Impressions of Go Dau

Mr. Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and former Secretary of the Go Dau District Party Committee, visited and inquired about the well-being of veteran revolutionary cadres in Go Dau District.

Rich in heroic traditions

During the anti-French resistance period, Go Dau was part of Trang Bang district. After the Geneva Accords were signed, due to the demands of the revolutionary task, in 1955, the higher authorities unanimously agreed on the policy and directed the separation of a part of the northern part of Trang Bang to establish Go Dau district.

Due to its strategically important location, Go Dau district became a crucial military corridor, serving as a gateway to the Central Committee Base of the Southern Region, the Boi Loi base, and the Duong Minh Chau war zone. Therefore, the US and South Vietnamese forces concentrated their war tactics and intensified their sweeping operations and fierce attacks. They occupied military posts throughout key areas, deployed large artillery positions, and frequently shelled revolutionary bases, causing immense suffering and grief to the people.

In 1964, the US and its puppet regime launched the "Special War," continuously sweeping through, leveling, and encroaching on revolutionary base areas. In response, the Go Dau District Party Committee launched the "Fight to the Death to Defend Go Dau" movement.

Simultaneously, the District Party Committee strengthened its grassroots engagement with the motto "Party branches cling to the people - People cling to the land - Guerrillas cling to the enemy." Party members and cadres supported the masses in "clinging to the land, defending the villages, not giving up an inch, not leaving a single step." The movement spread increasingly strongly, with the masses rising up to dismantle strategic hamlets, protect the surrounding areas, and contribute to the failure of the enemy's strategic schemes.

Following the defeat in 1968, the US imperialists shifted from the "Limited War" strategy to the "Vietnamization of the War" strategy, expanding pacification and intensifying sweeps. The revolutionary forces suffered heavy losses, with many cadres and soldiers killed, and several revolutionary bases destroyed. During this critical and challenging time, the District Party Committee continued to direct and launch the second "Fight to the Death to Defend Go Dau" campaign.

Ms. Truong Thi Phu, Vice Chairman of the Go Dau District People's Committee, recounted: "At that time, Comrade Chin Suoi was the District Party Secretary, directing the mobilization of all forces to return to the heartland. Company 33 served as the core, organizing the holding of positions, digging secret tunnels, bringing cadres, guerrillas, and various sectors back to the area, gradually restoring the movement. They worked day and night, enduring the elements, fighting tirelessly."

In April 1975, along with the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the entire South advanced towards liberating Saigon. The troops from Go Dau seized the opportunity, fought decisively, and achieved complete victory. Go Dau was liberated at noon on April 30, 1975, ending the war and contributing to the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country.

Rebuilding the homeland from the ruins of war.

In the early years after liberation, Go Dau was severely devastated. The Party Committee, the Government, and the people simultaneously overcame the consequences of war, restored production, and stabilized society and life.

Mr. Vo Van Dai, former Chairman of the People's Committee of Go Dau District and former Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, recalled: "After peace was restored, we came out of the forest with only backpacks, bags of rice, guns, tarpaulins, and hammocks. There were no facilities or administrative offices. At that time, the District Party Committee and all departments, including the army and police, were temporarily staying in people's homes, relying on the people to survive and gradually rebuild our homeland."

Despite numerous difficulties, the entire Party and people of Go Dau district have upheld the traditions of their ancestors, bravely overcoming all challenges and gradually progressing. To date, Go Dau district has 8 out of 8 communes meeting the standards of new rural areas, including 3 communes meeting the standards of advanced new rural areas and 1 commune meeting the standards of model new rural areas.

Mr. Le Van Toi, a successful farmer residing in Cay Xoai hamlet, Thanh Phuoc commune, Go Dau district, said: “In recent years, leaders at all levels have paid attention to and invested in upgrading and expanding all village roads, alleyways, and inter-hamlet roads, making them very modern and well-maintained. In particular, the district has irrigation projects that help people cultivate fields and develop their economy more easily.”

A highlight is that Go Dau district's economy consistently ranks among the top performers in terms of growth, with its economic structure continuing to shift towards increasing the proportion of industry, construction, trade, and services. Currently, there are 421 domestic and foreign-invested enterprises operating in the district, contributing to job creation for over 60,000 workers. National defense and security are ensured, and political security and social order are maintained and stable. The activities of the mass mobilization system, the Fatherland Front, and other socio-political organizations have seen many positive changes.

Ms. Truong Thi Phu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Go Dau District, remarked that, looking back over the past 70 years, the Party Committee, Government, and people of the district are very proud that successive generations have always upheld the heroic tradition of "Fighting to the death to defend Go Dau." With the achievements gained in the resistance war against foreign invaders, Go Dau has made a great contribution to national liberation, the liberation of Tay Ninh, and the liberation of our beloved homeland.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, presents gifts to veteran revolutionary cadres.

The people and soldiers of Gò Dầu were honored by the State with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces. The communes of Phước Thạnh, Thanh Phước, Hiệp Thạnh, Thạnh Đức, the 33rd Infantry Company of the local army, the Gò Dầu Armed Security Reconnaissance Team, and six individuals were awarded or posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces. In addition, 195 people were posthumously awarded the title of Heroic Vietnamese Mother, and many families who contributed to the resistance war were awarded or posthumously awarded medals by the State.

Ms. Truong Thi Phu affirmed: "This is not only an honor and source of pride for our homeland, but also a very valuable endogenous resource, crystallized by patriotism, courage, and willingness to sacrifice oneself for a great cause, which has become the potential and driving force for Go Dau to confidently and independently enter a new phase."

Seventy years have passed since Go Dau was formed and developed; fifty years since the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. Go Dau is a land that has always upheld the tradition of "The Party trusts the people, building strongholds in the heart of the people. The people trust the Party and follow it to the end." This tradition has created the miracle of twice "Fighting to the death to defend Go Dau."

The Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Go Dau District shared that the country is entering a new era, an era of national progress. The Party is making many major decisions and implementing revolutionary breakthroughs, such as streamlining the organizational structure and political system for greater efficiency and effectiveness; reorganizing administrative units and local governments at two levels, provincial and commune; strengthening communes to be close to the people, serving them in all aspects, and especially ending the operation of the district level. The name Go Dau District will be a beautiful memory in our hearts. The value of our heroic traditions will forever be passed down to future generations.

Looking back over the past 70 years, the district has left many indelible impressions. From a young land born during wartime, the Party Committee and people of Go Dau bravely fought to the death twice to defend their homeland. For the past half-century, Go Dau has always been dynamic and striving for progress in all aspects, promising to continue developing even more strongly in the future.

Ocean

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/an-tuong-go-dau-a189770.html