From the quarrying of rocks to transportation and construction, the toil of the imprisoned was ingrained in every facet. Enormous blocks of stone, weighing tons, sapped the strength and crushed the bodies of many prisoners. The endeavor to build the bridge persisted until approximately 1930, and the number 914 became indelibly etched in the memories of those confined. This numerical symbol serves as a poignant reminder of the lives sacrificed amid the arduous task of bridge construction.<\/p>\n
Prisoners met their end through various means: crushed by stones, felled by trees, compelled to work beyond their physical limits amidst hunger and thirst, subjected to beatings and coercion by the custodians of order.<\/p>\n
Over the span of 113 years, France and the United States successively dispatched tens of thousands of prisoners to Con Dao. As prisoners trod upon Pier 914, they endured harsh blows to the head from prison guards wielding whips, sticks, accompanied by taunts and degradation.<\/p>\n
Historical Pier 914 bore witness to the exuberance of over 2,000 political prisoners liberated in September 1945. Thirty years later, the bridge once again bore witness as it welcomed over 4,000 political prisoners being released and returning to the mainland in May 1975.<\/p>\n
Numerous souls set foot on this bridge only to find eternal repose here. The verses expressing the prisoners’ resentment still reverberate in each stone slab:<\/p>\n
“Con Lon, oh, the stone claims lives…<\/p>\n
Or “Here lies the stone burying the bridge.<\/p>\n
With each block of stone dug, so too much blood.”<\/p>\n
On April 29, 1979, the Pier 914 historical relic was officially recognized as a nationally significant special relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information, under Decision No. 54-VHTT.QD. On May 10, 2012, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 548\/QD-TTg, ranking it as a Special National Relic.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Pier started construction in 1873, located in front of the Island Lord\u2019s Palace, this construction lasted for decades, repaired and expanded many times, the reason it was named \u201cPier 914\u201d was because the French colonialists forced prisoners to go quarry the stones from the foot of Chua mountain to build this pier and a breakwater in front of Con Lon frontage.<\/p>\n
From the quarrying to the transportation and construction, all were done by prisoners\u2019 labor. The large blocks of stone, weighing many tons, have exhausted and crushed many prisoners. If they can\u2019t carry it, they will die from being punished; and if they can, they will die from exhaustion. Construction of the pier lasted until 1930, and the number 914 was remembered by the prisoners as an estimation of the number of people who died throughout the construction of the pier.
\nPrisoners died for many reasons: Crushed by rocks, fallen trees, overworked while starving, punished by wardens, etc.
\nOver the course of 113 years, the French colonialists and the American Imperialists deported tens of thousands of prisoners to Con Dao. When first set foot on the pier, prisoners will be showered with beatings from the wardens, being hit on the head with clubs and batons with threats and insults as a way to mark attendance.
\nThe historic Pier 914 has witnessed the joy of more than 2,000 political prisoners of Con Dao who were liberated in September 1945. Thirty years later, the pier was once again covered with flying flags, welcoming more than 4,000 liberated political prisoners back to the mainland in May 1975.
\nThousands of people just set foot here once and stayed here forever. The long-hatred verses of the prisoners still echo in each and every stone:<\/p>\n
\u201cCon Lon, the stone of life…\u201d
\nOr: \u201cHere the stones fill the pier.
\n\u201cHow many the stones had dug, so much the blood had spilled\u201d
\nOn April 29th, 1979, the Pier 914 Relic was granted special recognition by the Ministry of Culture and Information through Decision No. 54-VHTT.QD. On May 10th, 2012, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 548\/Q\u0110-TTg classified the Pier 914 Relic as a special National Relic.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":4322,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","dia_diem":[74],"class_list":["post-4321","khach_hang","type-khach_hang","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","dia_diem-48-typical-touris-spots"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n