossible for reconnaissance aircraft to detect. The stove was named after Hoang Cam, a military cook who invented this model.