Heroic memories and national pride surge when experiencing 'red addresses'

(PLVN) - On the occasion of April 30, many tourists came to "red addresses", journeys bearing historical marks, looking for old places, where our ancestors shed blood and sweat, creating glorious victories, contributing to today's national liberation and independence. They expressed gratitude, remembrance and relived the heroic memories of the nation, arousing national pride.

Back in time to the glorious past

The historical themed itineraries organized by travel companies are chosen by many tourists: “Legend of the Heroes” takes tourists to the Reunification Hall, Cu Chi tunnels, the Southern Central Bureau base - these are all places that mark the historic victory of April 30; “Journey of Memories” to Quang Tri, Truong Son cemetery, Hien Luong bridge - Ben Hai river, with programs to exchange historical witnesses, reenact the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, helping tourists understand more deeply the spirit and value of peace today; With “Back to the source”, tourists visit Na Nua hut, Tan Trao communal house, this is where President Ho Chi Minh used to live and work; along with the journey to Quang Binh, Quang Tri - the homeland and resting place of General Vo Nguyen Giap.

Many tours are popular with tourists such as: "Saigon Cultural Commando", "Saigon Past and Present", "District 1 - Night Colors" and "Legends of Heroes - Sac Forest Special Forces - Steel Land and Bronze Citadel". In particular, the "Legends of Heroes" tour was honored at the tourism product design contest organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.

The program “50 years - Returning to the beloved South” is dedicated to veterans from all over the country. This program brings veterans back to visit the old battlefields - where they were attached during the arduous fighting years. According to the plan, places such as: Cu Chi, Can Gio, Independence Palace, Ben Nha Rong, Saigon special forces weapons bunker... are not only tourist attractions but also symbols of sacrifice, patriotism and indomitable spirit.

The “Hanoi - Quang Binh - Quang Tri” tour takes visitors to Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River, the memorial house and the tomb of General Vo Nguyen Giap, combined with hot mineral baths. Visitors can explore Quang Phu sand dunes, swim in Dong Hoi beach, learn about history through war relics, creating a profound experience on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of national reunification.

According to Ms. Nguyen Cam Tu - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, the city named after Uncle Ho is a place where every place, every street corner, every moment can become an impression in the hearts of the people and tourists. The places that once bore the footprints of soldiers and endured the sound of bombs and bullets have now become symbols of revival and strong development in peace.

The tour "From Mau Than to the Great Spring Victory" will take visitors back in time through prominent relics, recreating the journey of struggle to unify the country such as: Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Headquarters of the Liaison Delegation of the General Command of the Vietnam People's Army, the weapons hiding base of the Special Forces that attacked the Independence Palace in 1968, the memorial stele of the Saigon Special Forces soldiers...

In particular, at 11:30 on April 30, visitors will be present at the Independence Palace, immersed in the important event of the 50th Anniversary of National Reunification Day, and proud of the glorious feat of arms of the whole nation. Another tour is "Legend of the heroic commandos of Sac Forest - Steel Land - Ho Chi Minh City" which will take visitors back to history with many meaningful relics such as: Sac Forest Historical Relic, Sac Forest Martyrs Cemetery, Cu Chi Tunnels...

Veterans reminisce about old memories. (Photo: B. Chau)

Meanwhile, the tour "Saigon Special Forces - Legendary Bases" will take visitors to explore the sophisticated underground structures in the heart of the city, listen to the heroic stories of special forces soldiers or visit the historical site of the Saigon - Gia Dinh Party Committee Secret Base... Visitors will experience food and drinks or learn about the memorabilia associated with the life and fighting of special forces soldiers in the past.

Pride burns in my heart

Roots tours are often deeply educational, contributing to raising awareness and national pride. For veterans, not only are they old, but they also have a long history of dedication to the people and the country with sacrifices that can never be compensated. Now their final wish is to revisit the old battlefield, to find a little echo of the glorious past of their youth to reminisce and be proud of.

The tight handshakes, the tears of happiness of the wounded soldiers, the veterans - the brave soldiers of the past, now with white hair, walking with difficulty due to injuries, but still met each other on the old battlefield. The kônia trees that several people could not hug, the houses roofed with trung quan leaves, the Hoang Cam kitchen, the bomb craters, the wells dug tens of meters deep but still could not find a drop of water... like a film from the old memories flooding back. Deep in the past of those heroic soldiers, every bush, every square of land here was attached to them like flesh and blood.

How emotional it was to meet his comrades after many years, war invalid - veteran Hoang Van Nghiem (82 years old), from Kien An district, Hai Phong city, shared: “I was tripped by a mine while on a raid on the enemy. I was treated and cared for wholeheartedly. When the country was completely independent, many of my comrades and I, after leaving the army, became successful businessmen and exemplary local officials. Wherever we are, whatever we do, we always think about our comrades and the regiment. When we have the opportunity, we organize to support and help each other in many ways, with love and respect.”

Tourists take photos with tank 843 at the Independence Palace. (Photo: Quang Dinh)

In the modern, bustling life, young people today want to find spaces where they can stop, reflect and search for something unchanging, sacred, to nourish their souls, to anchor them to life, to their roots. Therefore, many young people have chosen to visit and learn about the historical relics of the nation, to learn about the feats of their ancestors to cultivate their love for their homeland and country. When standing in front of monuments and relics bearing the blood and bones of their ancestors, young people not only see the past, see the history of a nation, but also understand better the stories of their ancestors, feel the presence of heroic souls, stories, values left for today's generation and continuing into the future.

Female student Hoang Le Trang (17 years old, in Nam Dan, Nghe An) was moved: “We have experienced many emotions, from calm, emotional to overwhelmed and strong pride in our hearts. Standing in the middle of the square, overwhelmed by the red flag with yellow star, we feel lucky to be born in Vietnam, love our homeland and country even more. We young people remind ourselves to always follow in the footsteps of our ancestors to build a more decent, more beautiful country; worthy of the sacrifices of our predecessors”.

Mr. Doan Ngoc Tung - representative of the travel company could not help but be moved when talking about the tourist groups when visiting Tam Co cave (Quang Binh). "From soldiers, veterans with white hair, to children, everyone could not help but be moved, choked up, some cried out loud when listening to the tour guide telling the story of the sacrifice of the Youth Volunteer Squad, to avoid bombs, they rushed into a small cave in the middle of the Truong Son mountain range, unfortunately, they were hit by a carpet bomb, the cave entrance was blocked. After 9 days and nights of digging in vain, the 8 young volunteers were gone forever. Untold stories, under their feet is sacred land, where history records their names, in their hearts is a burning pride, never to be extinguished" - Mr. Doan Ngoc Tung was moved.

According to some travel agencies, this year, the number of tourists booking tours to return to their roots and reminisce increased by 40% compared to last year, especially overseas Vietnamese tourists.

Mr. Nguyen Trong An (53 years old, Vietnamese expatriate in Germany) was moved: “This year, I brought my parents and children back to Vietnam. Instead of going to the beach or relaxing, I booked an 8-day tour with my children to Ho Chi Minh City. Visiting the old battlefields, seeing the remaining historical evidence with my own eyes and listening to the tour guides tell stories about the heroic feats of our ancestors made my family very emotional. This is also an opportunity for overseas Vietnamese families like mine to better understand the origins and history of the Vietnamese people and to pay tribute to the heroes who died for national independence.”

Bao Chau

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/trao-dang-ky-uc-hao-hung-niem-tu-hao-dan-toc-khi-trai-nghiem-nhung-dia-chi-do-post547001.html