Hero Pham Tuan and more than 100 veterans revisit the old battlefield of Ba Den Mountain

In the atmosphere of the whole country looking forward to the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), Ba Tay Ninh Mountain welcomed Lieutenant General Pham Tuan and more than 100 veterans of the Tay Ninh Provincial Military Intelligence Liaison Committee to visit the old battlefield.

At the highest mountain peak in the South, which still bears the mark of a time of fierce fire and bullets, the group of veterans offered incense to commemorate the heroic martyrs at Hang Pagoda (part of the Ba Pagoda system) - where 181 comrades heroically sacrificed their lives in the resistance war against America.

Veterans hold a flag-raising ceremony on top of Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

The sacred flag-raising ceremony was held on the highest mountain in the South with the participation of veterans and hundreds of staff of Sun World Ba Den Mountain tourist area wearing red flag shirts with yellow stars.

Here, Lieutenant General Pham Tuan - the first pilot to shoot down the American B-52 "flying fortress" emotionally shared: "Ba Den Mountain is a historic land. In the past, this mountain was a very important base of the US. We fought for every inch of land here, and many of our soldiers sacrificed their lives on this land". Hero Pham Tuan - the first Asian to fly into space also said that Ba Den Mountain is a historical site, but also closely associated with the beauty of Vietnam, a sacred land where tourists come to see a heroic history, marking the sacrifice and bravery of our army and people, and also to admire a beautiful Vietnam.

Lieutenant General Pham Tuan visits Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

On this occasion, the lantern offering ceremony to commemorate the souls of heroic martyrs was solemnly held in the square at the foot of the statue of Buddha Tay Bo Da Son. Thousands of sparkling lanterns lit up the mountain top, creating a sacred and touching lantern offering ceremony.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Quan - Military Intelligence Liaison Department of Tay Ninh province emotionally shared that he could never forget his comrades who had fallen here forever.

“When the war ended, I returned to see that Ba Den Mountain had changed a lot, it was no longer as wild as before. Ba Den Mountain now not only has more green areas, but is also a spiritual destination, a tourist destination that has been developed to a large extent. We were extremely excited to return to burn incense for the souls of the martyrs, and also to admire the beautiful scenery of this mountain” – Mr. Nguyen Hong Quan said.

Ceremony to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs on Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

Welcoming the veterans to visit the old battlefield, Ms. Nguyen Lam Nhi Thuy - Deputy General Director of Sun Group in the Southern region said: "We are extremely moved to welcome the veterans right at the legendary sacred mountain peak, which marks the heroic history of the nation.

The return of veterans on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification is an opportunity for us to reminisce about the glorious past, and also gives us more enthusiasm to build the historic Ba Den mountain to become more beautiful and worthy of its stature."

During the resistance war against the US, Ba Den Mountain was considered the gateway to the North and Northwest of Saigon. With a height of 986m, Ba Den Mountain stands out in the middle of the plain, becoming an important stronghold, an eye to look out over the whole of Southeast Asia.

With this unique position, Ba Den Mountain was occupied by the US and a communications base was built on the top of the mountain. This was the center for broadcasting, communication, observation, using firepower to bombard the Duong Minh Chau War Zone and controlling most of the surrounding area.

In early 1962, a reconnaissance and information unit (Team 7) was sent to Ba Den Mountain to set up a post, set up an observation post, and monitor and investigate all enemy military activities.

During the 13 years of holding out, the unit’s officers and soldiers had to live in caves, using rocks as beds, and fighting bravely. Many people sacrificed their lives heroically on this land.

From December 6, 1974, to defeat the plots and intentions of the American imperialists and liberate the South, reconnaissance unit 47 and a number of special forces units received orders to fight and destroy the American stronghold at Ba Den mountain for 31 days and nights. On January 6, 1975, Ba Den mountain was officially liberated.

Ba Den Mountain is today the leading spiritual destination in the South. Photo: Minh Tu

Up to now, Ba Den Mountain has become a famous spiritual destination with the ancient Ba Pagoda system and majestic spiritual works on the mountain top. This place is not only a symbolic destination of Tay Ninh, but also a spiritual destination of the world.

On May 8, 2025, Ba Den Mountain will welcome thousands of delegates from more than 80 countries to attend the Buddha relic procession, Bodhi tree planting and candle lighting ceremony to pray for world peace within the framework of Vesak 2025.

From a battlefield that endured many bombs and bullets with many war scars, now the highest mountain in the South has changed and risen to become a destination representing the beauty of Vietnam and the beliefs of the people of the South, welcoming millions of domestic and international tourists to make pilgrimages and worship every year.

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/anh-hung-pham-tuan-cung-hon-100-cuu-chien-binh-ve-tham-lai-chien-truong-xua-nui-ba-den-a188140.html