Overview of Long Dai Ferry Terminals I and II today
An epic saga amidst the "fire zone"
During the years of the war against the US, Long Dai Ferry Terminal held a strategically important position, considered the "choke point" on Highway 15 – the vital artery connecting the North's rear with the South's battlefields. From 1965, when the US expanded its bombing campaign against the North, this area continuously became a focal point of intense fire. Supersonic aircraft, laser bombs, mines, warships… rained down day and night with the aim of "choking" our vital transportation artery.
But after each bombing raid, the engineering corps, civilian laborers, and Youth Volunteers remained steadfast, filling bomb craters, restoring ferry crossings, and ensuring the transportation of weapons, food, and supplies to the battlefield. This spirit was inscribed in slogans such as: "Fight the enemy while advancing, open the way while progressing," and "Live clinging to bridges and roads, die bravely and resolutely."
Long Dai II Ferry Terminal Monument
In early 1971, to reduce losses, the Long Dai ferry terminal was divided into two branches: Ferry I near the bridge and Ferry II about 500 meters downstream. Company 130, with 150 young volunteers aged eighteen to twenty, directly managed Ferry II and opened Route 18. Living amidst the "cauldron of fire and bombs," they wrote chapters of history with their sweat, blood, and the lives of their youth.
On September 19, 1972, while on duty, American planes unexpectedly bombed Ferry II. In just one hour, 15 Youth Volunteers (7 women, 8 men) bravely sacrificed their lives. Three fell while transporting goods on the boat, and 12 others died at the ferry dock and in the bomb shelter.
But the tragedy didn't end there. On September 23, 1972, another bombing raid struck, claiming the life of soldier Tran Manh Ha while he was on duty. They all perished in this heavily bombed area, ensuring the vital transportation route to the South remained undisturbed.
The A-shaped bunker - where the Youth Volunteers took shelter during enemy air raids.
The historical and cultural value of a historical site.
The heroic sacrifice of 16 Youth Volunteers at Long Dai II Ferry Terminal has become an immortal epic. Their blood mingled with the river, affirming the truth: "Hearts may stop beating, but the arteries of transportation cannot stop flowing." This loss contributed to the strategic victory of 1972, forcing the US to sign the Paris Agreement, paving the way for the great victory of Spring 1975.
Ms. Le Thi Hoai Huong, Director of the Quang Tri Provincial Museum, affirmed: "The relic is not only a tragic testament to a heroic period, but also a symbol of the resilient and courageous spirit of Vietnamese youth; at the same time, it affirms the great role of the Youth Volunteer Force in the resistance war against the US to save the country."
A memorial plaque bearing the names of 16 Youth Volunteers who sacrificed their lives at Long Dai II Ferry Terminal in September 1972.
Today, Long Dai II Ferry Terminal is not only a historical landmark but also a place for educating the younger generation about revolutionary traditions. The bomb craters, the A-shaped bunkers, and the inscriptions on the stone tablets have become "living lessons" about patriotism, self-sacrifice, and indomitable spirit.
On September 9, 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a decision classifying Long Dai II Ferry Terminal as a national historical relic – a well-deserved recognition of the silent sacrifices of the youth of Company 130. This classification not only affirms the historical value of the relic but also contributes to its preservation, appreciation, and dissemination of traditions for today and tomorrow.
In the future, this place will become a familiar destination in "back to the roots" journeys, especially for the younger generation. Long Dai II Ferry Terminal will forever remind us of the tragic past, while promoting the image of Quang Tri – a heroic land rich in cultural and historical tourism potential.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/ben-pha-long-dai-ii-toa-do-lua-ghi-dau-ban-anh-hung-ca-167579.html
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