"16 IMMORTAL RICE BARS" AT LONG DAI FERRY TERMINAL
The Long Dai ferry crossing, located on the Truong Son Road (now in Truong Ninh commune, Quang Tri province), was once one of the most fiercely contested river crossings during the war against the US. It was a crucial transportation link connecting the North Vietnamese rear with the Southern battlefield and neighboring Laos . Every night, convoys of trucks carrying food and weapons crossed the Long Dai River to supply the battlefield.
General Secretary and President To Lam, along with the Central Committee delegation, visited the Gianh Ferry Memorial Site.
PHOTO: THANH LOC
In the war memory, the sacrifice of 16 young volunteers, including 7 women and 9 men (from Kien Xuong, formerly Thai Binh province, now Hung Yen province) of Company 130 of Thai Binh province in September 1972, is the most tragic and heroic event at Long Dai Ferry Terminal. They died at a very young age, carrying with them the aspiration for peace and an unfulfilled return home, after being continuously bombed by enemy aircraft in the ferry terminal area.
For many years, Quang Tri province has been concerned about building a worthy monument to commemorate those who fell at Long Dai. In 2012, the memorial monument was built with funding from social contributions. However, over time, some parts of the structure have deteriorated.
In 2025, with the support of T&T Group and many socialized organizations, the project to upgrade and renovate the historical site will be implemented with a total budget of nearly 20 billion VND. The project includes a new memorial monument, an exhibition hall, a ceremonial area, a boat dock, a lantern display area, and many other facilities for tourists. A special highlight is the 16-meter-high statue of 16 rice stalks, symbolizing the 16 Youth Volunteers from Thai Binh province. The large bundle of rice stalks evokes the image of unity, solidarity, and the indomitable will of the young people who fought and sacrificed together.
Recreating the "No Number" ship at the Gianh Ferry Memorial Area.
PHOTO: NGUYEN PHUC
At the inauguration ceremony on September 19, 2025, Mr. Hoang Nam, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, emphasized that the new space at Long Dai Ferry Terminal is not only a place to honor the past but also a "red address" for traditional education for the younger generation. The newly erected structure does not diminish the memories of the war; on the contrary, it makes the sacrifices of the heroic martyrs more relatable, moving, and enduring in the hearts of people today.
A COMMON GRAVE IN THE EIGHT CAVES
Amidst the majestic Truong Son mountain range, the Eight Girls' Cave (now located in Thuong Trach commune, Quang Tri province) is one of the places that evokes deep emotions in many. This small cave on the Road 20 Quyet Thang is where eight Youth Volunteers and five artillery soldiers perished on November 14, 1972. For many days, they were buried under bombs, their comrades outside only able to hear their calls echoing from within the mountain before everything fell silent. This story has become a symbol of the silent but immense sacrifice of the Youth Volunteers on the legendary Truong Son transport route.
The monument featuring 16 rice stalks is located at the Long Dai Ferry Terminal, a national historical site.
PHOTO: THANH LOC
In 2005, the memorial to the heroes and martyrs of the Road 20 Victory was built in the Tam Co Cave area. Over time, the scale of the structure gradually became modest compared to the special historical value of the site. In September 2025, Quang Tri province, in coordination with the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board, implemented a comprehensive restoration project for the historical site. After only 47 days of construction under the harsh weather conditions of the Truong Son mountain range, the project was completed just in time for the 53rd anniversary of the martyrs' sacrifice. The entire space was renovated according to green ecological architecture, harmoniously combining natural landscape and spiritual elements.
Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of General Secretary and President To Lam, along with other delegates, cut the ribbon to inaugurate the memorial project honoring the heroic martyrs of Tam Co Cave - Road 20 Quyet Thang.
PHOTO: NGUYEN PHUC
The most remarkable aspect of the restoration process was the discovery of the remains and numerous artifacts of fallen soldiers right at the site of the cave entrance that had been destroyed by bombs. After more than half a century buried in the earth and rocks, the identities of many soldiers were confirmed through DNA testing conducted by Quang Tri province in coordination with relevant agencies, using funds from social contributions. On November 8, 2025, a solemn memorial and burial ceremony for the fallen soldiers was held at the very place where they sacrificed their lives, resting in a common grave, fulfilling the long-held wishes of their relatives and comrades.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the wife of the General Secretary and President, Ngo Phuong Ly, along with many central and local leaders. The then Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, Mr. Tran Phong (now the Secretary of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee), stated that Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly's special affection for the martyrs contributed to the decision to fully fund the construction of the project.
The martyrs were found and reburied in a mass grave in the Eight Girls' Cave after more than 50 years.
PHOTO: NGUYEN PHUC
MEMORY PARK ALONG THE LINH GIANG RIVER
The Gianh ferry terminal on the Linh Giang River (now in Bac Gianh Ward, Quang Tri Province) also held a particularly strategic position during the resistance war. It connected the vital North-South transportation route and served as the starting point for the unmarked ships on the Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea. In the battle of August 5, 1964, the local army and people fought valiantly to defend this strategic transportation route, achieving a victory that went down in national history.
General Secretary and President To Lam wrote in the commemorative guest book at the Gianh Ferry Memorial.
PHOTO: THANH LOC
After many years of peace, the Gianh ferry terminal area remained a low-lying and desolate land. In 2026, Quang Tri province implemented a comprehensive restoration project for the Gianh Ferry Terminal National Special Monument using socialized funding. After just over 60 days of construction, the site once marked by bombs and bullets was transformed into a nearly 2.8-hectare memorial park with a temple, exhibition hall, semicircular bridge, reconstructed ferry terminal, and green landscape.
A prominent highlight is the 1:1 scale model of a double-hulled wooden boat, recreating the first vessel that paved the way for the Ho Chi Minh sea transport route. Artifacts such as bomb fragments, canteens, shell casings, and household items are vividly displayed, helping viewers better visualize the brutal years of war. Mr. Tran Dinh Son, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Bac Gianh Ward, was deeply moved upon witnessing the well-maintained historical site.
On April 29th, General Secretary and President To Lam visited and offered incense at the historical site during his working visit to Quang Tri province to commemorate the 51st anniversary of national reunification. There, the General Secretary and President wrote in the commemorative guestbook: "The Gianh River - the historic Gianh River ferry crossing, a heroic land intertwined with the heroic history of the nation… On the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, we return to the historic Gianh River, to express our gratitude for the contributions of the heroes and people of this land of fire. The contributions and sacrifices of previous generations have brought peace, unity, and independence to the country, ensuring prosperity and happiness for the people, and enabling the country to continue to develop. We will forever remember the gratitude we owe to you all."
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/danh-thuc-ky-uc-nhung-toa-do-lua-quang-tri-185260617135322581.htm
![[Photo] A phone-free summer afternoon at the village library](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/27/1782551770949_anh-1-jpg.webp)
![[Photo] Thousands of people participate in a run to show their support for the campaign "Sharing a common determination to build drug-free communes, wards, and special zones".](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/27/1782554475933_0673e2a3df7b5e25076a-8283-jpg.webp)
