Ham Rong Bridge past and present

Ham Rong Bridge was first built in 1901 by two German engineers. In 1904, the arch bridge was completed, 9m wide. On March 17, 1905, the bridge was inaugurated and opened to traffic. In 1946, during the scorched earth resistance campaign, the bridge was destroyed.

Image "Ham Rong Bridge 1905"

In 1962, Ham Rong Bridge was rebuilt. The bridge consists of two steel girder spans, with a railway in the middle and a road and pedestrian lane on both sides. This was once the focus of the war, with hundreds of American planes lost and dozens of American soldiers captured.

After many fierce attacks, Ham Rong Bridge still stands tall, leaning firmly against the mountainside on the bank of Ma River, becoming a symbol of national strength and indomitability.

According to many sources, to protect Ham Rong bridge, our army and people deployed many artillery companies and armed forces ready to fight, determined to protect Ham Rong bridge. On April 3 and 4, in the Ham Rong - Nam Ngan area, the US air force continuously organized fierce attacks. The focus of enemy bombs and bullets was Ham Rong bridge.

Image "Ham Rong Bridge construction site, 1962-1963"

Enemy bombs and bullets fell everywhere. Areas such as Ngoc Mountain, Cho Chop, Nam Ngan,... were all devastated by enemy bombs and bullets. The enemy continuously attacked Ham Rong with dozens of planes divided into many groups.

The main force, local troops and Thanh Hoa militia remained steadfast in fighting back the enemy aircraft. Firepower positions at both ends of the bridge, along with those of the militia of Nam Ngan, Yen Vuc, Hoang Long, Hoang Ly... were deployed to protect the bridge.

Ham Rong Bridge, historical relic. Photo: Document

On April 3 and 4, 1965, the US Air Force launched 454 sorties per plane, dropping thousands of tons of bombs and ammunition on the Nam Ngan - Ham Rong area. Also during the 2 days of fighting, our army and people shot down 47 US planes, capturing many pilots. The army and people of Ham Rong set the first record for shooting down US planes in the North.

According to veteran Le Xuan Giang, former Political Commissar of Company 4, Regiment 228: "Nearly 3,000 days and nights of steadfast fighting, the people of Thanh Hoa overcame all hardships and sacrifices, determined to protect Ham Rong bridge with sacred feelings for the beloved South. Therefore, in Ham Rong there is a song: "Ham Rong is blood and bones/ Is the trust sent from all directions".

Ham Rong is also the bridge named after Uncle Ho's birthday, May 19th bridge.

Ham Rong is also a bridge named after Uncle Ho's birthday, May 19th bridge. The affection of the army and people of Ham Rong is always towards Uncle Ho, towards the capital. The army and people of Ham Rong promised each other: Determined to protect Ham Rong bridge safely so that Uncle Ho can cross the bridge to visit his compatriots in the South.

Ham Rong Bridge has 2 steel girder spans, 160 m long and 17 m wide.

From a land that was heavily affected by the fierce destruction of bombs and bullets, it has now truly revived and developed day by day. Today, standing at Ham Rong Square, which was once called “Bomb Junction”, looking in all four directions, everywhere you can see large-scale, key national projects being built.

Ham Rong Bridge today

Next to Ham Rong Bridge is a monument and memorial area for 64 teachers and students who sacrificed their lives on the banks of the Ma River, which was inaugurated on March 31, 2025, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Ham Rong victory (April 3, 4, 1965 - April 3, 4, 2025).

The area recreates the scene of teachers and students working and building the Ma River dike before being bombed by American planes in 1972.

The victory at Ham Rong inspired the army and people of the whole country, becoming the motivation for the army and people of the whole country to continue to advance to completely defeat the US imperialists and their lackeys, regain independence, freedom, and unify the country.

The war has long since ended, the victory of Ham Rong has gone down in history as a shining milestone. The bomb craters have now healed, and lush fruit trees have grown above. Ham Rong today has become a tourist highlight of Thanh Hoa city in particular and Thanh Hoa province in general.

Ha Anh

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cau-ham-rong-xua-va-nay-post341323.html