Journey to the Source - 2017

The delegation's first stop was the Vi Xuyen District Martyrs' Cemetery, the resting place of 1,746 martyrs, including 264 unidentified soldiers. These men came from 33 provinces and cities across the country. They were young men in their late teens and early twenties who bravely sacrificed themselves for the cause of national defense during ten years of fighting to protect the northern border of the Fatherland. In this campaign, they lived and died clinging to the rocks, becoming immortal. In the cleansing morning rain, Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Secretary of the Party Committee; Associate Professor Dr. Tran Van Hai, Chairman of the Veterans' Association of the University; and other veterans signed the memorial book and lit incense sticks to pay tribute to their comrades who lie buried in this land.

One landmark that caught the attention of the group members was"The Path to Happiness"On the Dong Van Stone Plateau, a road approximately 200km long connects the districts of Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac, and Quang Ba with Ha Giang town. Previously, travel between these districts was extremely difficult, even cut off during floods. To break this isolation, the Party and State decided to build this road. Thousands of young people from across the country, along with laborers from 16 ethnic groups on the stone plateau, joined hands to break rocks and build the road. They overcame difficulties, harsh climates, and rudimentary tools; in some sections of mountain passes, road builders had to hang themselves on cliffs to chisel away at the rock centimeter by centimeter. Gradually, the road was formed through the will and spirit of the people. The road passes through many mountain passes, among which Ma Pi Leng is the most treacherous pass in the northern border region, considered the king of mountain passes. The hairpin bends and steep descents give the feeling that the vehicle is suspended over the abyss.

The completed road brought happiness to the local people and was named by President Ho Chi Minh."The Path to Happiness"

Quang Ba Sky Gate is considered the first gateway to the Stone Plateau. To reach Sky Gate, one must traverse many winding roads and overcome towering, jagged rock formations. This is also the starting point."The Path to Happiness".Here, the car travels through mountains upon mountains, shrouded in mist. Huy, a veteran driver on this route, said: "On many days, the fog is so thick that we can't see the road clearly. We have to rely on two people walking on either side of the car, in front, to guide us through." Climbing a dozen or so steps to the mountaintop, an ideal vantage point to admire the Dong Van karst plateau, the road appears like a dark brown silk ribbon draped across the lush green hair of a young woman in her twenties, showcasing the vibrant energy of the Twin Fairy Mountains. This sight dispels anxieties and recharges the spirit to continue exploring this magnificent land.

The Lung Cu Flagpole, the national flagpole located on the summit of Lung Cu Mountain, also known as Dragon Mountain, is considered a sacred symbol of national sovereignty in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. When visiting Ha Giang, the Lung Cu Flagpole is the first choice for tourists. From the mountainside, visitors must climb 286 steps to reach the flagpole's height, at an altitude of 1700m above sea level. Veterans with hair now grayed by the elements, who once fought in battles, now stand at the top of the flagpole, beneath the fluttering red flag with a yellow star. We are even more proud of these heroic sons and daughters who have built a heroic nation.

The 2017 journey back to our roots left everyone with beautiful memories, unforgettable experiences, and made us love our country even more.