Downstream of the Cấm River

(Baonghean) - With its relentless flow, each river leaves its own unique mark on the heart of its homeland. Although not as wide or long as other rivers, the Cam Giang River (Nghi Loc) has etched itself into the history of Nghe An province with its resounding victories of the past, its courageous yet humble people, especially those in the downstream area...

My friend, originally from Nghi Quang commune (Nghi Loc district) – located in the lower reaches of the Cam River – was born and raised in poverty. He was caught in a fierce storm from the sea shortly after birth, and at the age of eating solid food, he tasted cassava and sweet potatoes. Yet, when he's away from home, his longing is intense, a yearning for the salty sea breeze and the scorching midday sun of summer. This time, returning home for an extended period, he invited close friends to the lower reaches of the Cam River to sample freshly caught seafood and to experience the rich history of this region. According to him, this area has a history of 500-600 years, linked to the pioneering efforts of Grand Tutor Nguyen Xi and his descendants.

Today, the temple dedicated to Nguyen Xi (Nghi Hop commune – Nghi Loc district) and the temple dedicated to Grand Marshal and Duke Nguyen Su Hoi – his eldest son (the temple built in Nghi Tan ward – Cua Lo town) still stand majestically against the sun, wind, and the passage of time, serving as vivid evidence of the rich traditions of this region. This issue has been highlighted through various information channels, from family records to books, newspapers, and scientific research.

Cage fish farming provides high income in Lo Lach, Nghi Quang commune (Nghi Loc district). Photo: Cong Kien

We sat by the Nghi Quang bus stop, from where we could admire the majestic and poetic scenery of the coastal countryside. The landscape seemed to encompass the brushstrokes and colors of Nghe An province, with its vast sea, towering mountains, winding rivers, peaceful villages, and bustling towns. In the face of such enchanting scenery, people often immerse themselves in their own private emotions, each finding their own stream of thought to reflect on the flow of life.

My friend was fascinated by the heroic deeds during the war against the Americans, because this area served as a "shield" protecting the districts and communes behind it. American planes from the 7th Fleet in the Pacific Ocean often flew over this area to bomb Vinh town and key roads and infrastructure, encountering anti-aircraft fire from the ground. Therefore, there is a place name that has gone down in national history, affirming the indomitable and resilient spirit of the Vietnamese people and denouncing the brutality and savagery of the enemy.

That is Cam Bridge - a bridge located on National Highway 1A, named after the river, a key target of fierce bombing by the American enemy. Enemy bombs and bullets buried hundreds of young volunteer soldiers and civilians. But as soon as the bombing stopped, before the smoke had even cleared, hundreds of people worked tirelessly to fill the bomb craters and repair the bridge surface so that traffic could resume, ensuring the supply of manpower and resources to the Southern battlefield.

The lower reaches of the Cấm River encompass the communes of Nghi Yên, Nghi Quang, Nghi Thiết, and Nghi Tiến in Nghi Lộc district, and a part of Cửa Lò town. Here, besides the famous Cấm Bridge, each village and commune has landmarks associated with past heroic deeds. For example, Trung Kiên village (Nghi Thiết) boasts a history of approximately 700 years, renowned for its shipbuilding industry. It was one of the birthplaces of the "ships without numbers," braving the open sea, storms, and gunfire to support the Southern battlefield, contributing to the liberation of the country.

In early 1967, the coastal defense platoon of Nghi Thiet commune fired 75mm cannons at a destroyer of the US 7th Fleet, relieving the besieged fishing boats and causing the enemy to flee in panic. Prior to this, soldiers of the 7th Fleet had used small boats to infiltrate Hai Ba village in Nghi Tien commune to abduct villagers for information. The local army and militia forces promptly discovered and fiercely repelled the attack, forcing them to retreat without achieving their goal. Nghi Quang commune has Hill 200 and Hill 170, chosen as strategic high points for anti-aircraft and anti-aircraft artillery positions, serving as a "shield" for key targets in the rear.

Grilling fish – a job that provides employment for the elderly and women in Nghi Quang commune (Nghi Loc district). Photo: Cong Kien

Not to be outdone by neighboring communes, the Nghi Thuy commune militia (now part of Cua Lo town) shot down a US F4 on March 31, 1965, becoming the second militia unit in the province (after Dien Hung commune - Dien Chau district) to shoot down a fighter plane with infantry weapons, contributing to the movement to shoot down American planes. On June 6, 1966, the Nghi Tan militia (now part of Cua Lo town) shot down the 1,100th US plane over North Vietnam. Just one week after this event, the militia clusters of Nghi Tan, Nghi Thuy, and Nghi Khanh communes (Nghi Loc district) coordinated to shoot down an A4 in the area of ​​Hill 200...

Also in the lower reaches of the Cấm River, we met people living simple lives in coastal villages, quietly eking out a living in everyday life, few knowing that they had once faced life and death amidst bombs, bullets, and smoke. In Nghi Quang, Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc was a commando in the Rừng Sác forest who shot down a US warship in the southeastern region, then infiltrated an enemy naval port and planted mines to blow up an entire ship carrying weapons that was anchored there. Ms. Tran Thi Binh and Ms. Tran Thi Man were female militia members who fought on Hill 200 and Hill 170, the observation posts of the Naval Command, Military Region 4, and the Nghe An Provincial Military Command.

This was also where our troops deployed anti-aircraft and ground artillery, contributing to preventing enemy sabotage. Back then, Ms. Binh and Ms. Man were very young, having just left school, when they joined the commune's militia platoon. With 25 members, including 6 women, 3 12.7mm machine guns and a heavy machine gun, the platoon was tasked with supplying, supporting, and "sharing the fire" with the main army units, fighting together to protect the homeland.

On March 31, 1965, despite continuous enemy attacks day and night, the militia forces held their ground tenaciously. In coordination with the anti-aircraft units, they shot down a US F-4 fighter jet and, in cooperation with the militia of Nghi Tien and Nghi Thiet communes, captured two enemy pilots who had parachuted towards the sea. For this victory, the Nghi Quang commune militia platoon was awarded the Third Class Military Merit Medal, and female militia member Tran Thi Binh was formally admitted to the Party right on the battlefield.

In Nghi Tien, Mr. Tran Cong Don, a diligent farmer, was once a Navy commando, a terror to the American forces in the waters of Cua Viet (Quang Tri) and Da Nang. Mr. Don was also chosen to go on the ship to liberate the Spratly Islands during the Spring Offensive of 1975. This land also has two sons who bravely sacrificed their lives in the 1988 Spratly Islands naval battle, their blood and flesh left behind on Gac Ma Island.

These are martyrs Ho Van Nuoi (Nghi Tien) and Dau Xuan Tu (Nghi Yen) – young men from coastal areas who sacrificed their lives for the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands. Their names will be forever remembered by the nation and its people, for they are "Those who lie beyond the horizon." A monument and memorial site dedicated to the Gac Ma Martyrs is about to be inaugurated on the Cam Ranh peninsula (Khanh Hoa).

Tien Phong Beach, Nghi Tien commune (Nghi Loc district). Photo: Cong Kien

We climbed Hill 200, now a vast expanse of green casuarina trees, with the boundless sea stretching out before us, and ships returning from the open sea laden with countless shrimp and fish. Closer, on Lo Creek, near the mouth of the Cam River, numerous fish cages began to light up, resembling a "floating street" on the river, bringing significant income to the local people. To the south, the bustling town of Cua Lo shone brightly with its dazzling lights; to the north lay the picturesque Bai Lu resort and the pristine Tien Phong beach with its golden sand.

Nestled around the mountains and beaches are prosperous villages, with well-built houses springing up everywhere and roads interwoven like a chessboard. The D4 road connecting National Highway 1A with Nghi Thiet seaport has been completed, and will be the path to help the people here "take off" and prosper. Behind it, the Cam River meanders like a brushstroke, the main highway is bustling with traffic, and the Nam Cam Industrial Zone is developing rapidly...

Located within the Southeast Economic Zone's master plan, the downstream area of ​​the Cấm River is transforming itself through its own internal strength and resilience. Once a "shield" against bombs and bullets, it has now become a dynamic and prosperous rural area. The past has laid the foundation for the present, and the present is a continuation of the ancient source...

Cong Khang