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| Every year, over 1,700 groups with more than 75,800 visitors come to offer incense at the General Vo Nguyen Giap Memorial House at the Pu Don Hill historical site. |
A decision of historic significance.
Before the altar dedicated to the first General of the Vietnam People's Army - a general who led many major campaigns to complete victory, most notably the historic Dien Bien Phu victory - countless generations of Vietnamese people, along with many international guests, have come here to respectfully offer incense and commemorate a great man - General Vo Nguyen Giap.
The Phong Tuong Hill historical site stands majestically amidst the vast forests of Viet Bac. In the solemn atmosphere, we clearly heard every word from the tour guide of the Management Board of Special National Historical Sites of Thai Nguyen Province: "Yes! Ladies and gentlemen…" In the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony, President Ho Chi Minh presented the decree and instructed Comrade Vo Nguyen Giap: "In the name of the President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, I confer upon you the rank of General, so that you may command troops and fulfill the mission entrusted to you by the nation."
Time silently slips by, but a momentous event related to the nation's destiny remains, awakened daily through tourism and generations of Vietnamese descendants returning to their roots to gain a deeper understanding of the heroic general of a nation. Amidst the lush green landscape of the Viet Bac mountains, Phong Tuong Hill stands peacefully at the foot of De Pass, bordered on one side by a range of towering mountains and on the other by the sprawling Na Lom rice fields, providing countless seasons of abundance.
Going back in time, the area at the foot of Pu Don hill was once the Na Lom Children's Camp, a place that nurtured children who had to leave their families because of the ravages of war. It was this very home, filled with love for children, that President Ho Chi Minh chose as the location for the momentous event of conferring the first general ranks on commanders of the Vietnam People's Army.
In a simple, unassuming space—a modest meeting hall adorned with the red flag with a yellow star, hastily picked wildflowers, and resistance slogans—a moment of profound solemnity and sacredness prevailed. Within this setting, a historically significant decision was announced. It was a particularly crucial moment that would determine the destiny of a nation. The first brilliant and distinguished General of the Vietnam People's Army was then only 37 years old.
From here, General Vo Nguyen Giap - the elder brother of the Vietnam People's Army, the Commander-in-Chief who directly led the army through glorious campaigns with countless brilliant victories, contributing to the independence and freedom of the nation.
A place for traditional education for generations.
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| Phong Tuong Hill - a "red address" for educating future generations about revolutionary traditions. |
Following the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu, the North was completely liberated. In October 1954, President Ho Chi Minh, the Central Committee of the Party, and the revolutionary army returned to take over the capital city of Hanoi, leaving behind historical relics in the "Capital of the Thousand Winds" of Viet Bac. Pu Don Hill - Phong Tuong Hill - is part of this particularly important system of historical relics.
In 2009, the Pụ Đồn Hill historical site was classified as a National Historical Monument by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In 2024, construction, restoration, and renovation work began on the site. On a 3.2-hectare site, the construction includes: a memorial house for General Võ Nguyên Giáp, a reception house, a memorial stele, a ceremonial gate, a large stone block bearing the name of the site, a stone screen, a flagpole, and other auxiliary structures.
Behind the Memorial House lies a shady forest, and the path leading to it is paved with clean, beautiful bricks and adorned with vibrant flowers blooming year-round. All of this creates a solemn, peaceful, and warm atmosphere, yet imbued with the profound history of the resistance struggle. Therefore, many who come here feel a sense of connection to their roots. This is especially true for the younger generation, allowing them to deeply appreciate the time when their ancestors fought the enemy. It is particularly valuable to experience firsthand a historical site in the heart of the Viet Bac region, the former capital of the resistance movement.
Because everyone had previously learned about this historical site many times through history lessons in the classroom and in books, the Pụ Đồn Hill historical site has become a vibrant space for traditional education. Every year, it welcomes thousands of students, officials, soldiers, and tourists who come to offer incense, learn about a period of the country's history, and experience life in a place that made history.
In 1948, President Ho Chi Minh and the Central Committee of the Party, in order to enhance the prestige of the armed forces, decided to promote several high-ranking military officers. The first to be promoted to General was Comrade Vo Nguyen Giap, who was 37 years old at the time. The promotion ceremony for Comrade Vo Nguyen Giap was held in a wooden house with bamboo walls and a thatched roof, next to a large stream. The ceremony began precisely at 1 PM. In a solemn atmosphere, President Ho Chi Minh stepped forward to the altar of the Fatherland, holding the Decree in his hand, and called Comrade Vo Nguyen Giap to stand beside him. Everyone waited for him to speak, but he said nothing; instead, he wiped away tears with a handkerchief. Everyone was deeply moved. Outside, the sound of the stream continued to roar, like an echo from ancient times... |
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202605/dia-chi-do-ben-doi-phong-tuong-17f0a23/
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