Battles without gunfire at Hien Luong Bridge - Ben Hai River

The "flag battle" was one of the most prominent events at Hien Luong Bridge, lasting for 14 years (1954-1968). This was a confrontation over the height and size of the flagpoles between the two regions, demonstrating an unyielding spirit and the aspiration for national reunification.

• Background: After the demarcation line was drawn, the flagpoles on the North bank (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and the South bank (Republic of Vietnam) became symbols of power and will. Both sides continuously upgraded their flagpoles to assert their presence.
• Developments:
  • Initially, the flagpole on the South bank was built 35 meters high. Refusing to let their flag fly lower than the enemy's, in 1962, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam commissioned the Vietnam Machinery Erection Corporation to manufacture a 38.6-meter-high flagpole on the North bank. The red flag with a yellow star, measuring 134 m² and weighing 15 kg, was raised to the top, becoming the tallest flagpole along the demarcation line.
  • Throughout 1956-1967, police officers along the North bank demarcation line raised up to 267 flags of various sizes, defying bombs, shells, and sabotage from the US and puppet forces. Every time the flagpole was bombarded, the people and soldiers of Vinh Linh erected a new one, ensuring that the national flag always flew proudly.

The "flag battle" was not only a race of height but also a symbol of unyielding spirit, patriotism, and the aspiration for unification. The red flag with a yellow star fluttering on the North bank flagpole motivated the people of both regions, especially those on the South bank, in their struggle for national liberation.

Parallel to the "flag battle", the "loudspeaker battle" was a special form of psychological confrontation, taking place from 1954 to 1965, when the US began bombing the North.

• Background: Both sides used loudspeaker systems for propaganda, appealing to the people and enemy soldiers. This was a war of sound aimed at controlling minds and awakening patriotic spirit.
• Developments:
  • North bank: The Democratic Republic of Vietnam built a loudspeaker system with a total capacity of up to 7,000W, including a main 500W loudspeaker (1.7m in diameter), 20 50W loudspeakers, and 4 250W loudspeakers supplied by the Soviet Union. This system was supported by a 10 km long 6KVA high-voltage power line from Tien An village to Tung Luat. Radio broadcasts from Voice of Vietnam, Vinh Linh Radio Station, along with songs, poems, and plays promoting patriotism and the desire for reunification were broadcast continuously for 11 hours a day.
  • South bank: The US and the Republic of Vietnam government responded with high-power loudspeaker clusters manufactured in West Germany and Australia, broadcasting up to 14-15 hours a day, even at 1-2 a.m. Their propaganda content frequently distorted history, praised the Southern government, and incited opposition against the North.
  • When the wind was favorable, the sound from the North bank loudspeakers could reach over 10 km away, attracting the attention of people and soldiers on the South bank. Many poems and songs performed by Northern artists were "memorized" by opposing soldiers.

The "loudspeaker battle" was not only a confrontation of sound technology but also an ideological struggle. The radio broadcasts from the North bank aroused patriotism, infused faith into the people and soldiers on the South bank, contributing to the struggle for national reunification.

Another unique battle at Hien Luong Bridge was the "paint color battle", demonstrating visual confrontation between the two regions.

• Background: Hien Luong Bridge was divided into two parts, with the North bank painted green and the South bank painted yellow, symbolizing the division of the country. Whenever one side repainted their half of the bridge, the other side immediately repainted theirs to match the color, demonstrating the desire for unity.
• Developments:
  • When the Republic of Vietnam repainted the Southern part of the bridge, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam immediately repainted the Northern part with a similar color. This led to a prolonged "color battle", where neither side wanted their color to be overshadowed.
  • In 2014, Quang Tri province restored the two paint colors, green and yellow, on Hien Luong Bridge as a way to recreate history and remind future generations of the aspiration for national reunification.

The "paint color battle", though simple, held deep significance, demonstrating the firm spirit and unyielding will of the Vietnamese people in erasing the line of division.

Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River are not only historical witnesses but also symbols of the aspiration for peace and national unity. The "flag battle", "loudspeaker battle", and "paint color battle", though fought without gunfire, clearly demonstrated the resilient spirit, indomitable will, and patriotism of the Vietnamese people.

Today, the Hien Luong Banks Historic Site attracts thousands of visitors every year, serving as a destination for educating patriotic traditions, boosting national pride, and raising awareness of independence and territorial integrity. Standing in front of Hien Luong Bridge, visitors not only feel the pain of separation but also appreciate the value of peace and unity even more. To better understand the history and stories behind each location, book a tour to explore the Hien Luong – Ben Hai monument complex at sovaba.travel, where you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, offering a deep, emotional, and historically educational journey.