The first project I want to talk about here is the overpass. The old overpass, which was steep, narrow, and severely degraded by time and fierce annual floods, and located in a remote area, has now been renovated by the skillful hands of the 249th Brigade workers, expanding and lowering the slope. Now, people and vehicles going up and down the Phong Chau pontoon bridge no longer have to wait as long as before.  

Workers of Brigade 249 work in the scorching summer sun at Phong Chau wharf. Photo: MINH NGOC

The second project is the narrow concrete road leading down to the ferry terminal, which has now been widened, paved with asphalt concrete and divided into two lanes from the beginning of National Highway 32 to the two ends of the terminal.  

Workers from Brigade 249 ensure the PMP pontoon bridge operates until 9 p.m. every day, early June 2025. Photo: MINH NGOC

Workers of Brigade 249 work at night. Photo: MINH NGOC

Workers of Brigade 249 work in the summer sun. Photo: MINH NGOC

Workers of Brigade 249 pour concrete on the embankment at night. Photo: MINH NGOC

The interesting things surrounding this campaign were told by Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Head of Zone 5 and Mr. Bui Ngoc Sang, Head of Zone 4 (Van Xuan Commune): Previously, the road leading to the station was very narrow, 4-5 seat cars had to go very slowly to avoid each other. Now, two cars can go in opposite directions at the allowed speed.

The residents also said that this was a project with a compensation and site clearance time that was “rocket speed” because of the high consensus and only took place in 3 days. When the policy was announced, the soldiers came to the houses and the households, most of whom were Catholic, immediately agreed to the calculated compensation level to return the land to the soldiers to build the road.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Bui Thanh Tung, Deputy Political Commissar of Brigade 249, during the 18 days and nights of construction, people brought fruits, soft drinks and many other things. He asked for their names to make it easier to address and thank them, but they refused.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc told me that without the pontoon bridge, people would have to take a 25km detour. I imagine that behind that 25km figure, there is a lot of careful calculation. They have to wake up earlier, spend more time and fuel on the road. The pontoon bridge has helped people avoid the burden of life due to the uncertainties and risks that can happen on that 25km long road without being able to predict.

VICTORY

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/ky-su/tinh-quan-dan-o-ben-phong-chau-834788