Memories of the historic April of two soldiers entering Saigon

Nearly 50 years have passed, but the memories are still intact in their hearts. Meeting each other in everyday life today, they recall together the heroic, arduous but proud years of "cutting through Truong Son to save the country".

Every journey is soaked with the blood and tears of comrades.

Born in 1947 in Nam Dan, Nghe An , a hometown rich in revolutionary traditions, Mr. Nguyen Van Phung joined the army in April 1965, when he was just 18 years old. During his first five years in the army, he was assigned to Hon Mat Island - a strategic outpost in the North Central Coast. Life at sea was harsh and lacking in every way, but it did not deter the young soldier.

Comrade Nguyen Van Phung.

"Those years on the island were very difficult. But I always determined to complete the mission. The more difficult it was, the more steadfast I had to be," Mr. Phung shared.

In 1970, he left the island to study at the Artillery Officer School and was then transferred to the Armored Corps, holding the position of Platoon Leader, fighting in the Thua Thien Hue battlefield from 1972. The years in the "fire zone" of Central Vietnam left indelible marks on him.

"Every day is fighting, every day there are sacrifices. Every journey is soaked with the blood and tears of comrades," he choked.

Before entering the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, Mr. Nguyen Van Phung was the Political Commissar of the Tank Company - Company 3, Brigade 203, Corps 2 (now Corps 12).

"From Phan Thiet, Trang Bang to the gateway to Saigon, we marched without stopping. We fought continuously, but our morale never diminished," he recounted.

In his memory, the last days of April 1975 were a series of intense, urgent times. Right after the friendly unit attacked the Independence Palace, he and his company were on an ambush mission in front, ready to support if there was a counterattack.

"I did not enter the Palace, but stood right in front. At that moment, my emotions exploded. From the islands to the fierce battlefield, now witnessing the country at peace, my heart was filled with indescribable happiness," he recalled emotionally.

Comrade Ngo Van Dung.

Bursting with emotion as history turns a new page

Also in the army marching towards Saigon on the historic afternoon of April 30, Mr. Ngo Van Dung - Political Commissar of Company 3, Reconnaissance Company, Battalion 8, Regiment 66, Division 304, Corps 2 - made his mark on another front. He and his comrades coordinated with the forces of Military Region 6 to liberate Binh Tuy province, and from there quickly advanced towards the gateway to Saigon.

"Our unit marched continuously, our morale was high. Everyone just wanted to advance as quickly as possible and liberate as soon as possible," Mr. Dung shared.

At around 9:30 a.m. on April 30, 1975, the 2nd Corps approached Dong Nai Bridge. Colonel Hoang Dan - Deputy Commander - 2nd Corps personally commanded the tank to ram straight into Tan Son Nhat Airport (now Tan Son Nhat Airport), opening the way for other attacks.

While the units were occupying the Independence Palace, Mr. Dung and his comrades divided their troops to control important agencies. At the Saigon Ministry of Defense, he received orders to take over directly from Senior Lieutenant Hoang Trong Tinh - Political Commissar - Battalion 8, who later became Major General, Deputy Political Commissar of Military Region 4.

Photo archive.

"At that time, in the yard of the Ministry of Defense, there were many jeeps with engines running. We arranged our firepower carefully, then entered the hall. A colonel of the Saigon government was waiting to surrender. They accepted to surrender unconditionally, without firing a shot," he recalled the dramatic moment.

At exactly 11:35, President of the Saigon government Duong Van Minh announced unconditional surrender on Saigon Radio. Mr. Dung and his comrades burst into emotion when history turned a new page, the war ended, the country became independent and unified.

After the country was completely liberated in 1977, Mr. Phung was among 300 officers of the 2nd Corps who were sent to the locality. He was assigned as Head of the Propaganda Department of Phu Quy island district (now in Binh Thuan province), working continuously for 12 years on the island.

"The island is difficult but full of love. It is a new front, full of challenges but very proud," he said.

Maintain the spirit of a soldier

50 years after the victory, the two soldiers still maintain the spirit of revolutionary cadres and soldiers. They actively participate in the Veterans Association, Party and mass organizations in the locality, setting an example for their children and grandchildren.

"Both my husband and I are soldiers. Even after retirement, we are still active, hoping to contribute a little bit so that the next generation can live up to their ancestors' standards," Mr. Phung shared.

With nearly 60 years of Party membership, he said: "I am extremely proud, but I always think I must continue to try, not only for myself but also to remind the young generation of the value of independence and freedom."

April returns, amid the flags and songs of victory, the memories of a time of bombs and bullets are still vivid in the hearts of the soldiers who went through those years.

Sharing with reporters, Mr. Ngo Van Dung emotionally said: "When liberating Binh Tuy, my unit quickly advanced into Saigon. The closer we got to victory, the more enthusiastic and determined our comrades became. That was the motivation for us to "go wherever we go - win there". When the South was unified, I was extremely proud and excited, but I also did not forget to remember the comrades who had heroically sacrificed during the decades of resistance."

(According to Knowledge & Life)

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/16/349045/Ky-uc-thang-Tu-lich-su-cua-hai-nguoi-linh-tien-vao-Sai-Gon.aspx