The Lach Truong song today

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Lach Truong (Hoang Tien commune) is not only a historical site, but also a place with beautiful natural scenery, where generations of people are hardworking and diligent in production, venturing out to sea to make a living.

Many tourists visit Hon Bo - Lach Truong Spiritual and Cultural Tourism Park. Photo: Huong Thao.

A glorious history...

From ancient times, Lach Truong has left a profound mark on the nation's history as a large coastal area where rivers, mountains, and sea blend together. At the same time, it held a strategic and crucial position, once serving as a bustling trading port. According to the "Hoang Hoa Gazetteer," the Lach Truong trading port was an important international gateway on the maritime route connecting China, Southeast Asia, and India, and also served as a gateway to the inland district of Cuu Chan, located at the confluence of the Ma and Chu rivers. It was at this section of the Ngu Giang River, with Linh Truong Mountain and the Lach Truong estuary, that in 1380, Ho Quy Ly, relying on the geographical features of the river and mountains, defeated the invading army of Che Bong Nga.

In particular, during the war against the US, the Lach Truong estuary area witnessed many significant events, showcasing the courageous fighting, willingness to sacrifice, and coordinated combat of our army and people in the face of enemy bombs and bullets. At 1:30 PM on August 2, 1964, the US destroyer USS Maddox encroached on the sea area between Hon Me Island and the Lach Truong estuary. The forward command post ordered the patrol boat and torpedo boat squadron to sortie, and our navy fiercely retaliated. The US government fabricated the "Gulf of Tonkin incident" to deceive domestic and international public opinion. US President Johnson ordered the air force and navy to retaliate, launching an operation codenamed "Operation Pierce Arrow".

On August 5, 1964, the US mobilized aircraft from two carrier strike groups, comprising dozens of modern fighter and attack aircraft, in three surprise waves to launch massive attacks on bases, depots, and ship shelters of our Navy along the northern coast from Quang Binh to Quang Ninh, marking the beginning of the escalation of bombing in North Vietnam.

In Thanh Hoa at that time, the naval forces, along with militia units from the communes of Ngu Loc, Da Loc, Minh Loc, and Hoa Loc in the former Hau Loc district; Hoang Truong commune in the former Hoang Hoa district; Lach Truong fishing self-defense force; the 19th Air Defense Company protecting the radar station; and the 74th Armed Police Post... were always in a state of readiness for combat. The support and coordinated combat of the military and people of Thanh Hoa contributed to the victory, along with the military and people of the whole country, in shooting down 8 enemy aircraft on August 5, 1964, undermining the "presence of the US Air Force" and writing the epic of the first victorious battle of the Vietnam People's Navy.

Also in the former Hoang Truong coastal area, in October 1967, the Hoang Truong veteran militia platoon achieved a remarkable feat by shooting down an American plane. This was the first veteran militia unit in North Vietnam to shoot down an American plane with infantry weapons, and they received a letter of praise from President Ho Chi Minh.

Continue writing the rhythm of a new day.

Following the streamlining and merger of administrative units, the Lach Truong estuary area now belongs to Hoang Tien commune. In the new era, this estuary area is transforming day by day, dynamically developing.

Over the years, thanks to the attention and support from all levels and sectors, the local government, and the efforts and dedication of generations of people, the area's marine economy has been "painted with bright colors." Currently, the commune has approximately 602 fishing vessels. More than 2,000 people are involved in fishing activities at sea, and there are dozens of seafood processing and trading establishments.

Mr. Le Van Tung (38 years old, residing in Lien Minh village), owner of the fishing vessel TH-93144TS with a capacity of 420 horsepower, was born and raised in a family with four generations involved in seafaring. He himself has been in the profession for over 20 years. His family's vessel mainly fishes in the Gulf of Tonkin. If conditions are favorable, each fishing trip earns him an average of 200-300 million VND. This income covers fuel costs, fishing gear investments, and crew salaries ranging from 10-20 million VND. In addition to fishing, his family also owns two facilities specializing in purchasing fresh seafood, with a capacity of approximately 10 tons per month, providing employment for 6-8 local workers with an average salary of about 6 million VND per person per month.

Mr. Tung shared: "We are fishermen from Lach Truong, carrying within us the pride of our revolutionary homeland, so no matter how difficult or harsh the conditions, we strive to overcome them, persistently staying on our boats and at sea to develop the economy for our families and homeland, and contributing a small part to protecting national sovereignty and maritime territories."

The greatest hope of Mr. Tung and the fishermen in the Lach Truong estuary area is for the authorities to pay attention to building a fishing port here so that after each fishing trip, the boats do not have to dock far away to complete procedures, saving time and reducing costs.

A desire to prove himself, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a love for his birthplace were among the driving forces behind Le Pham Thao's (34 years old) decision to invest in and build the Flamingo Corner seafood restaurant in his hometown. The restaurant boasts a relatively spacious and airy environment, with attentive and enthusiastic staff. Customers can choose their favorite fresh seafood and have it prepared on the spot. Because of this, the restaurant, which only opened in June 2024, has seen a steady increase in customers. Currently, it provides employment for 12 local workers. In addition, Thao's family also owns a jellyfish processing facility. Their Thao Linh jellyfish product was recognized as an OCOP (One Commune One Product) product in 2024.

Today, the life in Lach Truong is not only vibrant with fishing trips and logistics services... It has become a tourist destination attracting many visitors to its revolutionary relics and spiritual sites such as the monument to the heroic old militiamen, the temple of Saint To Hien Thanh, the monument commemorating the first victory of the Vietnam People's Navy, and the Hon Bo - Lach Truong spiritual tourism and cultural park... Along with that, the beautiful beach, still retaining its pristine and unspoiled charm, and the luxurious hotels stretching along the coast from Lach Truong to Lach Trao, create a new look, meeting the needs of tourists visiting this coastal area. In particular, the opening of Flamingo IBIZA Hai Tien City has further increased the attractiveness and elevated the level of beach tourism here.

Proud of their glorious past, the people of Hoang Tien commune are striving even harder in labor and production to continue writing the song of a new day...

Xuan Thuy

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khuc-hat-lach-truong-hom-nay-256867.htm