Be Van Dan War Hero Memorial Site – Where the 21-Year-Old Hero Returns Home
In the middle of the peaceful Ban Buong fields stands a solemn two-story, four-roofed stilt house surrounded by lush greenery. This is the birthplace of Be Van Dan, and also where his hometown built a memorial site to honor the son who used his own body as a gun rest during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Visiting here, you won’t just light a stick of incense — you’ll also touch a story that has been passed down through generations of schoolbooks.
Where Is the Memorial Site Located?
The Be Van Dan War Hero Memorial Site is located in Ban Buong Village, Be Van Dan Commune, Cao Bang Province. The site sits right in the middle of the Ban Buong fields, on the very foundation of the house where he was born.
The memorial site lies along the Eastern experience route of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, making it easy for visitors to connect with many other destinations from here.
A Hero of His Homeland
Be Van Dan was born in 1931, of Tay ethnicity, in Ban Buong Village, Trieu Au Commune (now Be Van Dan Commune). He came from a poor family with a revolutionary tradition — his father was a miner, and his mother passed away when he was still young.
Growing up, he joined the local guerrilla forces before volunteering for the army. He was assigned to Company 674, Battalion 251, Regiment 174, Division 316, a main force unit of the Ministry of National Defense. Between 1949 and 1953, he took part in numerous battles with his unit, showing courage and a readiness to sacrifice through great hardship.
Using His Own Body as a Gun Rest
During the 1953–1954 Winter-Spring Campaign, Be Van Dan was assigned as a liaison officer for his battalion and took part in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. On December 12, 1953, during a battle against a French counterattack, when his unit’s machine gun had nowhere to be mounted, he used his own body as a gun rest so his comrades could fight off the enemy. Even after being wounded, he stood firm, holding the gun steady, and heroically sacrificed his life with his arms still clutching the gun’s legs on his shoulder.
He was only 21 years old at the time.
His example inspired officers and soldiers across the entire front to compete in achieving feats of valor, contributing to the victory at Dien Bien Phu. He was posthumously awarded the First-Class Feat of Arms Medal, the Second-Class Military Exploit Medal, and the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces. His name has since been given to numerous streets and schools throughout the country.
The Journey of Building the Memorial Site
The affection of his hometown for him has been nurtured over many years. Starting in 2007, the district and commune built a small house of about 24 square meters next to the home of his younger brother, Be Van Den, in Ban Buong Village, to serve as a place of worship and remembrance.
The new memorial house broke ground in July 2018 and was inaugurated on July 20, 2019, timed to coincide with the 72nd anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day. The total investment was about 7.35 billion VND, with contributions from local authorities, residents, and businesses, including people who donated land for the project.
On December 8, 2023, the Cao Bang Provincial People’s Committee officially recognized the Be Van Dan War Hero Memorial Site as a Provincial-Level Historical Relic.
Memorial Site Architecture
The memorial site covers a total area of over 2,800 square meters and is designed in the style of a traditional stilt house, comprising an exhibition and reception hall, a memorial temple, a shrine, a flagpole, a gate, fencing, and a garden courtyard.
The main memorial house is a two-story, four-roofed stilt house with a total floor area of about 270 square meters. Inside is an altar and a portrait of War Hero Be Van Dan. The airy, cool, and serene space moves anyone visiting to light incense for the first time.
The four-roofed stilt house style evokes the Northwest region, where he laid down his life forever. It’s a small but meaningful detail, like a thread connecting his home province of Cao Bang with the land of Dien Bien.
A Red Address for the Younger Generation
Since opening, the memorial site has become a cherished destination for educating the younger generation about revolutionary traditions. Every year, teachers and students from Be Van Dan High School in Cao Bang City come here to offer incense and flowers in memory of the hero whose name their school bears.
Visiting the Memorial Site
What to do:
- Light incense and offer flowers at the memorial temple.
- Visit the exhibition house to learn more about his life and heroic deeds.
- Stroll around the grounds and take in the view of Ban Buong Fields, where the hero grew up.
Meaningful times to visit:
- July 27: War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day.
- December 12: The anniversary of Hero Be Van Dan’s death.
- May 7: The anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.
Combining This with the Be Van Dan Journey
- Khau Luong Pass: an easy stretch of National Highway 4A with majestic scenery.
- Thoong Rung Waterfall: a refreshing waterfall with a restaurant right beside it.
- Luoc Dac Plateau: a lush green hill complex and an appealing trekking spot.
Visiting Tips
- Dress modestly and appropriately, and maintain a respectful attitude.
- Avoid loud talking or joking around within the temple area.
- Ask the caretaker for permission before taking photos inside the memorial house.
- Help keep the grounds clean.
- If traveling in a large group, it’s best to contact the commune authorities in advance for a proper welcome and guidance.
Final Thoughts
At just 21 years old, Be Van Dan chose to stand firm so his comrades could keep fighting. More than 70 years later, in the countryside fields where he was born, the people built a house so that he could “come home.” When you visit, take a few quiet moments to reflect. You’ll feel that the peace we enjoy today was paid for with the youth of people like him.
