From a "death zone," during the period from the night of November 16th to the morning of November 17th, 1968, to March 24th, 1969, for 128 days and nights, the US military relentlessly bombed Tuc Dup and surrounding areas with hundreds of bombing raids by helicopter.
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| Memories of a time of war and fire. |
Groups of B52 planes relentlessly dropped cluster bombs on the hill, creating terrifying firestorms.
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| The American 175mm self-propelled artillery position was located at the foot of Tuc Dup Hill during the 128-day and 128-night battle. |
At night, enemy planes dropped bombs, and during the day they used long-range artillery shells, flamethrowers, and various types of cluster bombs, landmines, and other explosives to drop on the hill.
In addition, they dropped drums containing chemical toxins and then used machine guns from helicopters to fire directly at these drums, causing the chemicals to leak out and be carried by the wind into the cave crevices, aiming to wear down our forces.
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| July marks the arrival of the sacred place of Tuc Dup. |
Despite the unequal balance of forces and severe shortages, our troops, with their determination to hold their ground and especially thanks to the loving support of the people of Tri Ton, resolutely fought back, relying on cliffs and caves, using homemade grenades and rifles to retaliate, inflicting heavy casualties on the American forces.
Writing a glorious chapter in history, Tuc Dup is famous for the 128-day and 128-night battle in which the US-puppet army, despite its superior numbers and weaponry, could not overcome the indomitable fighting spirit of our army and people.
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| In July, the flamboyant tree blossoms in a vibrant red, a symbol of heroism. |
Winds of Peace
War is long over, and Tuc Dup, once a barren hill devoid of life due to the devastating effects of war, has now become a National Historical Monument, an ideal historical tourism destination in the Mekong Delta. Here, traces of a glorious and heroic era of our army and people remain, especially the offices of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee and the Tri Ton District Party Committee, such as: the C6 Meeting Hall, the Propaganda Cave, the Provincial Party Committee Cave, the Logistics Cave, the Medical Cave, the Mortar Cave, Vo Nam Kiem, Dien Muoi Xem... Tuc Dup Hill still stands tall and proud as a historical witness to the heroic struggle of the army and people of An Giang province; a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, the indomitable will, and the unwavering spirit of the Vietnamese nation.
Today, after 55 years, Tuc Dup has transformed, becoming a significant historical site, a place for educating generations of Vietnamese people about patriotic and revolutionary traditions.
Since that April, this place has remained serene and steadfast, rising above its painful and tragic past. Standing below, looking up into the distance, the massive, precarious cliffs, piled upon one another, stand proudly and defiantly towards the blue sky.
Today and forevermore, thousands of deep wounds have been covered by the vibrant hues of happiness. Countless trees and blades of grass reach high, growing densely to cover the entire hillside, swaying in the sunlight. Innumerable exotic flowers and plants, in vibrant colors and full of life, spread their intoxicating fragrance, adorning the rocks like an endless oil painting.
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| Entrance to the hill. |
Over the years, thanks to the care of investors, Tuc Dup has donned a new look, a new life, welcoming thousands of visitors from near and far to visit and admire its picturesque beauty, steeped in legends and myths, as well as the story of the hill.
The mysterious, winding system of granite caves allows visitors to step inside and feel the harmonious memories that have nurtured and inspired courageous hearts over the years. As visitors venture deeper into the cave's interior, they discover many more mysteries that they thought existed only in distant legends.
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| In July, we return to the sacred place of Tuc Dup to always remember the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs. |
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| The footsteps of the younger generation on the sacred hilltop. |
From a glorious past to a sacred present
On the 76th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs, let each of us come to this place to witness the changes, reflect on the sacrifices of generations past, and allow ourselves to retain unforgettable emotions.
Looking to the past and towards the future, we strive to live a life of responsibility to ourselves. As the sun gently sets, standing on the hilltop, we watch the sun silently drift towards the west, listening to the wind whispering in our hearts on this day of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day.
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| Looking back at the glorious past from the great hill. |
Gazing towards that place, the majestic and solemn Phoenix Mountain range holds the power of millennia. Such rare beauties always exist, welcoming visitors to listen to the rustling of the mountains and forests recounting tragic stories during the month of July, evoking a surge of emotions.
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