60th anniversary of historic Ho Chi Minh trail marked in Khanh Hoa province
(VOVWORLD) - The central province of Khanh Hoa on Saturday celebrated 60 years since the opening of the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea, an important channel for transporting weapons and supplies from the north to the southern front during the resistance war against the US.
 The wreckage of the historic C235 vessel is now kept in Ninh Van commune, Khanh Hoa province. (Photo: ditichkhanhhoa.org.vn) |
The secret shipping route witnessed the sacrifice of hero Nguyen Phan Vinh, Captain of Vessel C235, and his crewmembers in the area around Heo Islet in Ninh Van commune, Khanh Hoa province in March 1968. After the vessel which carried food and weapons to south-central provinces was detected and attacked by the enemy, Captain Vinh and his sailors fought back and managed to sink one of the enemy’ ships. Only 5 soldiers survived and returned to the north.
Captain Nguyen Phan Vinh was honored as a Hero of the People's Armed Forces. An island on Spratly archipelago and a middle school in Ninh Van commune are named after him.
"We’re here to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs of C235 vessel who laid down their lives for the nation. This place has become a destination to educate cadres, party members and people about patriotism and the responsibility for protecting national sovereignty over our sea and islands," said Nguyen Hai Ninh, Secretary of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee.
Ninh Van commune has now become a tourism destination with 4 high-end resorts, one of which is named among the world’s 10 famous resorts.