Rocket Cave and the epic ballad of the 20s
Sixty years have passed, but in Hoang Mai district (Nghe An province), the memory of April 28, 1966, remains vivid in the hearts of those who stayed behind. That was the day when 33 young members of the Youth Volunteer Force perished in the heart of the Hoa Tien cave, writing an immortal epic for the nation's vital transportation artery.
"The throat" on the coordinates of fire.
On a journey across Vietnam, upon reaching the northern gateway of Nghe An province, everyone will be struck by the historical land of Hoang Mai.
To cut off the lifeline of support to the South, the American imperialists concentrated their destructive firepower on this area.
Rocket Cave and the fateful day of April 28th.
The rocky mountain range west of Hoang Mai ward today has a cave hundreds of meters long, originally named "Hamlet 4," but now known by the haunting name: Rocket Cave.
April 28, 1966, became an unforgettable, fateful day.
Among the 33 children who lie buried in the cold, rocky depths, some sorrows are multiplied many times over. This is the story of young mother Nguyen Thi Chuyen (from Dien Ngoc commune, formerly Dien Chau district, now Dien Chau commune); despite being pregnant, she worked tirelessly day and night on the construction site. She fell, taking her unborn child with her into the embrace of Mother Earth.
One of the lucky survivors of that air raid was Ms. Dang Thi Doanh (from Dien Phu commune, formerly Dien Chau district), now Tan Chau commune. The loud explosions and the cries for help from her comrades still frequently appear in her dreams. Ms. Dang Thi Doanh's older sister, Dang Thi Chau, a former Youth Volunteer, was not as fortunate. Ms. Dang Thi Doanh recounted to us: "I was lying at the entrance of the cave, escaping along with some other women. My sister Chau was deeper inside; she said, 'Come in, sister,' but I told her, 'I'm not going in…' Then I heard Mr. Lam from Thanh Hoa shouting, 'Doanh, save me!' The rock was huge, there was no way to save me. He kept calling, even calling for water, but he couldn't save me. My sister and I both died inside."
Immortal Flowers
The brutality of war did not end there. Two days after the battle, while comrades and the people were organizing the burial of the fallen soldiers, the American enemy continued to bomb the newly established cemetery.
"Some comrades were intact, others their bodies were torn apart," the tearful account of the militiamen who participated in the burials years ago still tugs at the heartstrings of listeners. Their spirit was so great that, even in the face of death, the ideal of maintaining vital transportation routes remained their supreme command.
After the fateful day of April 28th, the trains continued to bravely roll through the Hoàng Mai fire zone. The sacrifice of 33 young volunteer men and women became a driving force, urging those who remained to resolutely maintain this vital transportation artery in all circumstances.
The epic song will resound forever.
Sixty years have passed, and peace has permeated every tree and blade of grass in the Hoang Mai region. Today, the Rocket Cave is not just a historical site, but has become an integral part of the nation's soul.
The story of the 33 fallen Youth Volunteers is a testament to a resilient and indomitable generation of "Three Ready" volunteers.
When visiting Rocket Cave, please walk slowly, because beneath the rocks, the youthful years of those young men and women still lie there – immortalized by time.