Dong Loc today

Fifty-five years have passed (1968 - 2023), and the losses and suffering at the Dong Loc battlefield (Can Loc - Ha Tinh ) are gradually fading into the past. The people of this once fiercely bombed area are now working together to rebuild and develop their homeland, making it increasingly prosperous and civilized.

A view of Dong Loc town today.

Dong Loc is a shining symbol of the indomitable will and strength, the heroic spirit of our army and people. From 1964 to 1972, in the Dong Loc battlefield, American aircraft launched approximately 2,000 attacks with 42,000 bombs and ammunition of all kinds. According to statistics, every square meter of this land suffered the impact of 3 American bombs.

The Dong Loc battlefield was once engulfed in smoke, fire, and bombs. (Archival photo)

The ferocity of the Dong Loc battlefield became a haunting memory, filled with immense suffering and loss. This place witnessed the heroic sacrifices of soldiers, troops, frontline workers, volunteer youth, and the deaths of innocent civilians.

More than half a century has passed, and the war is gradually fading into the past. Today's generations of people in Dong Loc have transformed their grief into action, using it as motivation to resolutely and wholeheartedly build their homeland into an increasingly prosperous and beautiful place.

The memorial site dedicated to the heroes, martyrs, and people of Can Loc who sacrificed their lives at the Dong Loc battlefield has been built in a grand style.

These days, amidst the atmosphere leading up to the 55th anniversary of the Dong Loc Victory and the 55th anniversary of the sacrifice of the 10 female Youth Volunteer Martyrs at Dong Loc Crossroads, the people of Nam My residential area (Dong Loc town) are even more determined to fulfill the criteria to prepare for the recognition of the title of civilized residential area.

“Immediately after being selected as one of the four residential areas in the town to build a civilized residential area, the Party Committee held a meeting to discuss a detailed plan; assigning specific tasks to various organizations. Despite limited land and financial difficulties, officials and residents actively responded, united in their determination to achieve the goal on schedule,” shared Mr. Nguyen Hoe, Secretary of the Party Branch and Head of the Front Committee of Nam My residential area.

The people of Nam My residential area are united in contributing to building a civilized residential community.

It is known that in 2022, the people of Nam My Hamlet donated nearly 1,400 ^m² of land, voluntarily demolished nearly 1,900 m of fences and many auxiliary structures; contributed 950 man-days and hundreds of millions of VND to complete tasks such as: expanding traffic routes, building green environmental landscapes; installing camera systems on some roads; providing wifi coverage and building bookshelves at the cultural center...

Ms. Phan Thi Thong, a resident of Nam My hamlet, excitedly said: “We are very proud of the revolutionary and heroic traditions of our homeland and always have a sense of unity and cooperation in building Dong Loc into an increasingly prosperous and civilized place. Looking at the changes today in this land that was once a battlefield, we feel that our contributions have been worthwhile.”

South America built a new cultural life, and community bonds became even stronger.

As the first unit in Dong Loc town to be recognized as a civilized residential area, the officials and people of Tung Lien residential area did not stop at the achievements already made. Under the scorching sun of July, the people actively participated in pouring concrete to widen the sidewalks; cleaning and beautifying the roads and public works.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Binh, Secretary of the Party Branch and Head of the Front Committee of Tung Lien Residential Area, shared: “We completed the construction of a civilized residential area in April 2023, after one year of implementation. This is the result of the decisive leadership of the town's Party Committee and government; the determination and joint efforts of cadres, Party members, and people. Currently, people continue to maintain the achievements, focusing on economic development and improving their material and spiritual lives.”

The residents of Tung Lien residential area are determined to maintain their status as a civilized residential area.

Currently, 100% of the roads in Tung Lien residential area have been concreted, and 80% have been asphalted; 24 model gardens owned by residents generate considerable income; and 20% of households engage in service businesses alongside traditional farming. The living standards of the people are steadily improving.

This transformation is evident in every street, every house, and even in the mindset of the people of Dong Loc town. Thanks to the sound policies of the Party committee and the government, and the determination of the people, in just over four years since the town's establishment (in 2018), Dong Loc has donned a more beautiful appearance.

Dong Loc Crossroads today. Photo by Ngoc Thang .

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Dong Loc town, shared: “Dong Loc is building a civilized urban area with many difficulties due to its low starting point and the reduction of support policies for urban development. However, thanks to the promotion of propaganda work and the rekindling of revolutionary traditions, the people have agreed, trusted, and joined hands to contribute to the implementation. All for the goal of building an increasingly developed homeland.”

To build a civilized urban area, in addition to contributions from children living away from home, each resident in Dong Loc contributed 300,000 VND per year; households with paved roads passing through them contributed an additional 1 million VND per household. Donating land and assets on the land to expand streets also became a movement actively supported by the people.

From 2020 to the present, the people of Dong Loc have contributed more than 21,000 man-days of labor, donated more than 7,000 ^m² of land along with many assets on the land and other public welfare projects. With mobilized resources of more than 75.6 billion VND, the town has paved nearly 5 km of roads with asphalt, built more than 4 km of new 5m wide concrete roads and 2.1 km of 3m wide concrete roads; and built and upgraded many social welfare facilities, schools, etc.

In July, visitors from all over the world return to Dong Loc with reverence and gratitude. Photo by Dinh Nhat .

In July, visitors from all over the world once again flock to Dong Loc – a land once ravaged by war and bombs. Stepping onto this peaceful crossroads today reveals the determination of the people of Dong Loc in transforming the pain and losses of the past into concrete actions to build their homeland into a civilized urban area.

Kieu Minh

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/nui-hong-song-la/dong-loc-hom-nay/251865.htm