The heroic spirit of Nam Giang...

The decisive battle at Coong Zêl outpost in April 1965 helped the army and people of Nam Giang achieve a miracle, paving the way for the liberation revolution and becoming a solid rear base for the Quang Da battlefield later on…

The revolutionary villages of Nam Giang are flourishing day by day along the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail. Photo: VAN THUY

Exactly 60 years ago, in response to the Nguyen Van Troi campaign launched by the Quang Da Provincial Party Committee, the local troops of Nam Giang organized a powerful artillery attack on the Coong Zel outpost (now La Dee commune).

Because they were completely surrounded and isolated in the middle of the mountains and forests, on April 24, 1965, the enemy hastily dropped dozens of helicopters onto Coong Zêl to evacuate their troops and retreat south. The last remaining American-puppet stronghold in the Ben Giang area was eliminated, and Nam Giang was completely liberated.

A resounding victory

Implementing the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee's policy of focusing on building resistance bases in mountainous forest areas encouraged the revolutionary struggle in Nam Giang district to enter a period of strong development, opening up historical battles and achieving many great victories.

A prime example is the battle at Bot Xit outpost in 1960, commanded by Alang Bin, where in just 30 minutes nearly 60 enemy soldiers were killed and 20 captured. This battle served as a "signal" for the determination of the army and people of Nam Giang in their struggle to hold onto their land and defend their villages.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phao, a veteran revolutionary cadre from Nam Giang district, recounted that in early 1955, the US-Diem regime launched a widespread "anti-communist" and "communist extermination" campaign throughout Southern Vietnam, attacking the revolutionary movement in mountainous districts and establishing Hien-Giang district.

The Ben Giang bridge area is considered a war relic, a site of fierce battles fought by the army and people of Nam Giang during the resistance war against the US, for national liberation. Photo: ALANG NGUOC

After deploying forces into the lowlands of Ben Giang, the enemy established an administrative area in Thanh My. Meanwhile, the revolutionary movement in Nam Giang district faced numerous difficulties; revolutionary bases in many places were broken, some party members operated independently; the District Party Committee lost contact with the Provincial Party Committee and the 5th Inter-regional Command…

Nevertheless, with a spirit of unity, the army and people of Nam Giang gradually regained control of the situation, expanding the revolutionary movement and intensifying the struggle.

“From 1960, with the implementation of Resolution 15 of the Central Committee of the Party (2nd Congress), the revolutionary movement throughout the South in general and in Nam Giang district in particular developed strongly, creating conditions for Nam Giang district to be completely liberated on April 24, 1965, escaping the control of the US-puppet regime. From here, the revolutionary movement of Nam Giang district entered a new chapter in history, and the people were completely free,” Mr. Phao recalled.

During the resistance movements, many exemplary figures emerged, such as Mr. Pơloong Nhập, who shot down an enemy plane with a rifle in Dung village; or the courageous squad leader Alăng Bin, who commanded his squad to destroy the Gơ Le outpost and shoot down an enemy helicopter on the spot; along with many other exemplary soldiers in the highlands. Through these actions, they contributed to the resounding and glorious victories achieved in many tenacious battles, ultimately leading to triumphs.

Transformations

Having emerged from the flames of war, Nam Giang, a once impoverished mountainous district of the province, has undergone significant transformation in economic development under the leadership of the district Party Committee.

Thanks to investment resources, many educational and healthcare infrastructures in Nam Giang are being renovated day by day, meeting the needs of the local people. Photo: VAN THUY

Accordingly, the locality focuses on shifting the structure of crops and livestock, concentrating on developing production in the direction of an agricultural-forestry-industrial structure linked with handicrafts, trade-services and tourism.

Recognizing its strengths in agricultural and forestry production, Nam Giang has focused on investing in effective farming and livestock models in recent years. Typical examples include the cultivation of local specialty fruit trees combined with medicinal plants, planting large timber forests, and raising native cattle and pigs.

As a result, the average annual total food production reached over 6,800 tons; livestock farming developed with thousands of head of cattle and poultry; industrial, handicraft, and service establishments gradually developed, and many traditional craft villages were restored, such as brocade weaving and basket weaving.

Mr. Nguyen Dang Chuong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Giang district, said that currently, the locality is focusing all resources on building new rural areas.

Besides La Dêê and Tà Bhing communes, which were recognized as meeting the standards in 2024, Nam Giang continues its efforts to achieve this goal in 2025 for Đắc Tôi commune. Through comprehensive solutions, the local poverty rate decreased from 69.12% (in 2011) to 25.76% (in 2024).

Students in Nam Giang have access to modern services and facilities that help develop education and raise the intellectual level of the population. Photo: ALĂNG NGƯỚC

“The most significant achievement in recent years is that the entire district has reduced the number of poor households by more than 1,300, with an average annual poverty reduction rate of 4.46%. The quality of healthcare and education has improved, with 8 communes meeting national standards for healthcare and 18 out of 24 schools meeting national standards. During the 2020-2025 period, total domestic budget revenue in the district reached over 2,143 billion VND, increasing by an average of 21.9% per year, exceeding the target set in the Resolution by 11.9%.”

"In 2024, the total value of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries production will reach 377 billion VND/year, an increase of 116 billion VND compared to 2020; an average increase of 7.64%/year. The annual cultivated area will be maintained at 6,015 hectares/year; advanced farming methods will be applied appropriately, raising the production of grain crops to 7,470 tons by the end of 2024, an increase of 1.5% compared to 2020," Mr. Chuong said.

In recent years, Nam Giang has focused on caring for the health of its people, with a healthcare network that has been continuously strengthened and developed, and facilities that have been increasingly improved.

The average ratio is 9.5 doctors per 10,000 people; 10 out of 12 health stations have doctors, accounting for 83.33%. To date, Nam Giang has 18 out of 26 schools meeting national standards, and the average annual high school graduation rate is over 97%...

Throughout the resistance war against the US, the people of Nam Giang organized more than 341 battles, large and small, eliminating over 1,329 enemy soldiers, shooting down 37 aircraft, and capturing 121 weapons of various types. With these achievements, 10 out of 12 communes and towns in the district are Heroic Units of the Armed Forces, 3 individuals are Heroic Units of the People's Armed Forces, and 33 are Heroic Vietnamese Mothers. Many agencies, units, and individuals have received prestigious awards from the State. The people and officials of Nam Giang district are honored to have been awarded the title of Heroic Unit of the People's Armed Forces and the Third Class Labor Medal by the State...

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/hao-khi-nam-giang-3153546.html