Returning to Vung Chua, remembering the legendary general

Tomb of the People's General - the outstanding hero of the Vietnamese people (at Vung Chua - Yen Island, Quang Dong commune, Quang Trach district, Quang Binh province)

Vung Chua - Yen Island - quiet and full of gratitude

From Dong Hoi Airport, we began our journey to Vung Chua - Yen Island. The long coastal road took us through peaceful fishing villages, casuarina forests rustling in the wind and quiet spaces with the blue sea on one side and white sand on the other. That peaceful, prosperous scene was like a mirror reflecting the changes of Quang Binh. In the distance, majestic mountain ranges stretched out to catch the wind, like historical "witnesses" silently watching the footsteps of travelers.

The sound of the waves lapping together with the sea breeze is like a song of nature, caressing the granite cliffs reflecting the clouds and sky. On the long stretch of white sand embracing the emerald green water, gentle rays of sunlight penetrate through the leaves of the square-flowered banyan tree, sparkling on the green moss patches on the rocks. The breath of the ocean blends with the scent of wild flowers along the shore, permeating the quiet space . In the midst of that scene, Vung Chua - Yen Island appears like a watercolor painting, both poetic and sacred, in the true sense of "Peaceful and full of gratitude" - where General Vo Nguyen Giap rests and people's hearts are calmed by the beauty of this sacred land.

This place is called sacred land because it not only possesses a beautiful landscape but is also the final resting place of the General - who devoted his whole life to the independence and freedom of the Fatherland , contributing to the beautiful appearance of the country today. The presence of the General has turned this land into a sacred symbol in the hearts of every Vietnamese person, so that every time he returns, a song of gratitude and hope resounds.

The resting place of the General and the hearts of the people

When arriving at Vung Chua, the wild and majestic beauty of this place makes everyone feel calm. The path leading to the General's tomb, located on Tho mountain, Dragon cape, is shaded by green trees. Along both sides of the path, rows of casuarinas and eucalyptus trees rustle in the wind like soldiers standing guard. Fresh flower wreaths and fragrant incense sticks are respectfully placed by visitors from all over, creating a solemn and warm space. Each step to visit the tomb is a low note in the symphony of gratitude, expressing infinite gratitude to the talented general.

The tomb of the General appears in a simple but respectful manner. The tomb is built of monolithic green stone taken from Non Nuoc Ngu Hanh Son - Da Nang, located in a prime location, facing the windy East Sea. The green stone sparkles under the sunlight, reminding of the noble character and greatness of the General. Surrounding it are clusters of brilliant yellow chrysanthemums, embellishing the sacred space. The memorial stele is engraved with the words: "General Vo Nguyen Giap - An excellent son of Quang Binh homeland - A talented general - A world cultural celebrity". From the resting place of the General, the view embraces the sea and sky of Quang Binh with small islands such as Hon La, Hon Gio, and Yen Island, creating a charming landscape painting, like an embrace, protecting the eternal sleep of the General. The salty sea breeze mixed with the scent of incense creates a space that is both sacred and intimate.

On our return visit this time, we also saw next to the General’s grave, about 10 meters away, the new grave of Mrs. Dang Bich Ha, his hard-working wife, also covered with fresh flowers. Many people stopped, bowed their heads, and whispered words of gratitude to her - the person who had quietly been the General’s strong supporter throughout the difficult years. Wreaths were prepared in advance, tied with black ribbons, and placed neatly, while incense smoke billowed up, blending with the sacred space.

Every weekend and holiday, Vung Chua - Yen Island always welcomes thousands of people from all over the country to visit the General's tomb. Especially on traditional Tet holidays or the anniversary of the General's birth or death, a long line of people respectfully stretches along the road leading to the tomb, carrying wreaths and incense sticks to express their deep gratitude. Especially, like the day we arrived, on April 30, 2025, the whole country celebrates the National Reunification Day, an endless line of people, like a winding dragon, lined up orderly from early morning to late afternoon to visit and pay their respects. Under the pale yellow sunlight, a solemn atmosphere enveloped the tomb, where the sea breeze blew through, carrying the breath of history. Even though they had to wait for hours under the scorching sun, no one complained, only thoughtful eyes and whispered stories about the legendary general's glorious feats. Many delegations traveled hundreds, even thousands of kilometers to come here to burn incense in gratitude, demonstrating the sacred affection that the people of the whole country have for the general of the people's hearts.

A stream of people respectfully visit the tomb of General Vo Nguyen Giap

The general "famous in five continents, shaking the earth"

Standing before the General's tomb, we not only expressed our respect to an outstanding son of our homeland but also remembered one of the most outstanding figures in the modern history of Vietnam and the world. General Vo Nguyen Giap was not only a military genius but also a great cultural figure. The General's contributions and stature are closely linked to brilliant milestones in the history of the nation.

In particular, the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954 under the General's skillful command ended in a resounding victory, crushing the old colonialism, "famous in five continents, shaking the earth". This victory not only completely liberated North Vietnam but also strongly encouraged the national liberation movement around the world. The General's name is associated with historical campaigns, the peak of which was the Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975. The General's timely and decisive call: "Faster, bolder, take advantage of every minute, every second to advance to the southern front, liberate the South. We are determined to fight and win", added strength to our army and people to advance to complete victory on April 30, 1975, reunifying the country.

As the teacher Ho Co praised in the parallel sentence presented to the General on the occasion of his 90th birthday: "Literature worries about the country's destiny, Literature becomes Martial arts/ Martial arts understand the people's hearts, Martial arts become Literature". The parallel sentence not only honors the legendary general's outstanding military talent, patriotism and closeness to the people, but also deeply expresses the General's philosophy and thinking: An outstanding military man always listens, understands, puts the interests of the people and the destiny of the country first, harmoniously combining military strength and cultural intelligence.

The passing of the General on October 4, 2013 was a great loss to the entire Vietnamese people. The General's funeral was held in the most solemn state funeral rites. Millions of Vietnamese people waited in long lines for many days to pay their respects, expressing their infinite grief. Not only in Vietnam, this event also moved the whole world. Many leaders, scholars and international friends expressed their admiration and grief for a legendary general who lived his whole life for peace and justice. General Vo Nguyen Giap was recognized as a World Cultural Celebrity, affirming the great stature and great contributions of the General not only in the military field but also on the level of human culture.

Feeling from the heart

For us, the children of Long An province, the trip to Vung Chua - Yen Island has a special meaning. Our homeland used to be a fierce battlefield, where the blood of many generations was shed in exchange for today's peace. Standing in front of the General's tomb, memories of the difficult days came flooding back, making us feel even more deeply the value of independence and freedom. We lit incense, offered flowers, our hearts filled with emotion and gratitude. The sound of the waves murmured like a mother's lullaby, the sound of the wind like an epic song about the heroic years.

In the late afternoon, when the sun set, the crowd still continued to head towards the tomb. That scene was not just a visit but a vivid picture of gratitude, solidarity and national spirit, deeply depicting the image of a people's general and his virtuous wife, forever living in the hearts of millions of Vietnamese people.

Leaving Vung Chua - Yen Island, each person in the group carried a warm fire in their hearts - the fire of national pride, love for their homeland and country, and the responsibility to live a life worthy of the sacrifices of their predecessors. This trip was like a fire burning in their hearts, arousing pride and inspiration from the noble example of the General. The luggage returning home was not only beautiful memories but also the silent aspiration present in every simple act: Cultivating the homeland, spreading the spirit of solidarity and love. In the peaceful space of Vung Chua - Yen Island, the reminder of gratitude to ancestors echoed deeply like a gentle but enduring song, remaining forever in the hearts of every Vietnamese child./.

Viet Truc

Source: https://baolongan.vn/ve-vung-chua-tuong-nho-vi-tuong-huyen-thoai-a194922.html