Remember the "curfew bell" in Binh Chuan

(Baonghean) - In the past, when the curfew bell rang, families across the eight villages of Binh Chuan commune (Con Cuong district) were fast asleep. The sound of the curfew bell evoked a sense of peace and security for everyone. Now, Binh Chuan has paved roads, and "the mountains and forests have electricity instead of stars," but the curfew bell is gone at night, and the security and order situation is quite complicated...

Propaganda campaign to prevent drug abuse in Binh Chuan (Con Cuong).

In the early 1980s, whenever we went to Binh Chuan (Con Cuong) for work, although the road was difficult, mostly involving walking uphill and crossing streams, once we arrived in Binh Chuan, we didn't want to leave. The air was fresh, the wild vegetables and stream fish were delicious and clean, and security and order were guaranteed. I remember one time, we had just dozed off when we suddenly heard a gong ring. Thinking something had happened, the Party Secretary of the commune, Luong Dinh Hoan, explained that it was the "curfew gong" coming from the village head's house, signaling that curfew time had arrived. It was also a notification to people in other villages that they would no longer receive visitors from this time onwards, and all matters would be resolved early the next morning. If necessary, at least two people had to leave the house with a lit torch, and they were not allowed to make noise that would disturb the villagers' sleep. Mr. Hoan further explained: “In Binh Chuan, we use the gong to issue information commands. Early in the morning, when the gong rings, it signals that it's time for everyone to go to work, children to go to school, or to signal the gathering of villagers for community activities. During the years when the Americans bombed North Vietnam, the gong was used for air raid alerts. After the country was peaceful and unified, the gong remained a communication tool for the villagers, but mainly used for meetings and work. However, since the security situation in the village became more complex, the elders in the village proposed regulations on hours and using the gong to signal curfews. Thanks to this, theft and public disorder have significantly decreased, and people no longer worry when going out at night as before.”

The curfew bell started ringing in Xieng village. Seeing the effectiveness of Xieng's method, people in other villages proposed to the commune committee that it be implemented throughout the entire commune. Along with Xieng, the curfew bells rang simultaneously at 10 PM in Na Co, Dinh, Met, Tong, Que, and Quan villages. People voluntarily reminded each other to avoid making noise or going outside unless absolutely necessary. The villagers said that the peaceful security and order in Binh Chuan over the years was partly due to the nightly bells. The bells helped people sleep soundly. Thanks to the curfew bells, Binh Chuan at that time had no theft or petty losses, and village security was ensured. In 1989, Binh Chuan was awarded the First Class Military Merit Medal by the President of Vietnam, among many important achievements, including maintaining peace and security in the villages for a long period.

For Binh Chuan to truly be peaceful

When the "market economy" arrived in Binh Chuan, especially with the paved road connecting National Highway 48 with National Highway 7A, and the national power grid illuminating the area, people forgot about the gong. Some say that in the past, the nights were pitch black, and criminals took advantage of the darkness to operate; now, with the bright lights, it's like daytime, so who would dare? With a slightly melancholic tone, Mr. Luong Dinh Hoan said: "Now, the lives of the people of Binh Chuan have changed a lot. They enjoy industrial civilization, with wide roads and bright lights, but the security situation is sometimes quite complicated, especially with young people gathering at night and fighting with passersby. With the wide, open roads, the forests of Binh Chuan are becoming increasingly barren."

Former Chairman of the commune, Kha Van Truyen, added that Binh Chuan is a crossroads of three districts, bordered to the northwest by Tuong Duong district and to the northeast by Quy Hop district. Previously, the security situation was very peaceful. However, for nearly a decade, the security situation has become quite complex. Cattle theft occurs frequently, and many young people often gather to smoke, drink alcohol, and get drunk, causing fights. People in the commune are afraid to travel at night. Young people are now involved in drug addiction and many other social vices, causing concern. Binh Chuan, which had a clean and strong Party organization for decades in the last century, has lost its momentum since the 2000s, causing deep concern among the elderly and older generations. In recent years, the movement has only reached an average to above-average level, but still harbors many potential risks to security and order. According to the villagers' proposal, the villages should reinstate the "curfew bell" to ensure true peace in Binh Chuan and stabilize the security situation.

Text and photos:Phung Van Mui