Two epic songs at the conference "Great victory of Spring 1975"

On April 20, in Ho Chi Minh City, a national scientific conference took place with the theme: "The Great Victory of Spring 1975 with the new era of development of the Vietnamese people", chaired by the Ministry of National Defense, in coordination with the Central Propaganda and Education Commission, the Ministry of Public Security , the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee. This is an important event in the series of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975/April 30, 2025).

Major General Nguyen Ngoc Doanh, A glorious military career, a witness to the Great Victory of Spring 1975.

With the dignified demeanor of a soldier who has experienced battle, Major General Nguyen Ngoc Doanh, former Deputy Commander of Politics of the 4th Army Corps, brought to the conference a vivid story about the last days of the resistance war against America to save the country.

He participated in a series of fierce battles on the Southeast battlefield, from liberating Dong Xoai, Phuoc Long, Dinh Quan, Xuan Loc, Long Khanh sub-regions to important campaigns such as the historic Nguyen Hue and Ho Chi Minh campaigns.

Despite his small stature, in every battle, Major General Nguyen Ngoc Doanh was always the model of a resilient, brave soldier, ready to face the "line of life and death". During the campaign to liberate the South, he was the Political Commissar of Regiment 141, Division 7, Corps 4, leading one of five army wings, with the mission of liberating Saigon.

Joining the army at the age of 24 in 1963, in the context of the Saigon army being supported by the US to escalate the war, Major General Nguyen Ngoc Doanh devoted his whole life to fighting and defending the Fatherland.

"At noon on April 30, 1975, the flag of the National Liberation Front flew over the roof of the Independence Palace - that sacred moment was not only mine but also that of the entire nation," the Major General emotionally shared. Together with his comrades, he bravely launched three attacks in the East and Southwest directions, advancing into Saigon, contributing to the glorious victory, ending more than 20 years of war.

However, General Doanh did not forget the regret of the last major battle. Although he was given the honor of receiving the flag from Commander Hoang Cam to plant on the roof of the Independence Palace, he and his unit were unable to carry out that mission. When the campaign was at its most intense, the enemy fiercely blocked it, forcing him to send his troops back to coordinate the opening of the "Xuan Loc Steel Door". However, he did not falter and continued his mission.

The image of the national flag flying over the Independence Palace is still deeply engraved in the mind of Major General Nguyen Ngoc Doanh, a testament to the pride and happiness of the nation. After the victory, his 7th Division was assigned to manage the districts in Saigon, in which his 141st Regiment managed District 1, Binh Thanh and Thu Duc.

Although during his 4 months of duty, he had to face great challenges, especially fighting against false propaganda from the old regime, the Major General was always steadfast in the teachings of General Vo Nguyen Giap: "Entering the citadel is as solid as a fortress, comrades have overcome hardships and bullets on the battlefield, so do not waver in your will."

Now, at the age of 87, with white hair, the Major General still remembers those heroic days. Although his health is poor, his heart is always full of enthusiasm and faith in the younger generation. He advises: "Although the road is full of challenges, you must persevere, strive, learn and do good deeds. As Uncle Ho taught, 'One plan, ten methods', if you know how to apply the right methods, all goals can be achieved."

Ms. Hoang Thi Khanh, the female soldier of Con Dao and the miraculous self-liberation

If the Saigon battlefield was where the army and people joined forces to liberate the South, then Con Dao is a living testament to the indomitable spirit and self-reliance of political prisoners - unarmed soldiers but full of revolutionary ideals.

Ms. Hoang Thi Khanh, former Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and Head of the Liaison Committee for Former Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War in Ho Chi Minh City, recounted in a calm but emotional voice the historic moment of liberating Con Dao - a battle without gunfire, but full of intelligence, courage and spirit of the communists.

After the 1973 Paris Agreement, instead of releasing prisoners as promised, the enemy continued to detain and oppress them. Ms. Khanh and her comrades steadfastly resisted by refusing to complete paperwork, not saluting the flag, and not submitting. By early 1975, when the war situation changed dramatically, they were able to maintain contact via secret radio to monitor developments. When contact was cut off, they could only rely on solidarity and political acumen to make judgments. In the life-and-death moments, amid the enemy's plot to kill or evacuate prisoners abroad, Ms. Khanh and her female political prisoners calmly organized a celebration of International Labor Day as a declaration: "If we have to die, we must die with dignity."

At dawn on May 1, 1975, when the camp leader of Camp 6B opened the door and announced: "Your side has won", she and her fellow prisoners still did not believe it. Only when they personally heard the voice of Senior Lieutenant General Tran Van Tra reading the martial law decree from the radio, did they burst into happiness: "We have won! Long live Uncle Ho!".

With a spirit of revolutionary initiative, the prisoners established a provisional revolutionary government on the island. They organized armed forces, protected the people, stabilized the lives of nearly 10,000 people, took over the arsenal and established order. From a "hell on earth" - once a symbol of repression - Con Dao in the hands of political prisoners became a revolutionary stronghold, a shining mark in the history of the nation.

Two stories, two pieces from the battlefield and the prison, converged at the conference like an immortal epic. It was a strong affirmation that the Vietnamese people won not only with guns and bullets, but also with courage, intelligence and unshakable patriotism.

The workshop is not only an opportunity to look back at the glorious past, but also an opportunity to send a message to today's and future generations: preserving independence and developing the country is not only a responsibility, but also a continuation of a sacred journey paid for with blood, tears and steadfast faith.

(According to Ho Chi Minh City Tourism)

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/16/349109/Hai-khuc-trang-ca-tai-Hoi-thao-Dai-thang-mua-Xuan-1975.aspx