Back to border area. Part 3: Building “floral fortifications” on heroic land of steel

These days, the Party Committee and people of Vinh Linh District are preparing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Vinh Linh’s tradition on August 25th (1954-2024). During this time, numerous meaningful events are being held, creating a vibrant atmosphere and awakening a sense of national pride among the younger generation. The 70-year tradition of Vinh Linh has marked a heroic historical period in the struggle to defend the country, contributing to the unification of the nation and the reconstruction of the homeland as it continues to evolve. Today, the succeeding generation is striving to build beautiful and prosperous “floral fortifications” on this heroic land of steel.

Turning barren land into green forest

During the anti-American resistance war, the US and its allies once arrogantly declared their plans to “fill the Ben Hai River” and "advance north." However, the steel land of Vinh Linh, the outpost of socialist northern Vietnam, remained vigilant and resolute in thwarting the enemy’s schemes. Not only that, Vinh Linh also focused on becoming a direct rear base, providing manpower and resources from the North to support the battlefield in the South.

Throughout various historical periods, Vinh Linh has excelled in fulfilling its mission, contributing to the ultimate victory in the anti-American struggle, reclaiming independence, and reuniting the country. After the war, emerging from bunkers and tunnels, the Party Committee, military, and people of Vinh Linh turned their suffering into revolutionary action, determined to rebuild their homeland. From being a “dead land,” Vinh Linh has grown vigorously to become a key district across many fields across the province.

Ho Xa Town, Vinh Linh District on a rise. Photo: Tu Linh

We accompanied Le Da Kieu (over 80 years old), a former squad leader of the 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun squad from Linh Hai hamlet, Vinh Thuy commune, as he revisited the battlefield from nearly 60 years ago where he and his comrades shot down enemy aircraft. Kieu, who directly participated in the battle that shot down six American planes on November 11, 1966, prefers not to dwell on the war, as he believes "it is a thing of the past."

Pointing to the vast forest of green rubber and acacia trees, Kieu proudly shows it as his legacy. After the war, like many other soldiers, he returned to civilian life. From scratch, he and his wife worked hard to build their family’s economy and raised six children. The hardships of clearing land and expanding production in the hilly region of Linh Hai, Vinh Thuy, were as challenging as the battle years.

Back then, life was tough, and there were no labor-saving tools. The family largely cleared and cultivated the land with their bare hands. Countless hours of sweat and effort were poured into revitalizing the barren land.

“It was the determination forged during the war years that gave me the strength to conquer this hilly terrain. Now, the land yields ’sweet fruits.' The 8 hectares of acacia and rubber plantations are now productive,” Kieu shared. Under the forest canopy, he also raises 50 goats. Now elderly and frail, Kieu has passed this “legacy” to his children, who diligently continue to tend the land, keeping it lush and productive. In this revolutionary countryside, like Kieu, many families have prospered from their land, including Hoang Xuan Van from Thuy Ba Tay hamlet, Vinh Thuy commune. Van’s family manages 10 hectares of rubber trees, yielding nearly VND10 million daily from tapping. Additionally, nearly 1,600 hectares of forest and over 1,000 hectares of smallholder rubber have provided significant income to Vinh Thuy residents.

Le Da Kieu at his orange trees. Photo: Tu Linh

Nguyen Quang Chien, Chairman of Vinh Thuy Commune People’s Committee, stated that not only did the people of Vinh Thuy achieve remarkable feats in battle, but they continue to embody their industrious qualities today, striving for legitimate prosperity on their homeland. Vinh Thuy is honored to be the first commune in Vinh Linh district to receive the esteemed title of Hero of Labor in the new era. It is also one of the communes in Vinh Linh recognized as a model rural area.

In implementing the policy of greening bare hills and barren lands, Vinh Linh district has systematically planned and deployed various mechanisms and policies to support the optimal use and exploitation of land resources for economic development.

For the hilly areas such as Ben Quan town, Vinh Thuy, Vinh Son, Vinh Chap communes, and the three mountainous communes Vinh O, Vinh Khe, and Vinh Ha, the district facilitates access to numerous programs, projects, funds, and technology transfers.

Vinh Son Town is leading in brackish water shrimp farming. Photo: L.A

These hilly areas have invested in production with suitable economic models, increasing productivity and yield per unit area.

Currently, the total area of rubber trees in the district is 6,485 hectares, with 6,242 hectares produced. The total area of pepper is 1,317 hectares, with 1,293 hectares harvested. The area of planted forest is over 20,000 hectares, with more than 15,000 hectares for exploitation, and forest cover exceeds 51%.

Leading in brackish water shrimp farming

Vinh Son Commune, located along the Ben Hai River, is a pioneer in innovative agricultural development, particularly in brackish water shrimp farming.

The transition from low-yield, saline-affected rice fields to aquaculture began in this commune in 2000. Villages like Phan Hien, Huynh Thuong, and Huynh Xa Ha, located by the Ben Hai River, suffered from acidic and saline soil, leading to poor rice yields. To alleviate the poverty of these communities reliant on rice, the commune’s leadership explored various methods and decided to convert saline-affected rice fields into shrimp ponds. In 2000, Vinh Son Commune trialed 3 hectares of rice fields in Huynh Xa Ha for black tiger shrimp farming.

After nearly four months, the first shrimp harvest yielded 800 kg. In the second season, the commune expanded the trial by an additional 5 hectares, increasing the total area to 8 hectares. This success brought optimism and a new direction for improving the quality of life for many residents.

Than Trong Dung recalls that, in response to practical challenges, the commune held a meeting to discuss reducing rice land for shrimp farming and incorporated this into the commune’s council resolution. Specifically, the commune adjusted the aquaculture development plan, converting some low-yield, saline, and acidic rice land near the Ben Hai River into aquaculture, especially black tiger shrimp, with a target area of 100 hectares. Due to the shrimp farming’s appeal, the area expanded beyond the intended 160 hectares.

Currently, Vinh Son is the leading commune in the province for shrimp farming, with an annual total value of shrimp farming exceeding VND33 billion. Tran Vinh Hoai from Team 4, Huynh Xa Ha Hamlet, Vinh Son Commune, is one of the successful shrimp farmers in the commune.

With over 12,600 square meters of water surface, Hoai raises whiteleg shrimp 2-3 times a year using semi-intensive and high-tech pond systems. The yield reaches nearly 1 ton per 1,000 square meters in traditional ponds and 3 tons per 1,000 square meters in high-tech systems. The annual production ranges from 12-15 tons, with an estimated revenue of nearly 2 billion VND per year after expenses. Today, the total aquaculture area in Vinh Linh district is over 885 hectares, including 316 hectares of shrimp farming. In addition to aquaculture, Vinh Linh’s strength also lies in offshore fishing.

At the mouth of the Ben Hai River on the northern bank is Cua Tung Town, where fishing boats continue to venture out to sea. Previously, their ancestors were militia members and coastal forces who transported weapons to Con Co Island to defend their homeland. Today, Cua Tung’s fishing fleet continues to explore distant waters.

Nguyen Quang Hung, Chairman of Cua Tung Town People’s Committee, stated that the town’s fishing fleet now comprises over 235 boats, providing nearly 1,000 jobs and significantly contributing to local socio-economic development.

Ho Minh Tien from Hoa Ly Hai Ward, owner of an offshore fishing boat with 720 horsepower, provides regular employment for nearly 10 workers. His boat and those of other fishermen not only operate in the waters of Quang Tri but also reach fishing grounds in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Paracel, and Spratly Islands, enriching themselves while contributing to the protection of national sovereignty.

A prosper Vinh Linh

According to Nguyen Thien Tung, Vice Chairman of Vinh Linh District People’s Committee, Vinh Linh has consistently demonstrated its indomitable spirit, striving to build a new life in any circumstance. Leveraging its internal strength along with support from the central government, local authorities, and friends, Vinh Linh has continued its heroic legacy, transforming the “steel rampart” of the past into a “floral rampart” in the era of industrialization and modernization, achieving significant accomplishments across all fields.

Nguyen Thien Tung outlines Vinh Linh’s development strengths with notable highlights: Ben Quan town, central Ho Xa town, and coastal Cua Tung town are unique and dynamic advantages of the district, with three main pillars: agriculture, industry, and services-tourism. Developing the economy in the hilly areas is one of the district’s strengths. The goal is to comprehensively develop the economy, utilizing the potential and advantages of the hilly regions, which the district is focusing on.

Vinh Linh has researched, planned, and systematically implemented various mechanisms and policies to effectively support the use and exploitation of land resources for economic development, encouraging residents to apply scientific and technological advances, experiment with new farming techniques, and focus on growing long-term industrial crops, fruit trees, medicinal plants, and livestock farming. With the current area of smallholder rubber and pepper, the district generates significant annual income for its residents. The average income per capita in the district in 2023 is over 60 million VND.

Additionally, Vinh Linh is accelerating the completion of infrastructure, especially in industrial clusters, such as the Northwest Ho Xa Industrial Zone, to attract investment and transition the economic structure towards industry, commerce, and services-tourism.

At present, Vinh Linh is ready to propose to the government to recognize it as a new rural standard district.

Tu Linh - Minh Duc - Thanh Hai - Ngoc Mai