The victory in the Central Highlands - the beginning of total victory.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Victory in the Central Highlands, the 34th Army Corps, in coordination with the People's Army Newspaper, organized a seminar with the theme "The Victory in the Central Highlands - The Beginning of Complete Victory".

On February 26th, at the Auditorium of the 34th Army Corps Command (Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province), the 34th Army Corps, in coordination with the People's Army Newspaper, organized a seminar with the theme "The Victory in the Central Highlands - The Beginning of Complete Victory" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Victory in the Central Highlands; the 50th anniversary of the National Reunification Day; and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the heroic 3rd Army Corps - Central Highlands Army (now the 34th Army Corps).

A view of the seminar "The Victory in the Central Highlands - The Beginning of Complete Victory". Photo: Tran Hoan

Attending the seminar were Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army; Major General Vu Van Cuong, Deputy Political Commissar of the General Department of Logistics and Technical Services; the Party Committee and Command of the 34th Army Corps; the Party Committee and Editorial Board of the People's Army Newspaper...

In his opening remarks, Major General Nguyen Ba Luc, Commander of the 34th Army Corps, shared that the victory in the Central Highlands was of paramount importance, creating a strategic turning point for the general offensive and uprising in the Spring of 1975, unifying the country. In that glorious victory, the armed forces of the Central Highlands in general and the 3rd Army Corps (the predecessor of the 34th Army Corps) in particular achieved many outstanding accomplishments.

Major General Nguyen Ba Luc, Commander of the 34th Army Corps, delivered the opening remarks at the seminar. Photo: Tran Hoan

In his remarks at the seminar, on behalf of the Central Military Commission, Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc highly appreciated the People's Army Newspaper's cooperation with the 34th Army Corps in organizing the seminar "The Victory in the Central Highlands - The Beginning of Complete Victory".

At the same time, the Lieutenant General suggested that the seminar should focus on highlighting the Party's leadership art in selecting battlefields; the leadership and guidance art of the Central Military Commission and the General Staff on strategic combat methods in the Southern and Central Highlands battlefields in 1975-1976; and further clarify the strategic forecasts of the Politburo and the Central Military Commission regarding the enemy-our situation in the Southern battlefield during the final stage of the resistance war against the US, for national salvation.

Clarifying the art of seizing opportunities, launching resolute and continuous attacks, and inflicting heavy losses in the Central Highlands Campaign; clarifying the art of force utilization, the work of building determination and resolve, the art of deception, establishing battle positions, and creating opportunities on the Central Highlands battlefield; the art of determining the location and commanding the key opening battle and subsequent key battles; the art of commanding and directing combat operations of the units participating in the Central Highlands Campaign…

Drawing lessons from the Central Highlands Campaign, we will apply them to building a solid defense zone and defense posture in the Central Highlands, building the 34th Army Corps and its agencies and units to be "lean, efficient, and strong," especially building a people's defense posture, building a national defense system, and a national defense posture...

Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, delivers a directive speech. Photo: Tran Hoan

In his opening remarks at the seminar, Major General Le Minh Quang, Political Commissar of the 34th Army Corps, emphasized that this is an opportunity for the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army to recall the heroic and indomitable fighting traditions of the nation; to express gratitude for the contributions of the heroic sons and daughters who fell on the majestic Central Highlands, sacrificing their lives and blood for the victory of the national liberation struggle.

Major General Le Minh Quang, Political Commissar of the 34th Army Corps, emphasized that this is an opportunity for the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army to recall the heroic and indomitable fighting traditions of the nation. Photo: Tran Hoan

Attendees at the seminar heard presentations such as "Building a People's War Strategy in the Central Highlands during the Anti-American War for National Salvation" by Colonel, Dr. Vu Ngoc Thuy, Director of the Institute of Military Science and Arts (National Defense Academy); "Understanding the Enemy and Ourselves in the Central Highlands Campaign" by Lieutenant General, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Duc Hai, former Director of the Institute of National Defense Strategy; "Special Forces Soldiers Achieve Victory in the Opening Battle" by Colonel Vu Ngoc Hung, Political Commissar of the 198th Special Forces Brigade, Special Forces Corps; and a presentation by Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Huy Hoi.

Lieutenant General, Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Duc Hai, former Director of the Institute of National Defense Strategy, presented a paper on "Understanding the enemy and knowing ourselves in the Central Highlands Campaign".

Each presentation offered a different perspective and aspect, yet they painted a comprehensive picture of the Central Highlands Campaign. The delegates' presentations all affirmed the scale, significance, and value of the Central Highlands Campaign, which fundamentally altered the balance of power and strategic position between us and the enemy, creating a decisive turning point that led the resistance war to success.

At the seminar, the People's Army Newspaper and the Thien Tam Fund (Vingroup) donated 300 million VND to support the construction of houses for 5 disadvantaged military families of the 34th Army Corps.