The "fire zones" of Nghe An – from bomb smoke to the aspiration for peace.
There are lands that exist not only on geographical maps but are also etched in the nation's memory. These are "fire zones"—places ravaged by bombs and bullets, where blood and bones mingled, and indomitable will blossomed. My journey to the war-torn areas of Nghe An is, for me, a silent dialogue with the souls who fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, allowing me to better understand the value of life today.
Diep Thanh - Publication date: May 4, 2025
There are lands that exist not only on geographical maps but are also etched in the nation's memory. These are "fire zones"—places ravaged by bombs and bullets, where blood and bones mingled, and indomitable will blossomed. My journey to the war-torn areas of Nghe An is, for me, a silent dialogue with the souls who fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, allowing me to better understand the value of life today.
A symbol of the struggle for peace.
Nghe An's unique geographical location gave it a crucial and strategic role as a "choke point" in the resistance war against the US. Because of this, many historical landmarks along the vital North-South route have gone down in history as significant historical sites.fire coordinates“Heroes… Over time, those places have become symbols of the aspiration for peace.”
This is Truong Bon – a place where the traces of war are gone, but every stone step, every row of trees still silently tells a tragic and heroic story: the story of 19,000 bombs dropped between 1964 and 1968, of more than 1,240 heroes and martyrs who fell to maintain this vital transportation artery, and of 13 young volunteer soldiers who perished at the age of twenty, just hours before the order to stop bombing North Vietnam.
History remains the same, the story unchanged over the years, yet each time I hear it, my heart aches. Standing in Truong Bon today, amidst the rustling wind through the trees, I wonder: Can this peace be measured by their sacrifices?
That is Hoang Mai land – where Hoang Mai Station was once a vital transit point on the North-South railway line. The sound of the train whistles of yesteryear not only transported goods but also carried the anxieties and hopes of an entire nation. Not far from there, the Rocket Cave commemorates the sacrifice of 33 young volunteers, a tragic and heroic epic etched deep into the earth.
I arrived at Dien Chau intersection – the crossroads of two strategic North-South and East-West transportation axes. During the war years, this place was a "hot spot" subjected to bombing raids aimed at cutting off supplies from the rear. But it was precisely in those hardships that the indomitable fighting spirit of our soldiers and people shone even brighter. They held their ground, repaired roads, and kept the lines open, transforming this place into a symbol of unwavering will, a crossroads of sacrifice and courage.
Cam Bridge – a bridge spanning the Cam River, once subjected to thousands of tons of bombs and bullets by the enemy, yet it remained unbroken by the steely hearts of the soldiers and civilians who tirelessly worked day and night to repair and maintain the uninterrupted flow of transportation.
And Ben Thuy – a steadfast gateway amidst the rain of bombs and bullets. Here, convoys of vehicles silently crossed the river, and ships bravely docked. The people of Ben Thuy, workers, officials, and militia – all contributed, digging tunnels, building embankments, and braving danger to unload goods and repair bridges and ferries. Blood and tears mingled with the Lam River, but the will of the people of Nghe An remains as strong as the peak of Hong Linh Mountain.
The flame of heroism will forever shine brightly.
The comfortable life we enjoy today didn't come about naturally. Nghe An, during the years of fighting, endured countless bombs and bullets; every inch of land is soaked with the blood and bones of so many people. Now, inpeace blueThose old coordinates are igniting a different flame…
Today, Do Luong district – home to the historically significant Truong Bon site – is no longer a poor, purely agricultural area. Infrastructure has been heavily invested in, industrial zones have sprung up, and people's lives have improved. Truong Bon has become an indispensable destination in the journey of honoring and educating the younger generation about traditions. And on every major holiday, thousands of people flock here to listen to the echoes of history.
Hoang Mai, once a tranquil coastal village that bravely fought during the war, is now transforming into a new growth hub of Nghe An province. The once quiet train carriages have become the vibrant rhythm of economic development. Dien Chau is also undergoing a dramatic transformation with the North-South Expressway passing through it, the formation of numerous urban areas, seaside resorts, tourist zones, industrial parks, and high-tech agricultural areas… bringing new life to this heroic land.
.jpg)
The Cam Bridge - Nghi Loc has become a bustling, vibrant, and developing area, further highlighting the importance of a key gateway to the rear during the anti-American war. Another important southern gateway - Ben Thuy, with its two bridges bustling with convoys of vehicles facilitating cross-Vietnam trade; Vinh City has now become a major economic, political, and cultural center of North Central Vietnam. Tree-lined streets, new urban areas, and modern industrial zones... paint a picture of an increasingly bright future.
As a young person born in a peaceful country, I have no memory of the bombs, but I believe there is another memory running through my veins – the memory of gratitude and pride. In the future, no matter how society changes, no matter how history unfolds, those landmarks will forever remain in the flow of development.
Thinking about those "battlefields" is also how we ignite the flame of gratitude – a flame that must never be allowed to die out in the heart of every young Vietnamese person. Gratitude towards those who fell, those who dedicated their lives to the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. Gratitude towards...My hometown is Nghe An.Resilient, having embraced pain and loss, yet still rising strongly.
