Artifacts... tell the story of the heroic Thanh Hoa province.

Only those who lived and fought during the most difficult and arduous years of war can understand the price of peace , independence, and freedom. Today's generation, though never having experienced "digging tunnels in the mountains and sleeping in bunkers," bombs falling and bullets flying, or "living by the hour and dying by the hour," has never forgotten the past, the sacrifices and contributions of previous generations to the revolutionary struggle and national liberation. Today, living witnesses, preserved documents, and artifacts continue to tell the story of the heroic Vietnamese people and the heroic Thanh Hoa province.

Artifacts... tell the story of the heroic Thanh Hoa province. Anti-aircraft guns and barrels were used by our troops in combat to defend Ham Rong during the years of resistance against the US (1965-1972).

The resounding sound of the drum

Without being ostentatious or bulky in size, or elaborate in design, the ceremonial drum used by the army and people of Hoang Hoa during the uprising to seize power on July 24, 1945, sits neatly on its stand in the exhibition space of the provincial museum, displaying documents and artifacts from the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd in Thanh Hoa province. The patina of time, along with the scratches and tears on the drum's surface and body, seems to open a door to history, transporting visitors back to the glorious events in Hoang Hoa homeland.

In the early months of 1945, the anti-Japanese national salvation movement in Thanh Hoa province developed vigorously. Along with movements to break into granaries to alleviate famine and to acquire weapons for self-arming against the Japanese, continuous demonstrations broke out. Some demonstrations stretched for more than 20km, growing more and more enthusiastic as they progressed, attracting widespread support from the people. Leaflet distributions, speeches, and propaganda campaigns in support of the Viet Minh were continuously organized in localities such as Hoang Hoa, Tho Xuan, Thieu Hoa, Yen Dinh, Dong Son, and Ha Trung. Viet Minh fronts were established in many districts, counties, and prefectures. The enemy was confused and wavering. The puppet government system, a tool of the Japanese, became increasingly dilapidated...

At that time, the revolutionary movement in Hoang Hoa was strong throughout the countryside. To salvage the situation, the enemy intensified their repression in an attempt to extinguish the burgeoning revolutionary movement in this area. On July 13, 1945, the Japanese fascists, along with the puppet provincial governor, dispatched a security unit of 34 armed men led by Quan Hien to the Hoang Hoa district capital to join the district chief in terrorizing the two areas of Dang Trung (Hoang Dao) and Lien Chau - Hoa Loc (Hoang Chau). Faced with the enemy's plot, the Party cell and the Viet Minh Committee of the district mobilized self-defense forces and prepared a battle plan. A force of 12 soldiers ambushed the enemy at Ma Nhon islet, Dang Trung (Hoang Dao). Self-defense forces from Hoa Loc, Hai Chau, Hoang Chung, Ngoc Long villages (Lien Chau - Hoa Loc) and neighboring villages positioned themselves ready to await orders.

On the morning of July 24, 1945, enemy troops led by District Chief Pham Trung Bao advanced towards Hoang Hoa. Upon reaching Con Ma Nhon (Hoang Dao commune), they fell into an ambush set by the Dang Trung self-defense forces. After a fierce struggle, Pham Trung Bao and all his soldiers were subdued and captured alive, and 12 guns were confiscated. The self-defense forces and people of Hoang Hoa escorted the enemy troops and District Chief Pham Trung Bao to the Dang Trung communal house for temporary detention awaiting trial. Another group of troops led by Quan Hien advanced towards Lien Chau - Hoa Loc but were ambushed by a suicide squad commanded by Comrade Le Van Tuon, forcing them to flee. That same noon, the Party cell and the Viet Minh committee of the district urgently organized a rally at Con Ba Cay, much to the joy and jubilation of the Hoang Hoa army and people. The indictment denouncing the crimes of District Chief Pham Trung Bao and the puppet government resounded loudly before thousands of people.

During those heroic historical moments, the resounding drumbeats urged the people on, boosting their spirits and will, and giving strength to the army and people of Hoang Hoa. It was the echo of fervent patriotism, unwavering fighting spirit, resourcefulness, and courage. The uprising became a memorable historical event, a source of pride for the Party Committee, government, and people of Hoang Hoa district. This victory marked the beginning of successive uprisings to seize power and propelled the revolutionary movement throughout the province to its peak, contributing to the national success of the August 1945 Revolution.

The sound of anti-aircraft fire during the "dark days" of the US Air Force.

Standing majestically within the grounds of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Museum, the image of the MIG-17 aircraft, serial number 3029, and the 57mm anti-aircraft gun used by our army in the battle to defend the Ham Rong Bridge during the protracted war against the US (1965-1972) is a glorious milestone in the nation's history. "If only there hadn't been a war," – the sigh of a woman in a volunteer youth uniform evokes deep emotion in those around her. Such is the fate of the nation; it could not have been otherwise. What is important is that countless generations of Vietnamese people, disregarding loss and sacrifice, dedicated their lives and blood, living and dying, "simple and peaceful," to become part of the nation's landscape, so that the red flag with a yellow star could fly proudly, and so that we could have the peace and development we have today. The victory at Ham Rong contributed the most heroic notes to that "heroic epic."

I still remember Ham Rong during those fiery days. Faced with the terrifying expansion of the "thunderbolts" roaring across the sky, Ham Rong entered the battle with a ready, proactive, and meticulously prepared mindset, deploying troops and coordinating operations with many participating forces, such as: the 14th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion - 304th Division - Vinh Quang Regiment; the 213th Mobile Regiment of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army with two 37mm artillery companies, Company 5 stationed in the Dinh Huong area and Company 4 stationed at the duck shed and unnamed hill; Company 1 and Company 5 of the 57mm anti-aircraft artillery regiment, Tam Dao Regiment (234th Regiment); and the anti-aircraft artillery companies of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Military Command stationed on Hill 75...

The main air defense forces, combined with the low-altitude air defense forces of the Thanh Hoa armed forces, formed a multi-layered "fire network" of air defense ready to intercept enemy aircraft. Militia and self-defense forces from villages and communes at that time—Dong Da, Yen Vuc, Nam Binh, Dam Chuong, Au Thuyen, Hoang Long, Hoang Ly, Hoang Anh, etc.—along with workers from the match factory, Ham Rong power plant, and phosphate fertilizer factory, were mobilized to help the troops dig and build fortifications and camouflage the combat base. Everything was ready with a large force, tightly arranged in layers, the entire army united as one, and a high determination to win the first battle.

On April 3rd and 4th, 1965, the US Air Force unleashed a barrage of bombs and bullets on the Ham Rong - Nam Ngan area. During those two days of fighting, our troops and people shot down 47 enemy aircraft and captured many pilots. The people and army of Thanh Hoa province in general, and Ham Rong - Nam Ngan in particular, set a record for shooting down enemy aircraft in North Vietnam, earning praise from President Ho Chi Minh. This event became known as "the dark days for the US Air Force." The victory at Ham Rong was of paramount importance, helping to maintain the vital supply line between the rear and the front lines, making a huge contribution to the Great Victory of Spring 1975, the complete liberation of South Vietnam, and the reunification of the country.

The war is long over. Today's revolutions are very different, taking on a different form and mindset. Facing these historical "witnesses," each of us feels small before the spirit, courage, and noble sacrifices of our forefathers. Today's young generation still hears the resounding drumbeats of the battle, yearning to live and contribute. Facing the anti-aircraft guns steadfastly pointed towards the blue sky, the MIG aircraft that once soared over Ham Rong, and countless other documents and artifacts, each person's heart swells with pride and a determination to strive to build their homeland and country.

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