Timeless impressive images of Ben Thuy land

Nguyen Books• August 26, 2019 12:11

(Baonghean.vn) - Ben Thuy was originally the name of a small wharf on the Lam River, however over time, Ben Thuy has become the name for a large complex.

Located on the North-South traffic axis, Vinh - Ben Thuy city was considered by the French colonialists to be an important, strategic location in socio-economic development. Photo source (source: Nghe An Social Sciences and Humanities Journal)

In this area, the French invested in building many factories such as: Truong Thi Railway Repair Factory, Match Factory, Electricity Factory, Ben Thuy Port..., turning Vinh - Ben Thuy into the industrial center of North Central Vietnam for a time. Image of Ben Thuy recorded by the French in 1908.

However, it was not until the French colonial period that Ben Thuy was identified as an area with an important strategic position. Before that, on September 3, Mau Than year (October 1, 1788), in a letter sent to La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep, Emperor Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue wrote: "Remembering the previous return, when passing Hoanh Son, Qua Cung once opened the map and saw that in Chau Loc district, Yen Truong commune, the terrain was spacious, the weather was bright, and it could be chosen to build a new capital. It was truly a beautiful place to build the capital." "The beautiful place" was the Dung Quyet mountain complex - Ky Lan mountain (located in Trung Do ward - Vinh city today).

Right at Dung Quyet mountain park, Emperor Quang Trung started to build Phuong Hoang citadel with the hope of moving the capital to Chau Loc land. However, before that intention was completed, Emperor Quang Trung suddenly passed away. Today, on Dung Quyet - Ky Lan mountain, there are still some vestiges of Phuong Hoang - Trung Do citadel when it was first built. In the photo is the Quang Trung temple complex on the top of Dung Quyet mountain. Photo: Sach Nguyen

In the early 30s of the 20th century, the working class in factories in the Ben Thuy area soon had many strong struggles, the first mark of which was the demonstration on May 1, 1930, which took place at Ben Thuy intersection by thousands of farmers from Hung Nguyen and Nghi Loc districts and workers from factories in Ben Thuy. In the photo is the MonumentThi - Ben Thuy School 1930 - 1931, built at Ben Thuy intersection, inaugurated on September 12, 2012. This is the place that marks the historic demonstration on May 1, 1930, the first time the red hammer and sickle flag flew on top of the Ben Thuy intersection lamp post.Photo: Nguyen Book

As a choice of history, during the years of resistance against the US, the Ben Thuy area became a strategic location. After the resistance against the US imperialists, on the land of Ben Thuy alone, the Party and State awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Hero of Labor to 13 groups and individuals, not to mention many groups and individuals of the main army units were awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces for their outstanding combat achievements here. In the photo: Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Dang Che - former Ferry Chief and Self-Defense Chief of Ben Thuy Ferry. Photo: Sach Nguyen.

Bác Hồ thăm công trường nhà máy điện Vinh. Ảnh tư liệu.

In 1957, during his first return to his homeland, Vinh Power Plant (located at the foot of Dung Quyet Mountain) was honored to welcome Uncle Ho to visit. Photo archive.

Ben Thuy today appears as a peaceful land reflecting on the Lam River. Photo: Sach Nguyen

Dung Quyet Mountain - the ancient Phoenix Citadel has become a highlight of Vinh urban space and an attractive spiritual and ecological tourist destination. Photo: Sach Nguyen

On this ancient land, there were two bridges both named Ben Thuy (Ben Thuy and Ben Thuy 2) connecting the national highway from North to South. In the photo is Ben Thuy 2 bridge. Photo: Sach Nguyen