“The river of fire” - the legend of Truong Son oil soldiers

The novel “The River of Fire” by Major General and writer Ho Sy Hau is about soldiers on the oil pipeline across Truong Son - a miracle in the heroic history of the nation's resistance war against the US to save the country.

On July 25, in Hanoi, the Writers Association Publishing House and the Truong Son Petroleum - Pipeline Association organized the introduction of the novel "The River of Fire" written about the Truong Son pipeline soldiers, by Major General, writer Ho Sy Hau, former Director of the Economic Department ( Ministry of National Defense ). During the resistance war against the US, he was an engineer who designed and constructed the Truong Son oil pipeline.

Scene of the introduction ceremony of the novel "The River of Fire". Photo: Thuy Du

The novel “The River of Fire” published by the Writers Association Publishing House, recreates the history of the Truong Son pipeline troops from the time the first pipes were laid across the Vinh - Nam Dan - Linh Cam fire triangle in 1968 to the day the country won the war on April 30, 1975. Those were intense competitions of courage and intelligence between the fierce attacks of the US air force and the bravery, intelligence and creativity of the pipeline troops.

The novel also tells about heroic sacrifices and the fate of soldiers in war, including those who were later honored as Heroes of the People's Armed Forces such as Sergeant Nguyen Luong Dinh (character Dinh in the novel).

Novel "The River of Fire". Photo: Thuy Du

The oil pipeline during the war could be compared to a river of fire because if hit by a piece of bomb, it would burst into flames. At that time, enemy planes would gather to attack, causing losses and casualties that were difficult to measure. However, the pipeline still overcame high mountains, deep ravines, harsh weather, destructive air attacks and enemy infantry blockades, bringing oil all the way to the South. Commander of the Truong Son Command Dong Si Nguyen assessed: "If the Truong Son road is a legend, the oil pipeline is a legend within that legend."

Major General, writer Ho Sy Hau, novel author shares. Photo: T.Du

At the book launch, Major General and writer Ho Sy Hau expressed that he wrote this novel to dedicate to his comrades - those who returned and those who heroically sacrificed themselves on the legendary Truong Son oil pipeline. The book also aims to recreate the history of the Truong Son pipeline soldiers so that future generations can better understand these soldiers in the resistance war against the US to save the country. Throughout the war, they silently carried out their duties, vowing to be "A low note in the marching song" of the nation.

The novel was first published in 2012 and was awarded the B Prize for the Ministry of National Defense's Award for Composing and Promoting Literary, Artistic and Journalistic Works on the Theme of Armed Forces and Revolutionary War in the 2009-2014 Period.

Poet Huu Thinh, former Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association, shares about the novel. Photo: Thuy Du

Since its publication, the book has been of interest to many writers, literary critics, and the public, who have introduced and written research articles. The book has been warmly received by many readers, especially Truong Son soldiers who went through the war, and this reprint also comes from the urging of comrades and readers in general, to help today's generation, especially young people, understand more about a miracle in the war, understand more about the generation of fathers and brothers who devoted their youth to the country.

Regarding this novel, Lieutenant General Phung Khac Dang, former Deputy Chief of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, expressed: "Major General Ho Sy Hau has clearly portrayed the tragedy and heroism of the pipeline soldiers - the Truong Son soldiers - where he lived and worked for many years, so he wrote such heartfelt lines. He wrote about the oil and gas soldiers, but I think he added a bright spot to the tradition of Uncle Ho's soldiers. I like Ho Sy Hau's writing style, very real, as real as we ourselves have experienced it."

Poet Huu Thinh, former President of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, former President of the Vietnam Writers Association, commented that “The River of Fire” is a tribute to intelligence and science and technology in building the Vietnam People’s Army. The work has provided and filled a large gap in revolutionary literature about the extremely heroic fighting life of the Truong Son pipeline soldiers.

“The River of Fire” not only has historical value, contributing to gratitude to the soldiers on duty on the legendary Truong Son oil pipeline, but also has contemporary value, contributing to educating tradition and patriotism for today's generation.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dong-song-mang-lua-huyen-thoai-ve-bo-doi-xang-dau-truong-son-710356.html