Flowers of peace in the fiery land of Quang Tri.

May 1st, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of Quang Tri (May 1st, 1975 - May 1st, 2025). Half a century has passed, and from a land ravaged by bombs and bullets, Quang Tri today has risen strongly, donning a new face of peace and development.

Immortal epics

Quang Tri – a small land but one that witnessed many fierce battles during the resistance war against the US, becoming a heroic symbol of revolutionary heroism. The campaigns of Route 9 - Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Citadel, Con Tien - Doc Mieu… are not only glorious pages of history but also immortal epics of patriotism and the indomitable will of our army and people.

The National Reunification Day on April 30th at Hien Luong - Ben Hai Riverbanks.

Located on the strategic Ho Chi Minh Trail, Khe Sanh became a crucial American stronghold aimed at preventing North Vietnam from supplying the South. In early 1968, the Vietnamese launched the large-scale Route 9 - Khe Sanh Campaign, encircling and attacking the American Khe Sanh complex. The battle lasted 170 days and nights, with artillery fire shaking the ground and fierce clashes between the Liberation Army and US Marines. Under intense pressure, the US was forced to withdraw from Khe Sanh in July 1968, marking a major strategic defeat. This event was hailed by international military experts as a "second Dien Bien Phu," shaking the US's will to fight in Vietnam.

In the summer of 1972, our army launched the Tri-Thien Campaign, liberating Quang Tri and advancing close to the ancient capital of Hue . Facing fierce counterattacks from the US and its allies, the Quang Tri Citadel became the most intense battlefield, with 81 days and nights of tenacious fighting by our troops. Every day, hundreds of B-52 bombers dropped devastating bombs, turning the citadel area into a sea of ​​fire. Our troops fought under harsh conditions and shortages, yet persevered, wearing down the enemy's forces. After 81 days and nights, we proactively withdrew south of the Thach Han River, completing our mission of holding back the enemy and creating conditions for the Paris Peace Conference to sign the agreement ending the war. Today, the Quang Tri Citadel is a "cemetery without tombstones," where thousands of soldiers fell, becoming a sacred symbol of patriotism.

The battles in Quang Tri were not only military victories but also symbols of the indomitable spirit and heroic sacrifices of countless generations of our forefathers. Today, Quang Tri still bears the scars of war, the cemeteries of fallen soldiers, and historical rivers like the Thach Han River – where countless soldiers perished in the war to defend their homeland. Although the war is long over, those heroic battles still resonate in the hearts of the nation, becoming immortal epics that remind today's generation of the value of peace and national independence.

For seasons of peaceful flowers...

More than just a historical landmark, Quang Tri today is shining brightly with advancements in economy, culture, and tourism. Infrastructure has developed remarkably, especially the East-West and North-South transportation system, and National Highway 9 connecting Quang Tri with Laos and other Southeast Asian countries, which has been and continues to be invested in, upgraded, and expanded.

In 2024, Quang Tri province implemented its socio-economic development plan amidst numerous difficulties and challenges. However, with the high efforts and determination of the Party Committee, government, and people, the province achieved significant results in its socio-economic situation. The Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate is estimated at 5.97% compared to 2023. Specifically, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector increased by 3.37%; the industry and construction sector by 6.12%; and the service sector by 7.04%. The economic structure shifted in the right direction, with an increase in the proportion of industry, construction, and services, and a decrease in the proportion of agriculture. The size of the economy is estimated at VND 53,508 billion; GRDP per capita is estimated at VND 81.2 million, an increase of 9.14% compared to 2023.

Veterans of the 27th Regiment release flowers on the Thach Han River to commemorate their comrades who died in the 1972 Quang Tri campaign.

Mr. Ha Sy Dong, Acting Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, said that after a long period of effort, the Quang Tri Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, has been approved by the Prime Minister. The approved Quang Tri Provincial Planning will replace more than 50 types of sectoral and field plans in the province; completely eliminate overlapping plans affecting investment and development; resolve current spatial conflicts in the province and provide spatial orientation for future development needs, creating favorable conditions to attract external resources and develop the province's socio-economic development.

"To realize the approved plan, first and foremost, Quang Tri province will focus on implementing solutions to unleash the potential, motivation, and aspirations for development and contribution of the people in the province, thereby creating unity of will and determination of the entire political system and the people to successfully achieve the set goals and tasks. In addition, it is necessary to implement tasks to gradually concretize the provincial plan in practice, while simultaneously reviewing and perfecting specialized technical plans to ensure they are consistent with the provincial plan," Mr. Ha Sy Dong emphasized.

Besides its advantages as a regional transportation hub in Central Vietnam, the whole country, and along the East-West Economic Corridor connecting countries in Southeast Asia, Quang Tri still has vast potential across all three regions – mountains, sea, and plains – making it an advantage for attracting investment and developing high-tech energy, industrial, and agricultural sectors.

Furthermore, Quang Tri boasts a vast system of historical relics with 500 sites, including 4 special national relics, 20 national relics, and 476 provincial relics. This is a significant advantage for investing in the development of spiritual tourism and educational tours for the younger generation. Notable examples include special national relics such as the Truong Son Road - Ho Chi Minh Trail; Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and the memorial sites commemorating the 81-day and 81-night battle in 1972; Hien Luong - Ben Hai Riverbanks; Vinh Moc Tunnels; and the Vinh Linh Tunnel Village System…

Over the years, with the attention and support of the Government and central ministries and agencies, Quang Tri province has paid special attention to the preservation and restoration of historical relics, along with the management and exploitation of their value. As a result, the image of Quang Tri, its land, and its people have been promoted, attracting hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists, contributing to the economic and cultural development of the locality.

Quang Tri today is no longer just a land of painful past, but has become a symbol of rebirth. The lush green Bodhi trees and vibrant flowers in the citadel grounds are testaments to the strong vitality of this heroic land. This transformation is not only the achievement of those who are alive, but also a tribute to those who have fallen. Quang Tri has been, is, and will always be a place that reminds future generations of the value of peace – a peace bought with blood and bones, but also a peace that is blossoming on this resilient land.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Tieu-diem-van-hoa/hoa-hoa-binh-tren-dat-lua-quang-tri-i766633/