Celebrating Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) at Camp Davis

Following the Paris Agreement (January 1973), Camp Davis, near Tan Son Nhat airport, served as the workplace for the four-party military delegations and also as the residence for the two delegations: the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (Delegation A) and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam (Delegation B).

As the Lunar New Year of 1975 approached, the Saigon regime resorted to cutting off electricity, water, and regular communication flights between Saigon and Loc Ninh... Diplomatic privileges and immunities as stipulated by international law and the signed agreements between the parties to the Paris Agreement were all trampled upon by the US-backed regime.

From the end of 1973, anticipating the enemy cutting off electricity and water, we proactively dug wells in the middle of Camp Davis. They then falsely accused us of "digging tunnels to coordinate with special forces in attacking Tan Son Nhat airport and Saigon." Phan Hoa Hiep, head of the Saigon puppet regime's delegation, used the pretext of visiting Camp Davis to personally inspect the wells we had dug for daily use, proving that it wasn't for the purpose they suspected!

Colonel Dinh Quoc Ky (wearing a hat) and other veterans. Photo provided by the author.

Despite the enemy's resentment at the public presence of diplomats in revolutionary military uniforms right in their stronghold, everyone remained resilient and optimistic, preparing to welcome the Lunar New Year with many rich cultural and sporting activities... Comrades Hoang Anh Tuan, Nguyen Van Sy, Bui Thanh Khiet, Dang Van Thu, Vo Dong Giang (Group B) and Comrade Nguyen Don Tu, commander of the four-party joint military group of Group A, enthusiastically participated in cultural and sports activities. Colonel Bui Thanh Khiet, Deputy Head of Group B, led the choir of the translation team. On the tennis court, there were always comrades Dang Van Thu, Nguyen Van Sy, Nguyen Don Tu... Comrade Hoang Anh Tuan regularly played in basketball and volleyball matches with the military groups in the International Commission for Control and Supervision of the Paris Agreement (International Commission).

The Hungarian and Polish delegations, in particular, considered it their responsibility to protect our delegation during the cultural, artistic, and sporting exchange at Camp Davis. We lived in extremely precarious and dangerous circumstances, with the line between life and death incredibly thin. Dozens of guard posts surrounded us, their large and small guns pointed directly at Camp Davis... The Hungarian and Polish delegations came to us with close camaraderie at the most difficult and brutal moment of this life-or-death struggle.

On the afternoon of the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, 1975, the enemy cut off the electricity and water again. The sticky rice cakes (bánh chưng and bánh tét) were already prepared, but when they were placed in the pot, put on the stove, and the tap was turned on, only a few drops of water came out. Comrade Hoàng Anh Tuấn called liaison officer Nguyễn Trọng Tô and assigned him the task of requesting the Saigon puppet army to restore the electricity and water. Comrade Tô reported: “The puppet army can’t solve this; we need to talk to the Americans to get it done.” Then, Comrade Nguyễn Trọng Tô telephoned Johnson, the liaison officer for the American delegation, and asked him to come to Camp Davis immediately.

A little later, Johnson arrived. Comrade Nguyen Trong To stood at the door of the liaison officer's room in Group A, his voice sharp: "You've been in Vietnam for decades, why don't you understand the customs and traditions here?" Johnson looked bewildered and asked, "What customs?" Comrade To immediately replied, "Tomorrow is the new year. Today, everyone will take a farewell bath to wash away the misfortunes of the old year. Why did you cut off the water at Camp Davis?"

Johnson clarified: "I was unaware of this custom. We don't cut off the water supply. Electricity and water are the responsibility of the Saigon side. You should meet with them to resolve this."

Comrade Tô immediately said, "They have to listen to what you say! They're paid and work for you, so they'll listen to whatever you say. Go tell them right away!" Johnson left. Half an hour later, water gushed from the tap...

In the afternoon, our delegation hosted a banquet for the delegations of the International Committee in the meeting hall. Night fell quickly. The sky over Tan Son Nhat twinkled with thousands of stars. In the western horizon, the sound of artillery still roared. Flares hovered around Tan Son Nhat airport. More than two years after the signing of the Paris Agreement, our people throughout the South were still suffering from the sound of gunfire and bombs falling...

Beyond the iron fence was the South Vietnamese army's family quarters, dimly lit with pale yellow lights, devoid of the laughter and chatter of preparations for the Lunar New Year. The sticky rice cakes (bánh chưng and bánh tét) were cooked, and the security guards and logistics personnel were assigned to deliver gifts from our delegation across the fence to the families in the South Vietnamese army's family quarters. The wives of the soldiers and their children excitedly received the gifts. One woman, over 30, received a gift of cakes and candies and, visibly moved, said, "Thank you, Liberation Army soldiers!" Holding the gift package, she hurried into her dilapidated tin-roofed house. The children waiting inside crowded around her. Nearby guards also came out to receive gifts from the Liberation Army, expressing their joy and gratitude. A group of military police in vehicles sped in, sirens blaring, water cannons spraying, and batons being swung to chase the impoverished people back into their rickety tin roofs...

On New Year's Eve, Dang Van Nghiem's ​​lion dance troupe "took to the stage." The drums and gongs resounded with excitement. The lion dance troupe came to wish Comrade Hoang Anh Tuan, the troupe leader, a Happy New Year. Surprised by the lion, earth god, and monkey dances, Comrade Tuan asked, "Where did you get such beautiful lions? How long have you been practicing? It's been a secret until today that I only just found out. Excellent! Excellent!" Comrade Tuan praised the lion dance troupe and poured several glasses of wine to celebrate the New Year. That night, Davis Camp celebrated all night until dawn.

On the morning of the first day of Tet (Lunar New Year), the lion dance troupe went to each house to wish everyone a happy new year. Many people praised them, saying, "Those Vietnamese communists are really skilled!" On the morning of the second day of Tet, the heads of delegations and key officials from the countries in the International Committee came to Camp Davis to wish our delegation a happy new year. When the delegations arrived at the gate, the lion dance troupe beat drums and gongs, and danced enthusiastically. The guests were very pleased and surprised: "Here, you have taken care of everything, both materially and spiritually, to celebrate Tet and welcome guests in such a joyful and culturally rich way. It's truly admirable!"

A comrade with the rank of Major General from the Hungarian delegation turned to Colonel Vo Dong Giang, Deputy Head of Delegation B, and asked, "What is the significance of the Earth God and the lion dance?" Colonel Giang replied, "The Earth God is the local deity. On Tet (Lunar New Year) and other festivals, he smiles and laughs all day long. The lion and dragon come down from the sky, and the Earth God welcomes them and takes them to various places to wish everyone the best."

Members of the two revolutionary military delegations in the Four-Party Joint Military Commission and the two Central Committees lived and fought in the heart of the enemy's stronghold for 823 days and nights, demonstrating unwavering courage, resourcefulness, optimism, and unwavering faith in the day of complete victory. During those years, we celebrated three truly special Lunar New Year holidays.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/nghe-thuat-quan-su-vn/don-tet-o-trai-davis-1026071