War Records 1-2-3-4.75 - Looking back at the past, contemplating the present

The historical documentary novel is a special work, not only because of its historical value but also because of the way it recreates the final days of the Vietnam War in a realistic and emotional way. Based on secret documents, minutes, internal reports and interviews with historical witnesses, the book is a vivid picture of the irreversible collapse of the Saigon government in the spring of 1975.

Once a war correspondent for the Vietnam News Agency in the southern battlefield, in early 1975, author Tran Mai Hanh was assigned to participate in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign as a special correspondent for the Vietnam News Agency in a delegation led by the then General Director of the Vietnam News Agency.

Following closely the main army corps, the author followed the troops to liberate most of the cities and towns from Hue to Saigon and was fortunate to be present and witness the historic moments at noon on April 30, 1975 at the Independence Palace.

The original documents obtained, the notes taken on the spot during the campaign and in the first days of Saigon liberation, along with valuable documents from the Saigon government that the author had the chance and opportunity to contact and exploit, helped the author write the book.

The novel consists of 19 chapters along with an appendix of 31 original references printed in full text, vividly depicting the collapse and portraits of most of the army generals and the fate of the leaders of the puppet government of Saigon in the last four months of the war to liberate the South (from January to April 1975), highlighting the great victory of the resistance war against the US, to save the country of our army and people under the wise and talented leadership of our Party.

In a world full of conflicts and power shifts, "War Accounts 1-2-3-4.75" is not only a story of the past but also offers valuable lessons about war, diplomacy, and the fate of political institutions in the face of changing waves. The work raises big questions about historical truth, how parties in a conflict record and interpret the past, as well as the lasting effects of war on people and society.

As the pages turn, readers will not only see the fierce fighting but also recognize the subtle changes in politics, diplomacy and military strategy - factors that are still valuable when looking at contemporary conflicts. That makes the book not only a historical document but also a reminder for the future.

Whether you are a historian, a journalist, or simply a reader who wants to learn about the pivotal moments of the 20th century, "The War Account 1-2-3-4.75" will certainly bring you profound and emotional insights. The English version of the book helps spread these valuable documents to foreign readers, contributing to clarifying the events that shaped Vietnam and the Southeast Asian region.

The book was first published by the Truth National Political Publishing House in April 2014 and has been continuously reprinted in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020 (of which the 2020 reprint added 10 new documents), and has been welcomed by public opinion and highly appreciated by readers. The work has won prestigious awards at home and abroad: the 2014 Literature Award of the Vietnam Writers Association and the 2015 ASEAN Literature Award.

In 2017, the work was translated into English to introduce to international readers, in 2018 it was translated into Lao, in 2022 it was translated into Spanish and is one of the books serving the foreign affairs work of the Party and State of Vietnam in recent times.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/bien-ban-chien-tranh-1-2-3-475-nhin-lai-qua-khu-suy-ngam-hien-tai-post869264.html