A journey back to a land once ravaged by war.

At 1:10 PM on April 18, 2013, the bus carrying the school's staff from Hanoi began its journey to the beloved Central region. The bustling and noisy Hanoi faded behind the tall apartment buildings. On board were 40 teachers and staff members from different generations. Some had graying hair – those who had experienced the years of the resistance war against the US or directly fought on the battlefields of Quang Tri. There were also very young staff members who had never directly witnessed the losses of war. Each person had different feelings and emotions. But all were eager to arrive at this land once ravaged by bloodshed to light incense in remembrance of the beloved sons and daughters of the Fatherland who had fallen forever in the earth at the age of 20, so that today the country could enjoy peace and unity.

After a night's stay in Cua Lo town, the first place the group visited was the Vinh Moc Tunnels – a military and civilian structure located north of the Ben Hai River (in Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province) built to defend against attacks by the US army and the Saigon government during the 1965-1972 war.

The tunnel system is located beneath a red earth hill approximately 30 meters high and covering 7 hectares. The tunnel system consists of three levels: Level 1, 8 to 10 meters below the surface, was used for combat maneuvers and temporary shelter; Level 2, 12 to 15 meters deep, served as living quarters for the people and a meeting hall with a capacity of over 50 people, three water wells, a kitchen, a rice storage area, a surgical station, a guard post, a telephone, a maternity ward, and the headquarters of the Party Committee, People's Committee, and Military Command; Level 3, over 30 meters deep, housed logistics and a transit point for goods and weapons to Con Co Island.

With a total main tunnel length of over 2,000 meters, the sides of the tunnel were carved out to create living spaces for individual families. At its peak, approximately 1,200 people lived there. During nearly 2,000 days and nights of existence, the people of Vinh Moc performed a miracle of survival and struggle for the independence and freedom of the nation. The war is long over, but Vinh Moc remains as an immortal monument, passing on the faith and will of the Vietnamese people to present and future generations.

From the Vinh Moc Tunnels, the group returned to Cua Tung – the point where the legendary Hien Luong River (also known as the Ben Hai River) meets the sea. During the war against the US, Cua Tung was one of the most heavily attacked targets by the enemy because it served as both a border area and a supply bridge for the troops at Con Co Island.

On March 20th, the delegation offered incense at the Vinh Linh Martyrs' Cemetery before visiting the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel. Vinh Linh Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in Quang Tri province, located in Ho Xa town, next to National Highway 1A, and is the resting place of 5,611 martyrs from 41 provinces and cities nationwide.

At Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, the delegation held a moment of silence to commemorate the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the most intense days of the war. The delegation was deeply moved when the guide at the Ancient Citadel recited a passage from the poem "An Inch of Land in the Ancient Citadel" by Professor Pham Dinh Lan – Director of the Center for Professional and Media Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities – before introducing the heroic Quang Tri Ancient Citadel complex.

"Walk softly and speak quietly."
Let my comrades rest peacefully under the grass.
The sky over Quang Tri is clear and breezy.
Even if it's noisy, don't shake the trees too hard.

Walk softly and speak quietly.
The ancient citadel is vast, yet my comrades lie cramped within its confines.
Every inch of land holds a real life.
"I'm here today with a lump in my throat."

The ancient citadel is situated on the banks of the Thach Han River, which flows silently this season – a sacred river that has been stained with the blood of countless heroic martyrs. Everyone was deeply moved as Comrade Nguyen Quang Lieu, Vice Chairman of the School's Trade Union, read aloud the heartfelt words of veteran Le Ba Duong dedicated to his comrades:

"The boat is going up the Thach Han River... row gently, oh!"
My friend still lies at the bottom of the river.
At twenty years old, I became like waves on the water.
"The shore will be calm, forever and ever..."

Bidding farewell to the Ancient Citadel and the Thach Han River, the group arrived at the Highway 9 Cemetery at the hottest moment of the day. Located on a hill overlooking Highway 9, the Highway 9 Cemetery is the resting place of more than ten thousand martyrs.

From the Highway 9 Cemetery, the group followed the Ho Chi Minh Trail towards the Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery. Perhaps nowhere else in our country's 63 provinces and cities has so many martyrs' cemeteries. It seems that the greatest pains and losses of the war have all converged here.

Truong Son Cemetery contains the remains of over 10,200 martyrs. The central area of ​​the cemetery sits silently on a high hill shaded by forest trees. The main memorial, made of towering white stone, is majestic and imposing, with three sides missing, symbolizing the immeasurable loss. Behind the memorial stands a Bodhi tree with lush foliage. According to the cemetery caretaker, the sacred tree has grown naturally in this spot since the cemetery was built. More than ten thousand tombstones are divided into separate areas according to province and city, covering three rolling hills.

We don't know exactly how many soldiers fell on the battlefields during the war. But standing before their spirits at this cemetery, we can truly feel the profound sorrow etched on every inch of land. Many in our delegation couldn't hold back their tears upon returning here, thinking of their loved ones who are still missing. Each incense stick offered by the staff of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to the souls of the fallen soldiers, with heartfelt respect, is also a tribute to the millions of their comrades who lie buried in the earth throughout the country.

Bidding farewell to beloved Quang Tri, the group continued its journey north. On the morning of April 21st, the group visited the Dong Loc Crossroads historical site – the legendary crossroads where 10 young female volunteer soldiers fell during the war for the liberation of South Vietnam. All of them sacrificed their lives at a very young age, none of them married. Lighting incense at the 10 graves and placing white chrysanthemums on them, our hearts ached. Tears slowly rolled down our cheeks. Leaving Dong Loc, everyone was deeply moved and silently promised the sisters that they would live and work in a way that was worthy of their noble sacrifice.

Returning to Hanoi after a four-day trip, although tired, everyone was very happy because each person had shared and individual memories from a truly meaningful journey. The experiences and emotions will forever remind us to live more responsibly and meaningfully in this life.