Liberation Day Stories

Mr. Do Hong Chap in Thanh Tan commune (Thanh Ha) witnessed the historic moment in the Independence Palace.

Witness of historical moment

On the morning of April 30, 1975, after the rapid Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the liberation troops launched a powerful attack on the center of Saigon. At 10:45 a.m., tank number 390 of Brigade 203, Corps 2, crashed through the main iron gate of the Independence Palace - the headquarters of the Saigon government at that time.

Immediately after that, our troops rushed into the palace. Mr. Do Hong Chap (born in 1948, from Thanh Thuy commune, now Thanh Tan commune, Thanh Ha) at that time belonged to Company 15, Battalion 57, Regiment 512, Division 571, participated in the battle and entered the Independence Palace and witnessed that important historical moment.

“My comrades and I went up to the second floor. President Duong Van Minh and his cabinet were waiting. President Duong Van Minh said: We know that the liberation army has entered the inner city and are waiting for the liberation army to come in to hand over. After hearing Duong Van Minh say that, Pham Xuan The said in a firm voice: You have been taken prisoner, you must declare unconditional surrender, without handing over anything. After that statement, Duong Van Minh and his entourage stepped back and sat quietly in the inner seats," Mr. Chap recounted.

Entering the Independence Palace with the fervent spirit of the liberation army, Mr. Chap and his comrades had no other thought than to gain power and liberate the South regardless of the danger.

“When entering Saigon, witnessing the scene of defeated soldiers mixed in with the people, our army did not beat or discriminate against them but instructed them to surrender. Even the assets left behind by officers and soldiers, our army did not covet. All strictly maintained military discipline, not coveting even a needle or thread,” Mr. Chap said.

Joy continues

Mr. Vu Dinh Dai and his wife in Nguyen Trai ward ( Hai Duong city) review battlefield relics.

After the Tay Nguyen Campaign in March 1975, Mr. Vu Dinh Dai (born in 1948, assigned to Regiment 9, Division 304, Corps 2) and his comrades reinforced Division 320 to directly fight to liberate Buon Ma Thuot City. “As an infantry unit entering the battle, fighting in coordination with tanks and artillery, we were very excited and confident of victory. Everyone was full of enthusiasm, capturing one target after another. One fell, another stood up, everyone was determined to complete the assigned mission,” Mr. Dai recalled.

The bold decision of the Central Committee and the Ministry of Defense to attack Buon Ma Thuot caused the entire enemy's Central Highlands army to collapse, scatter, and flee in chaos to the plains.

After liberating the Central Highlands, Mr. Dai's unit continued to be assigned the task of preparing for the Ho Chi Minh Campaign to liberate Saigon. The main target was the Dong Du - Cu Chi base, which was considered the steel gate of Northwest Saigon. This solid base had nearly 30 layers of barbed wire fences, fortifications, and bunkers all made of reinforced concrete, covered with soil like a dike surrounding the entire base.

With the spirit of speed, daring, and determination to win, Mr. Dai's unit marched day and night, quickly reaching the target on time as assigned by superiors. On April 28, artillery opened fire and infantry opened the fence. However, due to the open terrain and heavy enemy fire throughout the night, the fence was still not opened.

On April 29, the enemy sent reinforcements to attack the flank of the formation. At the same time, our troops had to fight both the enemy inside and outside the base.

On the morning of April 30, the fence was broken through, our army advanced to capture the enemy base. The enemy fled, our army took control of the base.

“We pursued the enemy to Cong Ly bridge (the gateway to Tan Son Nhat airport) and then received orders to stop attacking Tan Son Nhat airport because the commandos and friendly units had already taken over. Everyone was overjoyed when they heard the news that Saigon had been liberated and the government of President Duong Van Minh of the Republic of Vietnam had surrendered. From then on, the country was at peace and completely liberated,” Mr. Dai emotionally recounted.

Emotional victory burst

Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh (right) in Thuc Khang commune (Binh Giang) recalls the great victory day in the newly liberated land of Hue.

“Hearing the news of Saigon’s liberation, red flags with yellow stars were flying high in the sky on all the streets of Hue, and people poured into the streets singing the song “As if Uncle Ho were here on the day of great victory”. The song had just been composed but had spread widely and everyone knew it by heart, and everywhere the refrain of Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh… resounded with pride”, Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh, born in 1940, from Thuc Khang commune (Binh Giang) recalled.

On the historic moment of April 30, 1975, Mr. Khanh worked as a driver transporting weapons and food to join the liberation army that was stopping in Hue.

Mr. Tran Van Mich recalls that in his hometown, he and the whole people were excitedly celebrating the victory for many days.

At that time, in Thuc Khang's hometown, Mr. Tran Van Mich (born in 1940) was participating in the Commune Party Committee, working as Head of the Organizing Committee. He heard the news of Saigon's liberation on the radio, transmitted from higher levels, and then the people passed the news to each other. In the joyful and excited atmosphere, on April 30, 1975, the locality organized a solemn rally at the Commune People's Committee with the participation of a large number of people. "The Head of the Propaganda Department read the information from the District Party Committee that we had won the Saigon government, completely liberated the South, and joy exploded among the people. Right after the rally, the people held red flags with yellow stars, gongs and drums, marching through the streets and alleys, shouting victory slogans...", Mr. Mich said.

During those years, Thuc Khang commune was a typical example of a district supporting the southern battlefield. Every year, the locality recruited soldiers three times, contributing 300 tons of pork and 600 tons of rice to the battlefield, always exceeding the target assigned by the superiors. Minh Tan Cooperative of Thuc Khang commune was then the leading flag of the province in agricultural production, bringing high efficiency, creating resources for the front line.

On the day of liberation, Minh Tan Cooperative also slaughtered buffaloes and pigs to share with people to celebrate...

In the villages of Hai Duong, the news of victory spread quickly, bringing with it indescribable joy. People gathered in communal houses and cultural houses to hear the news and share their joy. Red flags with yellow stars fluttered all over the streets, symbolizing the unity and victory of the nation.

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Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/nhung-cau-chuyen-ngay-giai-phong-409719.html