Xuan Quang then and now

Xuan Quang hamlet—a peaceful residential area in Gia Sang ward today—was once a "hotbed of conflict" during the years of resistance against the American invasion. Located on this land is the National Historical Monument commemorating 60 young volunteer soldiers of Company 915, Team 91, Bac Thai—a famous historical tourist destination in Thai Nguyen, where many tourists, students, and veterans come to pay tribute and gain a deeper understanding of the nation's arduous wartime experiences.

Former militia members of the Gia Sang Platoon will meet in May 2026.

"Fire zones" in war

The former Gia Sang commune (now Gia Sang ward) was a densely populated area at the southern gateway of Thai Nguyen City, holding an important position in transportation and industry during that period. During the years of resistance against the destructive war waged by the American imperialists, Gia Sang was a target of fierce bombing. According to historical documents, from the end of 1965 to March 1968, Gia Sang suffered dozens of bombing raids, with tens of thousands of bombs of various types...

It's hard to believe that the young men from the "fire zone" of the past, the youths of Xuan Quang hamlet, the militia soldiers of the Gia Sang platoon in the 1960s, are now approaching 80 or 90 years old, yet they still hold annual reunions. Each meeting brings back memories of a time when air raid sirens blared daily. During the day they participated in production work, and at night they stood guard, observing aircraft and coordinating with the regular army to counter the war of destruction.

On October 17, 1965, the US mobilized 29 aircraft sorties, dropping 116 bombs on the Gia Bay bridge area, and fired numerous rockets and missiles at the anti-aircraft artillery positions of the 210th Air Defense Regiment in Xuan Quang hamlet, Gia Sang commune, marking the beginning of the air war of destruction against Thai Nguyen.

The young men and women in their late teens and early twenties from Xuan Quang hamlet, the militia of Gia Sang platoon, along with the soldiers of the 210th Air Defense Brigade, created a fire network to protect the Gang Thep area. Among the militia members from Xuan Quang hamlet that year was Mrs. Pham Thi Mui, born in 1944. She recalled with emotion: "Joining the militia, I learned first aid and carried ammunition boxes without getting tired. When we carried the wounded soldiers during the bombing on October 17th, we cried and ran, falling but getting up again, because we felt so sorry for them…"

Ms. Vu Thi Tuc, born in 1948, shared: "Our militia and unit buried the fallen soldiers as if they were our own family. The sacrifice of our soldiers and people in the battle to defend the Gia Bay bridge in October 1965 gave me motivation and strength to successfully complete all assigned tasks when I became a communications soldier later on."

Xuan Quang witnessed and endured the ferocity of bombing during the war, and it also affirmed the indomitable fighting spirit of the army and people of Thai Nguyen through fierce battles. In the hamlet, almost every family had someone who joined the militia, the Youth Volunteer Force, or enlisted in the army. Many mothers bid farewell to their sons, wives bid farewell to their husbands… and many never returned.

"Red addresses" for generations to pay tribute to.

The Christmas Eve of 1972 is the most painful memory for the people of Xuan Quang hamlet. That was the night the US dropped B52 bombs on the Luu Xa train station area and the vital transportation routes around Gia Sang. 62 houses were destroyed by American bombs, and nearly 100 people in Gia Sang commune were killed. 60 Youth Volunteers from Company 915 bravely sacrificed their lives while carrying out their duty of transporting supplies to the Southern battlefield.

Former militia members from Xuan Quang hamlet, Gia Sang commune (now Gia Sang ward) visit the exhibition room at the National Historical Site of the 915 Youth Volunteers (Ms. Nguyen Thuy Mau, former Chairwoman of the Gia Sang Ward People's Committee, second from the right, wearing a floral shirt in the back row).

Ms. Cao Thi Tam, who at the time worked in women's affairs at the commune and city levels, and later served as the Chairwoman of the Gia Sang Commune Administrative Committee from 1968 to 1975, is now nearly 90 years old. She recounts that no one survived the bombing of her neighbors, Mr. Tuy and Mr. Vuong, and seven members of her own family also perished. After that devastating bombing, while still searching for her father and siblings, she had to organize a search party to dig for the Youth Volunteers in the ill-fated bunker and the villagers buried by American bombs. The last body found after the bombing was that of her own father. The atmosphere of grief that enveloped Xuan Quang, as her memories returned, left her feeling numb and guilty for not being able to save everyone.

The suffering only fueled the indomitable spirit of the people of Gia Sang, inspiring them to compete in labor and production, becoming a strong rear base for the Southern front. For many years, it was the leading locality in providing support to the battlefield against the Americans, ensuring "not a single grain of rice was lacking, not a single soldier was lacking." In 1998, the people and armed forces of Gia Sang ward were honored with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces.

Xuan Quang remains a small hamlet in Gia Sang ward, a place that reminds us that today's peace was bought with blood, tears, and sacrifices. It has become a significant historical tourist destination in Thai Nguyen, with the National Historical Monument of the 915 Youth Volunteers…

Along with former militia members from Gia Sang, visiting the National Historical Relic Site - Memorial to the Youth Volunteers of Company 915, on the occasion of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2026), Ms. Nguyen Thuy Mau emotionally shared: "We were among the first, along with many other functional forces in the area, to participate in the rescue and burial of the Youth Volunteers after that devastating bombing. It was heartbreaking, but also full of pride. Many of our families still live in Xuan Quang hamlet, Group 8, Gia Sang, and every year we come to the relic site to offer incense and remember our brothers and sisters…"

Visitors to Thai Nguyen today not only explore "Lake on the mountain, Tea in the clouds," but many also choose to visit the National Historical Monument of Youth Volunteers 915 as part of a journey of gratitude and a return to those historical days.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/dat-va-nguoi-thai-nguyen/202605/xuan-quang-ngay-ay-bay-gio-5451f8b/