“Red spot”, “bloodline” in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign

Co Noi Junction is the connecting point between Highway 41 (today's Highway 6) and Highway 13 (today's Highway 37). It is a narrow and deep valley, with hills on both sides, located at a very favorable coordinate for the French air force to attack. All activities of supporting forces transporting weapons, food, laborers... of the Viet Minh army from Yen Bai , from the Northern Delta to Dien Bien Phu must pass through this important junction. General Vo Nguyen Giap said: "Co Noi Junction is a pass, all those who go to battle must pass through it". The consistent slogan of our army and people in the historic Dien Bien Phu Campaign was "All for the front, all for victory".

Having determined the position of Co Noi junction, the French army completely concentrated its air force firepower to fiercely attack, aiming to cut off the only lifeline to Dien Bien Phu. According to statistics, on average every 13 minutes, the enemy dropped bombs once, there were days when 300 bombs, time-delayed bombs, napalm bombs, and butterfly bombs were dropped here.

The General Youth Volunteer Corps assigned the task to the 40th Youth Volunteer Corps to directly stay and serve the route from Yen Bai to Co Noi junction. Many examples of bravery, intelligence and creativity of the youth volunteer force were promoted. Under the rain of bombs and bullets, the youth volunteer force at Co Noi junction still bravely and courageously carried out the tasks assigned by the Party and the State. The Dien Bien Phu Campaign of our nation ended victoriously with the important contribution of the youth volunteer force in general, and at Co Noi junction in particular. The blood of hundreds of youth volunteer martyrs who heroically sacrificed at this historic junction added to the glorious golden history of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.

To forever express gratitude to the youth volunteer martyrs who fought and sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland at Co Noi junction, on April 21, 2000, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the People's Committee of Son La province started construction of a group of memorial monuments for youth volunteer martyrs at the old "fire coordinates" location. The Co Noi junction relic has become a familiar destination for people and tourists from all over the world on their journey back to the source.

Along with the "red spot" Co Noi, Pha Din Pass was one of the key traffic points that was attacked extremely fiercely by the French colonialists. The French knew that if they cut off this vital route, the Vietnamese army would have no chance of winning at Dien Bien Phu. Therefore, Pha Din Pass became a "fire coordinate", a "bomb bag" that suffered fierce bombing by the French colonialists. Every day, the French sent planes to patrol the pass area dozens of times, dropping hundreds of bombs, and some days the enemy dropped more than 16 tons of various types of bombs in an attempt to destroy this important traffic route.

A corner of Pha Din Pass. Photo: Contributor

“All for the front, all for victory”, we brought a powerful rear base from the free zone, the newly liberated zone, from inter-zone III, inter-zone IV, Viet Bac and Tay Bac to concentrate all human and material resources to support Dien Bien. Tens of thousands of frontline laborers and youth volunteers tirelessly crossed the legendary Pha Din pass, not sparing blood and bones, ready to sacrifice to clear the road connecting the rear and the front. The cliffs and forests here always echo with the call raised from the strength of the national spirit:

Pha Din Slope, she carries the load, he carries the load

Lung Lo Pass, where men sing and women sing

Though bombs and bullets shatter bones and tear flesh

Never discouraged, never regretting youth…

Despite being fiercely attacked by the French army and the formation being scattered, with the determination that "as long as the youth volunteers remain, the traffic arteries will always be maintained", the youth volunteer companies bravely overcame bombs and bullets, worked hard, and steadfastly stayed day and night to build and repair roads, clear mines, and ensure the roads and traffic to the front line. For 48 days and nights, the French army used planes to bomb, and at Pha Din Pass, more than 8,000 youth volunteers fell and thousands left behind parts of their bodies. With determination and bravery, the soldiers, laborers, and youth volunteers still maintained the traffic arteries, ensuring timely support for the Dien Bien Phu Campaign until the day of total victory.

Pha Din Pass is a testament that contributed to the glorious victory of the historic Dien Bien Phu campaign - one of the symbols of Vietnam's spirit and strength for the people of the whole country, international friends and those on the other side of the battle line to express their admiration and pride.

Source