“Liberation” – an Italian journalist’s perspective on the victory of our army and people

“Liberation” is a book written in the form of war history by famous Italian journalist and writer Tiziano Terzani, objectively and truthfully recreating the victory of our army and people, highlighting patriotism and humanism throughout the process of national liberation struggle and nation building.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the Truth National Political Publishing House published the book "Liberation" by famous Italian journalist and writer Tiziano Terzani, translated by the Oriental Development Research Institute and translator Nguyen Hien Thu.

Journalist and writer Tiziano Terzani (1938-2004) wrote news, articles, and reports on major political and social events taking place in Asia for 30 consecutive years for the weekly Der Spiegel. He arrived in Saigon in 1971. In mid-March 1975, he received an order from the Saigon government to be expelled from South Vietnam on the grounds that one of his articles had offended President Nguyen Van Thieu.

The book presents a realistic perspective on the victory of our army and people. Photo: Truth National Political Publishing House

At that moment, Tiziano Terzani had a premonition that the end of the Republic of Vietnam regime had come, so he tried every way to stay in South Vietnam to witness the last moments of the war. In April 1975, he was one of the few Western journalists who stayed in Saigon and became a witness to that historic moment. He witnessed the scene of the Liberation Army tanks entering the Independence Palace.

After April 30, 1975, Tiziano Terzani was allowed to stay in Vietnam for another 3 months. He traveled almost the entire country, met with high-ranking leaders of the Party and State and witnessed the changes after the liberation day. In his suitcase, he brought 14 notebooks, 20 cassette tapes recording interviews, speeches, conversations with people on the street; many newspapers, documents and translations. From those documents, at the end of 1975, he published the work "Liberation" recounting the last 3 days of the war before Saigon was liberated and the 3 months Tiziano Terzani observed Vietnam after reunification, entering the first stage of building socialism.

Through describing the process of the evacuation of American troops and the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam regime, the book shows readers the total strength of the army and people of the whole country moving towards a resounding victory, fully implementing the sacred Testament of President Ho Chi Minh, building a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic and prosperous Vietnam, contributing to the revolutionary struggle of the people of the world .

The book also focuses on reflecting the process of taking over Saigon after the liberation day with specific issues such as: Overcoming economic damage; stabilizing the political situation; registering puppet cadres, officers, and soldiers for retraining; the campaign against depraved culture; fighting stubborn elements... Thereby, the book refutes the distorted arguments of counter-revolutionary forces that discredit the Liberation Army.

Through the book, author Tiziano Terzani highlighted patriotism and humanism - the "red thread" throughout the revolutionary struggle for national independence as well as the construction of socialism in our country; at the same time, he affirmed that humanism is the noble symbol of the heroic, resilient, indomitable, compassionate and altruistic Vietnamese people.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/giai-phong-goc-nhin-cua-nha-bao-italia-ve-chien-thang-cua-quan-dan-ta-700523.html