The epic song remains forever

Tourists visit the exhibition area of historical artifacts of the 915th Youth Volunteer Company.

Heroic spirit will be forever famous

Entering the grounds of the Relic Site, amidst the sacred space, we felt extremely close. The memorial was built on the exact location of the bunker, where 60 Youth Volunteers sacrificed their lives while unloading goods to support the Southern battlefield. Every step of the tourist groups coming here is a step touching history.

Along both sides of the entrance are 63 straight-growing acacia trees, symbolizing the 63 martyrs worshiped at the Monument. The strong trunks of the trees are like the steadfast sons of the nation, standing firm with the earth and sky for more than half a century after the bombs and bullets.

The small bridge spanning two square lakes leading to the central area evokes a sense of separation between the earthly and sacred worlds. The calm, clear water reflects the tiled roofs and rows of trees, like a ritual of cleansing the dust of the world. The memorial house is built in the traditional architectural style of communal houses - temples - pagodas, with red dragon-scale tiled roofs in the sunset light. The pair of dragons facing the stone opens up a "divine axis" leading straight to the main hall, creating a majestic and spacious look.

Passing through the Tam Quan - a symbol of the journey from the mundane to the pure - visitors seem to be led into a sacred realm. On the right of the main hall is the altar of the gods and the local deities, in the middle are 60 martyrs' tablets in the shape of bodhi leaves, a large incense bowl measuring 60x60cm symbolizing 60 martyrs' souls. The three tablets on the left are of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the same period, creating the number 63, coinciding with the 63 acacia trees planted in the grounds.

Above is the large plaque “Unyielding Loyalty”, flanked by a parallel sentence by Professor Vu Khieu: The martyrs’ mirror is immortal forever/ The heroic spirit will live forever. The pine, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and apricot motifs decorating the temple evoke the nation’s four seasons of perseverance.

In that space, the sound of bells and gongs rang out long, making time slow down. Anyone who came here probably shared the same feeling that many of the brothers and sisters who had fallen years ago, many of whom had not yet had their last meal, were still around, silently watching the crowds of people who came to pay their respects.

A reminder to send back tomorrow

History also recorded that on the night of December 24, 1972, when Christmas was being celebrated everywhere, B52 bombers fiercely attacked Luu Xa station. At that time, officers and members of Company 915 were on duty to clear the remaining defense goods on the platform. They were able to move all the goods out of the danger zone, but before they could have dinner, the sudden bombing took 60 lives.

At the exhibition booth in the Memorial House, the portraits, patched clothes, rice bowls, old sandals, bicycles… are real slices of the youth of the Youth Volunteers, who were poor but resilient. Each souvenir is a separate story, but it is a common pain, a pride of the homeland Thai Nguyen .

The white flower called silver swallow is grown a lot in the relic site.

The statue cluster “The Flame of Company 915 Burning Forever” placed solemnly in the reception hall is the highlight of the entire complex. The red flame of the monument not only symbolizes sacrifice, but also serves as a reminder that today’s independence was exchanged for the blood of our ancestors in the past.

Among the 60 martyrs, there are 37 women, most of whom are unmarried. Therefore, around the Memorial House, there are many silver swallow flowers with pure white color. Behind the Memorial House are 63 grapefruit trees donated by Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry. The grapefruit flowers are pure white, with a gentle fragrance like the nostalgia for the first love of the brothers and sisters, making the campus more poignant.

The dedication of the tour guide team here contributes to preserving memories by telling stories from the heart. Many visitors were moved when hearing the stories behind each souvenir. A young person whispered to me: The artifacts and stories here make us moved and infinitely grateful for the heroic sacrifice of the martyrs.

Also in the group of tourists, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Binh, Vice Principal of Thai Nguyen College of Economics and Technology, said softly: Every year, the school organizes for new students and excellent students to offer incense at the 915 Relic Site. We consider this a political activity to educate the tradition of patriotism and arouse national pride in the young generation. Every time I return to this place, everyone is moved. Personally, I have been to the relic site many times, but the souvenirs on display always evoke new thoughts for me. The souvenirs, though small, are all real stories associated with the simple yet indomitable lives of the young volunteers.

As evidence for what Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Binh shared, over the years, the Relic has become a "red address" in traditional education . From the beginning of this year to December 3, 2025 alone, this place has welcomed 738 groups with more than 130,700 visitors. Among the visitors, nearly 40 groups organized political activities here.

Leaving the relic site, we looked back at the row of palm trees swaying in the wind, listened to the long ringing of bells and understood that this construction is not only a memorial but also a reminder: Today's generation must live a life worthy of the sacrifice of their fathers and brothers in the past.

On the night of December 24, 1972, at Luu Xa station (Gia Sang ward), 60 Youth Volunteers of Company 915, Team 91 Bac Thai heroically sacrificed their lives while on a mission to clear military supplies to support the Southern battlefield. The National Historical Site of 60 Youth Volunteers of Company 915 was completed on the 46th anniversary of the martyrs' death (December 24, 2018).

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/tin-moi/202512/con-mai-khuc-trang-ca-4a26a92/