(VOVWORLD) -During these historic April days, tourist groups flocked to the special national historical site of Hien Luong-Ben Hai in the central region of Vietnam.
 Tourists walk on Hien Luong Bridge relic site. Photo: Phuong Ly/baoquangngai.vn |
Hien Luong Bridge crosses Ben Hai River in Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province, is 183m long. It has seven spans, and its surface is paved with ironwood. The north bank has 450 wooden planks, the south bank has 444 planks. The white paint line divides the bridge deck in half. Hien Luong Bridge was once a symbol of the border dividing the country into North and South, along the 17th parallel, for 21 years, from 1954 to 1975.
Veteran Tran Van Ha, 70 years old, from Hanoi city, was moved when he set foot on the white paint line dividing the Hien Luong Bridge.
“When I arrive here, I am overwhelmed. When I was young, seeing the country divided, I felt so painful, now I feel emotional. We are living in peaceful days, approaching April 30, the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, the joy I feel is indescribable,” Ha said.
Mr. Fargel, a Dutch tourist, listened to touching stories about the wartime and a divided Vietnam. He said standing on this historical bridge, he understands more the resilient will and strong desire for peace of the Vietnamese people.