Emotions on the Ta Lam dike…

(Baonghean) - “For generations, the Lam River has diligently carried alluvial soil to nourish the people of Nghe An. But time has brought changes, and no one knows when the river will erode and deposit sediment, when it will be clear and blue, or when it will be muddy, boiling, and raging across the fields. That's how the Lam River dike, protecting the land and preventing flooding, came into existence. The Lam River dike is a deep mark imprinted on the character of the Vietnamese people, especially the courageous and indomitable people of Nghe An, who protect their homeland,” - standing on the banks of the Left Lam River, the old colonel said with emotion.

Amidst the fading autumn sunlight, the old colonel told us about the Lam River, intertwined with wars from the Hung Kings era to modern times, and the conscious effort of controlling nature through its dikes: The Lam River dikes have existed for a very long time; since the time when the "Vietnamese people of the midland" became the "Vietnamese people of the delta." In those days, the first Lam River dikes were simply sections of embankments, shaped like arcs or closed circles, enclosing villages and cultivated land. During the Ly Dynasty, the construction of dike systems along the river was established. The Lam River dike system was built, and Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang was instrumental in connecting these embankments into a series of dikes… Villages and hamlets were built behind these dikes. The Lam River dikes have always been reinforced throughout the ages. But there have also been times when floods have torn the dikes apart.

Perhaps the most devastating flood in history, which caused the Lam River dike to break, occurred in September 1944. At this time, the country was engulfed in the nightmare of a "historical famine" caused by the plundering policies of the Japanese fascists and French colonialists. The Lam River dike broke. Floodwaters inundated the west, and seawater surged eastward, turning fields and gardens white with salt; even trees withered, let alone rice and potatoes. With the dike broken, the people's hearts became the dike that held back the water. Generations of people from Nghe An gathered to build dikes. Like many young men and women from Nam Dan at that time, the old colonel had early joined the patriotic movement of the Viet Minh in the form of a Red Self-Defense Force, receiving instruction in guerrilla warfare, fighting the enemy, and learning to sing revolutionary songs.

The Ta Lam dike has been upgraded to become a tourist route along the Lam River. Photo: Cao Dong

During those years, the revolutionary movement in this rural area was at its peak. There were both open and secret struggles. On the day of the uprising, movements such as hanging flags, banners, slogans, posting posters, distributing leaflets, organizing rallies, parades, and demonstrations to mobilize the masses and build prestige in the locality took place vigorously. Phuc My was ablaze with struggle; the people here, along with the people of other communes, marched to the district and provincial capitals to seize power…

Standing on the left bank of the Lam River, the two old friends relived memories of people who were masters of their own lives: It was on this very dike that they gathered to hear the policies of the fledgling government, participated in its activities; everyone enthusiastically supported the "Golden Week," the "Popular Education Campaign," activities to eradicate superstition, and joined social organizations... And it was also from this dike that the old colonel continued his sacred national march; his friend stayed in the village to build the rear base.

According to the old colonel: “For generations, we have lived by the river, and a moment of carelessness can cost us our lives. Why shouldn't we always be vigilant and cautious? But the river brings us life and nurtures us as we grow up, so how can we turn our backs on it? The people of Nghe An always hope that the Lam River dike will become strong and sturdy, so every year, the militia, youth, women, veterans... mobilize to reinforce the dike. In many years, the province and districts even sent entire regiments and battalions of soldiers to help the people build the dike for months on end…”

Now, the Lam River dike has been raised and strengthened. It forms a flood and wave barrier. People outside the dike have also learned to adapt, living with the unpredictable weather, the erratic rain, wind, and storms. The country and homeland endured long periods of war, and the Lam River dike also suffered under bombs and bullets. Today, that dike is much straighter and stronger. The Ta Lam dike has become a tourist route along the Lam River, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenic journey back and forth between historical sites from Cua Lo and Cua Hoi to the "Steel Ferry" of Ben Thuy, Phuong Hoang Trung Do, Lam Thanh Mountain, to Kim Lien, stopping at Sa Nam Wharf, and visiting Hung Son Mountain, the base of King Mai... Looking at the smooth tourist route, the old colonel dreams of returning to the bustling Trieu Khau trading port beside the Lam River dike.

Thanh Son