Historical sites on Highway 12A in Quang Binh

In the Ho Chi Minh trail system in Quang Binh, Highway 12A on the East-West route across the Truong Son mountain range is one of the earliest opened roads, has an important position, is a strategic junction of transportation and supplies to effectively support the battlefields in the South and Laos in the resistance war against the US to save the country.

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Monuments on Highway 12A in Quang Binh

Road 12A, built by the French, started from Tan Ap station (Tuyen Hoa) to the Vietnam – Laos border with a total length of nearly 75 km, divided into two sections: from Tan Ap to Xom Cuc, which was mainly traveled by train, and from Xom Cuc, passing Mu Da to Naphao (Laos), which was traveled by wire or “air railway”. In 1953, Inter-Zone IV restored, paved the road and built a makeshift bridge. In 1954, the motorized road from Tan Ap to Naphao (Laos) was opened.

In 1957, the Ministry of Transport continued to restore and expand Highway 12A from Khe Ve intersection to Mu Da pass, more than 45km long, and built a permanent concrete bridge to open the whole route to traffic.

Before 1965, Highway 12A was the only cross-Truong Son route that could transport vehicles. During the resistance war against the US, despite the extremely difficult terrain, this was a vital traffic artery, playing an important role in transporting goods and weapons through Laos and then transferring them to the battlefield in South Vietnam. Therefore, when it was discovered, the US imperialists concentrated their air force to attack fiercely in order to cut off the strategic support of our army and people.

They frantically bombed the rear bases, tunnels, bridges, and gates along Highway 12A from Khe Ve intersection to Mu Da Pass. Many key enemy positions were continuously bombed fiercely, such as Khe Ve, Ka Tang, Bai Dinh, La Trong, Hill 37, Cong Troi, Cha Lo, and Mu Da Pass, with all kinds of bombs, including B52 carpet bombing, to destroy the road in order to cut off the lifeline of our rear.

Cha Quang Hill is a national historical relic in Quang Binh.

To maintain this important traffic artery, the C759 Youth Volunteer Team, consisting of young men and women from Tuyen Hoa district, was established to reinforce the key points on Highway 12A. With the determination to “Live on the road, die bravely and steadfastly”, the Youth Volunteer Force, together with soldiers and officers, did not fear hardship and danger, overcame the rain of bombs and bullets, fought bravely, shot down many enemy planes, protected the route, and provided timely support to the battlefield.

Khe Ve Junction

Khe Ve junction is the starting point of Highway 12A. During the resistance war against the US, this was the gathering point for goods and weapons, the place where the first “flip-wing” pass of the 559th Truong Son Army Group was organized to move to the battlefield. From 1965 to 1973, the US air force focused on fiercely destroying and blocking, more than 600 times at peak times, but our army and people were still resilient and brave in fighting to ensure the smooth flow of the strategic support corridor.

La Trong

La Trong At Km 6-8 on Highway 12A, this is an area with bridges, tunnels, passes, and is also the location of a transit warehouse. In the dry season of 1965 – 1966, the enemy collapsed La Trong bridge, making it very difficult to transport goods through streams and tunnels. From 1966 – 1968, the enemy focused on blocking La Trong streams and tunnels. At the peak, they mobilized over 900 bombers to attack, causing mud and traffic jams for many kilometers. Meanwhile, the fuel, food, and weapons supplied to Group 559 were interrupted, and soldiers and Youth Volunteers were forced to carry fuel on their backs, and he crossed the enemy’s barrage of fire and bullets to deliver them to the battlefield.

Here, many soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline laborers heroically sacrificed their lives while on duty, and thousands of tons of goods were burned and destroyed by bombs and bullets.

Bai Dinh Bridge

Bai Dinh Bridge is located at km 28-29 on Highway 12A, in Dan Hoa commune, where the C759 force was stationed and was also one of the most fiercely attacked areas by the enemy. A large amount of bombs and bullets from the American enemy were dropped here, completely destroying the bridge, many soldiers were sacrificed. However, with an iron will and determination to defeat the American enemy, the officers and soldiers here persevered to hold their ground, overcoming the consequences of bombs and bullets, ensuring the smooth flow of the road.

Hill 37 – Father Quang

Hill 37- Cha Quang is located at km 21 on Highway 12A, in Ban Y Leng, Dan Hoa commune, one of the most fiercely attacked areas by the US imperialists. Here, countless heroic feats of arms of the C759 Youth Volunteer Force were established in the fight against the US air force to protect the traffic artery. In particular, this place marks the heroic sacrifice of 08 heroic C759 Youth Volunteer Force soldiers on July 3, 1966 while on duty to restore the molasses destroyed by enemy bombs, which has gone down in national history as an immortal epic.

Relic cluster of Heaven’s Gate, Cha Lo, Mu Mu Da Pass

The relic complex of Cong Troi, Cha Lo, and Mu Mu Da Pass is the last point on Highway 12A. During the resistance war against the US, this was the Vietnam-Laos border gate area, so it played a very important role in the transit of goods to Central and Lower Laos. Therefore, US aircraft continuously bombed and attacked, especially the goods gathering points such as Cong Troi, Cha Lo, and Mu Da Pass… in an attempt to cut off our supply line.

The war became more and more fierce, the bombs that the Youth Volunteer Force, soldiers and officers had to endure became more and more numerous, but with the spirit of “all for the beloved South! All for victory”, they achieved miraculous feats. Each key enemy attack on Route 12A became a place name that went down in the nation’s history with memories that will never fade.

Ngoa Cuong Pagoda, a historical revolutionary relic in Quang Binh

Now, all the key points on Highway 12A have been ranked as historical sites; memorial steles have been erected to pay tribute, remember and honor the heroic martyrs who worked day and night, contributing to the struggle for national independence and freedom.

Although we know that industrialization and modernization have changed the appearance and replaced the historical mission of Highway 12A in the past, it is the legendary Highway 12A that is the foundation for Highway 12A today to become the traffic artery connecting the integration and socio-economic development of Quang Binh in particular and the whole country in general.

Developing Quang Binh Tourism associated with relics

Along with the historical sites on the Truong Son road system in Quang Binh, road 12A is an important highlight in the journey to the source, visiting the old battlefield to burn incense to show gratitude to comrades.

Currently, Quang Binh Travel is rebuilding tourist routes associated with historical relics for tourists to visit and pay their respects.