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Quang Tri - From "steel land" to the bridge for peace

From a place considered a "battlefield", "border town" and three times chosen as the capital of the country in history, Quang Tri has become a sacred land where peace has blossomed.
Born and raised in a poor rural area of ​​the Central region, the harsh weather, the hot and dry of Laos winds or the days of heavy rain and storms have trained me to become a strong person, knowing how to hide and control my emotions. However, talking to an old journalist about stories related to the "steel land" of Quang Tri made me emotional. With each story, the image of a heroic and resilient Quang Tri during the days of resistance, submerged in bombs and bullets gradually appeared, pouring into my mind indescribable emotions.
That is the story of the two banks of Hien Luong bridge- Ben Hai river, witnesses to the unification aspirations of Vietnamese army and people. This place has witnessed the pain of dividing the two regions and important historical events in the struggle for national liberation.

In particular, when talking about the "tunnel village" of Vinh Linh, the journalist's voice choked up. After decades of working as a journalist, traveling everywhere to report on heroic lands, Vinh Linh still has something indescribable in the journalist's heart. It is a loss that no words or images can express. The tunnel village of Vinh Linh, Vinh Moc tunnels have thousands of meters long, associated with the resistance war of thousands of days and nights of the people here. Looking at the winding trenches underground, everyone can see the resilience, will to win, and desire for independence of the previous generation.
That is the story of Quang Tri Citadel, Thach Han river wharf - "historical witnesses" to the heroic epic of 81 days and nights of brave and resilient fighting. Under the fierce rain of bombs and bullets, the Vietnamese army and people still tried to hold on, fighting with the enemy for every meter of trench.
With these milestones, Quang Tri is famous as a heroic land, a land of steel, a land of fire. However, putting aside that painful past, today, Quang Tri has become a bridge for peace. In July 2024, with the permission of the Prime Minister, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province coordinated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize the Festival for Peace 2024. From a place considered a "battlefield", "border town", "fence" of the country in history, Quang Tri has become a "sacred land that has bloomed the flower of peace", revived and grown up, flourishing from the ashes of ruins.

The Festival for Peace in Quang Tri is a place of connecting bridges, a deep touch in people's hearts. This is the first time in Vietnam that there has been a festival on a national and international scale with a message of peace. The festival is an opportunity to honor the value of peace, pay tribute to heroic martyrs, commemorate war victims; contribute to enhancing the position and image of the country and people of Vietnam; build Quang Tri into a cultural space for peace, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists who love peace.
Within the framework of the Festival for Peace 2024 in Quang Tri, many attractive entertainment, cultural and artistic events took place such as the Peace Cycling Festival; Special art program to open the Peace Festival with the theme "Connecting bridges"; Cultural - Culinary Festival "Taste of the sunny flower land"; Trinh Cong Son music night "Peace song"; "Peace wish" program; Le Ba Dang Painting Exhibition; “Resurrection” Painting Collection Exhibition; Political Art Program “17th Parallel – Desire for Peace”, etc.
From the land of fire and steel, Quang Tri once again shines, leaving a great impression in the hearts of visitors. The heroic art performances expressing national pride, the brilliant fireworks display to the music of the songs “We need peace”, “This earth is ours”, “Joining hands” all moved viewers with the message: Vietnam loves peace, Quang Tri is a destination for peace.
Perhaps not only me but also tens of thousands of Quang Tri people and tourists, when witnessing nearly 1,000 drones arranged into meaningful images on the banks of the Hien Luong River, were moved. My heart was filled with countless emotions. The dark days are gone, Quang Tri is now gradually “changing its skin, changing its flesh”, constantly moving forward.
The sky that was once grey from the rain of bombs and bullets has now changed color, becoming brighter and more sparkling with the Peace Bell, representing the unity of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, class, social class. All towards the goal of peace, equality, and happiness. The most special image is the image of a dove holding a grain of rice in its wings - the bird symbolizing peace. This image represents the desire for peace, prosperity and happiness with a multi-colored silk strip of red and yellow symbolizing the national flag; red is also the color of the blood of the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed for national independence, for peace today; green is the color of peace, of life reviving and developing.
And then each image appears in turn with many colors and meanings, making everyone happy and excited. A heart made from the words "Peace" and "Love" is the logo of Quang Tri and the theme name of the program "Connecting bridges", the motif on the bronze drum, Saint Giong riding his horse to heaven. Tens of thousands of spectators could not hide their emotions and pride when witnessing this moment. Quang Tri has lost so much blood and bones to return peaceful days to the land of the 17th Parallel, to unite Vietnam. Therefore, the Festival for Peace is an opportunity to help the younger generation learn more valuable lessons, understand more about the price of peace and the responsibility to preserve it.
 

Author: VietNam Travel Magazine

Source: vntravelmag.vn

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