After eliminating enemy forces in Lai Thieu district, the unit continued its advance into Saigon, but near Binh Trieu bridge, it encountered fierce enemy resistance. From the south of the bridge, the enemy shelled the formation, resulting in the deaths of several comrades, including Company Commander Hoang Tho Mac.

As enemy artillery fire subsided, the unit continued its march. Just as the formation reached the bridgehead, Comrade Nguyen Huu Toan announced orders from above: The enemy had planted explosives in the middle of the bridge; the engineering unit was to organize the removal of the explosives. Upon receiving the order, Deputy Platoon Leader Nguyen Huu Toan and two soldiers quickly moved onto the bridge and found that the enemy had planted a large container of explosives (as big as a 702 ration bin) in the middle pillar (more than 2 meters above the water). The situation was extremely dangerous because if the enemy discovered it, they would detonate the explosives, causing the bridge to collapse, and our troops would be unable to advance into Saigon as planned.

The liberation army enters Saigon. Photo: Vietnam+

Not wanting to let the unit fall behind during this historic moment for the nation, Comrade Nguyen Huu Toan climbed down from the bridge pillar to the underside of the bridge, hastily removed the detonator, neutralized the explosive charge, and quickly reported to his commander. However, to ensure absolute safety, the unit commander ordered that the explosive charge be brought up at all costs. Despite enemy artillery fire directed at the unit's formation, Comrade Nguyen Huu Toan continued down to the bridge pillar, used a rope to tie the explosive charge, and signaled two comrades to pull it up. The entire formation quickly crossed the river. The army split into several columns; the engineering unit, commanded by Comrade Nguyen Huu Toan, advanced directly with the armored forces towards the enemy's armored command post at the Go Vap intersection in Saigon.

At 11:30 AM on April 30, 1975, President Dương Văn Minh declared unconditional surrender. Seeing the bare-chested, shorts-wearing South Vietnamese soldiers trudging along the streets with their heads bowed, while the people, carrying portraits of President Ho Chi Minh and waving liberation flags, lined the streets to greet the Liberation Army, Lieutenant Nguyễn Hữu Toàn and his comrades could not hold back their tears at this historic moment for the nation. Saigon-Gia Định and the South were liberated, and the country was reunited.

XUAN MINH

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/nghe-thuat-quan-su-vn/ong-cha-ta-danh-giac-dung-cam-go-boc-pha-de-doan-quan-tien-vao-sai-gon-823686