(VOVWORLD) - The first things that come to mind when we talk about Do Son in Hai Phong city nice tropical sandy beaches, green coconut palms, and lush pine forests. But the list is incomplete without the Unnumbered (Khong so) wharf, Km Zero of the legendary Ho Chi Minh trail at sea, the departure point of the unnumbered ships that embarked upon a secret mission transporting weapons to the southern battlefield during the American war.
The Ho Chi Minh trails on land and at sea were the two critical routes for supplying the south during the war. The Vietnam People’s Navy operated for 14 years on the Ho Chi Minh trail at sea, which started at the Unnumbered wharf, also called K15, as 15 was the number of the Party Central Committee resolution on supplying weapons to the southern battlefield. The K15 wharf at the foot of Nghinh Phong hill was chosen because it was located in a small bay surrounded by three mountain ranges. This discreet location was ideal for loading weapons.
The first mission left K15 on October 11, 1962. A wooden boat carrying 30 tons of weapons took 5 days to safely reach at Vam Lung station in Ca Mau province. With this important success, a strategic sea route linking north and south Vietnam became operational, upholding the motto “all for the frontline, all for defeating the American invaders”.
 Remnants of K15 wharf in Do Son, Hai Phong city (Photo: bienphong.vn) |
Visiting K15 wharf on the 60th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh trail at sea, Tran Van Huu, Chairman of the liaison board for soldiers and cadres who served on this sea route, said, “During 14 years of operation, many unnumbered ships sank forever to the seabed. Every time we sailed off, we were resolved to carry weapons to the south and return. When ships were detected by the enemy, our comrades in arms risked their lives, the ships, and all the cargo on board. We encountered danger both from the enemy and from the harsh weather.”
153,000 tons of weapons and 80,000 crew members were aboard the 1,879 unnumbered ships which carried out missions between 1961 and 1975. K15 wharf was mostly destroyed during the war. Concrete pillars 30 meters offshore and foundation of the warehouse and water tanks are all that remains today.
A monument was erected next to K15 wharf to commemorate the sacrifices of the unnumbered ship sailors, who are revered ailed for their heroism and staunch spirit. It rises high between the green mountain backdrop and the murmuring tide. The K15 wharf was recognized as a national historical relic in 2008.
 War veterans visit K15 wharf. (Photo: VOV) |
Luu Thi Thu Huyen, Director of Do Son district’s Center for Tourism Services and Relic Management said the K15 wharf and monument welcomes thousands of visitors a year. It is a tourist attraction and, at the same time, teaches the younger generation about Vietnam’s glorious victory.
“K15 wharf is a common venue for local schools to hold picnics and admission ceremonies to the Young Pioneer Organization and the Communist Youth Union. The pupils are always excited to visit this place,” according to Director Huyen.
Now K15 wharf is part of an eco-culture tour. A 20-minute boat trip takes visitors to Dau islet, a tourism area in Hai Phong city known for its beauty, tranquility, vegetation, and a mysterious temple worshiping Nam Hai Dai Vuong, the god who protects fishermen at sea.