About 13km northwest of centre Da Nang lies the unstream of the Cu De River, also known as the Truong Dinh River. The Cu De River originates from the confluence of the Nam River and the Bac River at Vung Bot, flowing southward towards Nam O and emptying into Da Nang Bay.
From the Nam O Bridge, people can see the contrast between the vast open sea, and the serene river flowing from the mountains like a silk ribbon stretched across the midst of the forests. These waters have navigated through numerous cliffs and trees of the Truong Son forest before pouring into the vast expanses of the sea.
The name Cu De originates from an ancient village situated alongside the river, now known as Thuy Tu. Cu De has matured quietly, flowing through Nam Yen, Pho Nam, and Nam Dinh, observing the peaceful life along its banks and witnessing the magnificent beauty gifted to Hoa Bac by nature.
Since ancient times, Cu De has been mentioned in many historical books because its terrain of rivers and mountains suitable for military strategies.
The Complete Annals of Dai Viet recorded an event in 1312 when King Tran Anh Tong attacked Chiem Thanh, as preparations were underway, the head of Cu Chiem camp arrived to deliver tribute from King Chiem, Che Chi. When King Tran arrived at the mouth of the Cu De River, he captured Che Chi and took him to Gia Lam for safekeeping, handing over control of the court to Che Nang (Che Chi’s younger brother).
In 1471, King Le Thanh Tong launched an attack to southern, and on January 6th of that year, Dai Viet arm commanded by General Cang Vien crossed Hai Van Pass, raided the Cu De defensive line, and captured Bong Nga Sa, the gatekeeper.This event help Dai Viet army advance into Chiem territory. This victory also significantly contributed to the establishment of the 13th administrative district, Thua Thien Quang Nam.
In 1635, after Nguyen Phuoc Nguyen’s death, Nguyen Phuoc Lan succeeded him. As the Governor of Quang Nam, Nguyen Phuoc Anh was dissatisfied with his older brother several times and plotted a rebellion. Secretly gathering soldiers, upon Nguyen Phuoc Lan’s ascension, he rebelled, take Cu De as a defensive stronghold, and stationed naval forces at the Da Nang coast. However, mr Pham (the administrative staff of Nguyen Phuoc Anh) reported this informations for Nguyen Phuoc Lan, so he had to break through Cu De’s defenses and preserve the Cu De region.
During the Nguyen dynasty, the southern bank of the Cu De River was built into a strong fort as part of the Danang defense system called “the Cu De sea attack”. The Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi (Great Annals of Unified Vietnam) describes this place as follows: “Located 27 miles north of Hoa Vang district, at the mouth of the Cu De River. The inlet is about 125 meters wide, the tide rises 4 feet 5 inches deep, and the tide falls 3 feet deep. At the beginning of Gia Long’s reign, a commander and civilian officer were appointed to patrol the sea outside and interrogate passers-by. In the year At Mui (1775), Prince Due Tong fled to Gia Dinh and Dong Cung Duong held Cu De; in the year Dinh Ty (1801) at the beginning of the Trung Hung era, the main army attacked Danang and sent Nguyen Van Truong to lead troops and ships here to hold the strategic point…”
In the first French attack in 1858, on January 16, 1860, General Nguyen Thao’s troops from the Cu De fort joined with Tran Dinh Tuc’s troops (Hoa O fort) and General Nguyen Trong Thao (Hai Van fort) to attack the French on two fronts, opening the road from the Danang battlefield to the capital Hue.
That river, I don’t know how many historical events it has witnessed, but to this day it is still as peaceful and quiet as ever, like a kind mother watching her “children” grow up, always giving without asking for anything in return.