In addition to the large-scale cemeteries such as Hoa Vang, Phuoc Ninh and Nam O, there are two other little-known cemeteries namely Trung Son and Go Do in the city. Despite their great historical value, the two cemeteries have not been classified as relics. They are the resting places of many martyrs and patriots who heroically sacrificed their lives in the fight against foreign invaders, protecting their homeland and country.

The Trung Son Cemetery in Hoa Lien Commune, Hoa Vang District is located on a large plot of land in the middle of Trung Son Forest with 14 large graves, divided into two rows, with paths between the rows of graves. Photo: X.D

The Trung Son Cemetery is located in the Trung Son forest relic complex in Hoa Lien Commune, Hoa Vang District. This is the graveyard of nearly 200 martyrs and civilians who sacrificed their lives in the fight against foreign invaders and pirates under the command of Admiral Le Van Tan during the reign of King Le Anh Tong (1556-1573).

In the past, the cemetery was called the area for soldiers' graves located in the east of the Trung Son Forest. After the liberation day, Trung Son villagers moved the cemetery next to the village's spiritual temple for annual worship and incense offering in a convenient way.

Mr. Ha Thuc Vinh, Head of Trung Son Village in Hoa Lien Commune said that the cemetery is located on a large plot of land in the middle of Trung Son Forest with 14 large graves divided into two rows, with paths between the rows of graves.

The remains of nearly 200 soldiers and civilians are gathered in rows. The right row has 6 rows of graves, whilst the left row has 8 rows of graves, with paths between the rows of graves.

In the eastern corner of the cemetery, there is an open-air communal altar measuring 1.92m in length and 1.67m in width, with the stele on the altar engraved with the four words “Nghia Trung Trung Son”.

According to the village’s seniors, during the two resistance wars against France and the US, the Trung Son Forest was a revolutionary buffer zone where battles were commanded. With the advantage of terrain and coverage, the Trung Son Forest was chosen by the Hoa Vang District Party Committee and the district’s Resistance Committee to build nearly 60 secret tunnels in order to ensure the safety of revolutionary cadres working in the area to hide when the enemy swept through. It was also used to be a secret shelter for the liberation army and a springboard to attack Da Nang. Therefore, the enemy repeatedly threatened to level the forest.

However, the people of Trung Son at that time were very resilient, thinking of many ways to protect the forest. They silently protected the young shoots, nurturing the forest until the day of liberation.

"In addition to the Trung Son cemetery, the forest also bears the mark of the local revolutionary tradition with a memorial stele to the heroes and martyrs of the village through the resistance wars. At the cemetery, villagers perform a ritual on the 25^th day of the 12 lunar month and the 14^th day of the 4^th lunar month every year in a bid to worship the souls and offer incense in commemoration of soldiers who laid down their lives while defending the country's independence and freedom" said Mr. Ha Thuc Vinh.

Although it has not been classified as a municipal-level relic, the Go Do Cemetery in Hoa Phat Ward, Cam Le District, has very important historical value. This is the resting place of nearly 2,000 soldiers who died in the first battle against the French (1858-1860), soldiers of the Regiment No.96 and Nghi An villagers during the resistance war against the French.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Ca, Vice Chairman of the Council of Clans of Nghi An Village in Hoa Phat Ward, the cemetery was originally established at the Vung Bo in Nghi An Village (now located in the campus of Da Nang International Airport).

In 1920, when the French colonialists built the airport, a part of the cemetery was gathered in Ba Garden in Khue Trung Village. In 1940, due to the airport's continued expansion, the remaining parts of Nghi An Cemetery was moved to the Go Do area in Hoa Phat Ward.

Before the US - puppet army used the Go Do area as a bomb depot, people still regularly took care of the cemetery. In 1969, when the bomb depot exploded, the cemetery was heavily damaged and people were also restricted from going in and out.

"Many graves were buried inside the cemetery. Every year, on the 2^nd day of the 3^rd lunar month, the Council of Clans and Nghi An villagers organise a ritual to worship and offer incense to commemorate the martyrs, soldiers and people who died for national independence" said Mr. Ca.

According to the Head of the Office of Cultural Heritage Management under the Da Nang Museum Phan Thi Xuan Mai, the Go Do and Trung Son cemeteries have important historical value, eligible to be recognised as municipal-level relics. These are red addresses to educate the revolutionary tradition for local people, especially the younger generation.

Reporting by K.NGUYEN - Translating by M.DUNG