Company 317 was tasked with keeping the 'blood-artery' road open despite facing over 1,800 tons of bombs dropped on this specific intersection during the war.
The site commemorates the exact location where 13 young volunteers, 11 of whom were female, were killed while clearing roads to allow supply trucks to pass.
The memorial includes a vertical sculpture representing the 13 individuals rising toward the sky.
The site remains one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations in Nghe An province for veterans and youth organizations.
The original Route 15 was nicknamed the 'Road of Blood and Flowers' due to the high intensity of aerial attacks and the resilience of the personnel stationed there.
Truong Bon is a national historical relic located in My Son commune, Do Luong district, serving as a memorial site for the 13 soldiers of Youth Volunteer Company 317. The site honors those who perished during a U.S. air strike on October 31, 1968, while maintaining a crucial logistics route during the Vietnam War. The complex spans 21 hectares and includes a memorial temple, a museum, and a reconstructed battlefield landscape. It sits on the historic National Route 15, which functioned as a vital artery for the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The site features an outdoor exhibition area showcasing military artifacts and personal belongings of the fallen volunteers. It is recognized as a Grade-A national historical site, preserved to educate visitors on the contributions of youth volunteers to national defense. The area includes a cemetery where the remains of the 13 volunteers are interred. The landscape design incorporates symbolic structures that reflect the history of the resistance period.
The main monument area provides the most significant backdrop, representing the 13 volunteers.
Visit during the early morning to avoid the intense heat of the Nghe An region.
Ensure you have a local guide or a knowledgeable translator to fully understand the personal stories associated with the artifacts.
Bring sun protection and water, as much of the site is outdoors with limited shade.
Do not wander off marked paths in the outdoor exhibition zones to ensure both safety and respect for the grounds.
Maintain a solemn demeanor; dress modestly covering shoulders and knees; avoid loud talking in the memorial temple.
