The "legendary" bridge

Ham Rong Bridge stands majestically across the Ma River.

Ham Rong Bridge crosses the Ma River, located between Ngoc Mountain and Rong Mountain. If you stand above and look down, you can see the whole poetic Ma River with a beautiful landscape like a landscape painting. According to historical records: The bridge was officially built in 1904 by a French engineer and was the most modern railway bridge in Indochina at that time. In 1946, the bridge was destroyed according to the scorched earth policy of the Viet Minh to prevent the advance of the invaders. Then in 1963, the bridge was designed and restored by experts from the Soviet Union and China, and has the perfect shape as it is today.

The bridge is up to 17m wide, consisting of 2 steel girder spans, with a railway in the middle, two sides are roads for cars and pedestrians, and was inaugurated on the occasion of the 74th birthday (May 19, 1964) of President Ho Chi Minh. Although it was destroyed many times during the war, Ham Rong Bridge still stands tall and majestic as an important historical evidence of the indomitable will and patriotism of the Thanh people and army in the resistance war against the US.

During the war that escalated to the North, the US imperialists focused on destroying Ham Rong Bridge to cut off the important traffic artery, preventing the support of the Northern rear for the large battlefield in the South. During the period from 1965 to 1972, Ham Rong Bridge was attacked hundreds of times by the US Air Force, thousands of tons of bombs and bullets were dropped on this land, causing the steel to warp and rocks to be scattered. Under the rain of bombs and bullets, anti-aircraft artillery units, youth volunteer teams, and local people fought day and night to protect the bridge. They used their blood and bones to maintain the traffic artery, ensuring the continuous operation of the North-South route, and smashed the sabotage plot of the US army with the Ham Rong victory that resounded in history. The image of Ham Rong Bridge has become a historical and cultural symbol as well as the indomitable will of the Thanh people.

Until today, after many historical events and ups and downs, Ham Rong Bridge and the two words “Quyet Thang” are still solemnly carved into the mountainside as a shining symbol of patriotism and revolutionary heroism of the Vietnamese people. The words are there to remind everyone who passes through this bridge and river of a time of painful fire and smoke, to know the value of each minute of peace that was exchanged for pain and loss.

Soldiers and civilians coordinated to fight to protect Ham Rong Bridge during the resistance war against America. Photo: Document

After the war, the historic Ham Rong Bridge has a particularly important mission because it not only contributes to promoting trade, economic and social development of Thanh Hoa City, but is also a "return to the roots" address for generations to come. Many generations of students have come here to visit, learn about history, practice political skills, foster national pride, and love for the homeland. And especially, Ham Rong Bridge is also a tourist attraction every time they come to Thanh Hoa City. Standing on the bridge, visitors can admire the beauty of the winding Ma River, surrounded by green fields, majestic mountains and peaceful villages. Visitors can also see the whole view of Thanh Hoa City from above. From here, it is not difficult to see high-rise buildings, bustling streets and outstanding cultural works such as Tien Son cave, Long Quang cave, Ngoc mountain, Canh Tien mountain, Vietnamese Heroic Mother Temple, Dong Son ancient village, Youth Volunteer Monument...

Ham Rong Bridge is not only a vital bridge, but also a testament to the strength of patriotism, solidarity and determination to defeat the invaders. Each span of the bridge, each stone slab, each remaining trace of bombs and bullets are vivid pages of history, reminding today's and future generations of the arduous but proud years of the nation. The image of the bridge will always be engraved in the hearts of future generations and remind future generations to always maintain the spirit of solidarity, determination to fight and win to turn the aspiration for prosperity into reality, so that the heroic song of Ham Rong victory will forever resound in the heroic homeland of Thanh Hoa.

Article and photos: Nguyen Dat

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cay-cau-huyen-thoai-244318.htm