Memories of the revolutionary movement through the pagodas

The bell tower of Tran Pagoda is where the first Communist Party of Vietnam cell of Ha Trung district (old) was established.

Vich Pagoda and the mark of revolutionary Dinh Chuong Duong

Vich Pagoda is the colloquial name given by the coastal people of the old Hai Loc commune (now Van Loc commune) to the pagoda located near Vich gate, also known as Lach Truong gate, on the land of the old Vich village. Not only is it a place to entrust spiritual beliefs, Vich Pagoda is also a witness to a difficult but glorious period of the army and people of Thanh Hoa . During the period 1936-1938, this place was the revolutionary base of comrades: Dinh Chuong Duong, Le Chu, Bui Dat, To Huu, Trinh Hong Que...

It was at Vich Pagoda that the outstanding son of Van Loc homeland - revolutionary soldier Dinh Chuong Duong made many contributions to the revolutionary movement of Thanh Hoa province at that time. From 1936-1938, revolutionary Dinh Chuong Duong was assigned by the organization to be in charge of the revolutionary movement of the three districts of Hau Loc, Nga Son, and Hoang Hoa (old). During this time, in order to deceive the French, he "played the role" of a monk and lived in Vich Pagoda to carry out revolutionary activities. Here, he organized a class to teach the national language to the villagers. During the democratic movement, Dinh Chuong Duong mobilized thousands of signatures from the people, attracting the participation of village chiefs in the region to make a petition to the authorities demanding freedom and democracy. After that, he was arrested by the French, sentenced to 10 years in prison, imprisoned in Thanh Hoa, then exiled in Buon Ma Thuot ( Dak Lak ).

Believing in and following the light of the Party, Dinh Chuong Duong actively enlightened his wife, Nguyen Thi Muoi, and his children, Dinh Chuong Lan, Dinh Chuong Long, and Dinh Chuong Phuong, about the revolution. Mrs. Muoi worked hard day and night, catching crabs, catching shrimp, selling salt to earn money... not only to support her parents-in-law and raise her children, but also to hide and nurture communist soldiers. Every time her husband and children were arrested, she played the role of transporting documents, maintaining the connection between her husband and children and the organization outside. In 1942, comrades To Huu and Le Tat Dac escaped from Dac To prison to Thanh Hoa to work, they came to Dinh Chuong Duong's house and stayed at Vich pagoda for nearly a month. After that, Dinh Chuong Phuong - the son of revolutionary Dinh Chuong Duong - arranged to take comrades To Huu and Le Tat Dac to Tom's mother's house.

Tran Pagoda bell tower - where the Communist Party cell was established

The pagoda was built during the Tran Dynasty in Tran Thon village, Ha Ngoc commune (now Ha Trung commune). 95 years ago, at the bell tower of Tran pagoda, on October 10, 1930, under the witness of the representative of the Central Region Party Committee, the first Communist Party of Vietnam cell of Ha Trung district was established (later the district Party Committee), including 5 party members: comrades Nguyen Xuan Phuong, Mai Tu Cuong, Nguyen Van Hue, Dao Xuan Nghinh, Dao Xuan Ty. This was one of the first 6 party cells in Thanh Hoa province established in 1930. At this conference, comrade Nguyen Xuan Phuong was elected as the cell secretary.

Immediately after its establishment, carrying out the task assigned by the superiors, the Ha Trung Communist Party Cell immediately started printing leaflets and organizing a leaflet distribution campaign calling on the people to rise up and fight against imperialism and feudalism to coordinate and support the Soviet - Nghe Tinh movement (1930-1931). With a discreet location and easy escape when attacked by the enemy, Tran Pagoda was a frequent destination for revolutionary soldiers during the period of secret activities. Right on the night of January 22nd to 23rd, 1931, 5 party members and a number of outstanding people actively deployed the leaflet distribution and completed it on schedule at the assigned locations, none of them were discovered by the enemy while on duty. The leaflets reached many locations in Ha Trung (old), the enemy was confused and fearful of the outbreak of the communist movement. To deal with the above situation, the Ha Trung District Chief at that time reported to the Thanh Hoa Governor and ordered soldiers to search everywhere. Comrades Dao Van Ty and Nguyen Van Hue were arrested later and taken to the provincial prison. As soon as he was released, comrade Nguyen Van Hue and other comrades in the Party Cell met to discuss countermeasures and have action plans suitable to the new situation. Thanks to that, during the later revolutionary struggles, the grassroots party organization, mass organization and revolutionary movement of Ha Trung always developed strongly.

The bell tower of Tran Pagoda or Vich Pagoda is a shining symbol of revolutionary will. From then on, revolutionary flames were lit, illuminating the movement for national independence. And today, those flames are not only a source of pride, but also a driving force urging the younger generation to follow in their fathers’ footsteps to build their homeland.

Article and photos: Tang Thuy

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ky-uc-ve-phong-trao-cach-mang-nbsp-qua-nhung-mai-chua-258249.htm