Returning from the battlefield, he continued to stand alongside his country.

The Vietnam News Agency was the first to broadcast the joyful news of victory. Returning to peacetime, war correspondents continued their mission of transmitting information and images about the nation's reconstruction efforts.

The Vietnam News Agency was the first to broadcast the joyful news of the victory that our army and people had been waiting for and fighting for for 30 years. At that moment, the red flag with a yellow star flew proudly over the streets, offices, and homes of the people.

The first information, images, and reports from Vietnamese reporters of the Vietnam News Agency and the Liberation News Agency were broadcast domestically and internationally , promptly reflecting the historical moments of the Day of Complete Victory in the resistance war against American imperialism and for national salvation; the collapse of the Saigon government; and the failure of the American "Vietnamization of the War" strategy.

Historical photos and news articles

According to journalist Tran Mai Huong's account, in the early morning of April 30, 1975, the assault force of the 2nd Army Corps advanced into the center of Saigon. He and his colleagues crossed the large highway bridge over the Dong Nai River early in the morning.

At that time, on many stretches of the highway, the command vehicle carrying the group of reporters had to hug the side of the tank, sometimes maneuvering to the right, sometimes swerving to the left to avoid the enemy's return fire.

Tanks led the way, followed by armored vehicles, infantry carriers, and 130mm artillery providing fire support along both sides of the road, the convoy heading straight towards the Independence Palace.

The Vietnam News Agency reporters arrived at the Independence Palace just as the first tanks had rammed through the palace gates and entered the courtyard. Upon arrival, journalist Tran Mai Huong immediately jumped out of the car and witnessed the image of Tank 846 majestically advancing through the recently knocked-down iron gate.

A journalist's reflex prompted him to raise his camera and take the picture. That photograph was later titled "Liberation Army tanks entering the Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975."

Liberation Army tanks enter the Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975. This is a significant milestone, marking the victory of the resistance war against the US, liberating the South, and unifying the country. (Photo: Tran Mai Huong/VNA)

Journalist Tran Mai Huong said: "Photograph film was prioritized for photojournalists, and since I was a writer, I was only given two rolls. By the time I arrived at the Independence Palace, I only had 13 rolls of film left, but when the tank with the liberation army flag flying on its turret advanced, I knew I had to capture that historic moment."

"I took just one shot, then sent the film roll to Hanoi . When my photo arrived in Hanoi, it was widely used by many domestic and foreign news agencies, becoming a symbol of the victory day on April 30th. But it wasn't until more than a year later, when I returned to my office in Hanoi, that I got to see the photo I had taken myself," journalist Tran Mai Huong shared with pride.

Following the Western flank, the Liberation News Agency's reporting team, led by journalist Nguyen Thanh Ben, advanced into Saigon from the direction of Hoc Mon and Go Vap, witnessing the atmosphere of both excitement and emotion among the people on liberation day.

Waves of cheers erupted from the people on both sides of the street whenever a convoy of soldiers passed by, accompanied by stirring background music from loudspeakers turned up to full volume.

“Upon arriving in Saigon, Anh Chín Thép immediately took the Liberation News Agency team to his house on Cách mạng Street (now Nguyễn Văn Trỗi Street), Phú Nhuận District. After a few minutes of greeting his family, he took me on his Vespa for a ride around Tân Sơn Nhất airport. At the intersection, a tank was still burning, and occasionally artillery shells exploded.”

We passed through the Bay Hien textile district, went to Ben Thanh Market, and followed Tran Hung Dao Street into Cholon. In the afternoon, upon returning to Mr. Chin Thep's house, I immediately wrote the article "Saigon in the First Hours After Liberation."

On the rooftop, the entire team of reporters and radio operators forgot to eat and drink, taking turns operating the generator to transmit news to the Tay Ninh base. By evening, sweat was dripping down the generator, making a 'hissing' sound. Dao Tung, the commander-in-chief on duty in Tay Ninh, quickly relayed the news to Hanoi. At 8 PM on April 30, 1975, I heard the radio broadcast my news report; the feeling was indescribable,” journalist Nguyen Thanh Ben recounted about his first news report on the first day of liberation.

The news and photo journalists of the Vietnam News Agency and the Liberation News Agency were at the forefront of information work, contributing to reflecting one of the greatest victories in the nation's history of resistance against foreign invaders, the liberation of the South, and the reunification of the country.

Following the news of liberation, a series of news reports and articles were transmitted via Morse code and teletype, along with thousands of photographs truthfully reflecting the lives of the people of Saigon in the early days of liberation. These were sent directly to the Vietnam News Agency in Hanoi via air and telephoto, promptly providing information to domestic newspapers and radio stations, as well as international news agencies.

The Liberation News Agency and the Vietnam News Agency, "two but one," successfully fulfilled their mission as news agencies from the battlefield to the day of victory.

Writing a new chapter with the country.

On the night of April 30, 1975, most of the reporters from the Vietnam News Agency and the Liberation News Agency who had joined the troops advancing to liberate Saigon reunited in joyful celebration.

To ensure an uninterrupted flow of information, they immediately resumed their work, writing reports on the liberation and takeover of the facilities. Information from the various units, branches, and zones poured into the base in Tay Ninh. There, Editor-in-Chief Dao Tung mobilized all reporters, editors, and technicians to process the information and send it back to Hanoi.

On May 24, 1976, following the directive of the Central Party Secretariat, the Vietnam News Agency and the Liberation News Agency merged to form the Vietnam News Agency. On May 12, 1977, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly issued Resolution No. 84/NQ-QHK6 approving the renaming of the Vietnam News Agency to the Vietnam News Agency.

War correspondents returning to peacetime continue their mission of conveying information and images about the nation's reconstruction efforts.

After liberation, journalist Nguyen Sy Thuy was assigned as a resident correspondent in Minh Hai province (Ca Mau). During this time, he accompanied Comrade Vo Chi Cong (then Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture, and Head of the Southern Agricultural Reform Committee) to document and report on agricultural reform and economic development throughout the southern provinces.

Journalist Tran Mai Huong, former Director General of the Vietnam News Agency, shares with the younger generation about historical moments from the resistance war. (Photo: Thu Huong/VNA)

"Although I had to work far from my family and hometown, I never regretted choosing to be a journalist instead of staying in Hanoi to do scientific research. Being able to travel, witness, and write about the courageous fighting spirit of our soldiers and people during the war, and the enthusiastic spirit of labor competition after liberation, is an honor and a source of pride for a journalist," shared journalist Nguyen Sy Thuy.

For journalist Tran Mai Huong, despite having held various positions from reporter and manager to Director General of the Vietnam News Agency, witnessing the historic moment of April 30, 1975, was the greatest stroke of luck and pride in his journalistic career, because war correspondents are "those who write history with their own blood amidst the gunfire."

“To truthfully and accurately reflect the information and images of the heroic struggle of soldiers and people on all fronts, journalists from the Vietnam News Agency and the Liberation News Agency were present, witnessing many battles and enemy raids; not a few of them paid the price with their lives. No other news agency or press organization has had as many martyrs as the Vietnam News Agency, with over 260 people falling with their cameras, pens, and unfinished news reports,” journalist Tran Mai Huong shared with emotion mixed with pride.

After liberation, journalist Nguyen Thanh Ben continued working at the Vietnam News Agency's Southern Regional Office until his retirement. He also chose Ho Chi Minh City as his second home.

Having witnessed the transformation of Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City over the past 50 years, journalist Nguyen Thanh Ben observes that Ho Chi Minh City today is a modern metropolis, "more decent and more beautiful" than ever; buildings and structures have sprung up everywhere, the socio-economic situation is constantly developing, making it an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists.

“These April days, whether as a former war correspondent or a citizen of Ho Chi Minh City, I still feel a great sense of pride and honor. By fostering dynamism, creativity, and the spirit of dedication of generations, the city will soon achieve its goal of becoming a place with a high quality of life, civilized, modern, and compassionate,” journalist Nguyen Thanh Ben shared.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tro-ve-tu-chien-truong-tiep-tuc-dong-hanh-cung-dat-nuoc-post1034470.vnp