HÀ TĨNH — The Đồng Lộc T-junction in the central province of Hà Tĩnh has gone down in history because of the heroic sacrifice of hundreds of war heroes.

According to Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, it is especially remembered because of ten young female volunteers and their efforts during the war to liberate the southern region and reunify the country.

He made the remarks during a speech at a special event held at the Đồng Lộc T-Junction relic site Saturday night to mark the 50th anniversary of the Đồng Lộc victory (1968-2018).

The Đồng Lộc T-junction was the most important transport intersection on the legendary Trường Sơn – Hồ Chí Minh trail.

This was the route trucks carrying soldiers, food, arms and munitions from the north traveled to the southern battlefields.

From 1965 to 1968, the US army dropped nearly 50,000 bombs and fired tens of thousands of rockets on the Đồng Lộc T-junction in the Can Lộc District to cut off the transport route to the southern front.

At the time, the Vietnamese Government put all its efforts into making sure the road stayed clear.

This involved many young volunteers filling in bomb craters to allow safe passage for those trucks.

On July 24, 1968, a bomb fell very close to the mouth of the cave where a group of 10 female volunteers, aged from 17 to 24, were taking shelter. All of them were killed.

Their sacrifice has become a symbol of Vietnamese heroism.

At the event, PM Phúc asked all-level Party Committees, authorities and people of Hà Tĩnh and other localities nationwide to pay tribute to families of war martyrs, war invalids and veterans, helping them overcome all difficulties to have a better life.

The leader sent messages of gratitude to local families of those who contributed to the revolution who have found themselves in difficult circumstances.

The organisation board also handed over gifts to war veterans and relatives of the fallen soldiers and young volunteers who fought at the Đồng Lộc intersection. 

Earlier the same day, PM Phúc attended the inaugural ceremony of a bypass to the east of the Đồng Lộc T-junction relic site, which is expected to help ensure traffic safety and reduce dust and noise pollution in the area. — VNS