Come to Vi Xuyen

THE LAND OF LOYALTY

The Vi Xuyen Front in Ha Giang was a fierce battlefield against the invaders, which lasted for 10 years (1979-1989). More than 4,000 Vietnamese cadres, soldiers and militiamen were killed and more than 9,000 were injured. Arriving in Ha Giang, in front of the Vi Xuyen Heroic Martyrs Temple at the 468 high point, we offered incense to express our gratitude to the heroic martyrs.

Vi Xuyen land more than 43 years ago was the fiercest battlefield in the war.the fight to protect the northern border of the Fatherland, which took place over 10 years (from 1979 to 1989). Here, the main army units, local army units, and self-defense militia were determined to fight to protect every inch of the Fatherland. With the brave spirit of "Living on rocks to fight the enemy, dying as stone, immortal", the army, militia and people of the localities in Ha Giang were determined to stop the invaders, firmly maintaining the sovereignty of the national border. During the war to protect the Fatherland at the northern border, Ha Giang was a key area that the enemy encroached and sabotaged in many aspects compared to the entire northern border.

Soldiers on the Vi Xuyen front (2 photos above); General Doan Khue, Chief of the General Staff, visits officers and soldiers of Division 312 who have just completed their combat mission in Vi Xuyen. Photo: Document

In the early morning of February 17, 1979, China attacked and sent more than 600,000 troops to invade the border of 6 northern border provinces of our country (including Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lang Son and Quang Ninh). After that, China maintained 12 divisions and dozens of independent regiments close to the Vietnamese border, constantly causing tension, continuing to encroach on Vietnamese territory at all scales, carrying out a multi-faceted destructive war. In particular, from April 1984 to October 1989, China launched another invasion and encroachment on the Vietnamese border, focusing on attacking and encroaching on a part of the land in the border area of ​​Vi Xuyen district, Ha Tuyen province (now Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang)...

“Memories of the Vi Xuyen War” by Major General Nguyen Duc Huy – who directly commanded the battle in the Vi Xuyen - Ha Tuyen battlefield from 1985-1989 (he is currently the Head of the National Liaison Committee for Veterans of the Vi Xuyen - Ha Tuyen Front), wrote: At its fiercest, in just 3 days, China fired more than 100,000 artillery shells into the Vi Xuyen area to Ha Giang town. In 5 years, China fired more than 1.8 million artillery shells into the Vi Xuyen front. After the end of this war, we measured and found that a mountain in Vi Xuyen was blown away by more than 3m. It was so fierce that our comrades called it “The Lime Kiln of the Century”.

Vi Xuyen Martyrs Templewas built at the height of 468, near Thanh Thuy border gate, Vi Xuyen district, Ha Giang province, a few kilometers from the Vietnam - China border. Every year, the temple organizes a memorial day on July 12 - the day 38 years ago, nearly 1,000 young Vietnamese soldiers were killed or wounded in just one morning, with more than 600 brothers sacrificing in the Northern border war. This place has become a symbol of the tradition of "Drinking water, remembering its source, repaying gratitude", educating revolutionary traditions for generations of Vietnamese people. The war is far away, but the pain and loss always remind generations of Vietnamese people to promote solidarity, develop the country, and protect the sovereignty of the Fatherland.

Panoramic view of Vi Xuyen temple at height 468. Photo: Thanh Cuong

At the Vi Xuyen front, more than a dozen infantry divisions took turns participating in the battle. With the will of "Not moving an inch, not leaving a millimeter", our army and people stopped the invaders, protecting the entire border of the Fatherland. The battle was a glorious victory, but the losses and sacrifices were enormous;More than 4,000 officers and soldiers heroically sacrificed their lives.; over 9,000 officers and soldiers were injured; nearly 2,000 remains of officers and soldiers have not been found and collected, thousands of hectares of hills and mountains still have bombs, mines and explosives left.

Before July this year, a delegation of Nghe An Newspaper led by comrade Ngo Duc Kien - Party Secretary and Editor-in-Chief offered incense to the heroic martyrs at Vi Xuyen Heroic Martyrs Temple.

CONTINUING THE TRADITION

Coming to Ha Giang, meeting and talking with many cadres, party members and people, we clearly felt the steadfast affection of the people here for the Party, the army and the people of the whole country. As shared by comrade Nguyen Trung Thu - Editor-in-Chief of Ha Giang Newspaper, that: “Every person in this border strip always remembers the solidarity and support of the army and people of the whole country. The achievements of the war on the northern border are still there, always reminding every cadre and person to raise their vigilance and strive to unite to protect every inch of the Fatherland. The indomitable revolutionary tradition of our army and people is continued by generations of compatriots in Ha Giang in today's and tomorrow's work…”.

Top photo, left to right: The bell tower and the offering house at Vi Xuyen temple at the height of 468, Vi Xuyen district, Ha Giang province; Leaders and reporters of Nghe An and Ha Giang newspapers pay tribute to the heroic martyrs in front of Vi Xuyen temple; Comrade Ngo Duc Kien - Party Secretary, Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An newspaper rings the bell in front of Vi Xuyen temple. Photo: Thanh Cuong

The 468 Vi Xuyen high point is an area managed by the Thanh Thuy International Border Post (Vi Xuyen District, Ha Giang Province). This name coincides with the Thanh Thuy Border Gate in Thanh Chuong District (Nghe An). The day we went to the 468 Vi Xuyen high point, we were really moved to meet our fellow countryman, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tuan - Head of the Thanh Thuy Border Post, Vi Xuyen District.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan is from Dien Yen commune, Dien Chau district and has been working in Ha Giang since 2002. Having worked in Ha Giang for more than 20 years, in many positions, Mr. Tuan has always excellently completed all assigned tasks.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan shared: “The people of Ha Giang are very sincere and emotional. Each person here inherits the revolutionary tradition, always believes in the leadership of the Party, and strictly follows the policies and laws of the State. That contributes greatly to the Border Guard and other functional forces in performing well the task of protecting the Fatherland's borders, so that the socio-economic development of the homeland and the country can develop.”

During the Northern Border War (1979-1989), tens of thousands of Nghe An people participated, including thousands of people who sacrificed their lives in the rocky plateau. Currently, many Nghe An people continue to work and labor in this land, actively contributing to the development of Ha Giang...

Chief of Thanh Thuy Border Guard Station, Vi Xuyen District, Ha Giang Province - Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tuan (from Nghe An) talks with Nghe An Newspaper reporter. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tuan said that every year, officers and soldiers of Thanh Thuy border post develop specific plans to help people in the assigned border communes to renovate mixed gardens, develop production, raise livestock, and sustainably reduce poverty. Officers and soldiers of the post support many households to renovate vegetable gardens, build livestock barns, apply technical advances to production, and improve their lives. With that connection, people in the border area of ​​Vi Xuyen and functional forces join hands and unite in protecting the border, landmarks, and maintaining security and order...

Currently, Ha Giang province is promoting the connection of transport infrastructure to promote economic development in the direction of restructuring the agricultural sector; developing sustainable tourism; developing border trade economy associated with ensuring national defense and security, improving the material and spiritual life of the people. Although there are still many difficulties in the border and mountainous areas, having gone through a long period of war, the Party Committee and people of Ha Giang are always united and strive to achieve many victories.