Reunification Day through the memories of historical witnesses

50 years have passed, but memories of the early days of national reunification remain intact in the hearts of those who lived and witnessed that historic moment.

In 1972, journalist Dau Ngoc Dan was one of 53 people selected to join the war correspondent class of the Propaganda Department, General Department of Politics . At the fiercest moment of the 81-day and night battle to protect Quang Tri Citadel, he spent more than 20 days and nights there.

During the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign in 1975, he and his colleagues witnessed the liberation of Hue city on March 26. Riding a motorbike over the Hai Van Pass, on March 29 he arrived in Da Nang. On April 29, in Xuan Loc, on the outskirts of Saigon, journalist Ngoc Dan met comrade Hong Cu, Director of the Cultural Department of the General Department of Politics and the then Political Commissar of the 2nd Army Corps, comrade Le Kha Phieu, who were directly assigned the task of going to Saigon immediately.

Deputy Commander of Regiment 66, Division 304, Corps 2 Pham Xuan The (right) participated in escorting President Duong Van Minh and the Cabinet to Saigon Radio to read the surrender statement.

Journalist Ngoc Dan recalled: At that time, I followed the marching formation of Regiment 66, Division 304. Then I met and followed the fourth tank of Armored Brigade 203. The unit fought a fierce final battle at Saigon Bridge and broke through the enemy's defense line north of the bridge, the tank column advanced straight into the Independence Palace.

At 11:24 on April 30, my colleague Hoang Thiem and I arrived in front of the Independence Palace. Choosing the right moment, in those first moments, I quickly captured historical photos: Mr. Duong Van Minh surrendering and walking down the steps under the supervision of officers and soldiers of Division 304, Brigade 203; the image of Deputy Commander of Regiment 66, Division 304 Pham Xuan The; the portrait of Captain Bui Quang Than running from tank 843 to the top floor of the Independence Palace to plant the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. I also captured the witnesses of the tank 390 event with the presence of a female French journalist; female commando Nguyen Trung Kien (aka Ms. Nhip) leading the tank to capture Tan Son Nhat airport...

Taking precious historical photos, but transporting them to Hanoi at that time was an extremely difficult and challenging task. In an urgent situation, journalist Ngoc Dan immediately thought of asking the soldiers of the Saigon government who were present at the Independence Palace. “At that time, Mr. Vo Cu Long (the Saigon government's driver) volunteered to take me and journalist Hoang Thiem to Da Nang. The car drove non-stop until May 2, 1975, arriving at Da Nang airport. That same afternoon, journalist Hoang Thiem took a military plane to bring documents to Hanoi. Having those extremely valuable films, Nhan Dan Newspaper and Quan Doi Nhan Dan Newspaper published images of the historic moment on April 30, 1975 at the Independence Palace on May 3, 1975,” journalist Ngoc Dan shared.

April 30, 1975, a brilliant milestone in the heroic history of the Vietnamese people - the day of complete liberation of the South and reunification of the country. That victory was the result of countless sacrifices, not only of those who directly held guns on the fierce battlefield, but also of the forces that silently contributed behind the scenes, from the cultural soldiers, war journalists, frontline workers to the mothers and sisters in the rear. 50 years have passed, but the memories of the early days of the country's reunification are still intact in the hearts of those who lived and witnessed that historic moment.

50 years have passed, and whenever he recalls, journalist Ngoc Dan believes that fate was too kind to him when he was one of the first two northern journalists present at that historic moment. Now, his photos have become invaluable historical documents of the Vietnamese revolution.

In addition to war reporters, the artists were also an important force that contributed to the resounding victory on April 30, 1975. Although they did not directly fight, through their songs and voices, they added spirit, encouraged the will and spread the belief in victory to millions of people and soldiers across the country.

Mr. Nguyen Van Van, a former artist of the General Political Department's Song and Dance Troupe, performed for soldiers on almost all battlefields. In his unforgettable memory, performing in the early days of the country's reunification was a sacred and emotional milestone.

Mr. Van said: At noon on April 30, 1975, our delegation was in Mai Dich. The head of the delegation held a meeting at the General Department to report that Saigon had been liberated. At that time, everyone rushed down to the yard to cheer. Some people brought pots and pans out to bang. Everyone was overjoyed after so many years of waiting. After that, everyone forgot to eat and ran out into the streets to join the jubilant atmosphere of flags and flowers. Almost no one in Hanoi stayed at home, everyone flocked to Hoan Kiem Lake and Ba Dinh Square. Everyone was happy because the north and the south were unified.

Soon after, the General Political Department's Song and Dance Troupe received orders to go to the South to perform to celebrate the liberation and serve the people. “In Saigon in the early days of reunification, we chose the most beautiful costumes to wear. People poured into the streets to watch, everyone praised the beautiful revolutionary art performance. We performed in Military Zone 7, performed many nights at Quoc Thanh Theater, Tran Hung Dao Theater and many other locations in the city to serve the people. Songs praising the homeland, the country, and Uncle Ho such as: Liberation of the South, Greetings to the Liberation Army, Ho Chi Minh, the most beautiful name of Him... were sung loudly in the newly restored peaceful scene. Until now, I still cannot forget the warm welcome that the people of Saigon gave to the northern artists, like meeting blood relatives after many years apart,” Mr. Nguyen Van Van recalled.

One of the most touching memories for him was the performance at Quoc Thanh theater, serving the newly returned former prisoners of Con Dao. “I remember that at that time, the troupe had Le Quang Vinh, who was known as the 'legend of Con Dao'. We performed the last act, the song Like having Uncle Ho on the great victory day. When the lyrics rang out, the whole audience clapped their hands enthusiastically. But when it ended, they could not hold back their emotions, rushed onto the stage to hug us, tears of happiness, and singing voices blended together as an affirmation of an indomitable nation, of an unparalleled victory.”

After performing in Saigon, Mr. Nguyen Van Van and his troupe went to perform for people in the southern provinces.

nhandan.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/ngay-thong-nhat-qua-ky-uc-cua-nhan-chung-lich-su-post400878.html