• The Battle of Giồng Bốm is classified as a national historical site.
  • Giong Bom - 80 years of enduring resistance spirit.
  • Giồng Bốm stands tall and proud.

Amidst that silence, memories of a time of war and conflict are preserved and passed down through generations – smoldering like an unextinguished flame.

Memories in the stories of the ancients

At the age of 86, Mr. Nguyen Van Hien (Chief Coordinator of the Cao Dai Minh Chon Dao sect, former Chief Administrator of the Ngoc Minh religious community, Phong Thanh commune) still cherishes vivid memories of the Battle of Giong Bom. He was only six years old at the time; his childhood seemed like a series of blurry fragments, yet for him, everything appears so clear, as if it happened just yesterday.

Despite being 86 years old, Mr. Nguyen Van Hien (Chief Coordinator of Cao Dai Minh Chon Dao, former Chief Administrator of Ngoc Minh religious community, Phong Thanh commune) still preserves and recounts memories of the Giong Bom battle of 1946 to future generations.

Leading us to the Martyrs' Shrine, where 137 parishioners who sacrificed their lives in the Battle of Giồng Bốm are commemorated, he lit an incense stick, stood silently for a long time, and then slowly began to tell his story. His voice lowered, as if drawing the listeners back to those unforgettable days.

He said his memories were nurtured by the stories of his father, who had directly experienced the war. Stories of gunfire, of burning houses, of people upholding their faith, their sense of duty, and their land… these stories have stayed with him throughout his life.

“From rudimentary tools, the white-clad soldiers of yesteryear bravely fought against the French, and that spirit continues to be a pillar of support for today's generation,” shared Mr. Cao Viet Thang, Head of the Management Board of the Giong Bom Battle Relic Site (far right).

What he remembers most is the story of an old man, over 80 years old. When the French soldiers stormed in, he didn't run. With only a walking stick in his hand, he still charged out to fight back. A weak blow couldn't bring down the enemy armed with guns, but his spirit was unyielding. He fell, but that very fall ignited the will of those who survived.

He said that stories like these weren't meant to recount losses, but rather to remind us of one thing: how the people here lived and fought during the days when the country was in danger.

The flame of righteousness still burns.

According to historical records, on April 13, 1946, the French colonial forces mobilized their troops to launch a sweep operation in Giong Bom. On one side was the army, equipped with modern weapons; on the other was the Catholic community with rudimentary weapons. The battle was unequal, but their spirit remained unwavering.

The parishioners respectfully commemorated the 137 soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Battle of Giong Bom in 1946 at the Martyrs' Memorial.

Responding to President Ho Chi Minh 's call for resistance in Southern Vietnam, Cao Trieu Phat, a respected elder in the Cao Dai Minh Chon Dao community, took the initiative to mobilize and gather forces. The "great resistance conference" held at the Ngoc Minh Holy See at that time attracted thousands of followers from all over, uniting their will to rise up and defend the country.

In that unequal battle, the Giồng Bốm forces fought to the bitter end. After hours of fierce fighting, hundreds fell, many religious structures were destroyed, and Giồng Bốm fell. But it was from this loss that a greater value was etched into history.

The Management Board of Ngoc Minh Temple offered incense at the tomb of Mr. Cao Trieu Phat - the leader of the Cao Dai Minh Chon religion.

That is the spirit of "resistance and nation-building is the highest merit," as Mr. Cao Trieu Phat once affirmed. For religious people, performing good deeds is fundamental. And in times of national crisis, saving the country is the greatest merit.

Mr. Cao Viet Thang, Head of the Management Board of the Giong Bom Battle Historical Site, told us: "It was that spirit that made people voluntarily stand up, not only to preserve their religion but also to protect their land and homeland. For the past 80 years, the teachings of Mr. Cao Trieu Phat have remained like a torch guiding the Cao Dai Minh Chon religion followers."

The Ngoc Minh Holy See is peaceful on this April morning.

Today, in the Martyrs' Memorial, 137 names are inscribed. These are the names of those whose remains were found buried deep after the battle. But countless others remain in the earth without names. As Mr. Nguyen Van Hien said: "Their names may not be inscribed on stone tablets, but they are in people's hearts."

In April, standing amidst the peaceful atmosphere of Ngoc Minh Holy See, under the shade of lush green trees, listening to ancient stories, one realizes that history is not distant at all. History is still here, in every tree branch, every incense stick, every story told. And above all, it still burns, like a smoldering fire, passed down from generation to generation, to remind us that there are values, once paid for with blood and faith, that will endure through time.

Hong Nhi - Quoc Ngu

Source: https://baocamau.vn/ky-uc-giong-bom-ngon-lua-giu-dao-giu-nghia-a127767.html