Nestled amidst the pristine and majestic natural landscape of the Northwest mountains, the National Historical Site - Memorial of the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment is located on Na Bo Hill, Moc Chau town, Son La province. It is a historical witness, marking the sacrifices and courage of revolutionary soldiers in the resistance war against French colonialism. This "red address" helps today's young generation learn and better understand the glorious revolutionary traditions of our nation in the resistance war against French colonialism from 1945 to 1954. The Tay Tien historical site was built in 2016, with all the respect and boundless gratitude of the people of Son La province towards the volunteer soldiers who sacrificed their youth for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

 Photo exhibition areaArtifacts related to the 52nd Tay Tien Regimentat Na Bo hill

Memories of the Tay Tien Regiment through historical artifacts.

During the tour of this revolutionary "red address," the first destination is the exhibition area showcasing images and artifacts of the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment. Visitors can witness precious relics of the Tay Tien Regiment that participated in the resistance war against French colonialism from 1945 to 1954. Within the space of a house with the architecture of a traditional Northwest ethnic stilt house, the exhibits are divided into sections: the "General Vo Nguyen Giap" section; the "Tay Tien: Then and Forever" section, which presents images and artifacts of the Tay Tien Regiment, past and present, including items such as: padded jackets, lamps, and the identification card of the poet Quang Dung; and the "Tay Tien: Heroic and Talented" section, which includes many images and artifacts recreating the image of the soldiers of the Tay Tien Regiment of yesteryear.

Among the precious artifacts is a photograph of General Vo Nguyen Giap and the soldiers of the Tay Tien Regiment, which is respectfully preserved here. Another artifact is the painting "Caring for Wounded Soldiers" by artist Quang Tho (political commissar of the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment), which the artist painted based on a true story about the bond between soldiers and civilians during the resistance war against the French.

Ms. Lo Thi Muon, a tour guide from the Management Board of the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment Historical Site, recounted: Colonel Tran Ky, a soldier of the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment, recounted that during a march against the enemy, after days of intense fighting, his comrade in the squad collapsed from exhaustion on the roadside. He pointed to his breast pocket and whispered, "Tran Ky, I'm so tired I can't go on anymore. Please deliver this letter for me and tell my aunt and uncle that I always remember my family." Overwhelmed with hunger and trembling, I could only encourage my comrade to keep going, but tears streamed down my face. Fortunately, a woman from an ethnic minority living in Hoa Binh, carrying her young child on her back to the fields, encountered him. She quietly removed her sling, placed the child down by the roadside, and without hesitation, expressed her own milk to save the soldier in critical condition. Those drops of milk were truly heartwarming, a testament to the warmth of human kindness and the bond between soldiers and civilians. This painting is a profound expression of gratitude from artist Quang Thọ in particular, and from Regiment 52 in general, to the people of Northwest Vietnam.

The mountainous landscape of Northwest Vietnampoetic,full of nostalgic memories associated with the journey.marching routeThe Tây Tiến army unit.

Returning to this revolutionary site today, everyone feels a sense of nostalgia and emotion, as if they are transported back in time to the heroic years of the nation's struggle for independence and freedom. The verses of the poem "Tay Tien" by poet Quang Dung – a soldier of that era – still resonate deeply, etched into time and space in the Northwest region: "Going to the battlefield without regretting their youth / Their ceremonial robes replaced by mats, they return to the earth / The Ma River roars a solitary farewell..." The poem evokes pride and profound gratitude towards the Tay Tien soldiers of the past who dedicated their youth to the noble revolutionary ideal, a vivid image of a heroic period in revolutionary history.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: “Looking at the relics and artifacts that were once associated with the soldiers of the Tay Tien Regiment, I am deeply moved by the sacrifices our ancestors made to win the independence and freedom we have today. The site is not only a place that marks history but also evokes in each person a sense of national pride and gratitude towards the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed and died for the Fatherland.”

Commemorating a glorious revolutionary journey.

Along with the artifacts and moving stories about the Tay Tien Regiment at the exhibition area, visitors have the opportunity to be guided by the Monument Management Board up 52 stone steps to the highest point of the National Monument Area. The steps are designed with some straight sections and others winding sections, symbolizing the marching route of the Tay Tien Regiment, overcoming extremely treacherous steep slopes and deep ravines. Five bas-reliefs designed within the monument complex depict touching stories about the victories of the Tay Tien Regiment.

The memorial, situated at the highest point of the complex, is designed in the shape of a cluster of bayonets, symbolizing the will and fighting spirit of the Tay Tien Regiment. In front of the memorial are two symbols associated with the march of the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment: That Luang – a symbol of the culture and spirit of the Lao tribes gifted to the Tay Tien Regiment, and the reeds – a forest plant associated with the march of the Tay Tien soldiers, creating a poetic and mystical atmosphere of the Northwest mountains. Not far from the memorial, the commemorative stele is designed in the style of a "Triumphal Arch," symbolizing the victories and aspirations for the day of triumph.

Memorial52nd Tay Tien Regimenton Na Bo hill

In front of the Memorial is the Memorial Zone, a viewing platform enclosed in transparent glass, opening up to an open space. From here, visitors can observe the poetic and mystical landscape of the Northwest mountains and forests, along with a panoramic view of Moc Chau town. Standing on the high platform and gazing at the Northwest mountains and forests, visitors are reminded of the Tay Tien Regiment and its dashing, romantic, yet incredibly brave young men from Hanoi, ready to sacrifice their youth for the country.

Visiting the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment historical site on Na Bo Hill, tourists not only admire the majestic natural beauty but also deeply feel the immense historical value. Every rock, every path, every step depicts the arduous lives of the soldiers, those who sacrificed their youth on the fierce battlefield. The monuments, reliefs, and historical records are not only reminders of those heroic days but also a source of pride for today's generation regarding the glorious past of the nation.

According to Mr. Dinh Hong Phuc, Deputy Director of Pha Luong Tourism Joint Stock Company - the unit managing the historical site - the National Historical Site - Memorial of the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment, which preserves and showcases artifacts and images associated with the people, achievements, and milestones of the Tay Tien Regiment, always attracts the attention of tourists from near and far. On average, it welcomes over 30,000 visitors annually, making it a "red address" for students, officials, and others to visit and learn from. In its strategic direction, the historical site will continuously innovate, strengthen research, collection, and exploitation of stories associated with the Tay Tien Regiment, improve the quality of its tour guides, and enhance communication and promotion efforts, connecting with travel companies to attract tourists to the site, contributing to creating an attractive cultural destination in the Moc Chau plateau.

View of the historical site

This revolutionary "red address" is helping to connect history and the present, serving as an educational site about the revolutionary spirit. Every year, delegations, veterans, visitors, and students from all over the country come to remember, learn, and better understand the sacrifices, losses, and unwavering will of the revolutionary generations who have passed. Here, the spirit of the Tay Tien campaign continues to resonate like a heroic song amidst the mountains and forests of Northwest Vietnam.

Text and photos: N. Duong