Great Victory of Spring 1975: Immortal Epic

Fast, bold, unexpected, decisive

At the end of 1974, when the battlefield situation had many changes in our favor, the Politburo quickly approved the determination to liberate the South in 1975 - 1976, and emphasized: If the opportunity comes, immediately liberate the South in 1975. It can be said that this was a historic decision of our Party, showing the determination of our entire Party, people and army.

After the probing attacks on the enemy's response in the Route 14 - Phuoc Long campaign in late 1974 and early 1975, in March 1975, when the strategic opportunity had come, under the leadership of the Party, the whole nation "advanced" in the historic Spring. Starting with the Central Highlands Campaign, with the key breakthrough battle of Buon Ma Thuot hitting the enemy's weak point, regaining the strategic area.

Liberation Army tanks entering the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975. Photo: Archive

The historic opportunity had come, our Party decided to devote all its strength to the final battle to unify the country. With consecutive victories in the Tay Nguyen, Tri Thien - Hue and Da Nang Campaigns, the war situation had a great development, in our favor.

With a solid position, strong forces, including main army corps, numerous and widespread local armed forces and branches, and a strong political force of the masses, in the seething spirit of determination to win of the people and soldiers nationwide, we entered the final campaign, which had decisive significance for the unification of the country: the Ho Chi Minh Campaign (previously called the Saigon - Gia Dinh Liberation Campaign).

At exactly 5:00 p.m. on April 26, 1975, our troops were ordered to open fire to start the campaign. Five troops from all directions crossed the outer defense line and entered Saigon. At dawn on April 29, 1975, all troops simultaneously launched a general attack on the city center, capturing the enemy's headquarters.

At exactly 11:30 a.m. the same day, the liberation flag flew on the roof of the Independence Palace, signaling the victory of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. By May 2, 1975, the last localities of the South were liberated.

Thus, in just 55 days and nights at the miraculous speed of "one day equals 20 years", our army and people smashed the puppet government and puppet army of Saigon, liberated the South, reunified the country, and ended the resistance war against the US to save the country.

People celebrate victory day. Photo: Archive

The immortal epic in the Ho Chi Minh era

The great victory of the General Offensive and Uprising in the Spring of 1975, culminating in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, crushed the puppet army and government regime and defeated the neo-colonialism of American imperialism, liberated the South, and reunified the country.

Ending the 30-year journey of national liberation war, protecting the achievements of the August Revolution in 1945, opening a new era for the nation: the era of a peaceful, independent, unified country and moving towards building socialism.

This is truly an immortal epic of people's war in the Ho Chi Minh era, marking a great turning point of the Vietnamese people in the flow of world history.

Today, the Independence Palace is a traditional sightseeing and learning place for the young generation. Photo: Xuan Cuong

History is a never-ending flow. Continuing the immortal epic, 50 years after the victory of the General Offensive and Uprising in the Spring of 1975, under the correct and wise leadership of the Party, a Vietnam steadfast in its goal of national independence, democracy associated with socialism is steadily stepping into the new era with great and proud achievements.

After nearly 40 years of renovation, with countless challenges, Vietnam has risen strongly and reaped many great achievements in the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country: High and stable economic growth; GDP scale at current prices in 2024 is estimated at 476.3 billion USD. Vietnam is a bright spot in economic growth in the region and in the world, ranked among the 40 countries with the largest economies in the world and the top 20 economies in terms of trade and foreign investment attraction.

Culture, society, education and training, science and technology, health care... have all developed remarkably; people's lives have been increasingly improved, we have risen to become a middle-income country with a GDP per capita of 4,700 USD/person in 2024, completing the Millennium Development Goals early; independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity have been maintained. Foreign relations have been expanded, international integration has become increasingly effective.

Up to now, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 193 countries that are members of the United Nations; built partnerships, strategic cooperation, and comprehensive strategic partnerships with all major powers in the world and the region. Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena have been increasingly affirmed and enhanced. With these achievements, Vietnam has been praised by the international media with many beautiful words such as: "Potential land" (Forbes), "Rising dawn" (Russian newspaper) or "Asian tiger" (Nikkei Asia)...

The miraculous changes of the country since the day of reunification have continued to write the glorious history of the nation with the spirit and heroism of the heroic epic of the Great Spring Victory. This is the foundation and important condition for Vietnam to realize its strategic vision, enter a new era, the era of national growth, build a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilized, happy Vietnam, firmly moving towards socialism. At the same time, it is a sharp proof to break all the distorted arguments, denying the value of the Great Spring Victory of 1975 - "a shining symbol of the complete victory of revolutionary heroism and human intelligence".

Vitality from the city named after Uncle Ho! Photo: Xuan Cuong

In the current context, when the entire nation is preparing to enter a new era, an era of national growth with new opportunities and challenges, the echoes of the heroic epic of the great Spring victory need to continue to be rekindled and resound strongly. Like 50 years ago, the country of Vietnam, the Vietnamese revolution has no other choice, no place to pause or retreat, but only the sole choice is to resolutely charge forward, overcome the challenges of history, promote the will and aspirations of the nation to seize advantages, overcome obstacles to move forward. This is also what General Secretary To Lam has emphasized many times: We have all the necessary conditions and we cannot delay, must immediately do what needs to be done with the spirit of "running while lining up", first of all, thoroughly combat corruption, waste and quickly and synchronously carry out the lean revolution, improve the efficiency, effectiveness and efficiency of the national leadership, operation and governance system. These are meaningful and strategically important tasks, paving the way for the entire nation to enter a new era.

Years will pass, but looking back at the glorious journey of the nation, the Great Victory of Spring 1975 will live forever in the memories of each generation of Vietnamese people with immortal significance. To continue writing that heroic epic requires the efforts of the entire Party, people and army, overcoming all difficulties and challenges, confidently entering a new era - the era of the Vietnamese nation's rise./.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/dai-thang-mua-xuan-1975-ban-hung-ca-bat-diet-10295073.html