Safe haven forged by people
During the resistance wars against French colonialists and American imperialists, the areas of Da Man, My Thi, and Ba Da (now part of Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City) served as strongholds for loyal revolutionary bases. In 1971, the area was codenamed K20 and became a strategic springboard for our forces to launch assaults on the largest US-backed military complex in southern Vietnam.
Once engulfed in smoke and fire, K20 now brims with excitement on the event in celebrating the 50th anniversary of local liberation. Veterans of the struggle—those with silver hair and weathered hands—reunite, clasping hands hardened by toil. Among them are those who once dug tunnels, sheltered cadres, stood watch, and relayed messages for the revolution.
Establishing a safe revolutionary base was a matter of survival. While bases in mountainous liberated zones benefitted from natural terrain, inner-city strongholds like K20 required both tactical ingenuity and steadfast support from the people. To meet this challenge, a network of underground tunnels was born. For the revolution, K20 was a strategic foothold deep within enemy lines; for the enemy, it was a critical point to be contained.
The flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, once hidden in these homes, remains preserved to this day.
Today, relics of that turbulent era—a worn hoe, an oil lamp used for secret signalling, and a dented rice pot—are proudly displayed in the traditional house. Each object evokes stories steeped in sweat, tears, and sacrifice.
Now returning to their wartime base, three People's Armed Forces Heroes born of K20—Huynh Thi Tho, famed for her courage; Tran Ngoc Trung, a B40 marksman; and Tran Cong Dung, a shrewd security officer—share their memories. Through their tales, the living history of K20 comes alive: Tho, who by day served as a liaison and by night kept vigil, secretly ferried troops across rivers, dug tunnels, and led a special task force that bombed a CIA intelligence outpost in My Thi.
Hero Tran Cong Dung, alongside Dang Van Kha, returned to K20 after a brutal enemy sweep to rebuild the resistance network, and break the grip of the oppressors. Meanwhile, Hero Tran Ngoc Trung and his comrades in the 489th Special Forces Battalion achieved legendary feats, most notably the raid on Dong Giang Police Substation.
Yet, despite these glorious achievements, what remains deepest in the hearts of these heroes is the people’s love and sacrifice. K20 residents dug secret shelters under bamboo hedges, in ancestral altars, and behind kitchen hearths; they shared food and clothing; their oil lamps silently signalled safe passage for returning cadres.
Tran Cong Dung reflected: “The youth back then may not have fully grasped the revolution, but in K20, almost every family had someone in the fight. The sense of community ran deep—seeing our cadres suffer stirred compassion. That’s where the revolutionary spirit was born.” Between 1964 and 1975, local residents built over 150 secret shelters and an underground tunnel network to protect the revolution. The loyalty of K20's people was like pure gold—unyielding and priceless.
Enduring power of people
K20’s underground tunnels were not only hidden beneath the earth but also fortified by an invisible bastion stronger than any steel or concrete: the people’s will. Hero Tran Ngoc Trung emphasised: “This small revolutionary group, with just a few dozen households, had more than 100 secret tunnels to shield our 489th Special Forces Battalion during major operations like the raid on Nuoc Man Airport. Without the people’s support, such victories would have been impossible.”
That proud history continues into the present. In the 20 years since Khue My Ward was established, K20 has transformed—towering houses, wide streets, vibrant commerce, and bustling life now define its landscape.
The strength of K20's people also draws from deep historical roots. Since the days of land reclamation, close-knit clan and village communities have valued neighbourly ties and traditional virtues. The revolutionary flames only forged those qualities more deeply. As residents of all ages now eagerly prepare for today’s celebration, the spirit of the people shines brighter than ever.
According to Tran Thi Ngoc Lan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Khue My Ward, over the past two decades, the local Party Committee, government, and people have worked tirelessly to strengthen political and administrative institutions, promote unity within the Party, and foster public consensus. These are the decisive factors that have enabled the community to overcome challenges and successfully fulfil its political tasks.
