Nghe An: Meeting to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the opening of the 20th Victory Road.

Attending the meeting were representatives from the Construction 67 – Cienco5 Liaison Committee, General Corporation 36 of the Ministry of National Defense, the Association of Former Youth Volunteers of Nghe An province, and more than 60 delegates representing cadres, soldiers, youth volunteers, workers, civil servants, and civilian laborers from Nghe An who once fought and served on the Route 20 Quyet Thang (Victory) road.

Scene from the meeting. Photo: Cong Kien

At the meeting, the delegates recalled their memories of serving on Route 20, the "Victory Route". Accordingly, in late 1964, the troops...Truong SonThe movement shifted from carrying goods on backs to mechanized transport. The only border crossing route at this time was Route 12 from Khe Ve and Mu Gia, connecting to Route 128 in Laos, passing through Seng Phan, Lum Bum, Vang Mu, etc., and then joining Route 9 at Na Bo. However, Seng Phan was considered a "water pocket" during the rainy season, making mechanized transport extremely difficult.

Faced with this situation, the Command of Group 559 submitted to the Central Military Commission a plan to open a second crossing point to avoid the "fatal weakness" of Seng Phan. After a period of surveying, on January 21, 1966, at the foot of Dong Tien slope in Bo Trach district (Quang Binh province), Deputy Commander Nguyen Tuong Lan gave the order to detonate the first series of explosives, marking the beginning of the operation.campaign"Breaking through the Truong Son Mountains, opening the way to victory," all forces were ordered to construct the 20th Victory Road from two directions, East and West.

Delegates reminisce about their time serving on Route 20 Quyet Thang. Photo: Cong Kien

Nearly 8,000 people participated in the construction, excavating and filling over 1 million cubic meters of earth and rock, building hundreds of meters of underground tunnels across rivers and streams, and constructing hundreds of temporary bridges. After nearly three months of construction, on April 14, 1966, the two construction teams met in the area.Vietnam-Laos borderThe road was officially opened.

Route 20 Quyet Thang (Victory Route 20) originated from Kilometer 0 in Phong Nha (Quang Binh province), crossed the Truong Son mountain range, and connected with Routes 128 and 129. Since its opening, Route 20 broke the enemy's monopoly on supply lines, making a significant contribution to supporting the Southern battlefield. Upon discovering this route, the enemy launched a furious attack, using all kinds of bombs and ammunition, including B52 "carpet bombing" with increasing intensity, creating extremely fierce "fire zones".

Youth volunteers building Road 20 Quyet Thang. (Archival photo)

However, the American empire could not stop the will and determination of the officers, soldiers, and volunteer youth who were carrying out their duties on the Route 20 Victory Road. Every day, column after column of troops and convoys continued to brave the bombs and bullets, advancing forward to provide timely support to the front lines.battlefield, contributing to the victory and reunifying the country. Over a period of about 10 years, thousands of officers and soldiers sacrificed their lives and were wounded while on duty.

The joy of reunion for those who once served on Route 20 Quyet Thang. Photo: Cong Kien

Along Route 20 Quyet Thang, the indelible mark of the sons and daughters of Nghe An who participated in surveying, opening, transporting, fighting, and maintaining the road will forever remain. They were engineering troops, transport workers, liaison officers, and especially the Nghe An Youth Volunteer Team, who were present from the very beginning of road construction and maintenance with unwavering spirit."We march across the Truong Son Mountains to save the country, our hearts filled with hope for the future."

The meeting was joyful, friendly, and filled with the warmth of camaraderie and fellowship.