More than a year ago, on September 9, 2024, Phong Chau Bridge suddenly collapsed, disrupting traffic on Highway 32C, directly affecting the lives and production of tens of thousands of people on both banks of the Red River. People and vehicles had to take a detour of dozens of kilometers, causing congestion and significant economic and social damage.

Lieutenant Colonel Dao Van Hung, Deputy Brigade Commander of Brigade 249, expressed his thanks to the local Party Committee and authorities for helping the unit successfully complete its mission.  

After the Phong Chau bridge collapse incident, implementing the order of the Commander of the Engineering Corps, on the night of September 9, 2024, Brigade 249 mobilized more than 200 officers and soldiers along with a large number of vehicles to the Phong Chau wharf area, ready to carry out the mission.

Immediately after marching to the assembly location, the Brigade received support and assistance from the local Party Committee, government, local armed forces and people in the area regarding military positions and motorbike assembly so that the troops could quickly stabilize and be ready to carry out their missions.

Due to the complex hydrological conditions at Phong Chau wharf area and the risk of landslides on both sides of the river where the bridge was determined to be built, not ensuring safety for building a pontoon bridge and operating a military ferry, the unit coordinated with relevant authorities to carry out repairs; after 18 days and nights, officers and soldiers of the Brigade overcame all difficulties, renovated and repaired the wharf, ensuring safety for the task of building a pontoon bridge and operating a military ferry.

Representatives of the Veterans Liaison Committee of Division 355, Phu Tho province expressed their sincere gratitude to the officers and soldiers of Brigade 249 with a meaningful poem.
People from all walks of life came to bid farewell to the soldiers.
People were reluctant to say goodbye to the soldiers.

On September 28, 2024, the Brigade launched equipment to consolidate equipment and assemble the ferry spans and bridge wings. On September 30, 2024, the Brigade opened the bridge to ensure traffic for people to travel. Over the past year, the Brigade has ensured nearly 5 million people and vehicles crossing the bridge (ferry), an average of about 15,100 people and vehicles per day.

With the spirit of "Where there is difficulty, there are Engineer Corps", officers and soldiers of the Brigade have been united, proactive, creative, overcome all difficulties, promoted responsibility, and determination to successfully complete the mission.

Many people were present early to say goodbye to the soldiers.

Speaking at the farewell ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Dao Van Hung, Deputy Brigade Commander of Brigade 249, emphasized: During the time the unit performed its mission, along with the attention, leadership and direction of the Government, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, the Party Committee, the Command of the Engineer Corps, the unit always received the attention and assistance of the Party Committee, the government, the military agencies, the police and the local people; the coordination and assistance of agencies and units inside and outside the Army. In particular, the close relationship between the Party Committee, the government and the people of Phu Tho province and Brigade 249 is a great source of encouragement for the officers and soldiers of the Brigade to excellently complete the assigned tasks.

Many students came to say goodbye to officers and soldiers of Brigade 249.

The farewell moment was very touching. The local cadres and people stood along both sides of the road, holding the soldiers' hands tightly. The road had been marked with the footsteps of the Engineer Corps for more than a year of mobile missions of installing and operating pontoon bridges, guarding and regulating traffic. The time of performing the mission here left deep feelings in the hearts of each cadre and soldier of Brigade 249. The timely material and spiritual support, the meaningful meals, the gifts and sincere words of encouragement will forever be beautiful memories, vivid evidence of the close solidarity between the army and the people. In the luggage of the young soldiers returning to their units, they always keep the feelings of the local people, becoming the motivation to be determined to carry out all assigned tasks well.

With its outstanding achievements, on August 21, 2025, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam signed a decision to confer the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces on Brigade 249. This is the third time the unit has been honored to receive this noble award.

News and photos: DUC NAM

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    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/tin-tuc/lu-doan-249-hoan-thanh-xuat-sac-nhiem-vu-tai-khu-vuc-cau-phong-chau-phu-tho-907526