'Strange' place name coming out of war: The mysterious name of 'Mother' pass

MOTHER - SONG OF LAMENT WHEN OVERCOMING A HIGH SLOPE?

The historic Route 12 (or Route 72, now Highway 49), despite being upgraded and repaired many times, is still a challenging road for drivers because of its ruggedness and winding nature. Besides the names Ta Luong and Kim Quy, the "Mother" Pass in the past was truly a nightmare for drivers because of its very steep slope. Conquering "Mother" is also a moment of relief when reaching the Red Bot intersection (the intersection of Route 72 and 14B - part of the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail special national relic system). Although it was renamed A Co Pass (Km 63 - 78), "Mother" is still deeply engraved in the minds of many people as a historical witness, a memory of a difficult time carrying the name of the village, the name of the commune from the lowlands to reclaim the land of A Luoi after the war.

Mr. Le Phuc Tai (85 years old, former Party Secretary of Quang Hop village, Son Thuy commune), who has been attached to A Luoi for 60 years, said that during the resistance war, the old Highway 12, connected to "Mother Oi" Pass, was a strategic crossroad connecting to the Ho Chi Minh Trail, so it was attacked very fiercely. "Perhaps the name "Mother Oi" was born between 1960 and 1970, when our army decided to open a road to transport equipment, ammunition... to Hue . In the past, when the road had not been straightened or lowered, "Mother Oi" Pass had points located high on the mountain top. Looking down from the high point to the deep abyss, my legs trembled. I walked over the pass, my knees touching my chest, and I had to exclaim "Mother Oi, so tired!"... I don't know who gave the name "Mother Oi" Pass, but it makes sense," said Mr. Tai.

'Strange' place names emerging from the war: The mysterious name of 'Mother' Pass - Photo 1.

A Co Pass (Old “Mother”), where fierce battles once took place

PHOTO: HOANG SON

The explanation of Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Hoai Nam (former Secretary of the Party Committee of Hong Ha commune from 1992 to 2005) about the name "Mother" pass is somewhat more detailed. He said the pass was calculated from a high slope named Can Pi Sung (from the bridge of Hong Ha commune today) and then passed through old forests before reaching Bot Do. In the period before and after the Mau Than 1968 spring campaign for a few years, route 12 was expanded to serve the battlefield. "When it reached the remote area of A Co with dense, steep green forests, the youth volunteers, especially women, were so tired that they cried out "Mother, it's too high!". Since then, this section of the pass has been named "Mother", evoking many emotions in the listeners. In the culture of our Central region, anything difficult or arduous often calls out "Mother", old Hoai Nam humorously said.

THE PLACE WHERE THE HERO FIRST ACHIEVEMENT WAS MADE

After the war, the old Highway 12 also became a vital route to serve the economic development of the western Thua Thien region. The name of "Mother" Pass during the war was changed to A Co - the old name of the old war zone, associated with many battles and heroic feats of the army and people of Hong Ha commune. After many times of route adjustment and elevation reduction, the highest point of "Mother" Pass gradually retreated into the deep forest to make way for the flat road of Highway 49. Although it was renamed more than 30 years ago, in the hearts of generations of Hong Ha commune, "Mother" Pass is still a familiar name that evokes heroic and tragic memories.

'Strange' place names emerging from the war: The mysterious name of 'Mother' Pass - Photo 2.

"Mother" Pass crosses many rugged mountains with steep slopes

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Vice Chairman of Hong Hoi Commune People's Committee Le Van Hoi said that during the war, the enemy built a system of 4 bunkers on A Co Pass, each bunker had 7-12 soldiers. Today, there are still many remaining explosives in this area. "A Co Pass is associated with the glorious feats of many soldiers, especially the female Hero of the Armed Forces Kan Dom," said Mr. Hoi. The history of Hong Ha Commune Party Committee recorded that in February 1961, the enemy swept from A Luoi post to A Co. We arranged a guerrilla team led by Kan Dom to actively fight the enemy. With guns, ammunition and traditional weapons such as spikes and traps, Kan Dom fought 5 battles in a day..., the enemy hastily retreated to the post. This was the first battle that female mountain guerrillas participated in fighting the enemy. From this first battle, female guerrilla Kan Dom, like many other girls from western Hue, participated in the fight very heroically... At the end of 1994, Ms. Kan Dom was awarded the title of Hero of the Armed Forces.

'Strange' place names emerging from the war: The mysterious name of 'Mother' Pass - Photo 3.

The misty scenery on the "Mother" Pass in the past has now become an interesting discovery for tourists.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

The Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hong Ha Commune stated that during the war, the A Co Pass area was a key area where the enemy stationed. But this place also became a death zone for the garrison soldiers. "The phrase "Mother" of the pass is very meaningful if it comes from the context of our soldiers overcoming difficulties and hardships to build the road. But "Mother" is also a word expressing the fear that the enemy soldiers might have uttered when facing the pursuit and siege of our army...", Mr. Hoi opened a new explanation.

Highway 49 connecting the center of Hue City with Ha Luoi passes through many rugged mountains, forming many spectacular "sleeve" bends. Since the road was opened, Highway 49 has become even more poetic. The road is like a soft silk strip hidden in the mountain mist, becoming an interesting check-in spot for many tourists. Ms. Le Thi Them, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Ha Luoi, said that along with national relics such as A Bia hill, A So airport, Bot Do site..., A Luoi also has unique landscapes (A Nor waterfall, Par Le stream, landscape of Highway 49...). "The district is promoting the development of eco-tourism, indigenous culture combined with historical relics...", Ms. Them said.

'Strange' place names emerging from the war: The mysterious name of 'Mother' Pass - Photo 4.