Emotions on Independence Day

Nearly 80 years have passed since the historic autumn of 1945, but in the memories of those who witnessed the nation's first day of independence, that sacred feeling remains as vivid as if it were yesterday.

Mr. Nguyen Quan and his wife reminisce about old times through precious archival photographs in their small house in Duc Xuan ward.

In the month of August, as autumn arrived, we had the opportunity to meet two remarkable witnesses who had personally experienced a historic moment for the nation. They were Mr. Nguyen Quan, 94 years old, from Duc Xuan ward, and Mr. Vu Van Tuat, 92 years old, from Bac Kan ward.

Welcoming us into his small, neat, and quiet house, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quan – former Head of the Department of Party History (Logistics Academy), former Chairman of the Veterans Association of the old Bac Kan province – still retains his clear voice and bright, sharp eyes at his advanced age. In the autumn of 1945, he was only 16 years old, but his memories of the day the country gained independence remain vivid to this day.

Mr. Quan recalled: "Back then, information was spread by word of mouth among pedestrians. When we heard that President Ho Chi Minh was reading the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square, the entire town of Bac Kan erupted in joy. Even though we couldn't hear it directly, everyone understood that from now on the country would be called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam."

During the resistance war, Mr. Quan participated in many major battles, especially the campaign to liberate Bac Kan town in 1949. After leaving the military after more than 40 years of service, he continued to contribute to the local community, being one of the founders of the Bac Kan Provincial Veterans Association.

Even today, during gatherings with union members and students, he still enthusiastically recounts the days of fighting and contributing to national independence. He says: "Memory is an invaluable asset, and history must be told from the heart."

Also a living witness to that sacred moment, Mr. Vu Van Tuat (currently living in a small alley in Bac Kan ward, 92 years old this year), with his white hair and trembling voice, suddenly had his eyes light up with emotion when he recounted September 2, 1945.

Mr. Vu Van Tuat is tending to the ornamental plants in front of his house.

Mr. Tuat recalled: "The weather was beautiful that day. Everyone was excitedly flocking to the Provincial Resistance Committee headquarters. People wore simple indigo or brown shirts, carrying red flags with yellow stars. The flags were handmade, the colors might not have been perfectly even, but the people's hearts were incredibly radiant."

The atmosphere on Independence Day in Bac Kan was truly special. Mr. Tuat recounted that old and young, men and women alike, were as excited as if they were attending a festival. Many families boiled water to offer guests; some laughed, others cried, because after so many years of struggle, the country had finally achieved independence.

"The shouts of 'Long live independent Vietnam!' echoed throughout the mountains and forests. I was a young man in my early twenties then, not fully understanding the meaning of ' politics ,' but I clearly felt that the country was changing. My children and grandchildren would no longer live in poverty and insecurity like their ancestors had experienced," he recalled emotionally. Now, every time he hears the music celebrating National Day, he is moved as he was back then.

Eighty years have passed, but historical memories live on in the hearts of those who experienced the Autumn Uprising. They are living landmarks, a bridge between the past and the present, reminding today's generation of patriotism, national spirit, and the aspiration for a bright future.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/chinh-polit/202509/xuc-cam-tet-doc-lap-7513e9d/