During the war in Vietnam, Mai Xa Wharf played a strategic role and was a place witnessing glorious feats-of-arms of the Vietnamese people and armed forces. One of them was made by troops of Canoe Battalion 166, Military Station 12 under the Truong Son Command, who transported supplies round the clock to military units in the fight against the enemy at Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in 1972.

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Historical site of Mai Xa wharf 

According to the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Traditional Association, in June 1972, Unit 559 decided to establish Battalion 166 and appointed comrades Le Hoan and Hoang Anh Tuan as the unit’s commanding officer and political commissar, respectively.

Every night, starting from Mai Xa Wharf, canoes of Battalion 166 quickly delivered food, ammunition and other support to combatants at Quang Tri town and Quang Tri Ancient Citadel; and then brought wounded soldiers from front-line back to the rear.

Having found out about this situation, the enemy opened air and naval raids against Battalion 166’s supply line from Mai Xa Wharf. Many boats of the battalion were destroyed. For example, at night of July 21, 1972, the canoe led by comrade Hoang Anh Tuan was hit by a torpedo, resulting in four deaths while Tuan and remaining people onboard were severely injured. At the same night, another canoe was hit by the enemy’s naval force. However, dozens of boats of the battalion bravely overcame the enemy's fire to promptly provide assistance for combatants.

Local authorities and residents in Gio Mai commune erected a stele to commemorate historical events at Mai Xa Wharf in the wartime. Then, the wharf was recognized as a special national relic site by the Prime Minister on December 24, 2018.

Translated by Minh Anh