What is so attractive about the A Bia hill relic at an altitude of 937 meters?

From the center of HA Luoi, we followed a winding road through the villages of Hong Bac commune to reach the foot of the mountain - where there is a sign introducing the mine clearance activities in the A Bia hill area (peak 937), located on the Vietnam - Laos border.

To conquer A Bia hill, visitors have to walk for nearly 1 hour to reach the top of the hill, where the memorial is located at an altitude of 937 meters.

PHOTO: NGUYEN THO

According to published information, within just 1 year (from June 2020 to June 2021), Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) destroyed 118 explosives collected on an area of ​​22,500 ^m2 .

Based on the recommendations, we followed the trail marked by concrete stakes. After nearly an hour of climbing uphill, passing by relics such as bomb craters, A Bia medical station, and plane crash site, we finally arrived at the memorial house on the top of the hill.

Young people go to the top of A Bia hill to visit the memorial and burn incense to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

After the war, there were still many bombs and mines left on A Bia hill, a lingering consequence of the battle on A Bia hill in mid-May 1969, which was recorded in many documents.

Information from the 50th anniversary of the A Bia victory (1969 - 2019) said that after the failures in the year of Mau Than 1968, the enemy attacked A Luoi in order to push the liberation army and people of A Luoi to Laos, blocking the Truong Son road, preventing us from transferring food, weapons and troops to the South.

The cleared area is marked by red and white painted concrete markers. To ensure safety, authorities recommend that visitors stay within the marked area.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

To carry out this plot, the enemy sent helicopters to drop a total of 12 parachute battalions into A Bia with a force of up to 7,000 people. Within 10 days of heroic and indomitable fighting, Division 324 and the people of A Luoi achieved a resounding victory, eliminating thousands of enemies and shooting down 37 aircraft of all types.

The mountain road leading to A Bia hill is quite dangerous and has to pass through many primeval forests, making many people excited because they can experience the fresh air and nature.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

The memorial stele, placed on A Bia hill by the People's Committee of Ha Luoi in January 2009, reads: "The A Bia victory and the sacrifices of soldiers and people will forever be known by the people of the whole country and friends around the world as a heroic feat, a symbol of patriotism and the will for independence of the Vietnamese people."

Some sections of the road are made of concrete steps. Along the way, many people tried to count the number of steps as a way to forget the fatigue.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

In 2019, at the conference to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the A Bia victory, General Secretary Le Kha Phieu gave an important speech, assessing the historical significance of the battle, stating that the victory at A Bia hill was a "double" victory on the Thua Thien - Hue battlefield after the Mau Than battle in 1968, marking the step of the Vietnamese military under the talented leadership of the Party and beloved Uncle Ho.

Historical sites appear one after another before the pilgrims' eyes. A Bia Hill is about 1.9 km from the Vietnam - Laos border. During the war, A Bia had an important strategic position on the Ho Chi Minh trail.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Also at this conference, Colonel Ho Huu Lan, former Chief of Engineering Division 324, commented that the victory at A Bia had become a legend, firmly maintaining the strategic area and the main artery of transport of Truong Son.

Near A Bia Hill is the Tri Thien - Hue Military Region and Party Committee base, where regular troops are stationed, Line 569, a forward logistics base, and a gathering point for military equipment and supplies to support the campaign to liberate the South. With such importance, A Bia Hill was the site of fierce battles between us and the enemy. In the photo: A bomb crater left after the battle in 1969

PHOTO: HOANG SON

After nearly 10 days of fighting, the loss and sacrifice were enormous. To show gratitude to the heroic martyrs of Division 324 and the people of A Luoi, Colonel Lan proposed to build a victory monument and A Bia museum - a place for incense offering and spiritual tourism, to educate the tradition for future generations.

A Bia, along with Truong Son road - Ho Chi Minh road, Con Meo slope, key point 845, Dong So - A Tuc tunnel cluster, Tien Cong cave, Lam Son tunnel, A So airport... have gone down in history, associated with the heroic feats of our army and people.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Young people respectfully offer incense to commemorate the great contributions of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the battle on A Bia hill in the past.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Although located in a remote area on the Vietnam-Laos border, this national monument is frequently visited, especially by the younger generation.

Nguyen Huu Tai (grade 12 student, A Luoi High School) shared that after overcoming many dangerous slopes, when standing in front of the memorial stele on A Bia hill, he realized that the little fatigue along the way was nothing compared to what the previous generations had experienced in the war.

With those historical values, the A Bia Hill victory site was ranked as a national historical relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2021. Today, at the foot of A Bia Hill, about 5 km from the top of the hill, there is the A Bia Hill Historical Relic War Remnants Exhibition House with many valuable and meaningful artifacts.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

"Standing on A Bia hill, offering incense to the memorial stele of heroic martyrs, I appreciate the peace of the country today even more. I also feel more responsible to strive and train myself to become a useful person for society...", Tai said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nha-di-tich-doi-a-bia-o-do-cao-937-met-co-gi-ma-thu-hut-185250506220208161.htm