The original unit, named the Tran Cao Van Regiment (or also known as the Tran Cao Van detachment), was formed from armed teams from the districts of Phong Dien, A Luoi, Huong Thuy, etc., in Thua Thien province.

Initially an armed guerrilla detachment, it developed from a battalion to a regiment operating in the Thua Thien plain. On December 5, 1952, the Binh Tri Thien Division, comprising the 18th, 95th, and 101st regiments, was established. The 101st regiment's mission at that time was to fight against both the French and the puppet army of the State of Vietnam, before being deployed to the North Central region to replenish its ranks and then returning to its old battlefield.

The author (on the right) presents battlefield mementos at the 101st Regiment's Traditional Room, April 5, 2025.

  During the nine years of resistance against French colonialism, the Regiment consistently maintained its unwavering and indomitable fighting spirit. From small, isolated battles eliminating the enemy in the three central provinces, the Regiment quickly developed independent combat operations on a larger scale. The Regiment participated in battles on the Central and Lower Laos Front and Northeast Cambodia, contributing to the "sharing of the burden" that led to the Dien Bien Phu Victory, successfully concluding the resistance war against French colonialism.

During the war of resistance against the US, the Vietnam People's Army established many new 101st Regiments to reinforce various battlefields. Continuing to uphold the unit's fighting tradition from the war against French colonialism, the Regiment constantly grew stronger, contributing to supporting the major southern front in fighting the US and eliminating the puppet regime. From an initial regiment, it developed into five infantry regiments (101A, 101B, 101C, 101D, 101E), successively participating in battles in the Southeast, Central Highlands, Route 9 - Khe Sanh, Quang Tri , and other battlefields.

After the 325C Division (developed from the 325th Division) reinforced the southern fronts, the 325D Division was established in early 1968, and the 101E Regiment was part of the 325D Division. Along with the division's mission, the 101E Regiment was responsible for training reinforcements; dozens of battalions were trained and deployed to the battlefields.

In November 1971, the 325th Division underwent training to become a mobile division of the Ministry of Defense. In early spring 1972, the Division moved to the south of Military Region 4, and its regiments successively participated in combat in the Quang Tri battlefield. In mid-July 1972, the 101st Regiment took up the garrison of Dong Ha - Ai Tu, then crossed the Thach Han River to hold the Cho Sai, An Tiem, Nai Cuu... lines.

In the final days of 1972, the 101st Regiment, along with other units, fought valiantly to defend Cua Viet port. At the end of 1974, the Regiment moved from South Cua Viet to Cam Lo. Leaving Cam Lo, the Regiment advanced from Truong Son to attack Phu Loc and cut Highway 1, isolating Hue city, planting the flag on Phu Van Lau, then crossing Hai Van Pass to enter Da Nang, breaking through the Phan Rang - Thanh Son defense line, participating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, contributing to the liberation of Long Thanh, Thanh Tuy Ha, Nhon Trach, Cat Lai naval base, capturing District 9 of Saigon and the South Vietnamese Navy Command.

Within the 325th Division (2nd Corps), after the liberation of South Vietnam, the 101st Regiment also carried out international duties in Laos (1976), assisting the fledgling revolutionary government of Laos in suppressing rebellions in Southern Laos. Together with other units in the 2nd Corps, the 101st Regiment of the 325th Division helped the Cambodian people eliminate the Pol Pot genocidal regime. From Cambodia, in March 1979, within the 2nd Corps, the Regiment rapidly mobilized to the northern border, guarding the Ha Giang border line, ready to undertake combat missions to protect the northern border of the Fatherland.

That is the current 101st Regiment of the 325th Division, 12th Corps.

Throughout its 70-year journey of building, fighting, and maturing, generations of officers and soldiers of the Regiment have overcome all difficulties and hardships, constantly training and striving to successfully complete all assigned tasks. With the achievements made in combat and in building and defending the Fatherland, the Regiment has been awarded many Military Merit Orders and Combat Merit Orders of various kinds. The Regiment is honored to have two comrades awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the State. On June 3, 1976, the Regiment was officially awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by a decision signed by the National Assembly and the Government.

The author (second from the left) at the 50th anniversary celebration of the liberation of Long Thanh, April 28, 2025.

It was a great pleasure for me personally, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, that as a veteran of the Communications Platoon, Battalion 1, Regiment 101, on April 5, 2025, I had the opportunity to revisit my old unit. During a cordial meal with the officers and soldiers of the Regiment, a representative of the unit informed me that, entering a new revolutionary phase, the officers and soldiers of the Regiment continue to uphold traditions, building the Regiment into a "revolutionary, regular, elite, and progressively modern" force, contributing to the building and firm protection of the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam.

I was truly impressed by what I witnessed that day regarding the living, studying, and training conditions of the entire unit: the spacious houses, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, mess hall, classrooms, sanitary facilities… everything was orderly, neat, clean, and beautiful, reflecting the discipline of the Army and the reality of the increasingly improved living standards of the officers and soldiers.

Accepting the invitation from the Liaison Committee of the Veterans Association of Regiment 101, on April 28, 2025, I was honored to participate in the event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Long Thanh, jointly organized by Long Thanh City and Regiment 101. With overflowing joy and tears, I was reunited here with comrades who had fought alongside me through life and death during the years of battle. Meeting each other with open arms and tearful faces, overwhelming emotion and countless memories flooded back. We recited the names of our fallen comrades, our beloved fellow soldiers who have become symbols of "Forever Twenty Years Old"—symbols of ideals, faith, and purpose for generations today and forevermore. Their blood was shed along the length of the country; they sacrificed themselves at the gates of Saigon before victory, so that we today could live in the full joy of happiness, peace, and national unity.

And I know, in this sacred moment of emotion, wherever we are, whatever we do, we will continue to follow your example, continue to contribute our small efforts to the cause for which you fought and sacrificed; so that we may be worthy of you, worthy of those who laid down their lives for the eternal survival of the Fatherland.

HO NGOC THANG (Federal Republic of Germany)

 

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/trung-doan-101-cua-toi-844755