50 years of Southern liberation and national reunification. Proud of the historic April.

Combined forces practice parade at Regiment 935, Division 370, Bien Hoa Airport. Photo: C. Nghia

1. Half a century - since the sacred moment at 11:30 on April 30, 1975, Saigon was liberated, the country was unified, Vietnam became one - today the city has taken off, flying high, beautiful, dynamic and modern. Returning to the old battlefield, the soldiers of eighteen and twenty years old were suddenly filled with sacred April memories of a time when they "cut through Truong Son to save the country, with their hearts filled with hope for the future"...

Walking on the road leading to the Independence Palace, my father's comrades told me about the heroic youth of the young men who put away their books and pens, put aside their dreams of studying and followed the call: "Determined to die for the Fatherland, determined to live". 50 years have passed but I still see and feel the spirit, patriotism, indomitable will, and courage deep in the bright eyes of the liberation army soldiers of the past. My father's comrades had a meaningful and proud youth so that their descendants are now always proud, following and preserving that indomitable, heroic spirit and noble sacrifice.

The gratitude of generations of fathers and brothers always flows in the heart of every Vietnamese child. The beautiful mountains and rivers, every inch of land, sky, and sea of the country will forever be built, preserved, and protected by generations of Vietnamese descendants...

2. I remember what my father - a soldier who participated in the Central Highlands Campaign - said about the General Offensive and Uprising in the Spring of 1975. It has been nearly 50 years since my father told it, and I still know it by heart. This April, like every other year, I taught my students what my father, my uncles, and my father's comrades had told me: the campaign began with a surprise, daring attack that stunned the enemy and completely liberated Buon Ma Thuot town on March 11, 1975. And then came the victory of the Hue - Da Nang campaign from March 19 to 29, 1975.

From the beginning of April 1975, the main army corps on the march to liberate Saigon fought the enemy, liberating Phan Rang, Binh Thuan , Binh Tuy, Xuan Loc. On April 26, 1975, the major offensive on Saigon began. 5 troops attacked from 4 directions, opened fire and entered Saigon city, capturing important targets such as the General Staff and the Command Area of the enemy's military branches, Tan Son Nhat airport, Radio Station, Capital Special Zone and General Police Department...

President of the Saigon government Duong Van Minh had to declare unconditional surrender. At exactly 11:30 on April 30, 1975, the revolutionary flag was raised on the roof of the Independence Palace. This was a historic moment marking the complete liberation of Saigon and the complete victory of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign.

In April, millions of Vietnamese people were moved and recalled the jubilant atmosphere when they heard the news of Saigon's liberation on the radio at noon on April 30, 1975: "At exactly 11:30 a.m. on April 30, 1975, the flag of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam flew over the roof of the puppet government's presidential palace and throughout the city. The Ho Chi Minh Campaign had been completely victorious. The city of Saigon, named after the great President Ho Chi Minh, had been completely liberated..."

In April, streams of people returned to the old battlefields, to the cemeteries to visit the graves of the heroes and martyrs who died for a beautiful Fatherland, a peaceful homeland, and a prosperous life. Today's and future generations will forever be grateful to the millions of soldiers and heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the unification of the country with the truth "Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one"... Rivers may dry up, mountains may wear away, but that truth will never change".

3. Half a century has passed, the country has been transforming itself to a new level, with a position in the world, Ho Chi Minh City is at the forefront of integration and development. In April, we remember the heroic victory, the brilliant and glorious history of the nation. The great victory in the spring of 1975 followed the victories of Bach Dang, Chi Lang, Dong Da, the August Revolution, the Dien Bien Phu victory, Dien Bien Phu in the air... is the pride and honor of the heroic Vietnamese people...

Duyen Ha

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/chinh-tri/202504/50-nam-giai-phong-mien-nam-thong-nhat-dat-nuoc-tu-hao-thang-tu-lich-su-18a609c/